Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire didn’t want to make movies with Ginger Rogers.

Some 45 million Americans identify themselves as Irish — odd, considering that only six million people live on the whole of Erin’s Isle — but it may help explain why so many classic movies have an Irish focus.

When Dick Cavett allows you to hitch a ride on one of his conversational caravans, there's really no telling where you'll end up. In 50-plus years of professional conversationalism, the man has met and chatted up everyone from Aaron Sorkin to ZZ Top, so one anecdote can't help but lead to another,…

Some 45 million Americans identify themselves as Irish-weird, when you consider only six million people live on the whole of Erin's Isle-but perhaps that explains why so many classic movies have an Irish focus.