Fred Astaire in ‘Follow the Fleet’
Since we’re on the topic of an old film, here’s another old film that also featured an onset injury. In 1936’s ‘Follow the Fleet,’ the famous dancer and actor Fred Astaire received a great slap from the arm of his co-star, Ginger Rogers. During the dance scene for “Let’s Face the Music and Dance,” Rogers wore a beaded, flowing gown with sleeves that Astaire said, “must have weighed a few pounds each.”
Photo by Rko / Kobal / Shutterstock
During the first take of that scene, Rogers made a quick turn, and those heavy sleeves smacked Astaire right in the face. Sounds minor, yes, but it actually injured the actor’s cheek and eye, leaving him “somewhat maimed.” As the filmmakers looked over the film, everyone thought that, regardless of the injury, it was really the best take. Thus, it stayed in the film.