Steps in Time

Book Description

Fred Astaire allows us to see through the effortless balletic exuberance.

Customer Reviews:

Steps in Time by Fred Astaire.......2007-05-18

Prior to purchasing this item I read a review that said the book didn't say anything about Fred Astaire's personality. After reading this book, you can tell about every section of Fred's life, his up and downs, his feelings, his experiences. Mr. Astire writes in the style he lived...Elegantly written. I couldn't put the book down because it was exciting to read.

A Legendary Artist; A Superficial Memoir.......2006-09-14

Fred Astaire (1899-1987) was, quite simply, a dance genius. He appeared on stage, often with his sister Adele, in such landmark musicals as LADY BE GOOD and FUNNY FACE; he graced at least 43 films, 31 one of which were musicals; he is, for all practical intents and purpose, American dance, and he worked with artists no less legendary than he. But for all this, his 1959 autobiography is most notable for being, well, utterly mundane.

STEPS IN TIME is essentially a catalogue of the various shows in which Astaire performed, ranging from Vaudeville (with sister Adele) to SILK STOCKINGS with Cyd Charisse. He always loves his leading lady; he always likes his director; even when the show was not as good as it could have been he finds something nice to say about it; and he never, ever offers the least bit of insight into his private life, his work, or the many with whom he worked over the years. Indeed, Astaire actually has more to say about his love of the racetrack than he does about any of his films or specific dance routines.

Fans of Astaire and the Hollywood musical will certainly want to read STEPS IN TIME, but even the most ardent fan will likely be disappointed by the superficial quality of the work. One can only hope that a future biographer will give Astaire the full portrait that he himself could not.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

franceskent.......2006-06-21

This book reveals as much about Fred Astaire in what it doesn't say as in what it tells. He was a shy man, of Austrian descent, very little formal education, and was eclipsed by his funny and attractive older sister in his days on the stage. These things shaped him into the perfectionist we saw on film. He had an incredible work ethic and was always looking for a new gimmick or dance style because he was not confident the audiences would keep on coming. He is not a natural story teller and sometimes leaves us wanting to hear more (e.g.can tell you he and a famous person had a lot of laughs together but not what they did or said that was funny). Still it is a good companion to the TV biography the BBC did about him a few years ago. All the best American composers of the day wanted to write for him (He and Gershwin were young unknowns together) and his evolution from vaudeville to Broadway to film happened during key times of all of those media. I do recommend the book if you want to know more about Fred Astaire, but not as a stand-alone source.

A book worth reading..........2003-04-21

This book is actually one big anecdote, peppered with little things like Mr. A's first punch, trying to figure out a title for the book, and meeting his wife, Phyllis.

However, Fred Astaire does not offer much insight on how he got from point A to Z, or what made him do this and that. In other words, people who want the whys (and plan to psychoanalyze Mr. A's actions) will not find what they are looking for.

It's still a great read though, and real entertaining.

a must for fans of the talented Mr. A.......2003-02-18

Fred Astaire tells his story in the same way he dances, with integrity and grace. I have been a fan of Mr.Astaire's for many years. The first movie of his I saw was "Daddy Long Legs." I was fasinated with the way he danced. When I found out that he had a biography I snatched a copy up. What I like about this book is that Fred Astaire wrote it himself. I found myself laughing at times, and after reading the book I felt as if I knew him personally. The best thing about this book is that it has 47 black and white photos. This book is a must for true fans of one of the greatest dancers who ever graced the big screen.

Turn Left at the Black Cow: One Family's Journey from Beverly Hills to Ireland

Average customer rating:

Turn Left at the Black Cow
Disappointing
Disappointing
Treat yourself to this book
A family to cherish

Turn Left at the Black Cow: One Family's Journey from Beverly Hills to Ireland
Richard McKenzie
Manufacturer: Roberts Rinehart Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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At Home in Ireland : Cooking and Entertaining With Ava Astaire McKenzie

ASIN: 1570982058

Customer Reviews:

Turn Left at the Black Cow.......2005-11-16

I have read this book several times and recently got on Amazon to order several copies for Christmas presents. This book, while it discusses Fred Astaire, is actually the love story of his daughter and her husband, their journey to leave Hollywood behind by buying a cottage in Ireland and the many joyous and wonderful stories that come from that move. This is not a Fred Astaire biography by any means--but rather a touching, often hilarious story of one family, their adventures in setting up house in a culture different from their own and their personal journey with each other. It remains one of our family favorites and I would highly recommend it to anyone with their own sense of adventure.

Disappointing.......2003-05-15

Turn Left at the Black Cow offers Fred Astaire fans some wonderful anecdotes, as the legendary dancer visits his daughter and her husband in Ireland. However, author McKenzie's constant name dropping and continuous negative comments about Fred's second wife wear thin. Worth a look, but feel free to skim.

Disappointing.......2003-04-28

If you read this for tidbits about Fred Astaire, that's all you get are tidbits. If you read it seeking the feeling of Ireland, there are some nice descriptive moments in the book. Mostly it focuses on the author whose life and celebrity contacts did not make up for my disappointment in the skimpiness on Astaire and Ireland.
I recommend instead titles by Niall Williams or reread Frank McCourt.

Treat yourself to this book.......2002-01-26

I stumbled upon this book searching for books about Fred Astaire and was so glad that I found it. Richard McKenzie has such a good eye for people. I loved the stories about his neighbors in Ireland as well as the unique insight into Fred Astaire. I highly recommend this book.

A family to cherish.......2001-12-01

There are many remarkable qualities to this book, chief among them the wonderful people that inhabit it. With an engaging, almost poetic style, we are invited into a world of personal impressions and happenings that are both deft and trenchant. This is a universe that contains the likes of David Niven, Barbara Stanwyck, Hermes Pan along with the likes of Kevin O'Mahoney and countless neighbors and un-famous friends--all remembered with a discerning wit and a loving appreciation. You have to love a book that shares insights about Hollywood royalty AND the personalities of cats and cows and other assorted creatures dear to the author and his family. It is full of grace, as you might imagine, humor that might not, and a heart that will always envelope you. For my money, it's a family I'd love to be a part of--if only to meet a woman who dries her garden-fresh lettuce in the spin-cycle of her washing machine! There are many such gifts along this singular journey.

Average customer rating:

The definitive study of a glorious pair!
Lots of fun, lots of information

The Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Book
Arlene Croce
Manufacturer: Duton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0525483713

Customer Reviews:

The definitive study of a glorious pair!.......2004-01-18

At just 191 pages Arlene Croce's FRED ASTAIRE & GINGER ROGERS BOOK is a gem. This is a classic work from the 1970'

Lots of fun, lots of information.......2001-05-15

The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Book is both entertaining and informative. Croce provides insightful commentary on the two stars' careers, their films, and individual dances to compliment the delightful pictures throughout the book. The top corners of the pages can even be used as a flip book so you can see a sample of Fred and Ginger dancing. This book has a wealth of information and is fabulous for anyone interested in the history of dance on film.

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The Fred Astaire Dance Book
Bobbie Lawrence , and John Monte
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0671230646

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Much more than top hat, white tie, and tails
Very good fashion
Once again - superb
Nice Essay, Pretty Pictures, Thin on Substance

Fred Astaire Style (Memoire)
G. Bruce Boyer
Manufacturer: Assouline
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 2843236770

Customer Reviews:

Much more than top hat, white tie, and tails.......2007-10-07

Last night I had the chance to see the magnificent Andrea Marcovicci in her "Andrea Sings Astaire" show. It was a great reminder, if such were necessary, of the profound influence Fred Astaire had on American popular music. Similarly, "Fred Astaire Style" is an excellent reminder of the man's influence on the evolution of a distinctly American approach to male dress. In an age when it's a tough decision which is worse -- contemporary music or contemporary haberdashery -- G. Bruce Boyer has given us a handy guide to what it means for a man to be well put-together.

"Fred Astaire Style" begins with a brief essay tracing the subject's biography and career, with an emphasis, as you'd expect, on his distinctive approach to style. Boyer also places Astaire's dress sense within a larger historical context of America's rejection of European style cues, the influence of the Depression, and the rise of a casual approach to men's style ("the small-shouldered, soft-chested, international sartorial look that's worn today"). After this comes many pages of great photos of Astaire young and old, in a wide assortment of dress, sporting, and casual clothes. I would have preferred that the captions accompanied each photo, instead of being banished to a few pages at the back of the book, but that's not a major complaint.

More than that, I wished this book was longer. While Boyer has done an excellent job assembling photos and providing a general overview, I'd point the reader to, for example, several books by Alan Flusser that break down Fred Astaire's style in more detail. Nevertheless, this book is both a respectful look back and a useful guide today. Fred Astaire still has a lot to offer as a modern icon. Here's to more people paying attention.

Very good fashion.......2007-05-14

Fred Astaire has a stlye of his own and the book covered his style very well. Enjoy the book.

Once again - superb.......2006-06-10

Mr. Boyer is a classic gentleman and in this one he writes about another.

If you have never read Mr. Boyer's works then you've missed out. Mr. Boyer's understanding of and love for classic menswear is evident and well researched. The prose is elegant and flows elegantly and as usual it is the stuff you'd expect from the man generally accepted as 'the man' in the realm of sartorial grace.

Mr Boyer has a unique way of sharing his love for the sartorial arts that makes you feel it - a rare literary ability.

I look forward to completing my collection of his work by getting this one signed along with his others. Whether you are a recent entrant to the business world or a gentleman who has appreciated the finer points of classic menswear and style for years this and all of Boyer's work is an absolute must read.

In every field there exists "The Authority". In the realm of classic men's style G. Bruce Boyer is that man. If you don't pick this up then may you spend eternity in polyester.

Well done Bruce, Thanks for shining a light on this timeless icon of style & grace as only you could!

Nice Essay, Pretty Pictures, Thin on Substance.......2006-05-23

Fred Astaire was a marvelous dancer - he made dancing look easy. He was graceful and elegant. With Ginger Rogers, he made a bunch of screwball movies that were short on plot, but musically wonderful and with dancing that was something special.
Astaire was also an elegant dresser and that is what this very short book is all about. The essay explains Astaire's very special elegance and how he worked terribly hard to make things look very easy. It's nice, but at 15 pages or so, doesn't cover a whole lot of new ground. The pictures - many of them from Astaire's Hollywood days - are, of course, quite beautiful, but for all their charm - there's something missing.

Average customer rating:

A NEW TOBY PETERS FAN!

Dancing in the Dark
Stuart M. Kaminsky
Manufacturer: Mysterious Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0892965282

Download Description

The Japanese are bombing Guadalcanal, Montgomery squares off against Rommel in North Africa, and in Hollywood, Toby Peters fights his own private war. Real estate prince and ex-mob king Arthur Forbes, a.k.a. Fingers Intaglia, wants dancing lessons for Luna Martin, his vainglorious, lead-footed moll, and he wants America's most famous tap shoes to teach her. Fred Astaire wants Toby to get Forbes and the alarmingly loose Luna off his back--and every other part of his anatomy. In a case choreographed for trouble, Toby will hoof it with Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth in front of several thousand witnesses--while desperately trying to unmask a fast-stepping killer, stop Astaire from waltzing into a pair of cement galoshes, and keep his own flat feet from doing a Last Tango in Tinseltown.

Customer Reviews:

A NEW TOBY PETERS FAN!.......2000-06-13

I found this book and series while doing an auction "online" search for movie star memorabilia. Typing in "Rita Hayworth" and "Betty Grable" brought up a list of all kinds of "goodies," among them a book called, "Dancing In The Dark." The auction write-up mentioned that Toby Peters, a 1940's Los Angeles Private Investigator for the stars, hoofs it onstage with these two Hollywood lovelies after taking dancing lessons from Fred Astaire. Well, that hooked me, so I bought this book! What a hoot! Toby is modeled after such classic hard-boiled gumshoes as Sam Spade & Philip Marlowe, but he has a heart of gold and his narratives are witty and funny. Fred Astaire turns out to be a "crime aficionado' and sounds like, uh - Fred Astaire! Mr. Kaminsky does such a marvelous job of bringing Astarie to life that you feel like you are "watching" him in the movies! The action takes place in 1943 during WW II and the descriptions of the place and times are very authentic and interesting. Any fan of the old "classic" movies of the 1940's will thoroughly enjoy this book - and the Toby Peters series!

Fred Astaire: A Wonderful Life : A Biography

Average customer rating:

A Very Good Biography

Fred Astaire: A Wonderful Life : A Biography
Bill Adler
Manufacturer: Landmark Music Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1557360820

Customer Reviews:

A Very Good Biography.......2003-06-23

I found this book to be a very in depth look at the life of Fred Astaire. It's a must for any fan. However, after reading his autobiography, this book doesn't have the same amount of humour and charm. For a biography, it's great.

Average customer rating:

UNBELIEVABLY BAD...
Dead Astaire and Ginger
What a waste
A Look at Two Careers and Images
An Unusual Premise

Astaire and Rogers
Edward Gallafent
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0231126263

Book Description

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers endure in the American imagination. The charm and grace of their dancing in the ten films they made together, including Top Hat and Swing Time, elicit nostalgia today. Most books about the Astaire-Rogers films focus exclusively on the music and dance scenes, but this book shows that the films are much more than the sum of those scenes, which after all only account for approximately one-third of their films' running times. Gallafent argues that, contrary to received opinion, the musical numbers are not discrete, generic moments dropped in to enliven the films. Instead, the music and dance routines advance the movies' themes.

Gallafent shows how dialogue, plotting, and the audience's perception of this striking professional couple affect the context, and thus meaning, for the song and dance routines. The book examines how the Astaire-Rogers musicals, which were produced and originally viewed as a series, relate to one another and to other musicals of their day. Gallafent also provides an illuminating account of the films Astaire and Rogers made separately during the 1940s before their final reunion in The Barkleys of Broadway. Astaire and Rogers concludes by

tracing the development of their star personas both together and apart, and shows how the films were designed around those personas.

Customer Reviews:

UNBELIEVABLY BAD..........2007-01-06

I agree with Meriam -- this book is SO DRY, SO UNBELIEVABLY ANALYTICAL it's ridiculous. In fact, I would suggest that if anyone who has never seen an Astaire/Rogers film managed to get through this book, they would never WANT to see one. How anyone could write about Astaire and Rogers without expressing the sheer joy, fun, and overall entertainment value of their work is beyond me, but Gallafent has managed to do it big time. And verbose? The author uses 100 words to describe what could be said in 10. What a complete waste of print, paper, and time.

Dead Astaire and Ginger.......2004-02-07

I adore Fred Astaire and his artful genius. Nobody does it better. Ginger is his best dance-partner, for certain. But this book is the dryest, most boring recitation of dead data that I have ever read. It is almost worthless, even for the most avid Astaire devotee. These two vibrant stars deserve better than this dismal book. And they get it; if you can find, "Astaire Dancing" by John Mueller, the ultimate Astaire/Rogers book, (pricey but spectacular) buy it. It is everything the Astaire/Rogers fan could possibly want.

What a waste.......2002-12-30

As a huge Astaire/Rogers fan I found this book to be nothing more than a collection of over analyzed run-off with a few interesting tidbits thrown in. There's very little entertainment in the reading. One get's the impression this book was authored by Sigmund Freud. Different maybe, but yuck.

A Look at Two Careers and Images.......2002-08-21

This book is more about the careers and images of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers from 1934-49 than it is a study of their movies together and their dancing. If you are a dance enthusiast and want to read a detailed account of their dances, this is NOT the book for you.

However, I am not a dance person, but I like classic Hollywood films, and I found this book interesting. It shows how the Fred&Ginger films share some concerns with screwball comedy, how World War II affected the images of both stars, and how stars age in the public eye. Gallafent isn't the most graceful of writers, and I got confused in his discussion of "Once Upon a Honeymoon," but I thought he did a good job connecting the Fred&Giner phenomenon to other developments and careers in classic Hollywood.

An Unusual Premise.......2002-06-10

Gallafent reviews the films of Astaire and Rogers, both those they made separately and those they made together, from their first pairing through the late forties. Gallafent makes a plausible case for continuity and development from one musical to another. Even as you find his arguments logical and believable, you know Hollywood doesn't work that way. Few people expect or want anything more from an A & R movie than the unalloyed pleasure of the singing and dancing. Gallafent even manages to connect the films Rogers did without Astaire (of which there were many more than I had realized). In spite of his quirky premise, Gallafent is interesting and entertaining throughout, and the book is chock full of stills from the films.

The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Murder Case

Average customer rating:

Dance Until You Drop
An Enjoyable, if Implausible, Read
odd, yet...

The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Murder Case
George Baxt
Manufacturer: St Martins Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312151292

Customer Reviews:

Dance Until You Drop.......2004-04-20

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were a wonderful on-screen pair and everyone loved their simple charm. I think Baxt captures that charm in this little book. Like all of his celebrity mysteries, this is a satire, and I think it portrays the McCarthy hearings quite well. Life in Hollywood in 1953 was difficult and everyone looked at everyone else to try to figure our whether or not they were "commies". In this book we see Fred and Ginger smack in the middle of a Russian espionage scam. Ginger's therapist dies and Villon and Mallory know that he was poisoned. What's his background and history? They find out and its a world of double agents, family rivalries and Communist underworld. Of course Villon figures it out, but even he is surprised to find out who the "kingpin" is.

An Enjoyable, if Implausible, Read.......2003-03-14

I picked up this book because I have always loved Astaire and Rodgers. However, when I started reading, I was dissapointed. The plot seems a little farfetched. I think there were too many characters, and I kept wondering why everybody knew each other. Russia is a large country, but reading this book makes it seem like a small town. However, this book did manage to keep me interested in what happened at the end. I would read it for distraction because it is by no means great literature.

odd, yet..........1999-06-11

Like many of Baxt's novels, this one goes a little off-track with all the characters and spies, et cetera. However, that, in this humble reader's opinion, is part of the charm. These mysteries were obviously not written for deep, critical analysis, but for simple enjoyment. All the characters, and there are many, are fleshed out, and if the plot lacks bits that are shoved in a bit too hurriedly at the end, well that's just part of the charm. Another three cheers for George Baxt. And for Fred and Ginger.

Average customer rating:

Missing Fred Astaire
P. Scott Lawrence
Manufacturer: Vehicule Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1550650335

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