Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Happy Birthday Fred Astaire!

Today marks the 112 birthday of Fred Astaire (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987), my favorite film star who had an incredible career that spanned 76 years.  
 Here is a clip of what I think is his best dance from Broadway Melody of 1940 with Elanor Powell.

  Fred was an animal lover and particularly fond of horses.   As the following image from Wikipedia illustrates.  


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Fred_Astaire_and_horse.jpg 
 He writes about his horses in his autobiography Steps in TimeAstaire also shared his home with at least one pit bull terrier, but I can't find any photographs.   There is also this scene from Shall We Dance in which he walks a succession of dogs in order to get Ginger Roger's  attention.  




 In testament to Astaire's ongoing fame and popularity even twenty five years after his death.  I found several dogs and cats listed on pet finder that are named after him.     Here is one kitty

http://photos.petfinder.com/fotos/MI165/MI165.18381799-3-x.jpg


and one dog.  


http://photocache.petfinder.com/fotos/GA73/GA73.19468399-1-x.jpg


Lets hope the both find wonderful homes that make them feel like dancing!

5 comments:

  1. Mom is a huge Fred Astaire fan. Katy enjoys watching the movies more than I do. She likes that romantic stuff.

    -Katy & Bailey

    ReplyDelete
  2. Our mom likes Fred and Ginger, too! Royal Wedding was a hoot!

    But her favorite is Gene Kelly. Singing in the Rain is her favorite movie of all time.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I watch Holiday Inn every year on Xmas Day. Fred Astaire rocks. Hope all is well Kate, been too long.
    Dustin

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Dustin I hope you are doing well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love Fred Astaire, and Gene Kelly, too! There just aren't any modern performers that compare with them. Thanks for visiting Critter Alley. I've signed on as your newest follower!

    Pat
    www.critteralley.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete