--- title: "Top Hat: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/top-hat/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/top-hat" critics_score: 85 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Top Hat (1935): what the critics said Critics' score 85 from 10 reviews: 10 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. All ten reviews are positive, and most critics agree that this is the Astaire and Rogers film to start with, several calling it the archetypal one. The praise clusters on the dance numbers, with ‘Cheek to Cheek’ named again and again as the high point, and on Irving Berlin’s songs. The Art Deco sets draw admiring notice from nearly everyone, and a few reviews credit the supporting comic players and Rogers’s clothes as part of the pleasure. Where the critics part is over the plot, and even there the disagreement is about degree. Roger Ebert calls it an idiot plot and forgives it; The New Yorker finds the patter between numbers padded and tedious; Variety thinks the story too close to the pair’s previous film and is cool on Rogers’s appearance. The New York Times feels a large choral finale undercuts the earlier restraint. The spread is narrow: nobody thinks it less than good, and the only real question is whether the talk between dances matters. ## Radio Times — Tony Sloman Rating 5/5. This is the quintessential Fred and Ginger movie, an instant classic with flawless casting, delightful Irving Berlin score including hits like 'Cheek to Cheek', and sumptuous Art Deco design. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-d4whtz/top-hat/) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★★★★. 20 December 2019. This is the fourth and best collaboration between Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The iconic numbers are the main draw, but the supporting comedy, adorable studio sets and Rogers’ chic outfits make it perfection overall. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/comedy/article/top-hat-1935-review-fred-astaire-and-ginger-rogers-at-their-peak-5df22s3zr) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 23 October 2005. Ebert highlights two transcendent dance numbers by Astaire and Rogers as reaching the pinnacle of screen dancing. He calls the plot an 'idiot plot' but celebrates the joyful, effortless artistry and escapist charm of the Astaire-Rogers partnership. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-top-hat-1935) ## Slant Magazine — Dan Callahan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 August 2005. The critic calls Top Hat the archetypal Astaire-Rogers film and deems it essential, praising the magical on-screen chemistry and standout musical numbers like 'Cheek to Cheek' while noting the plot's pleasant but minor flaws. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/top-hat-dvd/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 April 2023. This 1935 madcap musical swirls effortlessly back into cinemas as a re-release. The critic praises the classic Irving Berlin songs, Astaire’s effortless dancing and Rogers’ style and panache, while noting the film’s theatrical roots and transatlantic charm. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/apr/05/top-hat-review-fred-astaire-and-ginger-rogers-go-cheek-to-cheek-irving-berlin) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 30 August 1935. The critic finds 'Top Hat' provides urbane fun through Astaire's magic and Rogers' dexterous teamwork, especially in their dance numbers to Berlin songs. Some script restraint gives way to a mammoth choral finale that undercuts the charm. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1935/08/30/archives/the-screen-fred-astaire-and-ginger-rogers-in-their-new-song-and.html) ## Time Out — TM Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. The critic calls it one of the best Astaire-Rogers films, praising the Irving Berlin score and Hermes Pan dance routines that create sexual electricity, as well as the stunning Art Deco designs. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/top-hat-1) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1934. The review declares the film a sure hit due to Astaire, Berlin's songs, and enough comedy to connect the numbers. It praises standout routines like 'Isn't It a Lovely Day?' but notes Rogers' hard appearance and a story too similar to the prior Astaire-Rogers vehicle. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1934/film/reviews/top-hat-2-1200410934/) ## The New Yorker — John C. Mosher Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 31 August 1935. Mosher calls the film highly successful thanks to Berlin's music, Astaire, Rogers, and supporting players like Broderick and Horton, with dancing a consistent pleasure. He faults the plot for padding the runtime with tedious patter and piffle. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1935/09/07/1935-09-07-073-tny-cards-000011778) ## Eye for Film — Chris Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 22 February 2011. The critic praises Top Hat as the most iconic and beautiful Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers production, highlighting its lavish production values, superb songs and dances, and escapist appeal during the Depression era. They single out the elegance and 'movie magic' of the 'Cheek To Cheek' sequence for particular admiration. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/top-hat-film-review-by-chris) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/top-hat.md