This film is worth watching just for the drum performance by Fred Astaire in its first minutes.
Fred plays a very wealthy free spirit who crosses paths with a beautiful, 18-year-old French orphan (Leslie Caron). He is inspired to elevate her station in life by anonymously paying for her college education in the United States. The terms of the agreement require that she must never know who her benefactor is.
As she progresses in school, she regularly writes to him, but he never replies. Still, he periodically keeps tabs on her.
Johnny Mercer provides some clever songs. Astaire and Caron provide some solid dancing---especially the "Sluefoot" number, which allows Astaire to swing and jive with the younger crowd.
Though its story may be somewhat disjointed, this film delivers some memorable performances.
Fred plays a very wealthy free spirit who crosses paths with a beautiful, 18-year-old French orphan (Leslie Caron). He is inspired to elevate her station in life by anonymously paying for her college education in the United States. The terms of the agreement require that she must never know who her benefactor is.
As she progresses in school, she regularly writes to him, but he never replies. Still, he periodically keeps tabs on her.
Johnny Mercer provides some clever songs. Astaire and Caron provide some solid dancing---especially the "Sluefoot" number, which allows Astaire to swing and jive with the younger crowd.
Though its story may be somewhat disjointed, this film delivers some memorable performances.