Gene Kelly

Not everyone's career starts with rave reviews, and even a legend like Fred Astaire is no exception.

Recounted in the book " The Classical Hollywood Cinema: Film Style & Mode of Production to 1960," Selznick said the factory system "rob[bed] the director of individualism" and was "harmful to the quality of the product." Astaire and Rogers are perfectly in synch with one another, and you forget that they aren't actually the leads of the movie. This is where the film career of Fred Astaire started. Easing him into the movie world by placing him in a context that best shows off what made him a must-see on stage was a very smart move. Rogers eventually became the highest-paid American woman, according to The New York Times, and she made significantly less than Fred Astaire did, which goes to show you how big he was. Despite the horrendous test, David O. Selznick's confidence persevered, and Fred Astaire signed a contract with RKO. The leading role that Lou Brock was looking to cast was for the film "Melody Cruise." Astaire did not get that part. Magically, "Flying Down to Rio" not only was Fred Astaire's first film under contract at RKO, but he's immediately paired up with Ginger Rogers in the picture. He believes in Astaire as a leading man ... "provided only that he photographs." Selznick was keen on bringing Fred Astaire to RKO, convinced he would become the next big movie musical star. In the early 1930s, he led the charge in transforming RKO from a factory system of moviemaking into unit productions, so the focus of producers was not diluted and greater artistic intention could be put behind every project. If you are a fan of classic Hollywood movie musicals, there is a strong chance you have probably had the debate: Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire? It's a silly debate, obviously, but pitting the two premiere tap-dancing leading men of some of the most loved films of all time against each other is a classic cinephile's version of, "Who would win in a fight, Superman or Wonder Woman?" If I have to choose, I choose Gene, but I have nothing against Fred (well, except for the blackface sequence in "Swing Time"). Despite their unparalleled hoofing skills, I go to the two men for completely different things. In a way, the reception was slightly justified.