The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle

RKO, 1939, B/W, 90 minutes, ***

Released March, 1939



"You could be a perfectly wonderful dancer if you wanted to," Irene tells the vaudeville second banana who will someday be her husband. They were even more wonderful together. Vernon and Irene Castle became King and Queen of the Ballroom, creating the Castle Walk, Maxie, Texas Tommy and other sensations. The world followed their every move. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers close their fabulous run of '30s films by portraying the popular dancers whose influence extended to pre-World War I lifestyles (Castle candies, shoes and beauty supplies were just a few of the duo's product lines). Period tunes and the stars' delightful stepping of Castle dances accent this film of goodbyes to a fond yesteryear and to the Astaire / Rogers RKO partnership. Apart, Fred and Ginger would make fine movies. But they were even more wonderful together.


Vernon and Irene Castle were a ballroom dancing husband and wife team who were a major sensation in the years prior to the Great War (WWI). Irene Castle served as technical director for this film, and also designed Ginger's gowns, based on gowns she wore at the time. Marge Champion, still using her real name (Marjorie Belcher), makes a very early appearance in this film. She is behind and to the viewer's left of Ginger at the show where Fred plays the barber shop comedy scene.



The film begins with the statement, "In a fabulous and beloved era, near enough to be warmly remembered, two bright and shining stars, Vernon and Irene Castle, whirled across the horizon into the hearts of all who loved to dance. This is their story.



The story begins in 1911...






Pandro S. Berman in Charge of Production

Produced by: George Haight

Directed by: H. C. Potter

Assistant Director: Argyle Nelson

Screen Play by: Richard Sherman

Adaptation by: Oscar Hammerstein II and Dorothy Yost

Based on Stories "My Husband" and "My Memories of Vernon Castle" by Irene Castle

Technical Advisor: Irene Castle

Musical Director: Victor Baravalle

Song: "Only When You're in My Arms" by Con Conrad, Herman Ruby, Bert Kalmar

Dance Director: Hermes Pan

Art Director: Van Nest Polglase

Associate: Perry Ferguson

Set Decorations: Darrell Silvera

Costumes Worn by Miss Ginger Rogers Designed by: Irene Castle

Wardrobe and Ensembles by: Walter Plunkett

Recorded by: Richard Van Hessen

Photographed by: Robert de Grasse

Montage by: Douglas Travers

Special Effects by: Vernon L. Walker

Edited by: William Hamilton



Cast: Fred Astaire [Vernon Castle], Ginger Rogers [Irene Castle], Edna May Oliver [Maggie Sutton], Walter Brennan [Walter Ash], Lew Fields [Himself], Etienne Girardot [Papa Aubel], Janet Beecher [Mrs. Foote], Rolfe Sedan [Emile Aubel], Leonid Kinskey [Artist], Robert Strange [Dr. Foote], Douglas Walton [Student Pilot], Clarence Derwent [Papa Louis], Sonny Lamont [Charlie], Frances Mercer [Claire Ford], Victor Varconi [Grand Duke], Donald MacBride [Hotel Manager], Additional Cast: Dick Elliott [Conductor], David McDonald [Army Pilot], John Meredith [Army Pilot], Tiny Jones [Lady in Revolving Door], Marge Champion (Marjorie Belcher) [Irene's Girl Friend], Roy D'Arcy [Actor], Bruce Mitchell [Movie Director], George Irving [Colonel's Aide], Russell Hicks [Colonel], Hal K. Dawson [Man in Audience], Allen Wood [Messenger at Beach], Elspeth Dudgeon [Lady Bolton]



Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:01] (On) Moonlight Bay (excerpt played by Orchestra behind introductory text); [0:02] Oh You Beautiful Doll (sung by Chorus off-screen); [0:03] Glow Worm (excerpt sung by Chorus offscreen); [0:04] By the Beautiful Sea (sung by group of musicians at the beach [Chorus]); [0:05] Row, Row, Row (sung by group of musicians at the beach [Chorus]); [0:09] The Yama Yama Man (sung and danced by Ginger Rogers); [0:13] Come, Josephine in My Flying Machine (sung by crowd awaiting train [Chorus]); [0:13] By the Light of the Silvery Moon (danced by Fred Astaire and Sonny Lamont); [0:16] Oh You Beautiful Doll (sung by Chorus, danced by Frances Mercer); [0:28] Only When You're in My Arms (sung by Fred Astaire); [0:32] Waiting for the Robert E. Lee ("Texas Tommy" danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers); [0:50] The Darktown Strutters Ball (sung in French by Louis Mercier, danced by patrons); [0:52] Too Much Mustard ("Castle Walk" danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers); [0:56] Rose Room ("Tango" danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers); [0:58] Tres Jolie ("Fox Trot" danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers); [0:58] Little Brown Jug (Polka danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers); [1:00] Dengozo ("The Maxixe" danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers); [1:01] Montage: You're Here and I'm Here / Chicago / Hello, Frisco, Hello / Way Down Yonder in New Orleans / Take Me Back to New York Town (sung by Chorus, danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers on map of USA); [1:07] It's a Long Way to Tipperary (sung by Mens Chorus); [1:08] Hello! Hello! Who's Your Lady Friend? (sung by Chorus, danced by Fred Astaire); [1:17] medley of tunes played by Orchestra and various dance steps danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; Many other short instrumental excerpts of popular songs of the era