We left Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers at the beginning of their duo in the legendary small RKO studio, the smallest studio in Hollywood in the 1930s. Here is the second part of this series on the treasures of this studio that not only produced “Citizen Kane” and “King Kong” but also gave musical comedy an inimitable class with its art deco style and choice composers from Broadway, Georges Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin.
The highlight in 1935 was “Top Hat”. The film will be adapted into a musical at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris from April 15 to May 3, 2026.
The most beautiful number in the film is titled “Top Hat White Tie and Tails”. Here, Fred Astaire faces a group of tap dancers dressed in top hats, tails, and white bow ties. He performs a brilliant routine at a fast pace and ends by directing his cane towards each dancer as if shooting them.
Other classics from the studio include “Follow the Fleet,” “Swing Time,” “Shall We Dance,” “A Damsel in Distress,” “Carefree,” and “The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle,” a fireworks display of standards and dance numbers.
“Let’s Face the Music and Dance” by Irving Berlin (from “Follow the Fleet”) features the celebrated dance duo of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
“Swing Time – Bojangles of Harlem” (1936) is another iconic number by Fred Astaire from the movie “Swing Time.”
The next event will be a cabaret featuring the cast of “Top Hat” at the Studio 105 of the Maison de la Radio and de la Musique on Sunday, April 19, 2026. The musical will be playing at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris from April 15 to May 3, in partnership with France Musique.
The cast includes Philip Attmore as Jerry Travers, Nicole-Lily Baisden as Dale Tremont, Stuart Hickey and Clive Carter as Horace Hardwick, Emma Williams as Madge Hardwick, James Clyde as Bates, and Alex Gibson-Girgio as Alberto Beddini.
The ensemble will include Lindsay Atherton, Rhiannon Bacchus, Freddie Clements, Pedro Donoso, Bethan Downing, Autumn Draper, Tilly Ducker, Zak Edwards, Laura Hills, Maddie Harper, Connor Hughes, George Lyons, David McIntosh, Jordan Oliver, Emily Ann Potter, Joe Press, Molly Rees Howe, Kirsty Sparks, and Jerry Toyan Thomas-Browne.
Join us at the upcoming cabaret “42nd Street,” which will be held at the Studio 105 of the Maison de la Radio et de la Musique. Watch all the videos of our 42nd Street cabarets on the new Instagram page.
[Context: This article presents information about classic musical productions and upcoming events related to famous musicals like “Top Hat” and “Swing Time.” The text mentions key performances, actors, and details about the shows.]
[Fact Check: The facts presented here are based on historical information about classic Hollywood musicals and upcoming performances. The details about the cast and events are accurate at the time of publication.]
