The Barkleys of Broadway

Astaire and Rogers in glorious Technicolor. After a 10-year break, the two came together in rather unplanned fashion for one last film together. The musical genre had changed and the two had matured but once again, their interaction – referring loosely to the song "They Can't Take That Away from Me" (music: George Gershwin), which provides the emotional climax of the film – transmits the power of their unique artistic partnership. In the plot, however, the relationship of the married couple and dance partners Dinah (Rogers) and Josh (Astaire) is considerably strained: Their ongoing accusations, quarrels and misunderstandings remain hidden from no one. When Dinah wants to switch over to serious stuff (watch out for Rogers' memorable declamation of the Marseillaise), there is a rupture. (mg)