Carioca (song) same name by Fanchon and Marco. The word "Carioca" refers to inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro. Astaire and Roger's short dance has historical significance, as it was their first screen dance together. Though billed fourth and fifth, many felt they stole the film, which became a big hit for RKO. The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 7th Academy Awards, but lost to an even bigger Astaire and Rogers production number, "The Continental" from "The Gay Divorcee" (1934), their next film together and their first starring vehicle. They were billed by RKO as
Claire Luce musical "Gay Divorce" (1932). Astaire tried to get Luce for the film version of "Gay Divorce", "The Gay Divorcee" (1934) but was overruled by the studio, RKO Radio Pictures, which preferred to use their contract player, Ginger Rogers. Of her performance in "Gay Divorce" the critic Brooks Atkinson wrote: "In the refulgent Claire Luce, Fred Astaire has found a partner who can match him step for step and who flies over the furniture in his company without missing a beat." Unfortunately, during the London run of "Gay Divorce", Luce suffered a serious injury during the "Table Dance" routine—a routine which