Blue Skies (1946)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(860 ratings)

Jed Potter (Fred Astaire) is a popular radio personality who was once a famous dancer. He also used to be friends with Johnny Adams (Bing Crosby) until they became rivals for the affections of Mary O'Hara (Joan Caulfield). Jed lost out when Johnny and Mary got married, but life hasn't been too rosy… More Jed Potter (Fred Astaire) is a popular radio personality who was once a famous dancer. He also used to be friends with Johnny Adams (Bing Crosby) until they became rivals for the affections of Mary O'Hara (Joan Caulfield). Jed lost out when Johnny and Mary got married, but life hasn't been too rosy for the couple since; Johnny's career in business was a washout, and not long after the birth of their daughter, the couple decided to divorce. Mary gave Jed another chance with her, but in time she chose to patch things up with Johnny, leading Jed to a close partnership with alcohol that ended with an accident, preventing him from ever dancing again. However, the aftermath of this tragedy helps bring the three former friends back together. Blue Skies was not much more than a framework for a bunch of musical numbers featuring great tunes from the Irving Berlin catalog, but when you've got Bing singing and Fred dancing to songs like "Puttin' on the Ritz," "You Keep Coming Back Like a Song," "A Couple of Song and Dance Men," and "White Christmas," why carp? Noted stage actor and tap dancer Paul Draper was originally cast as Jed, but he was fired after several days of filming and replaced by Astaire; Draper would make only one more movie before his film career came to an end after he was branded a Communist sympathizer. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Stuart Heisler
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 16, 1946 Wide
On DVD: Jul 13, 1994

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This Fred Astaire-Bing Crosby musical is plotless, but the performers are charming and the movie includes some of Irving Berling's best songs.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Astaire's dancing is just the best.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Gorgeous color, gorgeous talents. And Berlin classics.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Great songs, great teaming of Crosby and Astaire, dismal script.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Bing and Fred are well matched in this ultra colorful musical that for something so bright and supposedly cheery touches on some very dark themes, divorce, alcoholism etc., although rather glancingly. Still Fred has some great dancing performances, the one where he is performing… More
Bing and Fred are well matched in this ultra colorful musical that for something so bright and supposedly cheery touches on some very dark themes, divorce, alcoholism etc., although rather glancingly. Still Fred has some great dancing performances, the one where he is performing with a chorus line make up completely of mirror images of himself is particularly impressive. His voice and Bing's meld together very well and since the music is by Irving Berlin it makes for a very enjoyable experience indeed.
AJ V

Crosby plays against his typical roles, and shows he can play more serious roles as well as the silly romantic types he's done previously. The movie also has Astaire who may or may not be the better choice for the woman in the movie. A very interesting story.

Cast

            Bing Crosby as Johnny Adams

            Fred Astaire as Jed Potter

            Joan Caulfield as Mary O'Hara

            Billy De Wolfe as Tony

            Olga San Juan as Nita Nova

            Frank Faylen as Mack

            Mikhail Rasumny as Francois

            Victoria Horne as Martha Nurse

            Carol Andrews as Dolly

            Robert Benchley as Businessman

            Jimmy Conlin as Jeffrey

            Harry Davenport
            
            Rev. Neal Dodd as Minister

            Joel Friend as Specialty dancer

            John Gallaudet as Stage manager

            Roy Gordon as Charles Dillingham

            Karolyn Grimes as Mary Elizabeth

            Sam Harris as Guest

            Len Hendry as Electrician

            Roberta Jonay as Hat check girl

            Charles La Torre as Mr. Rakopolis

            Peggy McIntyre as Mary Elizabeth

            John Miller as Ed

            Frances Morris as Nurse

            Cliff Nazarro as Cliff

            Jack Norton as Drunk

            Paula Ray as Guest

            Larry Steers as Guest

            John Maurice Sullivan as Junior

            Joan Woodbury as Flo

            Will Wright as Dan

            John Kelly as Tough Guy

            Albert Ruiz as Specialty dancer

            Barbara Slater as Myrtle
See full cast