Follow the Fleet

Fred Astaire insisted on having enough time (weeks and months) before filming began to bring the respective choreographies to perfection with Ginger Rogers and Hermes Pan, his co-choreographer of many years. It was a perfection that left room for moments of exuberant energy in addition to flawless dance. This is demonstrated by the first dance and reunion number "Let Yourself Go!" between Bake (Astaire in an unfamiliar sailor suit), a seaman on leave (Astaire unfamiliar in a sailor suit) and Sherry (Rogers), a singer in a harbor ballroom. While Bake does everything he can to convince Sherry to pursue their joint revue career on land, Sherry's sister Connie wants to set sail with Bake's navy buddy Bilge (Randolph Scott). Accordingly, the glamorous finale takes place on the deck of a ship that would put any show backdrop to shame - "Let's Face the Music and Dance." (mg)