Fred Astaire in Blackface (Swing Time)

Swing Time (1936) is a classic movie musical featuring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This movie features music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Dorothy Fields (I will likely create a post about her at some point because WOMEN IN MUSICAL THEATRE). So, while watching this movie, there was a number where Astaire is in blackface and I immediately cringed and probably screamed “no! Oh no!” I then proceeded to watch some of the number and search what this was, who this was, and what others have said about it. Of course in our day and age, any sight of blackface is problematic. It is an immediate cringe moment, but it was somewhat of the norm back then. Anyway, I was watching this number and thinking “oh no, oof” but also wondering if this specific segment was that “offensive”, since I am aware that there are other blackface things out there that are blatant caricatures and parodies. This dance, entitled “Bojangles of Harlem” is mainly just Fred Astaire dancing, the blackface not being a necessary element. While it is probably intended to be a tribute to Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a famous African American performer and tap dancer, it seems problematic. Upon further research of what this number “Bojangles of Harlem” in Swing Time is, I found a couple articles talking about it.

The New York Times article discusses if this performance is a tribute or a caricature. On this topic Alastair Macaulay writes: “Here Astaire is subverting racist caricature to celebrate the black tradition of tap dance. His is not a specific imitation of Robinson: Astaire’s torso moves a great deal, whereas Robinson’s deportment was far more upright” (Macaulay, 2011). In the Michigan Quarterly Review article, they have compiled videos of the real Bill “Bojangles” Robinson as well as Astaire’s performance which yes, are stylistically very different. In this same article, they ask the questions I was also asking myself while watching this. Kevin O’Rourke writes: “Sure, Robinson was black and Astaire was white, but why did Astaire wear blackface? Is the dance a tribute, a parody, or something in between? And is Astaire’s loose-limbed style in “Bojangles of Harlem” a result of the blackface he’s wearing? By donning blackface (plus his clownish outfit) is Astaire allowing himself to dance more freely, even if that’s not how Robinson necessarily danced?” (O’Rourke, 2018). O’Rourke also discusses how this changes our view of these idols like Fred Astaire. Of this he writes: “The blackface Astaire wears in Swing Time, regardless of his intentions or the time in which he wore it, mars, and will continue to mar, his legacy” (O’Rourke, 2018).

My big takeaway question from all of this is, why the blackface? It is seemingly not necessary as a commentary to anything (whether a positive reflection or a mocking dance) and if the effort to be a real tribute to Robinson isn’t there through the actual style of Robinson’s dancing, then why the need for the appearance? As well as this number not being integral to the plot of the film. So, what was the point?

“Astaire the Artist, even in Blackface” by Alastair Macaulay. Jan 27, 2011. The New York Times.

https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/arts/dance/30astaire.html

“Fred Astaire and the Blackface Talking” by Kevin O’Rourke. Jan 12, 2018. Michigan Quarterly Review.

https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/mqr/2018/01/fred-astaire-and-the-blackface-talking/