An Evening with Fred Astaire (1958) (TV)

Director:

Bud Yorkin

Writers:

Herbert Baker (writer)
Bud Yorkin (writer)

Release Date:

17 October 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Music

Plot Keywords:

Dancing | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Won 9 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Fred Astaire	...	Himself
Barrie Chase	...	Herself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Art Gilmore	...	Himself / Announcer
Jonah Jones	...	Himself
Larri Thomas	...	Herself (Hermes Pan Dancer)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Ava Productions

Trivia:

The show was first telecast in the USA on NBC, but it was loaned to CBS for a one-time only broadcast. This took place on the evening of 3 January 1965. The commercial breaks included a promo for CBS's 1965 telecast of The Wizard of Oz (1939), which took place two weeks after the CBS broadcast of the CBS special.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Another Evening with Fred Astaire (1959) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Cheek to Cheek

This is on videotape-- somewhere!!

By 1957, Fred Astaire had starred in his final musical films as a leading man: "Funny Face" and "Silk Stockings." He then unofficially retired- until NBC television producer Bud Yorkin brought him back. Having done Broadway in the 30's and radio in the 40's, television was the only medium he had not yet conquered. This stunning hour-long variety show was done live, in color, and basically illustrated, in Astaire's own words, a 'dance bash.' He performed a medley of songs from his movies, presented a team of dancers who had done bits in his last films, and performed with jazz great Jonah Jones. And he re-introduced himself as a leading man with newcomer Barrie Chase, of the longer-than-long legs and Fosse-like moves, in two duets: the ballroom turn "Change Partners" and the jazz flavored "St. James Infirmary Blues," performed on trumpet and narrated by Jones, and danced in a stunning duet with Astaire and Chase that alternates between athletic and sexy. She (in black capri pants) was roughly 25 years old, he (sans white tie and tails) was 59. The special won nine Emmy awards, including one for Astaire himself, and has been preserved on color videotape- currently the SECOND oldest ever color videotape program. Truly a major achievement of early television. Hopefully it will be re-released soon; the public should see this marvelous time capsule of television.