His return to movies also included another film with Ginger Rogers, “the Barkleys of Broadway”…where they play a dancing couple. In 1951 he made Royal Wedding which was set in London during the marriage of Princess Elizabeth... He starred with Cyd Charisse, one of his most talented dance partners, in the Band Wagon, which is considered one of his best musicals. He later worked with her in “Silk Stockings” a musical remake of the Garbo comedy, “Ninotchka”.
In 1954 tragedy struck as his wife Phyllis became ill with cancer and died very quickly. Astaire wanted to drop out of his current film; he was so grief stricken but was persuaded to complete the movie Daddy Long Legs. He went on working in musicals until 1957 when he decided to give up dance roles.
His marriage had been a very happy one, lasting over 20
years…The marriage produced 2 children, Fred Junior and Ava, and Phyllis had
had a son Peter by her former husband…
He had always been a very private man, enjoying the company
of family and close friends and pursuing his hobbies which included playing the
drums, following horse racing, and golf. He wasn't into the Hollywood social scene. He was devoted to Phyllis and remained single for many years after her
death. Some of his best films including Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn were
done in the later 1950s.
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