Roberta was being filmed while returns from The Gay Divorcee were rolling in, making it obvious to RKO that they had something special in the pairing of Astaire & Rogers. Roberta starred Irene Dunne and Randolph Scott, but it is Fred and Ginger's scenes that are the most vivid.
Right: I'll Be Hard to Handle. This clinched it--Astaire and Rogers became Astaire-Rogers with this one dance. The rapport and chemistry between the two leaps off the screen in what appears to be effortless and delightful improvisation.
hear the "I'll Be Hard to
Handle" dance 
 |
Left:
The tender Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, the
first formal dance created by Astaire for himself and Rogers. |
