The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle

Theatrical release poster
Directed by H. C. Potter
Produced by George Haight
Written by Story:
Irene Castle
Screenplay:
Oscar Hammerstein II
Dorothy Yost
Richard Sherman
Starring Fred Astaire
Ginger Rogers
Edna May Oliver
Walter Brennan
Music by Robert Russell Bennett (lyrics)
Irving Berlin (music)
Cinematography Robert de Grasse
Editing by William Hamilton
Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures
Release date(s) March 29, 1939 (1939-03-29)
Running time 93 minutes
Country United States
Language English

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle is an American biographical musical comedy, released in 1939 and directed by H.C. Potter. The film stars Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edna May Oliver, and Walter Brennan.[1]

The movie is based on the stories My Husband and My Memories of Vernon Castle, by Irene Castle. The movie was adapted by Oscar Hammerstein II, Dorothy Yost and Richard Sherman.

Irene Castle acted as advisor to this film, and constantly disagreed with the director as to details of costuming and liberties taken. When informed that white actor Walter Brennan was to play the part of faithful servant Walter, she was dumbfounded: the real Walter was black.[2]

The film marks several "firsts": the characters in it are more realistic than usual in an Astaire-Rogers film, it is the only Astaire-Rogers musical biography, the only one of their musicals with a tragic ending, and the only one in which Astaire's character dies.

Contents

Plot

The film tells of novice dancer Irene Foote (Ginger Rogers) who convinces vaudeville comic Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire) to give up slapstick comedy in favor of sophisticated ballroom dancing.

Their big break comes when they are stranded in Paris, along with their friend Walter Ashe (Walter Brennan), with no money. They catch the eye of influential agent Maggie Sutton (Edna May Oliver), who arranges a tryout for them at the prestigious Café de Paris, where they become an overnight sensation. After taking Europe by storm, the Castles return to the United States and become just as big a sensation. Their fame and fortune rises to unprecedented heights in the immediate pre–World War I years.

When Vernon volunteers to join the air force, Irene makes patriotic movie serials to aid the war effort. However, Vernon is killed in a training accident, leaving Irene to carry on alone.

Cast

Footnotes

External links