The Belle of New York

Director: Charles Walters Charles Walters

Overview

This film is set during the turn of the century. Fred Astaire plays a footloose playboy who falls in love with Salvation Army lass Vera-Ellen. To prove his worth to the girl, Astaire breaks down and gets a job.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/30/2018
UPC:	0888574600303
Original Release:	1952
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono, Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:21:00
Sales rank:	27,235

Special Features

Comedy Short; Classic Cartoon; "I Wanna Be a Dancin' Man" Alternate Version; Theatrical Trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Fred Astaire	Charlie Hill
Vera-Ellen	Angela Bonfils
Marjorie Main	Mrs. Phineas Hill
Keenan Wynn	Max Ferris
Alice Pearce	Elsie Wilkins
Clinton Sundberg	Gilfred Spivak
Gale Robbins	Dixie McCoy
Lisa Ferraday	Frenchie
Henry Slate	Clancy
Carol Brewster	Frenchie's Girl
Meredith Leeds	Frenchie's Girl
Lyn Wilde	Frenchie's Girl
Buddy Roosevelt	Cab Driver
Roger Davis	Judkins
Dick Wessel	Bowery Bum
Percy Helton	Bowery Bum
Tom Dugan	Bowery Bum
Oliver Blake	Currier
George Boyce	Bowery Bum
Dorinda Clifton	One of Frenchie's Girls
Jean Corbett	One of Frenchie's Girls
Joe Evans	Bowery Bum
Lola Kendrick	One of Frenchie's Girls
Donald Kerr	Bowery Bum
Reginald Simpson	Casino Headwaiter

Technical Credits

Jerry Davis

Charles Walters	Director
Arthur Freed	Producer
Warren Newcombe	Special Effects
Irving G. Ries	Special Effects
Jerry Davis	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

After his classic films with Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire went through quite an array of partners. Vera Ellen, his teammate for The Belle of New York, is one of his very finest in terms of technique -- and she's not a bad match for him overall, either. True, there's a substantial difference in their ages, but this was often the case with Astaire and his co-stars. While not a great actress, Vera Ellen has an attractive personality that plays well off of Astaire, who is in his usual superb form as the debonair playboy (not a stretch). The two stars have three marvelous dances that allow them to strut their stuff together, but it's two Astaire solos that are especially memorable. "I Wanna Be a Dancing Man" is a traditional Astaire signature number and "Seeing's Believing" is an amazing trip across the rooftops of New York City. Comedienne Alice Pearce also gets a few chances to shine, especially in "Naughty But Nice." Unfortunately, the screenplay is a letdown, with a terribly thin plot and leaden dialogue. This prevents the movie from being something special, but the highlights are noteworthy. Astaire's next film would be one of the classics of the film musical, Band Wagon.