The Show Was More Than Routine For Fred Astaire

By 1946, Fred Astaire was ready to retire. He'd worked almost constantly for 40 years straight.

He'd already starred in many vaudeville shows, Broadway musicals, radio programs and 19 movies. Maybe it was time to slow down.

Then Gene Kelly broke his ankle.

Kelly, set to star in a new movie called "Easter Parade," persuaded Astaire to take his place in the film.

Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz)agreed to do the film. After it was released, his thoughts of retiring flew out the window. Fans and studios clamored for more performances. He went on to star in 24 more movies as well as numerous TV shows.

Astaire (1899-1987) was one of the hardest-working men in show business and one of the best entertainers of the 20th century. He worked diligently to make sure his dance routines were flawless, bringing the focus to solo dancers through his innovation.

"Gene Kelly, John Travolta and Patrick Swayze -- they all owe a debt to Astaire," said Larry Billman, president of the Academy of Dance on Film and author of "Fred Astaire: A Bio-Bibliography."

Fred wasn't considered the talented one in his family. His parents spent their money on dance lessons for his older sister, Adele, who was a prodigy at school recitals.

Bright Lights

Adele's talents were such that she, Fred, their mother and sister moved to New York City so Adele could find more formal dance training.

One anecdote says Fred was with his mother to pick up Adele at her school one day when he picked up a pair of ballet slippers in the corner. "I had seen other children walk on their toes, so I put on the slippers and walked on my toes. It was as simple as that," Astaire wrote in his autobiography, "Steps in Time."

Fred and Adele's instructor worked up an act for the children to perform. The two played a bride and groom while singing and dancing around a wedding cake set piece. At age 6, Fred made his stage debut at a resort in New Jersey.

An agent for the Orpheum chain of vaudeville theaters booked the kids on a U.S. tour for $150 a week plus train fare. Adele, thanks to her onstage jokes and improvisation, got better reviews than her brother, who worked on his dance steps.

"When he was off dancing by himself, he sort of invented things," Adele once said. "I was the clown. I couldn't be bothered learning all of those steps."

Eventually Fred drew on a wider range of talent and material for the duo's act. He looked for catchier music and sought out pieces by Jerome Kern, George Gershwin and other top composers. He urged his sister to play up their humor during their act. Soon the pair appeared in Broadway revues with Al Jolson and Fanny Brice.

Fred spent hours experimenting with new steps. When he hit one he really liked, he'd show it to his sister and a director to get their feedback. Thus he came up with unique dance routines that appeared in many subsequent shows.

Astaire didn't let a challenge get him down. On a trip to England, he and Adele danced for fellow passengers during a storm. The rocking of the ship kept the pair sliding 15 feet across the dance floor. Fred simply laughed and worked the slide into the routine. It was later re-created in the 1951 movie "Royal Wedding."

Looking Sharp

Astaire relied on his keen observation skills to create his dapper persona. On his trip to England, he met the prince of Wales. He studied the prince's dress and manners so he could replicate them onstage.

Astaire's dancing and choreographic skills won the critics' praises through the 1920s. He began the next decade with a sterling reputation on Broadway.

Still, he'd have to prove himself in a whole other medium -- film. His sister retired, and Astaire decided his future lay on the silver screen.

Others were less convinced. One legend says a studio executive sent to scout Astaire wrote back this description: "Can't act. Slightly bald. Also dances."

He did supporting roles in his first two movies. Critics gave Astaire a passing nod in one movie.

Astaire knew he needed the right vehicle to showcase his talent. Then he met Ginger Rogers.

The two were set to appear together in "Flying Down to Rio." Astaire insisted that they practice each day before they began shooting and then again afterward -- at least once until Rogers' feet bled, Billman says.

The film got rave reviews.

Astaire and Rogers would go on to star in eight other movies. In 1950, she presented him an honorary Academy Award.

This story originally ran Dec. 11, 2003, on Leaders & Success.