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Flying Down To Rio (Trivia & Reviews) PDF Print E-mail
 
  • Originally conceived of as a vehicle for RKO's Dolores Del Rio this film is most notable for its star-making pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The two relative unknowns smoked up the screen in a dance number called "The Carioca" that generated such a positive response form critics and fans that they were eventually reunited in nine subsequent films.

 

  • Fred's original partner was supposed to be Dorothy Jordan, but she dropped out to marry producer Louis Brock. Pert Keldon was considered for her replacement but her dancing abilities were minor, so Ginger Rogers was selected.

 

  • Another fateful meeting: Hermes Pan was introduced to Astaire when he was assigned as assistant to dance director Dave Gould.

 

  • And one more: Hal Borne, Fred's longtime rehearsal pianist, was on the set "clowning around" and Fred heard him play. He became Fred's rehearsal pianist for the entire Astaire/Rogers RKO series, as well as create dance arrangements.

 

  • Joel McCrea was originally slated for the role of Roger Bond.

 

  • In the original prints, the "Orchids in the Moonlight" number was color tinted.

 

  • This is Vincent Youman's last film score. He was pleased with the success of the movie and retired, purchasing a new boat and naming it "The Carioca".

 

  • The "Original Carioca Dancers" appeared at the Los Angeles Paramount Theatre in Carioca, a Fanchon and Marco Production, April 1934.

 

  • Academy Awards: Best Song, "The Carioca" (nominated). 

Reviews

Hollywood Reporter, 7 Dec 1933: "Flying Down To Rio" is Very Good And Bad... Astaire is a new personality that should hit... the hit bit of the picture, the 'Carioca' number, is ruined in its present shape because of the length and there is a tendency to play all of the numbers for too much footage."

Variety, 26 Dec 1933: "The main point of Flying Down To Rio is the screen promise of Fred Astaire... He's assuredly a bet after this one, for he's distinctly likeable on the screen, the mike is kind to his voice and as a dancer he remains in a class by himself. The latter observation will be no news to the profession, which has long admitted that Astaire starts dancing where others stop hoofing. There's a difference and Astaire is it... Any time he starts dancing with a girl, forget the girl."

Sanderson Back, Movie Mirrors: (Entertainment 6/10, Education 5/10)

CJMC, Epinions.com, 19 Nov 1999: "'Flying Down to Rio' is a playful little movie for those in the mood for light entertainment. It's also interesting as a glimpse at the popular culture of a bygone era. Despite the brevity of their appearances, 'Flying Down to Rio' is recommended to Fred and Ginger fans."

Doug Pratt's Laserdisc Review

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Last Updated on Friday, 06 November 2009 09:17