A lovely film in many ways. The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle looks classy, the costumes(Ginger's dresses are to die for) and sets are very sumptuous and the whole film is shot beautifully and with great care. The score is sensitive and fitting to the story, while the period songs are an absolute pleasure to hear(admittedly though the Yamma Yamma song is one that you can take or leave). The choreography dazzles and amuses in equal measure, bringing up fond memories of Fred and Ginger and the Castles. The script is on the most part well-meaning and intelligent with some nice wit too, though the double entendres in the Dutch cap scene did fall flat, and the story is wholly believable, nicely paced and has a powerful emotional impact, especially the poignant ending. Story-wise The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle contains easily the best story of any of Fred and Ginger's RKO films, which is saying a lot seeing as the story was always the least memorable component of their films and was overridden by everything else generally being so good. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' dancing is as always impeccable, while it is a slightly different style you see them do here there is the sense instead that they've been doing it for years. Both Fred and Ginger are cleverly cast, even if they don't look anything like Vernon and Irene Castle, and are wonderful in chemistry and individual performances, Ginger especially is incredibly touching. Walter Brennan is excellent too, funny and sympathetic, and Edna May Oliver equally impresses, she relishes her comic lines while also being touchingly restrained too. All in all, a really good film, the most underrated of Fred and Ginger's 9 RKO pictures and for this viewer one of their better ones too. They would team up 10 years later for the Barkleys of Broadway, which is still an enjoyable film but the weakest of their 10 overall outings together. 9/10 Bethany Cox