Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers: A Match Made in Hollywood

Has there ever been a more iconic duo than Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers?

The pirouetting pair first appeared together in 1933’s Flying Down to Rio. Though they starred in only 10 films together, they made a lasting impact on Hollywood still felt to this day. In 1936, Fred and Ginger starred in their sixth film Swing Time, sometimes lauded as the greatest dance film of all time.

Certainly, the dance number “Pick Yourself Up” showcases the magnetism and big-screen magic that made them one of the most popular duos in Tinseltown. Fred and Ginger don’t dance; they float. Though light on their feet, their dancing is also powerful and dynamic: a dichotomy set to music. It’s no surprise that celebrated dance critic Arlene Croce considered Swing Time to be Astaire and Rogers’ best dance musical.

While their dance partnership came to an untimely end in 1939, Fred and Ginger remained lifelong friends. Rogers said in a 1987 interview, “I just adored and admired Fred with all my heart…He was the best partner anyone could ever have.”

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