When his partner (leggy Ann Miller) splits, Astaire brags he can turn anyone into a star, then hauls Garland out of the chorus and plays Svengali with a happier ending. Astaire is on fine form as ever as the dashing and gallant Don Hewes, who nevertheless utterly fails to notice that his leading lady is madly in love with him. Judy Garland, meanwhile, is sweetly innocent as the up-and-coming country girl out of her depth in the starry world of showbusiness, and the two work well together both onstage and off.
The stand-out musical numbers include the excellent Couple Of Swells and Steppin' Out With My Baby. Wonderful.