- Fred Astaire, Blue Skies, 1945. As producers changed, “The Aristocrat of Tap” decided to quit because of (a) his stutter and (b) impatience with a non-dancer partner, Joan Caulfied. Astaire took over – for Part Two of the Irving Berlin Songbook, having also shared the first, Holiday Inn, with Bing Crosby. Then, at 47, Fred retired (for three years!) to run a dance studio and breed racehorses. Apart from his sensational Puttin’ On The Ritz number, this was no thoroughbred. Draper was assassinated by the ignoble Hollywood Blacklist. He made three films, would have been four if he had better gelled with Caulfield.
Birth year: Death year: Other name: Casting Calls: 1