Cinematheque Stories — Dancing Cheek to Cheek

Event Cinematheque Stories Dancing Cheek to Cheek The Films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers David Garonzik , lecturer From early collaborations like Flying Down to Rio to classics such as Top Hat , Swing Time and The Gay Divorcee , join Naples Cinematheque CEO David Garonzik for a fascinating look at the legendary screen partnership of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers — one of Hollywood's most iconic duos. Through their celebrated RKO musicals, Astaire and Rogers redefined cinematic dance, blending elegance, wit and emotional storytelling with groundbreaking choreography and timeless music. In this lecture, Garonzik examines how their films shaped the Golden Age of musicals and established a new language of movement. It also highlights the contributions of choreographer Hermes Pan and composers Irving Berlin and George Gershwin. Beyond the glamour of their dance numbers, the lecture also explores the duo's on-screen chemistry and artistic partnership. Dancing Cheek to Cheek is both a celebration and a deep dive into a collaboration that transformed the movie musical and continues to influence filmmakers today. This presentation is part of David Garonzik's Cinematheque Stories series.