Voted by the American Film Institute as the "5th greatest male star of all time," Fred Astaire was born May 10, 1899, in Omaha, Neb., as Frederick Austerlitz.
His career lasted over 76 years, and in that time, he made 31 great musical films, appeared in numerous award-winning television specials, and he performed with a long list of dance partners, including Ginger Rogers, Eleanor Powell, Rita Hayworth, Vera-Ellen, Leslie Caron, and Audrey Hepburn.
Astaire was very modest about his singing abilities, yet his performances put Irving Berlin, the Gershwin brothers, and Jerome Kern (and many more) on the charts.
On this week's Flicks in Five, we'll hear songs associated with films of Fred Astaire.
"Ceiling Dance" number from Royal Wedding
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