Includes bibliographical references (pages 431-435) and index.

Mueller examines the beauty and timelessness of Astaire's dancing and his distinctive, inimitable choreographic style. Combining stills and frame enlargements from Astaire's musical films between 1933 and 1968, the author describes what is being danced and how. He explains to what ends--musical, emotional, and narrative--each dance was choreographed, and how well it succeeds in achieving those ends, and how each dance relates to its music. He also offers evaluations of the scripts and musical scores and of Astaire's partners and his supporting casts. Other topics include: Astaire's career on stage and television as well as in film; his original use of the movie camera; his contribution to the integrated musical; his working methods; and relations with his co-stars and song writers such as Irving Berlin, the Gershwins, and Cole Porter. ISBN 0-394-51654-0 : $45.00. (For use only in the library).

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