This whimsical (even by Astaire's standards) musical failed at the box office and impressed few critics at the time, mainly due to the nature of the plot which empowers lovers to float free of the influence of gravity - a conceit reprised in the 1999 film Simply Irresistible.

], Astaire later claimed that the dance routines - of which there are more than usual - are of a particularly high standard - a rare verdict from such a notoriously self-critical artist.

Set in turn-of-the-century New York, wealthy playboy Charles Hill is causing difficulties for his guardian, Aunt Lettie, and lawyer, Max.

The choreography makes play[3] with ideas of lightness, of floating on air[2] and on ice, and the use of platforms, with Astaire consciously avoiding his usual love of noise-making in his solos.

Vera-Ellen's lithe and waif-like figure (she allegedly suffered from anorexia nervosa in real life) facilitated this concept.