kijii As I started to watch this movie, I just thought I was rounding out my Ginger Rogers Fred Astaire movie viewing. However, they only seemed to only a small part of this movie. The movie had a little of their dancing, a little of Irene Dunne's singing: 'A Russian Lullaby' 'Yesterdays' and 'Smoke Gets in your Eyes,' Then, there was Fred Astaire singing a couple of Jerome Kern songs: 'I Won't Dance' and 'Lovely to Look At.'Then, there was a couple of fashion shows (the story takes place in Paris). Finally there were a couple of so-so-who-cares love stories and a very weak plot. The movie seemed to have a little of everything and not enough of anything in particular. That is, the story just didn't hold together because there were just too many unnecessary (or improbable) elements to it. For example: ----Why did Ginger Rogers sometimes feign a Polish accent (badly) and other times, not?----What was the purpose of the Russian element to the story? ----What does it add to the story that Irene Dunne (who spoke perfect 'American') was a Russian princess? ----Why did a football player, John Kent (Randolph Scott) tag along with a jazz band—from Indiana?---How did this penniless jazz band get the money to go from Indiana to Paris—DURING THE DEPRESSION?For me, the only reason for having the story was to transport all of these Americans to Paris was for the fashion shows.

utgard14 Football player Randolph Scott and his dancer friend Fred Astaire go to Paris where Scott winds up running a ritzy dress shop and Fred reunites with old flame Ginger Rogers passing herself off as a countess. Scott also finds himself torn between two women -- fashion designer Irene Dunne and his snobbish ex-girlfriend Claire Dodd.It's not a bad movie; it's actually pretty good with nice songs and some likable characters. Unfortunately, for Fred & Ginger fans, this isn't a showcase for them. They take a back seat to Randolph Scott and Irene Dunne. Irene even sings some songs but be warned it's that operatic style that was popular in movies of the period that not everybody will be crazy about today. Scott does fine and isn't nearly as stiff as I've seen some reviewers describe him. His character is pretty corny ("Gee, you're swell") but intentionally so. Fish out of water and all that. Whenever they are on screen, Fred and Ginger sparkle. They're the highlight of the movie, whether it's their dance routines or just their playful banter. They had such wonderful chemistry. Songs include "I Won't Dance," "Lovely to Look At," and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes". That last one is butchered by Irene Dunne due to her aforementioned singing style. Despite that and some other flaws, it's an enjoyable movie. Not one of Fred & Ginger's best but good. Oh and, for those interested in that sort of thing, there's a fashion show at the end. Pay attention and you'll notice Lucille Ball is one of the models.

atlasmb While watching "Roberta", I felt I was on a roller-coaster of highs and lows.The stars--Irene Dunn, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Randolph Scott--are heavy hitters. I enjoyed most of their performances, but I felt that Scott portrayed his character as too much of a lunk, so I found that distracting. Astaire and Rogers are wonderful, as usual. One might hope for more dance numbers. Those included are fantastic. When Fred dances alone in this film, it is easy to compare his style to Gene Kelly's. Fred packs in so many different dance steps, while Gene is more of a straight ahead hoofer (who likes to athletically exploit his environs). The story serves as little more than an excuse for dance numbers, songs and fashion. The fashion is one of the highlights of the film and worth the price of admission.The soundtrack is afflicted with two songs that were extremely popular. "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" is a great orchestral number, but when sung it really reveals its weaknesses. The tune is boring and made nearly unbearable when sung with a very high voice, like Irene Dunn's. "Lovely to Look At" is one of my least favorite songs, with a perfectly fine waltz tempo that is marred by sections reminiscent of a cartoon ditty. When sung by Irene Dunne--or almost anyone--it grates.The sets are amazingly complex and stylish, further emphasizing the wonderful fashions in this film.

Claudio Carvalho Huckleberry Haines (Fred Astaire) and his band, the Wabash Indianians, arrive at Le Havre, in France, for a season in a Russian nightclub. However, the owner Alexander Petrovitch Moskovich Voyda (Luis Alberni) expects the arrival of an Indian band and he calls off their contract.Haines and the band head to Paris, and his friend John Kent (Randolph Scott) decides to visit his Aunt Minnie (Helen Westley), who owns the fashion house Roberta, to use her influence to find a work for the band. John meets the manager Stephanie (Irene Dunne) and they immediately feel attracted for each other. Huck Haines meets in the Roberta's salon his old friend Liz with the artistic identity of Comtesse Scharwenka (Ginger Rogers) and she helps him to get a job with Voyda. When Aunt Minnie passes away, John Kent is the heir of her fortune and also Roberta. However he decides to give the fashion house for Stephanie, but she proposes a partnership between them two. But when John's old passion, the gold digger Sophie Teale (Claire Dodd) seeks out John, the infatuated Stephanie decides to leave the business and travel abroad with the Russian Prince Ladislaw (Victor Varconi)."Roberta" is an adorable musical with one of the most beautiful songs of the cinema ever. With music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Otto A. Harbach, "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" is performed by Irene Dunne. The plot is naive, but the musical numbers, the dances and the fashion parade are delightful. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Roberta"