Yolanda and the Thief 1945

Yolanda and the Thief


MGM, 1945, Color, 108 minutes, ***

Released November, 1945



Fred Astaire is an amiable wanderer and con-artist who takes a naive young girl (Lucille Bremer) "under his wing" in this charming MGM musical directed by Vincente Minnelli. With Frank Morgan, Mildred Natwick; songs include "Coffee Time."



Good film, often overlooked and very much underrated. One of my all-time favorite dance scenes is in this film: Fred Astaire and Lucille Bremer dancing to "Coffee Time." The dream sequence is a wonderful production number. Principal cast turns in fine performances; Mildred Natwick is always a treat.



Produced by: Arthur Freed

Associate Producer: Roger Edens

Directed by: Vincente Minnelli

Screen Play by: Irving Brecher

Based Upon a Story by Jacques Thery and Ludwig Bemelmans

Songs: Arthur Freed and Harry Warren

Musical Director: Lennie Hayton

Orchestration: Conrad Salinger

Dances Staged by: Eugene Loring

Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Jack Martin Smith

Set Decorations: Edwin B. Willis

Associate: Richard Pefferle

Miss Bremer's Gowns by: Irene

Costumes designed by: Irene Sharaff

Make-Up Created by: Jack Dawn

Recording Director: Douglas Shearer

Director of Photography: Charles Rosher

Special Effects: A. Arnold Gillespie, Warren Newcombe

Photographed in Technicolor

Technicolor Color Director: Natalie Kalmus

Associate: Henri Jaffa

Film Editor: George White



Cast: Fred Astaire [Johnny Parkson Riggs], Lucille Bremer [Yolanda], Frank Morgan [Victor Budlow Trout], Mildred Natwick [Aunt Amarilla], Mary Nash [Duenna], Leon Ames [Mr. Candle], Ludwig Stossel [School Teacher], Jane Green [Mother Superior], Remo Bufano [Puppeteer], Francis Pierlot [Padre], Leon Belasco [Taxi Driver], Chislaine Perreau [Gigi], Charles La Torre [Police Lieutenant], Michael Visaroff [Major Domo], Additional Cast: Andre Charlot [Dilettante], Gino Corrado [Hotel Lounge Waiter], Martin Garralaga [Police Official on Train], Torben Meyer [Town Official], Georges Renavent [Train Passenger], Marek Windheim [Train Steward], Trudy Erwin [singing voice of Lucille Bremer]



Musical Program: [0:03] This Is a Day for Love (Childrens' Chorus, Ladies' Chorus); [0:13] This Is a Day for Love (Chorus); [0:31] Angel (Trudy Erwin dubbing for Lucille Bremer); [0:40] Will You Marry Me (dream sequence ballet, danced by Fred Astaire, Lucille Bremer and Chorus; segment sung by Trudy Erwin dubbing for Lucille Bremer); [1:04] Yolanda (sung by Fred Astaire); [1:27] Coffee Time (danced by Fred Astaire, Lucille Bremer and Chorus; segment sung by Chorus)