Top Hat
Date: 1935
Director: Mark Sandrich
Production Company: RKO Radio Pictures
Stars: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton
Location(s): California, London
Region(s): London T-Z, N. America
Storyline:
Arriving in London to star in a show, a tap dancer falls for a model and attempts to win her affections.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
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- Capture 1
- 28 Aug 2023
Leaving the London hotel at which she's staying, Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers) walks towards a waiting hansom cab. George Marshall recognised Thorneycroft's "Poet's Fountain" at the junction of Park Lane and Hertford Street in London W1 which can also be seen in 'Enchantment'.
The fountain seen in the backdrop would have been here.
- Capture 2
- 05 Sep 2023
The cab pulls away from the hotel to take Miss Tremont to the stables. Looking south along Whitehall SW1 with the Earl Haig Memorial to the centre and the Houses of Parliament in the distance.
A tree completely obscures the Victoria Tower. SJ
- Capture 3
- 16 Aug 2023
Dale gets the attention of Jerry Travers (Fred Astaire) who has taken the place of the cab driver. Whitehall with Trafalgar Square WC2 as the background.
A rather untidy scene. SJ
- Capture 4
- 05 Sep 2023
When Dale asks if they can go faster, Jerry explains that the horse is tired as it had just won the Grand National. Facing northward on Whitehall with the Cenotaph to the left.
This replaces my shot from the previous month which was not from the middle of the road! Unfortunately a traffic light hides the wreath on the Cenotaph. SJ
- Capture 5
- 28 Jul 2025
Jerry urges the horse to speed up as they cross Westminster Bridge. In the background stands New Scotland Yard on Victoria Embankment SW1.
In May '24 I'd finally run out of patience waiting for the north wing of New Scotland Yard to lose its shrouding. However the roof has now been uncovered so here's a replacement, taken from land rather than mid-air to capture the bridge. SJ
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Leaving the back projections and second unit shots of London behind, the hansom cab arrives at the Belcher Riding Academy. Paramount Studios at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.