The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle
| The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | H. C. Potter |
| Produced by | George Haight |
| Screenplay by |
Richard Sherman Oscar Hammerstein II Dorothy Yost |
| Story by | Irene Castle |
| Starring |
Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers Edna May Oliver Walter Brennan |
| Music by | Various |
| Cinematography | Robert de Grasse |
| Edited by | William Hamilton |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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93 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,196,000 (est.) |
| Box office | $1,825,000 |
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle is an American biographical musical comedy, released in 1939 and directed by H.C. Potter. The film stars Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edna May Oliver, and Walter Brennan. The movie is based on the stories My Husband and My Memories of Vernon Castle, by Irene Castle. The movie was adapted by Oscar Hammerstein II, Dorothy Yost and Richard Sherman.
The film tells of novice American dancer Irene Foote (Ginger Rogers) who convinces New York-based British vaudeville comic Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire) to give up slapstick comedy in favor of sophisticated ballroom dancing.
Their big break comes when they are stranded in Paris, along with their friend Walter Ashe (Walter Brennan), with no money. They catch the eye of influential agent Maggie Sutton (Edna May Oliver), who arranges a tryout for them at the prestigious Café de Paris, where they become an overnight sensation. After taking Europe by storm, the Castles return to the United States and become just as big a sensation. Their fame and fortune rises to unprecedented heights in the immediate pre-World War I years.
When World War I starts, Vernon returns to Britain and joins the Royal Flying Corps, while Irene makes patriotic movie serials to aid the war effort. However, Vernon is killed in a training accident, leaving Irene to carry on alone.
Irene Castle acted as advisor to this film, and constantly disagreed with the director as to details of costuming and liberties taken. When informed that white actor Walter Brennan was to play the part of faithful servant Walter, she was dumbfounded: the real Walter was black.
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