Opening Night: You Were Never Lovelier (1942)

4 January 2017

Doors open 7:15pm, Screening starts 8pm, Friday 3 February

Year: 1942
Running Time: 97 mins
Director: William A. Seiter
Starring: Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, Adolphe Menjou, Isobel Elsom, Leslie Brooks
Cert: U
You Were Never Lovelier

We’re heading down to Argentina for this romantic musical comedy starring dance legend Fred Astaire and the iconic Rita Hayworth

This clever cocktail of humour, romance and stylish musical numbers features music from composer Jerome Kern (Ol’ Man River, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, The Way You Look Tonight) and lyricist Johnny Mercer (Jeepers Creepers, Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive, Moon River) in a sparkling digital restoration.

Astaire plays Robert Davies, a dancer who likes to have a flutter on the horses. After losing his money gambling, he looks for a job in a Buenos Aires nightclub and is soon pulled into the middle of an elaborate scheme where he falls for Maria – the club owner’s daughter played by Hayworth.

There are intrigues a-plenty as Maria mistakes Robert for a fictional admirer concocted by her meddlesome father, but how long can they keep up the charade when love is on the cards?

Released in 1942, this lavish production must have provided much needed escapism from the war, set in a far-away location with infectious Latin sounds from Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra, beautiful costumes and a heavy dose of Hollywood glamour.

Hayworth is a beautiful dancer, gracefully keeping step with Astaire, who said in his autobiography that she was his favourite dancing partner. Whether a romantic, graceful waltz or a high-energy tap routine the dance numbers are exceptional and promise to keep your toes tapping all night long!

Dance Party!

Make sure that you wear your dancing shoes as we’re holding a swing dance party after the screening in the Grand Foyer with live dance band the Billionaires.

Tickets are available online now.

Standard Ticket £10: