Who stars as Don Hewes in the movie version of Irving Berlin's "Easter Parade"

Fred Astaire stars as Don Hewes in the 1948 film musical Easter Parade, built around songs by Irving Berlin.

Don is a successful Broadway song-and-dance performer whose partner, Nadine Hale, leaves him to pursue a solo career. He then bets that he can turn chorus girl Hannah Brown, played by Judy Garland, into a star. Their partnership drives the film's romantic and musical plot, including the famous title song and “A Couple of Swells.”

A common mix-up is Gene Kelly, who was originally intended to play Don Hewes. Kelly withdrew after breaking his ankle, and Astaire accepted the role, coming out of his temporary retirement. The film became the only screen pairing of Astaire and Garland, although both were major musical stars.

Directed by Charles Walters and produced by MGM, Easter Parade also features Ann Miller as Nadine and Peter Lawford as Jonathan Harrow III. It was released in 1948 and became one of that year's top-grossing films, helping establish its title song as a lasting Easter standard.