Flying Down to Rio

Flying Down to Rio is historically significant because it marks the very first on-screen cinematic pairing of the legendary dancing duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. While they were initially cast in supporting roles, their undeniable chemistry completely stole the show. This film essentially launched one of the most famous partnerships in Hollywood history.

The primary stars of the 1933 film were Mexican-born actress Dolores del Río and American actor Gene Raymond. Del Río played the romantic lead, Belinha De Rezende, opposite Raymond's bandleader character, Roger Bond. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were originally billed beneath these two leading actors.

The movie is most famous for its highly surreal, show-stopping finale where a troupe of showgirls dance on the wings of flying airplanes. This pre-Code Hollywood sequence utilized special effects to create a breathtaking and bizarre musical number. It remains a classic example of 1930s cinematic spectacle.

Yes, the film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. The nominated track was the catchy title song, Flying Down to Rio, which featured music by Vincent Youmans and lyrics by Gus Kahn. It ultimately lost to The Continental from the film The Gay Divorcee.