Royal Wedding (1951) by Julie
Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, and Peter Lawford star in this MGM Musical about a brother and sister act who take their Broadway show to England and find love along the way. I love watching Fred Astaire films, he always gets my feet tapping. He was the kind of actor whose presence and talent instantly lift the spirits. Filmed in gorgeous Technicolor, and also featuring the fine voice of Jane Powell, Royal Wedding is a fun, romantic comedy.
Siblings Tom and Ellen Bowen (Fred Astaire and Jane Powell) are performing their hit Broadway show during New York summer time when they are approached by their agent Irving who asks how the duo would feel about taking their show to England during the run up to the Royal Wedding.
Both are ecstatic about the idea and the departure of their ship sees two men fighting over Ellen as she leaves. Ellen soon becomes acquainted with Lord John Brindale (Peter Lawford). Brindale is actually going to be in attendance at the Royal Wedding and is somewhat of a woman chaser. But his gentlemanly charm starts to win Ellen over and she is soon spending her time with him.
When Ellen receives a message from a man named Pete, Lord Brindale rips it up.
“Let’s forget Pete for this trip shall we?” he says.
Tom and Ellen are asked to perform during their stay on the ship. The song chosen “Open Your Eyes”, is sung by Ellen. The dance number soon needs to be improvised as the ship sails through stormy seas, much to the amusement of the passengers as fruit and various items make their way across the dance floor as the ship rocks back and forth. A sofa comes sliding toward the two, and they land on it as the song ends, good timing!
In London Tom and Ellen meet Irving’s twin Edgar who is their agent during their stay. Both characters are played by Keenan Wynn.
Edgar tells Tom that John is a bit of a chaser when he learns of his romance with Ellen.
Tom begins socializing with a dancer named Anne Ashmond (Sarah Churchill) who is taken on for their show. Tom meets Anne’s father who owns a pub.
“I’m not on speaking terms with the United States!”
Anne’s father tells Tom when he learns that Tom is American. An American walked out without paying once and this is the reason for his hatred. Tom kindly pays the absent American’s bill to make peace, putting him in Anne’s father’s good books.
Tom does learn that Anne has a fiancée, who lives in Chicago. It’s been two years since she last saw him, and they speak every few days. However Anne hasn’t heard from him for two months. She makes excuses for him, telling Tom he’s probably been busy. Tom is glad Anne is engaged as now he and Anne can go out and have fun without any pressure.
At the hotel on the day of the parade, Ellen and John are so engrossed in conversation they shout over the procession.
“Oh is it over?” Ellen asks afterwards.
Ellen then sings “The Happiest Days of My life” with John listening and Tom playing piano.
Ellen says she and Tom should go together to the opening night of their show Every Night at Seven, as both parties have been let down by John and Anne.
The two perform “How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Love You When You know I’ve Been A Liar All My Life” a very comical number which takes Astaire away from his usual style of performance. John shows up after all and admits how serious he feels over Ellen, and how worried he is that she may meet someone else.
Ellen sings a love ballad “Too Late Now” to John.
“That bloomin’ blighter never called!” Anne’s father says about her fiancée in Chicago.
“You’re a good man you are.” He tells Tom. He cannot understand why his daughter is waiting around for her fiancée in Chicago.
“You’re All The World To Me” is an Astaire number with a difference as we witness him dancing on walls and ceilings in his room. Anne said she felt she could do the same when she fell in love as a young girl for the first time. This confirms our suspicions regarding Tom’s feelings for Anne. Tom asks Edgar to call Irving in America and ask him to find out what he can regarding Anne’s fiancée. It’s not long before Edgar has news. Irving has found out that the man is married!
After the show, Tom tells Anne what he has found out about her fiancée and Anne is elated! Both parties admit they are in love with each other. However Tom is afraid of marriage and believes he would be a flop.
Back at the hotel, Ellen tells Tom that John wants to marry her. Tom tells Ellen that Anne wants to get married too. Brother and sister are both scared about the future, and talk about what would happen to their careers. They both decide not to get married and carry on as they are. But this attitude doesn’t last for long and we soon see Tom and Ellen admitting that it’s no use. Tom loves Anne and Ellen loves John. It’s time to look to the future.
“They didn’t have to go to all this trouble; a small wedding would have been alright!” Tom says as the two happy couples walk from the church and into the crowd of people in attendance for the Royal Wedding.
Royal Wedding is a must-see for Fred Astaire fans!

Classic Musicals From The Dream Factory, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
“The Belle of New York” (1952) is a fun flight of fancy that features Fred Astaire as a Gay Nineties playboy who tries to reform in order to win the heart of mission worker Vera-Ellen. Delightful duets through the clouds above remain a highlight. Marjorie Main, Keenan Wynn, Alice Pearce co-star. Songs include “Oops,” “I Wanna Be a Dancin’ Man” and “Bachelor’s Dinner Song.” Five-disc set also includes “The Pirate,” “The Toast of New Orleans,” “Royal Wedding” (1951), “That Midnight Kiss,” “That’s Dancing!,” and “Words and Music.” 11 1/2 hrs. total. Standard/Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; audio commentary; featurettes; documentary; interviews; outtakes; alternate s