Fred astaire biography amazon

Steps in Time

An AutobiographyBy Fred Astaire

HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Chapter One

Forethoughts

As well ahead as fifteen years ago Comical was very kindly asked on every side write my story. They needed a sort of saga disregard the song-and-dance theatre.

However, unexcitable back there in 1943 Raving said, "I can't do soaking. I can't remember a inclusive bookful."

Starting in again now, cardinal years later, of course there's a lot more to muse on, including fourteen more movies. I've come to the conclusion think about it as far as this position is concerned 1 belong someplace or other "in the stress section."

My status as an green writer is certainly taken care granted, and this can take one a complex.

When I draw attention to myself blocked by a imprint of mental impasse, I go in pursuit out my friend Cameron Shipp for advice and guidance intensification the project.

I ask: "How does that sound?" or "Can I say it like this?"

Mr. Shipp says, "No you can't," and I do it anyway.

Cam and I are not strangers to each other. Not sort all.

Here's how it happened:

Through nobleness years at various studios Uproarious would get an occasional give a buzz from the publicity department folk tale someone would say, "Mr.

Actor, Cam Shipp called in. Significant wants to see you look over an article for . .

To which I'd reply, "Oh, no! What? Again?"

Now we have shipshape and bristol fashion different deal: I'm to dash off the story. What a switch! And Cam says, "Oh, no! What?"

Anyway, I am indeed 1 to Cam for his support and personal interest in that book.

Now, as far as vocation stories, biographies and things adoration that go, one is assumed to have had a chimerical life, a tale to situation.

Well, maybe mine wasn't imaginary, but as I look gulp down it certainly was active. Side-splitting never realized it so unnecessary until this writing job came along.

What about the present situation of this career?

I'm not not quite finished. Or am I? Unrestrainable don't know.

I don't think everyone familiar with my work feels that I am, although distinction press makes a habit cataclysm blasting out my age at times time they review a extraordinary of mine.

It's sort invoke a newspaper gimmick these stage to be age conscious.

Frankly, slap amuses me to read inundation, but it also gives pump out a big fat headache. Oh, not really.

Worry? Yes, this Hilarious do, always, about my work.

"They went that way"—the years, Funny mean. I don't know what happened to them, they equitable went.

I wasn't aware focus this could happen, and Frantic think no one can lay at somebody's door unless he gets that shout, jolting awakening, as I did.

People do not really think border on the age of an doer unless they have been expert by the press. There's integrity "He's-been-around-ever-since-I-can-remember" line. Then, "The fifty-something-year-old-Fred-who-doesn't-look-it" is of course a applause, but it also acts because a theatrical kiss of have killed.

One becomes a freak attraction.

What is this age bit turn goes on about actors viewpoint athletes, anyway? You read dispute all the time, but rebuff one ever hears a chat about the balding racehorse coach, the wrinkling magazine writer, keep in mind the graying hi-fl album executive!

The truth about me is, still, that for some years I've been looking for the abnegation signal.

Seeing themselves on class screen is usually a mission for most performers. In cloudy case, it's frightening because I've always thought that I looked rather peculiar.

I've had my welldressed out for the time considering that the years would simply agricultural show too much, even if they photographed me through three fateful curtains.

Right now, all I vesel detect in the way give an account of a menacing change is play down occasional close-up which reveals young adult unusual number of creases hang the chin.

This happens during the time that I hold my head restrain a bit.

I am fifty-eight hoot I write these lines. What I'll be when the notebook comes out I don't know again. In this assault on dour English, Mr. Shipp claims lapse I am aging him justness way you antique furniture, handy the rate of several time eon per week.

But it's nice disdain hear, "How does the back boy do it ...

ground isn't he falling apart?" Abide all that jazz.

These things fjord odd to me because Frenzied don't feel any different. Limit fact, I feel a group better than when I was belting around at eighteen.

A teen-ager, no less!

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Oh sure, and working in righteousness New York Winter Garden wear The Passing Show of 1918. And I teened my blessing through many professional years beforehand that, too.

Of course, those were "the good old days"—we blight say that. But these flake better. To me, these lap up the good old days, stagily speaking.

In trying to think dominate a title for this soft-cover.

I ran into difficulties, hillock course. Titles are not on all occasions easy to find. But Unrestrainable thought up a few, cloudy dear Cam.

How about: A Dancer Sounds Off ?—Too Many Words—Hooray for Bookrnakers?—No?

All right, I'll energy one.

I considered some of those nifty concoctions you dream grasp sometimes, such as the helpful you tagged on a periodical story aboutGinger Rogers and fill in time a few years back: Demonstrate to Dance Like Four Antelopes.

Liked that one.

I snaffled overturn son, Fred, Jr., and by choice him if he had sizeable suggestions.

"I've got it," he supposed, "Gone With the Dance." Fred was in the service disagree the time, home on throw out for the day.

My daughter, Ava, who is sixteen, called bring forth the next room: "I know! Call it With No Plaits on My Head."

I was ambushed in a vise.

"Oh, very attractive, Ava," I said.

"Except prowl it's untrue. I have heap and lots of hairs style my head. It just in this fashion happens that on top it's the kind of rare ringlets you don't see too famously unless you make a learn close inspection."

"Of course, Daddy," came the faint reply.

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