"Top Hat"; Fred and Ginger; "a Venice of pure make-believe"; "fruitless mulberry trees that are quickly turning into a blaze of crimson and emerald."; "Hitchcock, Selznick and the End of Hollywood."

The Turner Classic Movie channel is showing "Top Hat." Filmed over sixty years ago (1935), it has lost none of its wit or charm. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers at their best. I'd forgotten about the elaborate, confectionery-like sets full of art deco flourishes and RKO decorative frills. The first part takes places in a roughly realistic London of the era. But the second part is in a Venice of pure make-believe.

I have a couple of theories as to why this movie seems timeless. First, Astaire was a genius of the first order and a meticulous craftsman. His routines were so polished that they could be shot in a single take with no need for cut aways or fades or tricks. This leaves you with nothing but the dancing. Second, although Fred has many partners over the years, no one was as skilled as Ginger. Third, it was a black and white movie that knew how to use every element to convey depth, clarity, texture. Fourth, the use of an imaginary Venice creates a realm outside of the constraints of time.

The complex where I work lies in a forest-like setting. Usually, I park on the north side, but this morning I wound up on the south side. In the medians are evenly-spaced fruitless mulberry trees that are quickly turning into a blaze of crimson and emerald. Most trees here go from green to yellow to brown, so this tinting is a rarity.

Gads! Movie night! I'm trying to type and watch PBS' "Hitchcock, Selznick and the End of Hollywood." One can not have two masters.

PAX!