I met Ginger Rogers in London, after a performance of MAME, in February 1970. She was lovely and extremely warm toward me, as I waited for her at stage door and asked her to autograph my programme. I'll never forget her as a brilliant dancer and as a versatile actress in countless films that brought me much joy throughout my life.
Yes, I wish this tribute was longer, but as they honor more than 1 at a time, I imagine, time just did not allow. ADORE Ginger and LOVE that they did this for her!
Astonishing how her pretty face never really changed from little-girlhood right on through! I saw her perform live in Anything Goes at the DuPont Theater when she was only 68 years-old. She was still cute as a button and beautiful. I'll never forget the moment she stepped out on that stage. I had no idea what to expect, and Lo and Behold there she was -- GINGER ROGERS! -- looking just the Ginger Rogers I'd always known and loved. AN UNFORGETTABLY MOVING MOMENT. Followed by a great evening!
In my opinion, that tribute did not do her justice, not by a long shot. So sad to see dear sweet Ginger in poor health. She was always so youthful, energetic, athletic, vibrant and stunningly beautiful for most of her life....long past most of her contemporaries. I treasure all my Ginger Rogers memorabilia, and look at her as such an inspirational role model. Peace.
She was beautiful up to the end I didn't like those glasses hiding those pretty blues I wish of all the stars she would have been the one I wanted to meet
The gentleman talking about Mrs. Rogers reminds me of my dad ,when my dad was younger, the light skin and dark brown grayish eyes and the mustache .I love Mrs Roger's too👏😊
@@ericaespinosa4030 oh okay thanks ,yeah I saw a magazine the other day with a picture of Mr.Seleck and at first glance I thought "what the...he looks like my father ,lol😂👌"
When my dad was stationed in So. Cal. during WWII, Ginger gave him and his buddies a lift when they were hitching a ride. Fannie Flag mentions Ginger giving a lift like that in one of her books. I guess she was known for doing this for g.i.'s. during the war.
Peter Levinson's informative book, "Putin On The Ritz: Fred Astaire And The Art Of Panache" relates that Robyn Astaire wanted George Stevens Jr., the producer of the Kenndey Center Honors, to pay an exorbitant fee to authorize the use of Astaire and Rogers film clips from the RKO movies or from the MGM Barkleys Of Broadway, and he declined. She repeated this demand for a Tribute to Astaire event in the early 90's. She has also refused to license the release of the Astaire television specials.
Rick Mileske I remember this. She claimed it was because she wasn't asked permission. It was all about her ego. Someone who played no part in these remarkable films. She obviously didn't care about Fred's fans who I am sure we're anxious to see the footage too. What a stinker!
Fred Astairs widow, Robin, wouldn't allow the Kennedy Center to use any clips of Fred & Gingers dances in Ginger's film history during this award ceremony. I always thought that was so tacky of her. Had Fred been alive, I am sure he would have allowed them to use the clips of his and Gingers dances.
I read somewhere that Fred Astaire's widow didn't allow Ginger Rogers to show some of the dancing clips which she had legal rights to keep? Not sure why she was vindictive over those tapes. She should have been generous. That's why the videos were not shown.
That's true. And irony of ironies, clips of Astaire alone and with Rogers are ALL OVER UA-cam, yet she hasn't done a thing to stop those. Which is fine by me, but still...
Robin - glad to hear this was accurate information. Fred Astaire said that he gives credit to Ginger Rogers for his success. By this Robin should have been gracious instead of stingy!
@@angelacarleton9575 Well of course he was being overly gracious as always, but you're right. Robin Astaire was almost paranoid it seemed, and allowed the clips to be shown only that one night and never again.
Robyn Smith Astair, widow of Fred (his 2nd wife and 45 years his junior) wanted to get paid and when the Kennedy Center refused (they're never asked to pay, since they're THE arts non-profit honoring our country's citizens), she denied them access. It wasn't because she wasn't asked. She wanted the money.
Really quite a disgusting move, that. It boggles the mind that she would deprive the world a few seconds of the magic that her late husband created on screen with Ginger. To ask for money to lend the footage, unbelievable. I wonder if that's what Fred would've wanted. I can't imagine him not allowing the clips to be shown.
@@IrishEyes1989certainly a woman with some secrets..but then Astaire will have had his reasons to marry her..he left her the image rights as a money making device and she used it moderately...it was a strange pairing about which some rumours have been spread but who knows...maybe it was advantageous for both
Ginger really deserved this tribute. However, it was not nice that Mrs. Fred Astaire would not allow clips from Astaire/Rogers' films to be broadcast. Such things had always been allowed free of charge since it was to honour someone an not to make money. The audience in the theatre saw them but the television audience did not. The AFI could not pay for them since they considered it would serve as a president and they would have to pay in the future.
I met Ginger Rogers in London, after a performance of MAME, in February 1970. She was lovely and extremely warm toward me, as I waited for her at stage door and asked her to autograph my programme. I'll never forget her as a brilliant dancer and as a versatile actress in countless films that brought me much joy throughout my life.
You're a very lucky person!
Yep you said it T S. She stepped out of our dreams. She was the epitome of everything anyone would love to love!
Yes, I wish this tribute was longer, but as they honor more than 1 at a time, I imagine, time just did not allow. ADORE Ginger and LOVE that they did this for her!
It WAS longer, and included clips from her work with Astaire, but Astaire's greedy widow Robin, refused to allow the clips to be used more than once.
God rest my dear, sweet Godmother, Ginger Rogers. In my heart always
Astonishing how her pretty face never really changed from little-girlhood right on through!
I saw her perform live in Anything Goes at the DuPont Theater when she was only 68 years-old. She was still cute as a button and beautiful. I'll never forget the moment she stepped out on that stage. I had no idea what to expect, and Lo and Behold there she was -- GINGER ROGERS! -- looking just the Ginger Rogers I'd always known and loved.
AN UNFORGETTABLY MOVING MOMENT. Followed by a great evening!
In my opinion, that tribute did not do her justice, not by a long shot. So sad to see dear sweet Ginger in poor health. She was always so youthful, energetic, athletic, vibrant and stunningly beautiful for most of her life....long past most of her contemporaries. I treasure all my Ginger Rogers memorabilia, and look at her as such an inspirational role model. Peace.
She was beautiful up to the end I didn't like those glasses hiding those pretty blues I wish of all the stars she would have been the one I wanted to meet
That was very nice and Ginger Rogers deserve that great ovation and he fell in love with her as a lot of men fall in love with stars!
Such a beautiful lady!
The gentleman talking about Mrs. Rogers reminds me of my dad ,when my dad was younger, the light skin and dark brown grayish eyes and the mustache .I love Mrs Roger's too👏😊
Tom Selleck
That's Tom Selleck
@@ericaespinosa4030 oh okay thanks ,yeah I saw a magazine the other day with a picture of Mr.Seleck and at first glance I thought "what the...he looks like my father ,lol😂👌"
The tribute is short because Robyn Astaire refused to allow any clips of the Fred Astaire movies to be shown on TV unless she was paid.
When my dad was stationed in So. Cal. during WWII, Ginger gave him and his buddies a lift when they were hitching a ride. Fannie Flag mentions Ginger giving a lift like that in one of her books. I guess she was known for doing this for g.i.'s. during the war.
It's sad on such a great occasion they could not show her dancing which was one of her great talents besides being a great actress, etc.
she is fab
Peter Levinson's informative book, "Putin On The Ritz: Fred Astaire And The Art Of Panache" relates that Robyn Astaire wanted George Stevens Jr., the producer of the Kenndey Center Honors, to pay an exorbitant fee to authorize the use of Astaire and Rogers film clips from the RKO movies or from the MGM Barkleys Of Broadway, and he declined. She repeated this demand for a Tribute to Astaire event in the early 90's. She has also refused to license the release of the Astaire television specials.
How on earth did the producers put together a taped tribute that barely showed her dancing? That makes no sense.
It had nothing to do with the producers. Robyn Astaire refused permission to show the clips on TV. They were shown during the tribute as I was there.
Fred and Ginger's films are often shown on TCM...as well as Fred's films with other performers. Guess TCM owns the rights.
Fred Astaire's widow would not allow any pictures or footage of him and I thought that was mighty selfish on this ladies part.
Rick Mileske I remember this. She claimed it was because she wasn't asked permission. It was all about her ego. Someone who played no part in these remarkable films. She obviously didn't care about Fred's fans who I am sure we're anxious to see the footage too. What a stinker!
old bag
Very selfish and deliberately cruel to Ginger.
You are lucky to have seen Ginger perform live! Cheerish your memories! ;) Did you by any chance kept the playbill?
Fred Astairs widow, Robin, wouldn't allow the Kennedy Center to use any clips of Fred & Gingers dances in Ginger's film history during this award ceremony. I always thought that was so tacky of her. Had Fred been alive, I am sure he would have allowed them to use the clips of his and Gingers dances.
That's not entirely true. She allowed them to be played at the ceremony, but wouldn't allow them to be TELEVISED.
I read somewhere that Fred Astaire's widow didn't allow Ginger Rogers to show some of the dancing clips which she had legal rights to keep? Not sure why she was vindictive over those tapes. She should have been generous. That's why the videos were not shown.
That's true. And irony of ironies, clips of Astaire alone and with Rogers are ALL OVER UA-cam, yet she hasn't done a thing to stop those. Which is fine by me, but still...
To answer the question about why she is barely seen dancing, Fred Astaire's wife Robin refused to allow his image onscreen.
Robin - glad to hear this was accurate information. Fred Astaire said that he gives credit to Ginger Rogers for his success. By this Robin should have been gracious instead of stingy!
@@angelacarleton9575 Well of course he was being overly gracious as always, but you're right. Robin Astaire was almost paranoid it seemed, and allowed the clips to be shown only that one night and never again.
Robyn Smith Astair, widow of Fred (his 2nd wife and 45 years his junior) wanted to get paid and when the Kennedy Center refused (they're never asked to pay, since they're THE arts non-profit honoring our country's citizens), she denied them access. It wasn't because she wasn't asked. She wanted the money.
Really quite a disgusting move, that. It boggles the mind that she would deprive the world a few seconds of the magic that her late husband created on screen with Ginger. To ask for money to lend the footage, unbelievable. I wonder if that's what Fred would've wanted. I can't imagine him not allowing the clips to be shown.
@@IrishEyes1989certainly a woman with some secrets..but then Astaire will have had his reasons to marry her..he left her the image rights as a money making device and she used it moderately...it was a strange pairing about which some rumours have been spread but who knows...maybe it was advantageous for both
You're welcome! :)
Very true! A few more movie clips in general would have been nice w/ or without Fred!
Doesn't Turner Classoc Movies own all.of the Astaire-Rogers films or am I mistaken?
Is this Tom Selleck talking?
Yes
Ginger really deserved this tribute. However, it was not nice that Mrs. Fred Astaire would not allow clips from Astaire/Rogers' films to be broadcast. Such things had always been allowed free of charge since it was to honour someone an not to make money. The audience in the theatre saw them but the television audience did not. The AFI could not pay for them since they considered it would serve as a president and they would have to pay in the future.
It's criminal what Fred's widow did to Ginger!
You mean she wasn't a natural blonde ?
Star buono I'm shocked to learn that. Of course, I was also shocked when I learned Liberace was gay.