t was pleasant surprise for me the other night when I turned on the TV to Channel 5 and came upon a dancing scene with Fred Astaire and Jane Powell. During the break, I learned that the movie was “Royal Wedding,” a 1951 musical directed by Stanley Donen. The musical hit was filmed in London, at the time of Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip’s wedding. There were also footages of the royal coach were the newlyweds sat, and the multitudes who went to the U.K. to watch the significant event. In the film, Astaire and Powell are a brother and sister dance team who bring their dance to London. There, each of them find romance: Jane captivates the heart of a rich Britisher played by the dashing Peter Lawford. Astaire, who had a marriage plans in mind is smitten over the charms of Sarah Churchill, who auditions for a dance number. Moviegoers have never forgotten that amazing magical scene of Astaire dancing on the ceiling, else, his dynamite duet–dance act with Powell to the tune of “How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Loved You When You Know I’ve Been A Liar All My Life?” It surprised me also to come across a news item recently that revealed Astaire’s actual dislike for dancing. Yet in all of his movies, it appeared as though he was always enjoying it. He is still considered one of the greatest in Hollywood. Shirley MaClaine made many movies at the height of her career. Not may perhaps are aware that Warren Beatty, one of Hollywood’s handsomest actors who later married Annette Benning, is her brother. Shirley appeared in Artists and Models, “Around the World in Eighty Days,” “My Geisha,” “Irma La Deuce” and “Terms of Endearment,” but the one I remember best is “THE APARTMENT,” where she starred opposite Jack Lemmon. Who can ever forget Lemmon in his role as the fellow who has this fetish for being so tidy it drives Walter Mathau up the wall? I just realized there was also “The Odd Couple ll,” but I missed that one. In “Bell, Book and Candle,” Lemon plays the role of a warlock, while the beautiful Kim Novak appears as a witch who falls in love with James Stewart. “Some Like It Hot” was also another hit for Lemmon, but the most unforgettable, and probably too, one of the last movies he made during his senior years was “Tuesdays with Morrie,” where he plays the role of a retired professor whose former student visits him every Tuesday. Few among this generation remember the beauteous redhead, Susan Hayward, who had a unique way of tossing her head. This superstar never had to bare her skin, yet she was greatly admired and still considered sexy. She appeared in “With A Song In My Heart” which is also the title of the song that became a favorite among many. She portrays singer Jane Froman, who was crippled following an airplane crash. It was in this film that the youthful and handsome Robert (Bob) Wagner was introduced. He played the role of a wounded soldier to whom Hayward sings, both of them being handicapped it caused moviegoers to cry. Others in the movie were the handsome Rory Calhoun, David Wayne and Thelma Ritter. Montgomery Clift, like James Dean was a great loss to the movie industry. Both of them died at the height of their careers. Monty, as he was also called, played the ill–fated suitor of the young and rich debutante, Elizabeth Taylor. But prior to meeting her he had gotten involved with a co–worker played by Shelley Winters, an old woman. When the latter tells him that she is expecting his child, he is faced with a predicament, since he and Elizabeth are so much in love and want to get married. To pacify Shelley, Monty takes her on a boat trip, but the boat capsizes and Shelley drowns. Was it an accident? Or could he have saved her? It is left up to the moviegoers to figure that one out. Monty goes to jail where Elizabeth visits him in prison. It is a sad ending, but a memorable film, nonetheless. Other movies where Monty appeared were “From Here To Eternity,” “Indiscretion of An American Wife,” “Raintree Country,” “Suddenly Last Summer,” “The Misfits” and “Judgement at Nuremberg.” Whenever these movies are replayed one cannot help but feel nostalgic, wondering whey they don’t make movies like they did then.