An American dancer comes to Britain and falls for a model whom he initially annoyed, but she mistakes him for his goofy producer.An American dancer comes to Britain and falls for a model whom he initially annoyed, but she mistakes him for his goofy producer.An American dancer comes to Britain and falls for a model whom he initially annoyed, but she mistakes him for his goofy producer.
- Nominated for 4 Oscars
- 3 wins & 6 nominations total
Robert Adair
- London Hotel Clerk
- (uncredited)
Lucille Ball
- Flower Clerk
- (uncredited)
Tito Blasco
- Minor Role
- (uncredited)
William A. Boardway
- Club Member
- (uncredited)
Tom Brandon
- Minor Role
- (uncredited)
Roy Brent
- Minor Role
- (uncredited)
Tex Brodus
- Hotel Guest
- (uncredited)
Phyllis Coghlan
- Dancer
- (uncredited)
Gino Corrado
- Venice Hotel Manager
- (uncredited)
Tom Costello
- Minor Role
- (uncredited)
Lorinne Crawford
- Dancer
- (uncredited)
Oliver Cross
- Hotel Guest
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe finale of "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" production number with Fred Astaire miming his cane as a weapon "attacking" his supporting dancers, 13 canes were prepared for it. During shooting, Astaire, ever the unforgiving perfectionist, was continually breaking his canes in frustration at his mistakes, which concerned the crew that he was running out of them. As it turns out, the shooting of the scene was finished with the very last cane.
- GoofsThe opening scenes shows Jerry Travers already seated in the lounge of the club. No gentlemen's club, at least a London club, to this day allows guests to be seated in the lounge before their sponsor arrives and vouches for them.
- Quotes
Jerry Travers: In dealing with a girl or horse, one just lets nature take its course.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Hollywood: The Fabulous Era (1962)
- SoundtracksAlexander's Ragtime Band
(1911) (fragment) (uncredited)
Music by Irving Berlin
In the score during the opening credits
Featured review
Sublime Soufflé
Top Hat is a terrific musical about mistaken identity that pushes the "joke" to the limit but never takes it self very seriously. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are perfect as actors, dancers, and pals in this engaging comedy with several great dance numbers.
Astaire does a great solo (with male chorus line) to Top Hat and teams with Rogers in The Piccolino, Isn't It a Lovely Day, and Cheek to Cheek. All excellent. During The Piccolino number they seem to be having so much fun it's contagious and it seems like the entire number is done in ONE TAKE! Co-starring are 4 great actors who all turn in splendid performances. Helen Broderick is Madge, the frustrated and wise-cracking wife. Edward Everett Horton is Horace, the henpecked but conniving husband. Eric Blore is the valet, and Erik Rhodes is Beddini. Each gets his/her turn in the spotlight. Broderick was the perfect "older" woman as sidekick, Horton and Blore are a great comedy team of scene stealers, and Rhodes has a ball fracturing English. Lucille Ball has a bit part as the florist's assistant.
Central of course are Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. The Cheek to Cheek number is a classic and is fun to watch the feathers fly off Ginger's dress. My favorite is The Piccolino, especially when it breaks into a swing number and the dancers can really cut loose. Great fun.
One drawback is the UGLY set decorations that are in the same style no matter where they are. It's all that white-on-white stuff with hideous Greek decals and floral sprays everywhere. Even the scenes in Venice are all white right down to the gondolas. And just why are people swimming in the canals?
Astaire does a great solo (with male chorus line) to Top Hat and teams with Rogers in The Piccolino, Isn't It a Lovely Day, and Cheek to Cheek. All excellent. During The Piccolino number they seem to be having so much fun it's contagious and it seems like the entire number is done in ONE TAKE! Co-starring are 4 great actors who all turn in splendid performances. Helen Broderick is Madge, the frustrated and wise-cracking wife. Edward Everett Horton is Horace, the henpecked but conniving husband. Eric Blore is the valet, and Erik Rhodes is Beddini. Each gets his/her turn in the spotlight. Broderick was the perfect "older" woman as sidekick, Horton and Blore are a great comedy team of scene stealers, and Rhodes has a ball fracturing English. Lucille Ball has a bit part as the florist's assistant.
Central of course are Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. The Cheek to Cheek number is a classic and is fun to watch the feathers fly off Ginger's dress. My favorite is The Piccolino, especially when it breaks into a swing number and the dancers can really cut loose. Great fun.
One drawback is the UGLY set decorations that are in the same style no matter where they are. It's all that white-on-white stuff with hideous Greek decals and floral sprays everywhere. Even the scenes in Venice are all white right down to the gondolas. And just why are people swimming in the canals?
helpful•204
- drednm
- Jan 1, 2006
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- The World by the Tail
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $609,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $5,541
- Runtime1 hour 41 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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