Royal Wedding (1951)
- Starring:
- Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, (more)
- Director(s):
- Stanley Donen
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of Royal Wedding
Two real-life events were incorporated into the plot of the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding. One, the marriage of Fred Astaire's sister Adele to a British nobleman had occurred years earlier; the other, the wedding of England's Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip was only four years in the past. MGM would probably have gotten Royal Wedding out closer to the Elizabeth-Philip nuptials, but the picture had leading-lady problems; every girl who was cast either became pregnant, ill, or otherwise unavailable. Finally, Jane Powell was cast as the sister and partner of American-entertainer Fred Astaire. The plot has Astaire and Powell heading to Merrie Olde England to perform at the palace. Once they've arrived, Powell breaks up the act when she falls in love with blueblooded Peter Lawford. Astaire himself finds romance in the form of Sarah Churchill (daughter of Sir Winston), and the four happy campers gleefully attend the titular Windsor Castle wedding. Also in the cast is Albert Sharpe, fresh from his Broadway triumph in Finian's Rainbow, and Keenan Wynn, hilarious as twin cousins. The plot is so light that it threatens to float away at times, but Royal Wedding sticks in the memory thanks to its first-rate musical numbers. The Astaire/Powell duets are entertaining enough; the real magic, however, occurs in Astaire's two solos: the hat-rack duet and the now-legendary tap-dance on the ceiling (even knowing how this cinematic legerdemain was accomplished does not detract from its brilliance and virtuosity). Because it has slipped into public domain, Royal Wedding is one of the most easily accessible of all the Fred Astaire musicals. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 93 mins
Complete Cast of Royal Wedding
- Fred Astaire - Tom Bowen
- Peter Lawford - Lord John Brindale
- Keenan Wynn - Irving Klinger/Edgar Klinger
- Andre Charisse - Steward
- Stanley Mann - Cabdriver
- Alex Frazer - Chester, Tom's valet
- James Finlayson - Cabby
- Jack Reilly - Pete Comberly
- Jack Daley - Pop
- Wilson Benge - Eddie
- David Thursby - Singing Bobby
- Leonard Mudie - Singing Doorman
- Wilson Wood - Drinker
- Albert Pollet - Steward
- Jane Powell - Ellen Bowen
- Sarah Churchill - Anne Ashmond
- Albert Sharpe - James Ashmond
- Mae Clarke - Phone Operator
- Viola Roache - Sarah Ashmond
- Bess Flowers - Woman Guest
- Francis Bethencourt - Charles Gordon
- Phyllis Morris - Singing Woman
- Kerry O'Day - Linda
- Henri Letondal - Purser
- Richard Lupino - Singing Elevator Boy
- William Cabanne - Dick
- John Hedloe - Billy
- Director(s):
- Stanley Donen
- Writer(s):
- Alan Jay Lerner
- Producer(s):
- Arthur Freed
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Suitable for Children)
- Categories:
- Comedy
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