Media

• "Top Hat" theatrical trailer

Lyrics

• No Strings
• Isn't This a Lovely Day
• Top Hat, White Tie and Tails
• Cheek to Cheek
• The Piccolino

Trivia

• During "Cheek to Cheek," Ginger Rogers' gown (which she designed herself) shed its feathers, exasperating Fred Astaire (Fred Astaire's daughter, Ava Astaire McKenzie, relays that the feathers went up his nose). After it was all over with, Fred Astaire gave Ginger Rogers a feather charm as well as the nickname "Feathers." Fred Astaire and Hermes Pan re-worded the "Cheek to Cheek" song to fit the situation:
  Feathers, I hate feathers
  And I hate them so that I can hardly speak
  And I'll never find the happiness that I seek
  With those chicken feathers dancing cheek to cheek
• The two-minute dance of "The Piccolino" was filmed in one take.
• Top Hat was the first screenplay written especially for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
• Beddini's motto was originally, "For the men the sword, for the women the whip." The script was changed to "For the women the kiss, for the men the sword" after the censors objected.
• Fred Astaire wrote his objections to the film in a letter:
  In the first place, as this was supposed to have been written for me with the intention of giving me the chance to do things that are most suited to me, I cannot see that my part embodies any of the necessary elements except to dance, dance, dance. I'm cast as a straight juvenile, rather a cockey and arrogant one at that. A sort of objectional young man without charm, sympathy or humor. I cannot see that there is any real story or plot to this script in a series of events patterned too closely after "Gay Divorce" without the originality or suspense of that play. I've practically no comedy of any consequence except the scene in the cab.

Memorable Quotes

• Bates: We are Bates.
• Dale Tremont: I dropped up from the room below where I've been trying to get some sleep!
  Jerry Travers: Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't realize I was disturbing you. You see, every once in a while I suddenly find myself... dancing.
  Dale Tremont: Oh, I suppose it's some kind of an affliction.
• [Talking about the horse]
  Dale Tremont: Who was his dam?
  Jerry Travers: What?
  Dale Tremont: I said, who was his dam?
  Jerry Travers: I don't know miss, he didn't give a damn.
• Jerry Travers: In dealing with a girl or horse, one just lets nature take its course.
• Dale Tremont: What is this strange power you have over horses?
  Jerry Travers: [thinks] Horsepower?
• [He is reading a telegram]
  Alberto Beddini: 'Come ahead. stop. Stop being a sap. stop. You can even bring Alberto. stop. My husband is stopping at your hotel. stop. When do you start. stop.' I cannot understand, who wrote this?
  Dale Tremont: Sounds like Gertrude Stein.
• Alberto Beddini: Never again will I allow WOMEN to wear my dresses!
• Dale Tremont: How could I have ever fallen in love with a man like you!
  [Dale slaps Jerry, then storms off]
  Jerry Travers: She loves me.
  
• Horace Hardwick: You mean to sit there and tell me that that girl slapped your face in front of all those people for nothing?
  Jerry Travers: Well, what would you have done? Sold tickets?
• Jerry Travers: If I ever forgot myself with that girl, I'd remember it.
• [Horace is taking a bath]
  Horace Hardwick: Jerry, I don't think it's safe for you to see that girl alone!
  Jerry Travers: Well, I don't think it'd be quite proper for you to receive her that way.
• Jerry Travers: Always remember that the truth has never hurt any man... Anyway, if it does, I'll go to the hospital with you.
• Jerry Travers: All is fair in love and war, and this is revolution!

Own "Top Hat"

• Amazon.com: Top Hat
  "Top Hat" DVD.
• Amazon.com: Astaire & Rogers Collection, Vol. 1
  Contains Top Hat, Swing Time, Follow the Fleet, Shall We Dance, The Barkleys of Broadway.
• Amazon.com: Astaire & Rogers Ultimate Collector's Edition
  Contains all 10 Astaire/Rogers films (Flying Down to Rio, The Gay Divorcee, Roberta, Top Hat, Follow the Fleet, Swing Time, Shall We Dance, Carefree, The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle, The Barkleys of Broadway) along with a bonus documentary (Astaire and Rogers Partners in Rhythm), soundtrack CD, behind-the-scenes photos, and reproductions of the original Shall We Dance and Roberta press books. I own this and it is FANTASTIC!