Who's Fred Astaire?

Friday was a banner day for me. After the weight-workout at the gym, I headed to one of my favorite used-book shops. Better known as the Carrboro PTA Thrift shop (non-profit to benefit local schools), they have an ever-changing selection of books. Usually my finds are cook books or nutrition related books but today I found a winner.

The Fred Astaire Dance Book , 1962 edition was written to accompany the Fred Astaire Dance Studio Method (founded 1947). With nearly 150 studios at the time the book was written to offer instruction on all social dances including the Polka and Twist and the no longer used “Fred Astaire Swing Trot” (?). Twenty-five chapters have basic steps illustrated with tiny foot-patterns prepared by illustrator Josh Pryce. The material for the text was edited by Lyle Kenyon Engel and assisted by John Monte, National dance Director of FADS. The Fred Astaire Dance Book was published by Cornerstone Library, New York, NY. LCC # 52-11779.


Twenty-five years later the assistant John Monte also compiled a later and revised edition of the book in 1987.

John Monte: The Fred Astaire Dance Book, New York: Simon and Schuster, c1987. Compiled by John Monte, with Bobbie Lawrence ; photos by Chip Casanave; 190 p. : ill. ; 24 cm ISBN: 0671230646 NYPL: *MGW 78-4578

The photos by Chip Casanave in the later book are of interest as it was Charles L. Casanave who originally teamed with Fred Astaire to form the franchised business model for the dance studios. An executive with a motion picture company, Casanave later relinquished control of the FADS business to his two sons, Charles L. Jr., and Chester F., aka ‘Chip.’ The Casanave’s would have an interest in the Astaire Studios for decades to come.

Recognizing the dancing need was a dedicated Fred Astaire fan, Charles L. Casanave, who at the time was a well known motion picture executive. He had a dream of sharing Astaire's gift with the American public and approached Mr. Astaire with his idea, at a meeting in the Plaza Hotel in New York City in 1946. These two dynamic personalities from different sides of the film industry stirred each other's imagination to such an extent that before the meeting was over, a great new partnership had been formed. Fred Astaire was to bring his immense talent out of glamorous Hollywood onto the dance floors of America and the world. The Fred Astaire Dance Studios had been born!
Many still remember the excitement surrounding the opening of the first studio on Park Avenue in New York City, in March, 1947.
Today, numerous Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios, located in cities throughout North America and the world, are franchised to individual owners who are required to maintain the highest standards of excellence. For almost half a century, our schools have produced a wealth of amateur and professional ballroom dancers who are living embodiment of the Astaire style and approach:
"Superb social dancing performed with ease, style and elegant grace, combined, with a sound technical foundation."

“Some people seem to think that good dancers are born," Astaire once observed, "but all the good dancers I have known are taught or trained. To me, dancing has always been fun. I enjoy every minute of it. I am glad that I can now put my knowledge to use in bringing personal confidence and a feeling of achievement to so many people." - Fred Astaire

A brief biography of FRED ASTAIRE.

Born Omaha, Nebraska , October 1899, Fred danced with his sister, Adele, until she chose to marry and leave show business. Fred’s first film appearance was with Mary Pickford in Over the Top, produced in 1917. Appearances on Broadway kept him busy for more than a decade. Fred arrived in Hollywood in 1933 where he had a minor role in the film, Dancing Lady staring Clark Gable and Joan Crawford.

Dancing "The Carioca," in Flying Down to Rio was his breakthrough film teamed with Ginger Rogers. The two made seven films together and Fred danced with many other leading ladies but is always remembered for the dance films he made with Rogers. Such was the popularity, that the studio made it a term of their contracts that Fred and Ginger never dance together in public. Find a list of all thirty-three movies that Fred made.

Astaire won multiple Emmys for his work in television and was nominated for an Oscar for his best-supporting-role the 1974 film Towering Inferno. In 1981 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. He died in 1987, at the age of 88.

What did Fred do that made his dancing so appealing? What he did with grace and elegance made something complex look so easy. So easy that we all believe “I can do that!”

Looking for a romantic movie to watch for Valentine's Day? Consider "The Gay Divorcee," a love story if ever there was one.
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