Fanvid: "Happiness" [Astaire/Rogers Films]

[icepixie]

Fred and Ginger dancing make me happy. This song makes me happy. Put them together, and you have joy squared! I hope it makes you happy too.

Song: "Happiness," by The Weepies
Source: All nine Astaire/Rogers RKO films (granted, Flying Down to Rio makes a rather token appearance, but then again, they didn't do much in that one)

You can also download the Quicktime (.mov) version (39 MB) at Mediafire.

Comments

[icepixie]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. :)

[denynothing1.livejournal.com]

Oh this was wonderful! I admit I was a little leery when I saw the song choice because I thought it would be too difficult to "unhear" the original music, but I adore the Weepies so gave it a shot. And you totally won me over with the embrace at the first, "Can't steal happiness." From there it was just a lovely, sunny romp all the way to the end. Yay!

I love how you matched the motion of their bodies, not just the steps, to the clips. Very clever and it really works. It also makes me want to watch the movies all over again.

This is going to be fun to rec!

[emmiere.livejournal.com]

Pure joy. I'd dance around my living room if it wouldn't distract me from watching and smiling like a loon. :D

[livrelibre.livejournal.com]

This was fabulous and so joyful!

[dhobikikutti]

This did make me happy! I loved the way you managed to get the movements to synch up not just with the beats, but with the tone colour of the music, and turn that close-footed turn move they have into a theme for the chorus.

[emmbright.livejournal.com]

That was fantastic! Seeing those dances I've watched a zillion times with different music behind them made me see the moves with fresh eyes. Really fun. :D

[icepixie]

Thank you for this lovely comment, and for the rec as well!

I love how you matched the motion of their bodies, not just the steps, to the clips. Very clever and it really works.

Thanks. Both of them really dance with their whole bodies, not just their feet; it seemed impossible to ignore it when I was making the vid.

It also makes me want to watch the movies all over again.

:D I'm totally requesting the box set for my birthday. I just watched them all for the first time last month, on a rather whirlwind tour via Netflix. Sometimes the plots make me want to beat my head against a wall, but the dancing is so wonderful, and they're so fabulous together in all their scenes, that I don't really mind.

[icepixie]

Hee. This song makes me want to dance too. I'm glad you liked it!

[icepixie]

Thanks! :)

[icepixie]

Thank you!

and turn that close-footed turn move they have into a theme for the chorus

I was wondering if anyone would notice that! It actually happened almost by accident; I only noticed the last two instances once the vid was two-thirds done, and then I decided to put the first one in. But I was very pleased with how it turned out.

[icepixie]

Thanks! Watching them with different music does make the movement as movement stand out more. I guess it just shows how well-choreographed to the original music these dances were, so that it's hard to think about them separately without removing the music.

[dualbunny.livejournal.com]

Joy squared, indeed. :D I love this! It put a huge smile on my face, and you made them look extra amazing.

[denynothing1.livejournal.com]

I see in my excitement I mistyped "to the clips" for "to the music," so thank you for interpreting my babbling so well. *g*

I got the box set for Christmas a couple years ago and it is fantastic. The extras are totally worth the price of admission, along with the beautiful prints of the movies. They look wonderful.

I started reviewing the movies one at a time till work and life got in the way -- sadly, I only managed to do the first 4 IIRC -- but now I'm inspired to go back at it. The plots -- yes, oh dear, so much of the time -- but the dancing is so sublime it makes up for a lot!

[krisnreine.livejournal.com]

Long long loooong time Ginger fan (and, of course, Ginger/Fred) who received this rec via email from someone who knew I'd love it. I loved sitting and watching for my favorites - that silly "Yam" and the highly controversial ostrich feather dress from Top Hat. ♥ Oh so good. I just watched a solo Ginger movie and it made me want to pull out the Ginger/Fred DVDs again. This just made it all the more urgent.

Thanks so much! It was fabulous.

[makd.livejournal.com]

Here on a rec from stultiloquentia.

I adore Fred and Ginger, and this was absolutely delicious! Better than chocolate cake...Truly!

[ropo.livejournal.com]

Just lovely! Thanks for putting it together. Now I want to watch every Astaire/Rogers movie over again. ;-)

[icepixie]

Thank you! :)

[icepixie]

OMG, "The Yam" is so ridiculous, isn't it? And yet they look so thrilled while they do it, I can't help but like it.

Thank you!

[icepixie]

Better than chocolate cake...Truly!

High praise indeed! Thanks! :)

[icepixie]

Now I want to watch every Astaire/Rogers movie over again.

A feeling I wholeheartedly endorse. ;)

Thanks!

[icepixie]

I got the box set for Christmas a couple years ago and it is fantastic. The extras are totally worth the price of admission, along with the beautiful prints of the movies. They look wonderful.

I believe the Netflix versions are from the box set, so I've seen some of the extras, but they aren't renting out the standalone documentary, and of course the non-video extras aren't there. Definitely need to request this for my birthday.

I started reviewing the movies one at a time till work and life got in the way -- sadly, I only managed to do the first 4 IIRC -- but now I'm inspired to go back at it.

And I'm inspired to go read your earlier reviews!

The plots -- yes, oh dear, so much of the time

This is probably sacrilege, but Top Hat is the one that most makes me want to hurt someone. How many opportunities did she have to ask his name? Oy. But Shall We Dance hits a couple of my biggest narrative kinks, so despite its ridiculousness, I totally enjoy that plot. :)

but the dancing is so sublime it makes up for a lot!

Indeed it does.

[wintercreek]

This is so delightful! I can't stop watching it! Yay! \o/

*huge grin*

[icepixie]

Heeee. Thanks! I'm glad it made you happy.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Oh, that Fred and Ginger vid is just awesome.

[banbury.livejournal.com]

It was beautiful! Thank you.