The Sky's the Limit

The Sky's the Limit


RKO, 1943, B/W, 89 minutes, ***

Released July, 1943



Fred Astaire finds a new dance partner in Joan Leslie in this delightful wartime musical. Fred portrays an ace with the highly regarded Flying Tigers squad. On leave in New York City on an eight-day furlough, Fred decides to forego any possible hero worship because of his uniform and dons civilian clothes. It so happens he meets and falls for Joan, a magazine photographer, and sets out to win her heart at all costs. The twist is that Joan is dedicated to the war effort and considers Fred - who is keeping his military role a secret - a ne'er-do-well for not displaying any interest. But the pair are interested in each other, and manage to set New York awhirl with some great dance numbers before Fred must return to the wartorn skies.



Produced by: David Hempstead

Associate Producer: Sherman Todd

Directed by: Edward H. Griffith

Assistant Director: Ruby Rosenberg

Original Screen Play by: Frank Fenton and Lynn Root

Musical Director: Leigh Harline

Lyrics by: Johnny Mercer

Music by: and Harold Arlen

Dances Created and Staged by: Fred Astaire

Art Directors: Albert S. D'Agostino, Carroll Clark

Set Decoration: Darrell Silvera, Claude Carpenter

Gowns by: Renié

Recorded by: Richard Van Hessen

Rerecorded by: James G. Stewart

Special Effects: Vernon L. Walker

Director of Photography: Russell Metty

Edited by: Roland Gross



Awards: Academy Award Nominations for Best Score - Musical (Leigh Harline)

and Best Song ("My Shining Hour")



Cast: Fred Astaire [Fred Atwell (Burton)], Joan Leslie [Joan Manion], Robert Benchley [Phil Harriman], Robert Ryan [Reg Fenton], Elizabeth Patterson [Mrs. Fisher], Marjorie Gateson [Canteen Hostess], Richard Davies [Lt. Dick Merlin], Clarence Kolb [Harvey J. Sloan], Freddie Slack and His Orchestra [Themselves], Eric Blore [Jackson], Henri DeSoto [Headwaiter], Dorothy Kelly [Harriman's Secretary], Norma Drury [Mrs. Roskowski], Jerry Mandy [Italian Waiter], Clarence Muse [Doorman], Ida Shoemaker [Flower Woman], Paul Hurst [Stevedore Foreman], Amelita Ward [San Francisco Girl], Rhoda Reese [Powers Model], Neil Hamilton [Naval Commander], Dick Rush [Railway Conductor], Georgia Caine [Charwoman], Ann Summers, Rita Maritt [Bits], Buck Bucko, Roy Bucko, Clint Sharp [Cowboys], Edward McNamara [Barman], Joe Bernard [Bartender], Al Murphy [Bartender], Jack Carr [Customer], Ferris Taylor [Keifer, the Chef], Peter Lawford [USAF Officer], Olin Howlin [4-F Man], Victor Potel [Joe, the Bartender], Ella Mae Morse [Singer]



Musical Program: [0:12] Three Little Words (instrumental arrangement played by Freddie Slack and His Orchestra); [0:15] My Shining Hour (sung by Joan Leslie with Freddie Slack and His Orchestra; instrumental reprise danced by Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie); [0:21] My Shining Hour (reprised by Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie); [0:36] I've Got a Lot in Common with You (sung and danced by Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie); [0:42] Fred Astaire does a "snake dance" on a table in the canteen; [1:03] My Shining Hour (instrumental arrangement danced by Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie); [1:08] Robert Benchley makes one of his mind-twisting babble talks (a Benchley specialty); [1:22] One for My Baby (And One More for the Road) (sung and danced by Fred Astaire as he breaks all the glass in the nightclub)