The Continental (song) as a duet with Graham Preskett on "The Steve Howe Album" in 1979. The Continental (song) "The Continental" is a song written by Con Conrad with lyrics by Herb Magidson, and was introduced by Ginger Rogers in the 1934 film, "The Gay Divorcee". "The Continental" was the first song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Major record hits at the time of introduction included Jolly Coburn and Leo Reisman. In 1952 Harry James released a recording on the album "Hollywood's Best" (Columbia B-319 and CL-6224) with Rosemary Clooney on vocals. A later version by Maureen McGovern reached
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers This movie feature an Irving Berlin musical score with only four songs, the fewest in any Astaire and Rogers film. While the film was well-received by critics, with Motion Picture Herald's William R. Weaver calling it "the greatest Astaire-Rogers picture", it was their most expensive film to date costing $1.3 million and ultimately lost money for the studio despite earning worldwide rentals of $1.7 million. In 1939, Astaire and Rogers made "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle". It was the end of their partnership for ten years, until they reunited for "The Barkleys of Broadway". Although their relationship was