8/31/2023 0 Comments Astaire hayworth movies![]() I would love to know how long it took them to rehearse this number. Some serious synchronicity is going on here. It also has that “anything you can do, I can do better” vibe. “BEGIN THE BEGUINE” from “BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940” – Powell and Astaire again, this number has to be seen to be believed for the precision and intricacy involved. What is even more astounding is they reportedly did this in one take. The multiple stair-descending splits that the brothers perform in this routine would send most men to the hospital with shattered groins. We might be able to blame racism on that. The Nicholas Brothers – Fayard and Harold – demonstrate why they may be the greatest dance duo few people have ever heard of. “JUMPIN’ JIVE” from “STORMY WEATHER” (1943) – This is arguably the most insanely difficult dance scene in film history. They're also the first interracial pair to dance on screen. Here she teams with Bill “Bojangles” Robinson for a “you have to be kidding me” stair dance. ![]() “THE LITTLE COLONEL” (1935) – OK, some people are just preternaturally gifted and Shirley Temple is one of those people. “THE SHORTY GEORGE” from “YOU WERE NEVER LOVELIER” (1942) – Now Fred Astaire is a mesmerizing dancer, but I challenge all you guys out there to see how much time you spend watching him do his thing as his dancing partner in this number is the ridiculously ravishing Margarita Carmen Cansino, aka, Rita Hayworth – and she can really dance. "Good Morning" featuring Kelly, O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds is another gem. That it wasn’t nominated for best picture is, to quote Woody Allen, a travesty of a mockery of a sham of a mockery of a travesty of two mockeries of a sham. "MOSES SUPPOSES” from “SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN” (1952) – Sure, Gene Kelly’s dance scene to the title tune is justly famous, but for pure entertainment complete with a comic flourish, I’ll take this dazzling duet with Kelly and Donald O’Connor. This film is one worth watching as it arguably the greatest movie musical in the biz. Though her career was short, Vera-Ellen was not short on talent. “SO IN LOVE” from “WONDER MAN” (1945) – Vera-Ellen makes her film debut here and this routine is a wonder as she even tap dances on her toes. Tap dancing may not be as popular as it was during the golden age of the Hollywood musicals, but it can still make its mark. Also, apart from the taps and accompanying music, “The Artist” is a silent film. What’s striking about this “show me what you got” dance scene featuring Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo is that neither is a dancer by trade. In fact, most of the movies on this list have plots that an elephant would be happy to forget. “THE ARTIST” (2011) – We should point out that most of the movies on this list date back a few decades and none of them won a best picture Oscar, as this one did. More: Documentarian sees pop star's rosy side in 'P!nk: All I Know So Far' Note that I could fill a novella with all the great tap dancing scenes involving Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers, Ann Miller, Gregory Hines, Vera-Ellen and Eleanor Powell, so I’ll have to be selective. I could watch it for hours – and have.įor folks unfamiliar with tap dancing or who want a refresher course, I have submitted a baker's dozen of my favorite tap-dancing scenes on film. ![]() ![]() As you can probably surmise, I adore tap dancing, specifically tap dancing on film. That goes double when two tap dancers perform together. ![]() When I watch the great tap dancers perform, I am astounded at not only their skill, but by the time that they surely had to spend to master the choreography. Most are born with above-average ability, but no matter how blessed they are with talent, they most likely had to practice, practice and then practice some more to rise to the level of greatness. We all marvel at the skill of great athletes and musicians. Watch Video: 100 robots perform adorable choreographed dance routine ![]()
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