tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post3865861119347483759..comments2024-03-08T18:49:51.289-05:00Comments on Classic Film and TV Café: The Pleasure of Fred Astaire's CompanyRick29http://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-49199290604331538482016-05-01T02:48:06.568-04:002016-05-01T02:48:06.568-04:00Fred's character's name is Biddeford "...Fred's character's name is Biddeford "Pogo" Poole, not Biddeford "Pogo" Poole.<br /><br />To bad I can't find this movie on DVD because I'd love to own a copy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-81917292588243224132014-08-11T17:23:51.025-04:002014-08-11T17:23:51.025-04:00Any other Fred Astaire movie I could comment on, e...Any other Fred Astaire movie I could comment on, except this one. The only Astaire movie I've never seen. Despite your criticisms, I'd still love to see it one day. Agree with Patrick about COUNTERFEIT TRAITOR. Terrific movie. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-4539323016669418072014-08-10T23:20:09.484-04:002014-08-10T23:20:09.484-04:00Thanks, Patrick. I'll be on the lookout for TH...Thanks, Patrick. I'll be on the lookout for THE COUNTERFEIT TRAITOR.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-57832390482915003252014-08-10T22:55:42.496-04:002014-08-10T22:55:42.496-04:00Checking the credits list of Counterfeit Traitor, ...Checking the credits list of Counterfeit Traitor, I see George Seaton directed both that one and The Pleasure of His Company.Patrick Wahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15408356855300575520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-7467671120107705022014-08-10T22:53:03.940-04:002014-08-10T22:53:03.940-04:00Check out "Counterfeit Traitor" if you h...Check out "Counterfeit Traitor" if you haven't seen it, you would like it as a Lilli Palmer fan. Not underrated by those who have seen it, but seems to get very little play on tv.<br /><br />Agree that Astaire pulls off his part as well as possible, but I found his character's self centeredness off putting overall.Patrick Wahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15408356855300575520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-20072258725591752912014-08-09T06:54:33.283-04:002014-08-09T06:54:33.283-04:00Toto, I love the scene at the party where all the ...Toto, I love the scene at the party where all the ladies wants to dance with Pogo!Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-16439844032142557922014-08-09T06:53:53.952-04:002014-08-09T06:53:53.952-04:00"Charming rotter"--what an apt descripti..."Charming rotter"--what an apt description! And yes, Fred's performance here also reminded me of HOLIDAY INN (except Pogo might be even worse).Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-14920450384936121162014-08-09T06:52:42.655-04:002014-08-09T06:52:42.655-04:00Thanks for the correction, Joel (which I fixed). I...Thanks for the correction, Joel (which I fixed). I'm not sure why I put the wrong TH! I agree that Lilli is exceptional. I've seen her in several movies and always liked her. But until watching this movie again, I had apparently forgotten wonderful she was in it.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-40994134122960162622014-08-08T23:48:29.659-04:002014-08-08T23:48:29.659-04:00Love this movie but you are so right that Pogo is ...Love this movie but you are so right that Pogo is a charming but reprehensible rake. Fred makes him as sympathetic as possible but even with his full on star power Pogo is a selfish waster.<br /><br />Lilli casts a continental spell and I think outshines Fred. It's too bad that Charlie Ruggles's part was paired down from the play because he's gold whenever he shows up in the film. <br /><br />The shots of San Francisco are beautiful as is the house Lilli and Gary live in. The film has that old studio sheen that can't be replicated now no matter how many computers they use.<br /><br />One note: Tab Hunter played Debbie's fiancee not Ty Hardin.joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-67051477545415421582014-08-08T18:24:00.579-04:002014-08-08T18:24:00.579-04:00This film is definitely a showcase for Fred Astair...This film is definitely a showcase for Fred Astaire and Lilli Palmer. Astaire plays a cad very well while Miss Palmer lights up the screen in every scene she does. It is delightful to see Fred have a dance scene because he is always light on his very capable feet. The third standout is the wonderful Charles Ruggles but, as you point out, he is sadly underutilized. toto2https://www.blogger.com/profile/09652682900471649463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-3366492823529200122014-08-07T11:45:50.326-04:002014-08-07T11:45:50.326-04:00What I love about this movie: the San Francisco se...What I love about this movie: the San Francisco setting, Fred Astaire (of course) and gorgeous Lilli Palmer, the first actress I think of when the phrase "ageless beauty" comes to mind.<br /><br />I remember seeing her in the mini-series "Peter the Great," which turned out to be her final onscreen performance. She was still stunning at 71. The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-28100240054866712862014-08-07T10:25:19.554-04:002014-08-07T10:25:19.554-04:00Rick, I loved this movie as a kid. It was on the 4...Rick, I loved this movie as a kid. It was on the 4:30 movie on ABC if memory serves me correctly. I wish TCM would show it. It is a good movie to see to the importance not only of casting but true star power. Without Fred and Lili, this is a sub-par movie.Gilby37https://www.blogger.com/profile/12559239743969365425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-88721306458379871922014-08-07T09:48:03.866-04:002014-08-07T09:48:03.866-04:00I don't believe I've ever gotten around to...I don't believe I've ever gotten around to this one. Sounds like a lazy Sunday afternoon sort of a deal.<br /><br />Fred Astaire mastered the role of a charming rotter. The first movie my daughter saw him in (when she was quite young) was "Holiday Inn" and it took her years to forgive him for trying to steal Bing's girl.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.com