Top Hat (U)

While rehearsing in a hotel suite, showman Jerry Travers annoys the woman sleeping in the room below with his incessant tap-dancing. However, when he meets her to apologise, romantic sparks fly. Set in 1920s London and Venice, and featuring lavish Art Deco sets, this fun mistaken-identity tale is further enhanced by a wonderfully eccentric support cast. The score was written especially for Astaire and Rogers by Irving Berlin, who adored their simple and charming interpretation of his songs.

Their dancing, however, is sheer perfection. Numbers include ‘Top Hat, White Tie and Tails’, ‘Isn’t This a Lovely Day?’ and the sublime ‘Cheek to Cheek’ – arguably the most romantic dance sequence ever filmed. When Ginger, dressed in that stunningly beautiful feather dress, is dipped by Fred, it cannot fail to give you goose bumps.