The Magic of Ginger Rogers in Top Hat (1935)

             A few days ago, on July 16, Ginger Rogers would have been 112 years old. A regular kid who turned dance champion then Broadway star then Hollywood sensation, Ginger inspired generations of movie audiences. She fought for fair pay for female actresses, spoke out about the man's world that was - and still is - Hollywood, and showcased a rare combination of comedic timing and musical talent. Ginger's onscreen characters are a magic blend of clever, witty, emotional, and genuine - and it's hard to find a more classic Ginger character than Top Hat's Dale Tremont.

            Dale's first appearance is in a gloriously ruffly nightgown, rising from her palatial hotel bed to the sound of tap dancing. In normal circumstances, she'd probably be tap dancing too, but right now she's trying to sleep. Fred Astaire giving himself a solo in the room upstairs isn't helping. She marches upstairs to confront him about his "affliction" and storms off. Fred - aka Jerry - is left hopelessly in love.

            Jerry is also a quintessential Fred Astaire character - an all-American dancer who's just so head over heels for Ginger that he can't help but sing and dance and borderline stalk her at all times. Jerry follows Dale as she goes horseback riding, and although she's as weirded out as anyone being followed by a charming dancer would be, she's also a little intrigued. It starts pouring rain, and she has no choice but to wait it out in a gazebo while Jerry serenades her with "Isn't This a Lovely Day". But don't worry, she's not being saved - in fact, she says "I prefer being in distress". And when they start dancing, it's Dale who adds in the fancy steps for Jerry to keep up with. By the end of the number, Dale's falling in love too - she's found someone who can match her step for step.

            Thanks to the mistaken identity plot that Top Hat revolves around, Dale ends up feeling played and slaps Jerry in the face. She looks gorgeous doing so, in one of Bernard Newman's most glittery costume confections, and Jerry is as obsessed as ever and completely confused. He follows her to Italy, because any Fred-and-Ginger flick has to include at least one "foreign city" courtesy of RKO's set department.

            Cue the number that cemented Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in cinema history - it's "Cheek to Cheek" time! Dale still thinks Jerry is someone he's not, but she doesn't mind dancing with him. Ginger's feather dress nearly didn't make it into the film, but just like her stubborn characters, she got what she wanted - and as usual, she was right. Dale's complicated emotions are on display throughout the whole film - can you be in love with someone who's not telling you the truth? How are you supposed to stop loving someone all of a sudden, especially when they're your perfect dance partner (and in a Fred-and-Ginger film, dance partners and life partners are always the same thing)?

            In short - Dale Tremont is human! She's not just a model for pretty dresses, or a dancing pair of high heels, or a partner for Jerry. She's conflicted and scheming and vague but also funny, talented, and relatable. She masterminds her way through miscommunication (maybe dancing isn't actually a substitute for conversation...) and gets her happy ending.

            Top Hat is meant as escapism, and it's perfect, but it's also a story of the reality of relationships. It stands out from other Old Hollywood movies for its magical songs and dances, but also because its female protagonist is anything but one-dimensional - and that's the magic of Ginger Rogers!