HAPPY BIRTHDAY to GINGER ROGERS!

Ginger is feeding Frank Sinatra some of her birthday cake

My second favorite leading lady and my dancing role model--turning 100 this year and still a (fairly) household name, testament to her longevity, popularity, and skill. Ginger is exactly what her name personifies: spunkiness & vigor, comedic kookiness while still being beautiful and dignified. The contrasts are fascinating. I like her best with auburn hair.

My Favorite Ginger Movies:

Vivacious Lady (1938) with Jimmy Stewart

I love this movie. Sweet and funny and very, very romantic--with one of my favorite pairings ever. Jimmy and Ginger have such obvious chemistry.

the Major and the Minor (1942)

I love this movie too. Absolutely hilarious and quite romantic. Ginger is surprisingly convincing (in most scenes) as a twelve-year-old girl.

And she's reliably entertaining in her numerous movie dance scenes...this one is my favorite:

And just for fun, a list of things that are also turning 100 this year.

the Rolls Royce Mascot

IBM

processed cheese

the Titanic

Crisco

the Winter Garden Theatre (Broadway)