AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE SALUTE TO FRED ASTAIRE (TV)
Summary
This program contains a tribute to Fred Astaire, the 1981 recipient of the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award. Highlights of this program include the following: Charlton Heston, co-chairman of the AFI, provides an overview of Astaire's film and television career, and an anecdote about his 1928 screen test, after which Heston introduces host David Niven; Niven reminisces about his friendship with Astaire, and discusses Fred and Adele Astaire's stage career, from their first success, "Stop Flirting," to their last appearance together in the 1932 film "The Band Wagon"; Niven introduces a clip from "Dancing Lady," Astaire's first film appearance; Mikhail Baryshnikov salutes Astaire as a "never-ending legend"; Niven introduces clips from the Astaire and Rogers films, including "Flying Down to Rio," "Swing Time," "Top Hat," and "Shall We Dance"; Niven reads congratulatory messages from Ginger Rogers and President Ronald Reagan, and introduces a clip from "Broadway Melody," with Eleanor Powell; Powell and Bob Fosse present tributes to Astaire; and Astaire appears in clips of dance solos from "Holiday Inn," "A Damsel in Distress," "Royal Wedding," and "Let's Dance."
Further highlights include the following: Niven introduces a clip from "The Band Wagon" and Cyd Charisse reminisces about working with Astaire; Niven presents an excerpt from "Funny Face" and Audrey Hepburn recalls working on the film; Niven introduces clips from eight films in which Astaire had different female partners, including Judy Garland in "Easter Parade," Rita Hayworth in "You Were Never Lovelier," Gracie Allen in "A Damsel in Distress," and Leslie Caron in "Daddy Long Legs"; Jean Firstenberg, executive director of the AFI, speaks about the AFI's graduate film school and the current credits of past graduates, and she introduces the Fred Astaire scholarship winners; Niven reads a tribute from Irving Berlin as an introduction to clips of Astaire singing; Hermes Pan, James Cagney, Barrie Chase, and Gene Kelly salute Astaire; George Stevens, Jr., presents the Life Achievement Award and introduces a clip of "Puttin' on the Ritz" from "Blue Skies"; and Astaire accepts the award commemorating his 76th year in show business. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: April 18, 1981 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:38:35
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T81:0531
- GENRE: Specials
- SUBJECT HEADING: Acting; Dancing; Dancing, tap; Films - Musical
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV, 1981
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- George Stevens … Producer, Writer
- Michael B. Seligman … Associate Producer
- Marty Pasetta … Director
- Joseph McBride … Writer
- David Niven … Host
- Gracie Allen
- Adele Astaire
- Fred Astaire
- Mikhail Baryshnikov
- Irving Berlin
- James Cagney
- Leslie Caron
- Cyd Charisse
- Barrie Chase
- Jean Firstenberg
- Bob Fosse
- Judy Garland
- Rita Hayworth
- Audrey Hepburn
- Charlton Heston
- Gene Kelly
- Hermes Pan
- Eleanor Powell
- Ronald Reagan
- Ginger Rogers