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
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers This movie feature an Irving Berlin musical score with only four songs, the fewest in any Astaire and Rogers film. While the film was well-received by critics, with Motion Picture Herald's William R. Weaver calling it "the greatest Astaire-Rogers picture", it was their most expensive film to date costing $1.3 million and ultimately lost money for the studio despite earning worldwide rentals of $1.7 million. In 1939, Astaire and Rogers made "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle". It was the end of their partnership for ten years, until they reunited for "The Barkleys of Broadway". Although their relationship was