A Knight on the Tiles Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Continental

"The Continental" was a twenty-two minute number. It included Ginger singing on the balcony with Fred, the incredible black and white chorus dance and then, a Fred and Ginger dance. This song, composed by Con Conrad with lyrics by Hub Magidson, won the first Academy Award for Best Original Song.

The song "Don't Let It Bother You" was sung by the chorus and danced by Fred. "A Needle in a Haystack" was sung and danced by Fred. The Cole Porter song "Night and Day" was introduced in the stage musical "The Gay Divorce" (Fred's last stage musical), and was sung by Fred and danced by the couple.

It is credited to Fred that his the majority of his dance scenes were done in a single shot with the dancers in full view.

Answer: Get Thee Behind Me, Satan

"Get Thee Behind Me, Satan" was cut from the original score and included in "Follow the Fleet" in 1936. "Cheek to Cheek" became one of the top songs for 1935. The song "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" a tap solo for Fred, is one of his best known numbers.

Fred also danced and sang "No Strings", both tap and sand. Fred and Ginger sang and danced to "The Piccolino".

Though I've only included two, there were ten movies with Ginger as a partner, with the last in 1949. Fred had not wanted to start another partnership, but RKO had other ideas, and as Katharine Hepburn was quoted as saying "He gives her class and she gives him sex".

Answer: Begin the Beguine

Fred and Eleanor also danced to "Jukebox Dance" and "I Concentrate on You". "Begin the Beguine" was approximately ten minutes in length, sung in operatic style, danced by Fred and Eleanor, sung by the chorus and again, danced by Fred and Eleanor. This song was introduced in 1935 in the Broadway musical "Jubilee", but gained significant popularity a in 1938 when Artie Shaw recorded a swing arrangement.

"Please Don't Monkey with Broadway" was performed by Fred and George Murphy (king). The chorus started singing "All Ashore" and then Eleanor joined them to sing and dance the remainder of the number. "Between You and Me" was sung by George Murphy and danced by George and Eleanor.

The story is repeated in several places that they were both initially intimidated by the other's reputation and skill.

Answer: You Were Never Lovelier

In "You'll Never Get Rich" there was no title song. They danced "Boogie Barcarolle", "So Near and Yet So Far", and "The Wedding Cakewalk". In "You Were Never Lovelier" they danced "I'm Old Fashioned", "The Shorty George" and "You Were Never Lovelier".

Fred also performed two great solos in the films. In "You Were Never Lovelier" Fred performed the "Audition Dance" using props all around the room including the rug, the desk, a chair, couch and more. During "March Milastaire (A-Stairable Rag)" from "You'll Never Get Rich", Fred tapped to a combination of march and jazz rhythms.

Answer: Say it With Fire Crackers

In order to create the improvised feel of the number, "Say it With Fire Crackers" took three days to rehearse and two days to film. After the filming, the shoes used for this number were sold at auction for $116,000 worth of war bonds.

"Be Careful, It's My Heart" was sung by Bing Crosby and danced by Fred and Marjorie. Sung by Bing and Martha Mears (dubbing for Marjorie), "White Christmas" was to become the most popular song from the show. "Easter Parade" was sung by Bing.

The song "Easter Parade" had been introduced in 1933 in the Broadway musical revue "As Thousands Cheer", then included in this score and used as a title song for the 1948 movie with Fred and Judy Garland.

Answer: A Couple of Swells

During the plot of "Easter Parade", Fred's and Judy's characters became more and more successful as stage performers, and "A Couple of Swells" was one of their staged performances. The number "It Only Happens When I Dance with You" was sung by Judy to Fred, but danced by Fred and Ann Miller. The others were all performed by Fred and Judy, but not in tramp costume.

Another song to become famous after its introduction in this show was "Steppin' Out with My Baby", sung by Fred and danced by Fred and the chorus.

Answer: Both

This show had two fantastic solos by Fred. The "Sunday Jumps" number was done onboard ship in the gym, while waiting for his sister to rehearse. Fred danced with the room's equipment, but especially a hat rack. (Who knew a hat rack could be graceful?) In the number "You're all the World to Me" Fred appeared to dance around the perimeter of the room, including on the walls and ceiling, while dreaming of his lady love.

Answer: Dancing in the Dark

This romantic number took place after they had argued with each other and they took a stroll in the park (she's not dressed for going out!). They caught a carriage, then took a walk which spontaneously transformed into dancing and then ended up back in a carriage.

The stage show of the same name was produced in 1931 with Fred and his sister, Adele Astaire, starring. "That's Entertainment" was written for the film production and became a popular favorite. "High and Low" was a chorus number, and "By Myself" was performed as a solo number by Fred.

Answer: The History of the Beat

"The History of the Beat" was sung and danced solo by Fred. Once again, Fred appears to utilize all of the props available to create this lively number. This musical included dances more ballet-like than any before, prompted by the inclusion of Leslie. The other three dances were all performed by Leslie and Fred.

Answer: He Loves and She Loves

"Let's Kiss and Make Up" was a solo danced by Fred with an umbrella and cape. Together Audrey and Fred performed "Funny Face", "He Loves and She Loves", and "S'Wonderful". These four songs were the only songs from the original stage production of "Funny Face" starring Fred and Adele Astaire, his sister.