FRED ASTAIRE DOUBLE FEATURE
TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
I love that TCM is on a kick lately of cleverly selected double features, showing an early and later work by the same artist. This time it’s Fred Astaire, and the double feature begins at 8 p.m. with 1936’s Swing Time, co-starring his most famous dance partner, Ginger Rogers. Then, from 1951, comes Royal Wedding, in which his dance partner is played by Jane Powell – but she’s playing his sister, not his romantic interest. And with Royal Wedding, Astaire’s best dance numbers are with himself: dancing on the walls and ceiling thanks to clever special set design and photographic effects, and dancing with a hat rack (pictured).