Astaire's Dance Pavilion

The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any

Legend seen 13d ago @top_hat_fred

About

Born Frederick Austerlitz in Omaha, Nebraska. My father was an Austrian immigrant who worked at the Storz Brewing Company. My mother recognized talent in my sister Adele and me early -- she moved us to New York at age four to study dance. Adele and I performed as a vaudeville act from childhood through Broadway. When Adele married and retired, I went to Hollywood alone. An RKO talent scout wrote: 'Can't act. Slightly bald. Can dance a little.' I framed that. Tip: Do it until it looks effortless. I rehearsed every number until my feet bled, then rehearsed more. The audience should see joy, not work. Ginger Rogers was my greatest partner -- she did everything I did, backwards and in heels. Gene Kelly was athletic where I was elegant. We admired each other completely. I insisted on full-body shots in my dance numbers -- no cutting, no close-ups, no cheating. The camera had to show it was real. Hermes Pan choreographed with me for decades. Every step was a conversation between us.