When we first learn a new figure, a new amalgamation, a new dance, it is natural to focus on the steps and the technique, but if we want to feel good and look good, we have to go beyond technical accuracy and create an evocative human relationship with our partner. Without a relationship, the dance is just steps, just exercise, just earnest, unsmiling locomotion. But if the dance contains emotion and communication, then we have something more.

Fred shows us good dance position and clear dance steps, but he also shows that he really enjoys his partner and the entire dance. We can do this too. We can work to get the steps right, but we can also think about developing emotional responses that are complementary to the music and to the dance.  We can think about communicating those emotions. We can create a relationship with our partner. We can at least smile.

First, let's look at the ten films he made with Ginger Rogers. He danced with many other partners, but Ginger was the most fun, by far.

Flying Down To Rio, 1933	(click on any thumbnail for a larger view)
The Gay Divorcee, 1934
Roberta, 1935
Top Hat, 1935
Follow the Fleet, 1936
Swing Time, 1936
Shall We Dance, 1937
Carefree, 1938
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle, 1939
The Barkleys of Broadway, 1949
Fred and Ginger before there was Fred & Ginger Fred Astaire's dancing career began with his sister, Adele, in vaudeville and on Broadway.
Actually, Fred & Adele tried to break into movies in 1928. They made a screen test for Paramount that year, and this was the occasion of the infamous judgement: "Can't act. Can't sing. Balding. Can dance a little." The statement might be apocryphal; no one has ever owned up to it, but Fred did wait five years for his first film. Dancing Lady, 1933 Fred's first movie was also with "another woman," Joan Crawford.
A Damsel in Distress, 1937 With Joan Fontaine
Broadway Melody of 1940 With Eleanor Powell
Second Chorus, 1941 With Paulette Goddard
You'll Never Get Rich, 1941 With Rita Hayworth
Holiday Inn, 1942 With Virginia Dale
You Were Never Lovelier, 1942 With Rita Hayworth again
The Sky's the Limit, 1943 With Joan Leslie
Yolanda and the Thief, 1945 With Lucille Bremer
Ziegfeld Follies, 1946 With Cyd Charisse
Blue Skies, 1946 With Joan Caulfield
Easter Parade, 1948 With Judy Garland
Three Little Words, 1950 With Vera-Ellen
Let's Dance, 1950 With Betty Hutton
Royal Wedding, 1951 With Jane Powell
The Belle of New York, 1952 With Vera-Ellen again
The Band Wagon, 1953 With Cyd Charisse again
Daddy Long Legs, 1955 With Leslie Caron
Funny Face, 1957 With Audrey Hepburn
Silk Stockings, 1957 With Cyd Charisse a third time
Toward the end of his career, Fred began to dance on TV, often with Barrie Chase. In the movies, he took more dramatic roles — 1958–1981.