Royal Wedding (1951) review

Tom (Fred Astaire) and Ellen (Jane Powell), a brother-and-sister dance team, get invited to perform in London right as the title event is taking place - she runs around with Lord Brindale (Peter Lawford) while Tom romances Anne (Sarah Churchill, whose real-life father may have helped save the world or something like that).  The same knock I give to so many musicals applies here - the thinner-than-paper 'plots' and mediocre 'banter' buying time until the next show-stopping song and/or dance bit - although it is sporadically charming, with two All-Time Great Astaire moments: dancing with a (custom-designed) hat rack and, later on, scaling all four walls to express his affection for Anne.  Powell's vocal talents are also commendable: what a strong sound from a little lady.