Flying Down to Rio

Rogers playing a witty singer, Astaire a best buddy with an accordion: their first joint film brought them together as supporting actors, but their few and brief dance interludes attracted the attention of both viewers and the studio bigwigs at RKO. The actual couple in the film is made up of Belinha (Dolores del Río), the daughter of a hotel owner, whom the notorious ladies’ man and bandleader Roger (Gene Raymond) falls for, finding true love. Modern technologies also play an essential role: telegrams are sent back and forth, small planes not only fly effortlessly from Miami to Rio, but also provide the backdrop for curious dance scenes in the sky. Crashing down to earth: FLYING DOWN TO RIO resorts to stereotype more often than is necessary. The fact that even Astaire and Rogers are exagerrated in their roles is no consolation. (mg)