Fred Astaire Collection (BLU-RAY)

Easter Parade (1948) Judy Garland and Fred Astaire's only movie together was this spectacular Irving Berlin musical. After splitting with his longtime dance partner, Nadine (Ann Miller), Don (Astaire) recruits chorus girl Hannah (Garland) to join him. The new dancing duo starts to fall for each other, but it could all come crashing down when Hannah thinks Don harbors feelings for Nadine. Peter Lawford co-stars. Songs include the title song, "A Couple of Swells," "Steppin' Out with My Baby," and more. 103 min. The Band Wagon (1953) Director Vincente Minnelli's charming musical comedy stars Fred Astaire as Tony Hunter, a once-popular dancer/actor who hopes to rebound with a new Broadway show. While dealing with his difficult leading lady (Cyd Charisse), Tony finds his comeback endangered when the flamboyant director (Jack Buchanan) changes the breezy comedy into a dark updating of "Faust." With Nanette Fabray, Oscar Levant; songs include "Dancing in the Dark," "Shine on Your Shoes," "That's Entertainment." 112 min. Silk Stockings (1957) Paris is the setting for this lively musical adaptation of the 1955 Broadway hit (which is itself a version of the classic movie comedy "Ninotchka"), in which an audacious movie producer (Fred Astaire) attempts to woo Soviet operative Ninotchka (Cyd Charisse), who's been sent to the City of Lights to bring a defecting film composter back to Russia. Able support from Jules Munshin, Peter Lorre, and Janis Paige, and a Cole Porter score that includes "Too Bad," "All of You," and the title tune add to the fun. 117 min. Finian's Rainbow (1968) When he emigrated from the Auld Sod to the American South, Finian McLonergan (Fred Astaire) brought along a stolen magical pot of gold. Unfortunately, the leprechaun (Tommy Steele) he pilfered it from has tracked him down... and starts causing magical mischief for the locals. Fun take on the Yip Harburg/Fred Saidy stage hit, an early assignment for Francis Ford Coppola, co-stars Petula Clark, Keenan Wynn, Al Freeman, Jr.; score includes "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" "Look to the Rainbow." 145 min.