RKO's Carefree

The 8th pairing of Fred and Ginger brings us RKO's Carefree co-starring Jack Carson and one of my favorite side players, Ralph Bellamy on loan from Columbia. Fred is Dr. Tony, a psychiatrist who is asked by Stephen (Bellamy) to analyze his fiancee Amanda (Rogers). 

The title intro to this film is extremely unique with finger painting to spell out the players and play makers.  

Amanda keeps putting off the wedding, so Tony agrees to analyze his pal's girl. Before he meets her, he takes down a few verbally recorded anecdotal notes predicting her behavior...they aren't nice.

Amanda is optimistic about her visit with the doctor until she is left alone in his office. There she  stumbles upon Tony's recordings and she is furious! Once Tony returns, the visit does not go well and Amanda now loathes him. After some persuading, Stephen convinces Tony to see Amanda again and he agrees. This time at the country club, where Amanda, who is still not over it, mocks Tony when she sees him play golf.

 Sport shooting is always better when you're dripping in jewels.

Dr. Tony tries some fancy golfing footwork to smooth things over with Amanda, still unaware what went wrong. Tony finally realizes why Amanda is so mean to him when they meet up for a bike ride. She tells him how she listened to his notes, and Tony apologizes. Then they become pals and Tony tries to find out why Amanda is hesitant to marry Stephen.

The patterned tie top, white shorts, and frayed sunhat, love the look Amanda!

After some analyzing and dancing (naturally), Amanda agrees to try a dream technique to dive into her subconscious and help her get to the root of her problems. 

Take a look at this room! This film was art directed by the great Van Nest Polglase (whom we will do a special write up later) and set decorated by Darrell Silvera. Hand painted murals over the fireplace, rounded puff couch, scone lighting.... and this set is in the film for less than 5 minutes.

The next scene takes us to the restaurant where Tony orders "dream inducing foods" which should help Amanda enter swiftly into dreamland so Dr. Tony can analyze away. I love this scene! They order lobster with "gobs" of mayonnaise, shrimp cocktail with whipped cream, and cucumbers in buttermilk! The waiter can't believe it. 

 Instead of hugging the toilet all night, Amanda goes to sleep and dreams...but of Tony! This fun dream sequence has them frolicking in a garden with a lovely painted backdrop.

When Amanda wakes up she very well can't tell Tony that she dreamed about him. Eventually she spills the beans to Tony that she is in love with him and he freaks out. He is trying to get her to marry Stephen! He talks her into letting him hypnotize her so that she will hate him and love Stephen and it works. Trouble is, she gets out while still "under" and goes to work doing a radio spot while under Tony's spell.  A hot mess for Amanda, but very amusing to us.

Just like the eyeball top Rosalind Russell wears in "The Women", I can't get over this heart and arrow sweater!

In the process, and while trying to figure our a way to get all involved out of this pickle, Tony has some self reflection and realizes that he loves Amanda too. What about his friendship with Stephen?  He has already convinced Amanda that she loves Stephen, is it too late?

Before the wedding, Tony must decide if he wants to set the record straight or let Amanda marry Stephen under the arranged spell.

Carefree was nominated for three Oscars for art direction, musical scoring, and original song - the now well known "Change Partners and Dance With Me". Alas it won none. This film was intended to have a Technicolor scene, the number called "I Used to Be Color Blind", but after testing the quality was not up to par and the idea was scrapped. This is the only Ginger and Fred film where Astaire's character is not in show business. I find this film to be cute and delightful as a Fred and Ginger show. A definite favorite in my book!