AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Fred Astaire (TV 1981)
"The American Film Institute Salute to Fred Astaire" (original title)

A Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to dancer Fred Astaire by the AFI featuring highlights from his films and reminiscences from his co-workers.

Director:

Marty Pasetta

Writers:

Joseph McBride, George Stevens Jr.

Stars:

Fred Astaire, David Niven, Mikhail Baryshnikov

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Fred Astaire	...	Himself - Honoree
David Niven	...	Himself - Host
Mikhail Baryshnikov	...	Himself
James Cagney	...	Himself
Cyd Charisse	...	Herself
Barrie Chase	...	Herself
Bob Fosse	...	Himself
Audrey Hepburn	...	Herself
Charlton Heston	...	Himself
Gene Kelly	...	Himself
Hermes Pan	...	Himself
Eleanor Powell	...	Herself

Storyline

Dancer Fred Astaire in honored with the 9th Annual Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Film Institute at Hollywood banquet. Film clips from his best work with partner Ginger Rogers and others along with reminiscences from such dancing partners as Eleanor Powell, Barrie Chase, Cyd Charisse, and Audrey Hepburn are featured as well as highlights of Fred singing Gershwin and Porter songs.

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Plot Keywords:

dancer | reminiscence | lifetime achievement award | broadway manhattan new york city | congratulations | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 April 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Fred Astaire

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hilton Hotel - 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pasetta Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Emcee David Niven's voice seems slightly slurred. Although he excuses it with a joke to the audience at the beginning, he doesn't offer an explanation, describing it as "parrot-like." Niven was secretly suffering from ASL, a debilitating disease which would take his life two years later.

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Quotes

Himself - Presenter: Sitting at that horseshoe table there is the greatest musical performer in the history of motion pictures.
[after applause]
Himself - Presenter: and premiere dancer of the 20th Century.

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Connections

Followed by AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Gene Kelly (1985)

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Soundtracks

"Puttin' on the Ritz"
Danced to by Fred Astaire in film clip

User Reviews

The Humble Icon

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this heartfelt tribute is, the genuine humbleness of Fred Astaire himself. I felt he was semi hidden behind an invisible veil of discomfort. As if he was putting himself through this golden ordeal four our benefit, just and only for us. To give us a chance to give him thanks and express one way or another how we felt about him about his entire opus but I couldn't help feeling that if it had been up to him, he would rather be in Philadelphia. He even mentioned Ginger Rogers with love and admiration, although she wasn't there to do the same. I think Eleanor Powell put it in the most moving and powerful way, looking at Fred Astaire she said with a smile that masked the pathos of her remark "I wish we could do it, just one more time"