Conversation so far:
What happened in 1940?
His first post-Ginger dance partner was the redoubtable Eleanor Powell--considered the finest female tap-dancer of her generation--in Broadway Melody.
What Broadway shows was he in?
Broadway Melody of 1940, in which they performed a celebrated extended dance routine to Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine.
Who else did he perform with?
He played alongside Bing Crosby in Holiday Inn (1942) and later Blue Skies (1946.
How were his performances received?
in spite of the enormous financial success of both, was reportedly dissatisfied with roles.

Question: So what did he decide to do after that?
Self-contained rewrite: So what did Fred Astaire decide to do after Holiday Inn and Blue Skies?