Conference bookie::movies

817.0. "RIP Ginger Rogers" by TOHOPE::WSA038::SATTERFIELD (Close enough for jazz.) Wed Apr 26 1995 15:38

Ginger Rogers died yesterday at the age of 83. She has long been one of my
favorite actresses. I met her a couple of years ago in Atlanta, she was in
town for two days signing autographs for her autobiography. The line was
huge, the longest by far I've ever seen for a signing. It must have been 
tiring for her at her age but she was unfailingly friendly and gracious.

Her career began by winning a Charleston contest, she then spent some time
touring with Jack Pepper (also her first husband). She got to Broadway and
landed some major roles including the original production of Gershwin's
"Girl Crazy" (Fred Astaire was brought in to help with the choreography and
dancing, Fred and Ginger had a couple of dates as friends). She then did
some movie work in New York before landing a contract with RKO. She gradually
built her career up until Fred Astaire was signed and they did a novelty
number called the Carioca in _Flying Down to Rio_. The were such a hit
that RKO immediatly paired them again (much to Astaires displeasure, he didn't
want to be tied to a partner again after his many years with his sister
Adelle) as the stars of _The Gay Divorcee_. RKO bought this property because
Astaire had a big hit with it on Broadway. The title was changed from The
Gay Divorce at the censors insistance, the reasoning being that it was
improper to refer to as divorce as happy but a divorcee could be. During the
years Astaire and Rogers were making films for RKO they essiently carried
the studio. They make about one a year with Astaire working only on them and
Ginger starring in a couple of films between each. After thier last film
at RKO (_The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle_) Ginger went on to make a
mix of dramas and romantic comedies. She won the best actress Oscar for
the title role in _Kitty Foyle_ over still competition. 

She's best known for her films with Astaire (she preferred her dramatic roles)
and it's been said  that "She gave him sex appeal and he gave her class" and
"She did everything he did only backwards and in heels". Astaire was the
better dancer and she was the better actor (not to mention more decorative).
They both did some great work apart but thier films together are some of the
most brilliant gems that Hollywood ever created. _Swing Time_ is among my
five favorite films.

I'd better stop now, this is getting long winded. She will be missed.


Randy