Fred Astaire wartime drama "The Sky's the Limit" (1943), in which he introduced Arlen and Mercer's "One for My Baby" while dancing on a bar counter in a dark and troubled routine. This film, which was choreographed by Astaire alone and achieved modest box office success, represented an important departure for Astaire from his usual charming happy-go-lucky screen persona, and confused contemporary critics. His next partner, Lucille Bremer, was featured in two lavish vehicles, both directed by Vincente Minnelli: the fantasy "Yolanda and the Thief", which featured an avant-garde surrealistic ballet, and the musical revue "Ziegfeld Follies" (1946), which featured a memorable
The Astaire Story session – "Mr. Top Hat"; "The Irving Berlin Songbook"; "Steppin' Out: Astaire Sings". In the EU, after the original recording's performers'/producers' rights expired, additional European releases appeared under different names, e.g. "Jazz Time" (Proper) 2003; "Oscar Peterson and Fred Astaire: Complete Norman Granz Sessions" (Jazz Factory) 2005. Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, December, 1952: The Astaire Story The Astaire Story is a 1952 album by Fred Astaire. The album was conceived of and produced by Norman Granz, the founder of Clef Records (and later Verve Records), who was also responsible for the Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts,