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
Life Is Beautiful (Fred Astaire song) Life Is Beautiful (Fred Astaire song) "Life Is Beautiful" is a 1974 song with music written by Fred Astaire and lyrics by Tommy Wolf. Tony Bennett was so impressed with the tune, it became the title track of his album of the same name in 1975. Bennett also performed the song as Astaire looked on during a March 1975 episode of "The Merv Griffin Show". The song became widely known as the closing theme for "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson". In 1987, in memory of Astaire, who had died earlier that year, Carson closed out his 25th Anniversary special