Roberta

Paris entre les guerres, a haven for authentic and sham nobility. "When all you titled aristocrats get jobs, maybe Europe can settle down for a few years' peace." Displacement is the standard, thus The Wabash Indianians left in limbo because they're not Indians, merely a band led by Fred Astaire. The formidable Polish countess (Ginger Rogers) is actually the former flame from back home, the two reminisce in a cyclonic pirouette set to "I'll Be Hard to Handle." The lights dim for the cuddly fashion doyenne (Helen Westley), the business falls to her brawny Yank nephew (Randolph Scott), who with the assistant (Irene Dunne) forms the parallel couple. Merriment and melancholia in the haute couture world, a matter of style. "I see, nude if you don't, and nude if you do." Café Russe, the spot for princes and princesses after the Revolution, balalaikas and all, Dunne with silver tiara and moist eyes gives "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" the operatic treatment. (The tessitura is flexible enough to accommodate Candy Candido's vocal virtuosity on the margins of the comedy, from basso profundo to Minnie Mouse and back.) Continental sophistication and American prudishness are the opposite poles, naturally the backless black gown "just like a peeled eel" becomes the ideal tool for getting rid of the heir's vain girlfriend (Claire Dodd). "A musical fashion show" sets the climactic stage, with a swift tap solo to cap "I Won't Dance" and Lucille Ball amid the models. "Lovely to look at, delightful to know and heaven to kiss..." The camera traces the ups and downs of reunited lovers at the close in tandem with an elevator, and two decades later Donen brings his own crane for Astaire's return in Funny Face. With Victor Varconi, Luis Alberni, Ferdinand Munier, and Torben Meyer. In black and white.