Blue Skies (Paramount 1946, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire)

In Blue Skies the owner of a nightclub (Bing Crosby) and a dancing star (Fred Astaire) are friends turned romantic rivals in this musical featuring the songs of Irving Berlin. The nostalgic, loosely constructed storyline follows the years-long rivalry between two musical stars who love the same woman.

Songs include ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz,’ ‘A Couple of Song and Dance Men,’ ‘You Keep Coming Back Like a Song.’

Actor and tap dancer Paul Draper (1936’s Colleen) originally played the role of Jed in Blue Skies, but was replaced with Fred Astaire several days into production. Draper worked on only one more film, 1948’s The Time of Your Life.

production details
USA | Paramount | 104 minutes | 1946
Director: Mark Sandrich
Stuart Heisler
Script: Arthur Sheekman, Irving Berlin,

cast
Bing Crosby as Johnny Adams
Fred Astaire as Jed Potter
Frank Faylen as Mack
Joan Caulfield as Mary O’Hara
Billy De Wolfe as Tony
Olga San Juan as Nita Nova
Mikhail Rasumny as François
Victoria Horne as Martha (nurse)
Karolyn Grimes as Mary Elizabeth Adams
Joan Woodbury as Flo (uncredited)
John Deauville as Dancer (uncredited)
Cliff Nazarro as Cliff – Piano Player (uncredited)
Rudolph Valentino as Valentino (archive footage) (uncredited)
Will Wright as Dan – Stage Manager (uncredited)
John Gallaudet as Stage Manager (uncredited)
Audrey Korn as Dancer (uncredited)
Jimmy Conlin as Jeffrey – Valet (uncredited)