The Gay Divorcee (1934)

An American heiress (Ginger Rogers) comes to England seeking a divorce from her British husband (William Austin). To this end, her lawyer (Edward Everett Horton) arranges for her to be caught in flagrante delicto with a professional gigolo (Erik Rhodes) by the husband. But she mistakes the American dancer (Fred Astaire) pursuing her as the co-respondent. After their spectacular success in FLYING DOWN TO RIO in supporting roles, this was Astaire & Rogers first star pairing and it pretty much set the template for all Astaire & Rogers musicals to follow. It's based on a Cole Porter musical called THE GAY DIVORCE (the production code insisted on a title change. A divorcee could be gay, a divorce could not) but with the exception of the glorious Night And Day, all Porter's songs were jettisoned. The script is witty and while Astaire and Rogers (and their dancing) are undeniably the stars, it's the supporting players who give the film its punch. Most notably Alice Brady (IN OLD CHICAGO) as Rogers' airhead Aunt and Rhodes as the Italian gigolo murdering the English language. Directed by Mark Sandrich. With Edward Everett Horton and a pre-stardom Betty Grable who are adorable doing Let's Knock Knees.