Footwork: The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire

It might surprise some people to know that Fred Astaire was never expected to be much of an entertainer or a dancer. His family focused on his older sister Adele as the "natural born dancer". Fred went along when they took Adele to New York for dancing school. He also took lessons at the school and quite enjoyed them. The teacher wanted to put the siblings in a show. He dressed them as bride and groom and they tap-danced on wooden wedding cakes. The act was a huge hit and they began their career on the Vaudeville circuit. The children traveled extensively throughout the country with their act. The going wasn't always easy. Fred was a stickler for perfection and Adele was rather lazy. Eventually Adele married and Fred was free to choose exactly what he wanted . . . to make his way in Hollywood! While not an in-depth biography, Footwork gives us a glimpse into the path Fred Astaire forged to make such a big name for himself in entertainment history.

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