The Sky's the Limit

As an 11-year-old boy with a brother in the Army Air Corps, this movie implanted itself in my heart. It's a wonderful combination of great songs, fine dancing and good old American patriotism. Joan Leslie was a natural in this World War II film;the girl next door whom everyone falls in love with keeping pace with the great Fred Astaire. Everyone should see this movie and shed a tear as Joan mouths a wordless prayer to heaven at the end.

Yep. It's raining. It's past midnight. I'm watching the Sky's The Limit. Being that it was made in 1943, it's clearly out-dated. However, I must say, it's an enjoyable trip back in history. Made during the height of World War II, it's clearly a movie made to appeal to a war-time fan base. There are a few nice musical numbers, some outstanding dance routines, and even a few laughs. I must admit, the love story was pure fluff, but it did have a nice and upbeat innocence to it. Joan Leslie was as beautiful and talented as could be. Fred Astaire was outstanding, and Robert Benchley generated a number of laughs. There's even a young Robert Ryan in a few scenes. So, if it's a rainy, windy, late night, be sure to catch, The Sky's The Limit.

Another of the many World War Two films which was intended to demonstrate that everyone had to answer the call to duty, even the wealthy. This one contains characters who find themselves in glamorous places with clever lines and works of classical art. They are into champagne and penthouses, and mandatory dance scenes on ballroom size terraces. There is, and can be, only one star in this film: Fred Astaire. The finest part is his song and dance routine, "One For The Road." This scene is a classic movie moment of which one never tires. When it comes to dancing, the sky is indeed the limit.

Fred Astaire goes on leave from his day job as a WWII bomber, and finds a girl to woo in the would-be journalist Joan Leslie (who can also sing and dance, naturally). She thinks he is a layabout who needs a job, and he has just a few days to win her round. Amongst the songs is 'One for my baby', perhaps more often associated with Sinatra than Astaire. Joan Leslie looks good and works well alongside Fred; also in the supporting cast is the superb Robert Benchley, who does wonders with a routine presenting various graphs and charts on aircraft production!

I love this movie. Great, funny dance routines and a nice, light plotline which somehow keeps you smiling all the way through. Great songs by Johnny Mercer like "Shining Hour" and "I've Got a Lot in Common With You!" Joan Leslie and Fred Astaire have a great chemistry and their dances hold dramatic interest as well. Great writing, with a nice performance by Robert Benchley. Definitely one of Astaire's best. But consider that I hate all his dances with Cyd Charisse. Joan Leslie is funny and cute and keeps Fred smiling. She keeps up with Fred nicely in the dance routines which are nice and light for the most part. Best dance routine is "I've Got A Lot In Common With You!" The songs have those great Johnny Mercer lyrics.. Definitely a winner!

Very few people have heard of it, but this is really one of my favorite Fred Astaire movies. In part because Fred does one of the best angry dance scenes that I've ever seen. He stumbles drunken, singing One More for my Baby, and smashes glass with his feet. He sways to the rhythm and leaps up on the metal bar to tap smash shattering glass. If you're lucky enough to see this movie keep in mind, that's real glass, not sugar glass like you normally see in movies. This was during WWII and sugar was rationed. Fred and Joan Leslie have a number of lovely romantic dance scenes. The background plot of WWII provides, well, a plot. By turns funny and bittersweet, a great dance movie.

Joan Leslie is one of my all-time favorite classic actresses (it's mainly her wholesome pretty looks) and Fred Astaire's dancing is always entertaining.....but this film is only so-so. Perhaps one reason is there aren't enough song-and-dance numbers. Leslie only dances with Astaire once. The few songs that are in here, however, are good, and Fred's dancing is never anything but superb. It was interesting to see such a young-looking Robert Ryan, who has a minor role. I wish Robert Benchley's was smaller as his humor did nothing for me. Storywise, this is a typical Astaire film which means a bit sappy and filled with people who are not telling the truth or holding back the truth. That theme gets so tiresome.