Freddie & Feathers

❝ …The Casino was indeed a charming place for a quiet rendezvous. The low background music was perfect for a romantic dinner for two. We dawdled over the menu and finally ordered our supper, and then Fred asked me to dance. I made the happy discovery that as wonderful a dancer as Fred was on the stage, he was equally superb as a partner on the dance floor.

Part of the joy in dancing is conversation. Trouble is, some men can’t talk and dance at the same time. They lose their rhythm. Fred was a delightful conversationalist and we chatted away. He really knew how to lead a girl around the floor and used each rhythm to introduce different footwork. Mind you, there was nothing showy about Fred’s ballroom dancing, it was understated and elegant. You could put yourself in his hands and trust to his feet.

We returned to our table and found our food waiting. It was cold, but we didn’t care. We were having such a good time. We got up to dance again and moved toward the bandstand to compliment Eddy Duchin on the music.

Eddy was pleased and looked at us with a twinkle in his eye as he said,

”Fred, you and Ginger really look good together.”

Fred laughed and put us into a three-second whirl while Eddy smiled approvingly. Too soon, Duchin’s band began its goodnight tune, signaling that the evening was over. I felt as though I could have danced all night. Within ten minutes we were on our way home in his handsome Rolls-Royce town car.

Like an aperitif, Fred’s well-trained chauffeur drove us through the park, so we could talk a wee bit more before we said adieu.

Finally, the car stopped in front of my building. The chauffeur got out and walked around the car, waiting on the sidewalk near the trunk for a signal as to when to open the car door. He must have waited about five minutes!

Inside the car, Fred had me in his arms, and the kiss that we shared in that five minutes would never have passed the Hays Office code! ❞

Uncultured people: Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers never kissed on screen.

Also I just noticed - in that gif - what’s with the uneasy reaction of Fred’s, you can see it in the mirror too! 😆 She came in for a kiss and he suddenly didn’t know what to do with his hands. Is that a pat on the back with his right hand? 😅 But he put his other hand on her waist immediately, it looks so cute! 💗