You Were Never Lovelier Reviews

The second and last screen pairing of Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth features the former as Robert Davis, an American dancer stranded in Buenos Aires. Desperate for funds (he lost his money gambling), he seeks work at the hotel owned by Edwardo Acuna (Adolphe Menjou), where Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra are currently playing. Edwardo, however, has more pressing matters to deal with: his eldest daughter is about to wed and his two youngest want to, but his second child, Maria (Hayworth), is ruining everyone's plans. Edwardo has a strict rule for his children: they must marry in order of their age, and Maria's romantic ideals are so lofty no man can measure up to them. Edwardo has been secretly sending her flowers and love notes, hoping to put a dent in her fantasies. Robert is mistaken for a messenger and sent to deliver the latest bouquet, and Maria thinks he's her mystery man. Edwardo now hires Robert to play Maria's secret admirer, but idealistic Maria has a counter to every argument for marriage. More complications arise when Mrs. Acuna starts wondering who her spouse has been sending billets-doux, but all works out happily in the end, of course. Hayworth is a wonderful complement to Astaire in the dance numbers, gliding about the floor with natural ease and looking ravishing. Her singing is dubbed for the film by Nan Wynn.