Top 5 Dance Numbers You Might Have Missed
by John NolteA list of dance numbers would be too easy with an Astaire or Kelly or the barn-raising sequence from Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. We’ll save those for another list. These are the deep cuts, hidden gems that make you want to take dance lessons.
1. The Nicholas Brothers - Down Argentine Way (1940): Buried deep in the middle of a perfectly delightful Fox musical is this four-minute magnum opus. No props, no lavish sets, no fancy camera angles, no dizzying, hyper-editing for artificial energy - just Fayard and Harold Nicholas knocking it out with raw talent. And they could sing too.
2. Eleanor Powell - Lady Be Good (1941): In 1943 Powell married Glenn Ford and pretty much retired, but her one-of-a-kind talent assures that even though she made only a dozen films that aren’t very well known, she won’t be forgotten. There’s film footage showing how the first half of this number was choreographed and shot in a single take. As the camera and lights move forward to stay on Powell the film crew moves giant pieces of set out of the way. My heart went out to the focus puller.
3. Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson and Shirley Temple - The Little Colonel (1935): This clip will help you to understand the conspiracy theories at the time surrounding Shirley Temple being a midget passed off as a child. She was only six when she shot this number. It’s hard to choose which is more impressive, her talents as a hoofer or her poise.
James Cagney and Bob Hope – The Seven Little Foys (1953): The work that must go into making it look so easy. Thirteen years after his Oscar-winning performance in Yankee Doodle Dandy, Cagney suited up again as George M. Cohan for this cameo in Bob Hope’s Eddie Foy biopic. At the time, both men were in their early 50s. Thankfully for us their feet didn’t know it.
Clark Gable – Idiot’s Delight (1939): No one will ever mistake Gable for Fred Astaire, but whatever he lacks in polish is more than made up with masculine charm.
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28 Comments
Very entertaining picks, although I can see why Clark Gable didn’t make many musicals. The Shirley Temple and Bojangles routine amazes me everytime. My daughter is 6 and takes tap and ballet lessons. Let me just assure you that known of the 6 year olds in her class can even come close to that level of coordination. Amazing. He has a pretty firm grip on her arm on the stairs, though. I wonder if she ever missed one of those tall steps.
That was fantastic! They just don’t make em’ that way any more. I love Eleanor Powell. Thanks for taking the time to put that together.
I remember the first time I saw this Nicholas Brothers clip; it was during a midnight broadcast of the movie, and I woke my sister up to see it. Good thing it was so incredible, or she might have smacked me. Instead, she thanked me. Some of those moves defy gravity, and logic—but are utterly amazing.
I would think most men would wince at even watching them do those splits…I sure do.
About Hope & Cagney, The story I heard was suring the shooting of that scene, Cagney suffered pain in his legs. So painful that there was some question if he could finnish the scene. As you can see. Not only did he “Play through the pain”, He made it look easy.
And people wonder why I love old movies!
John, this is fantastic! Thank you! I am SO getting into the older movies because of you.
I never get tired of watching the Nicholas Brothers–they toss off the most amazing moves…
But I love that Shirley Temple bit. My adorable 6-year-old can barely put one foot in front of the other without landing on her face.
CAN WE HAVE 5 more?? I can never get enough (even tho it makes my knee hurt just watchin’). Thanks for taking the time to dig…and KEEP DIGGIN’!
Wow. This post made my day. I’d never seen the Nicholas Brothers clip before.
Luke
Great list – I’ll have to look for some of these that I’ve not seen.
Those Shirley Temple movies have really held up well, to me. I loved watching them forty years ago when I was a kid and I can still watch them today. I sure didn’t understand the background of these movies that were made during the depression but they cheered me up like they were supposed to.
Keep these lists coming, the older movies are forgotten by most but really are terrific to sit down and watch.
Loved the Nicholas Bros clip.
I think you’re on to something combining film criticism with youtube mining. It’s not just “fair use”, it’s fine use.
At http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHG3SDZw3tk are their famous Stormy Weather performaces with an appreciation by Gregory Hines, from the documentaries “We Sing & We Dance” (1992) and “Flying High” (1999).
Trish—you are not kidding about Shirley Temple movies; I have two BOYS, ages 5 & 8 and after seeing “The Little Princess” they ask for the ST anthology every time it’s advertised. When they are not wwrestling or watching Star Wars or the Power Rangers…..yes, she definitely transcends time.
And the Nicholas Bros in Orchestra Wives! Oh my goodness, I get goosebumps every time I watch it. in fact, I’m going to youtube to check it out….
I can’t imagine how strong the Nicholas Brothers’ quads must have been to allow them to do that split and then no-hands rise over and over again.
I will never forget the first time I saw them. One of the local stations was showing Stormy Weather and after their number, I couldn’t speak for several minutes. What talent!
I’d also add to your great list Bobby Van’s wonderful hopping number from “Small Town Girl.”
My two nephews saw SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS wow couldnt take their eyes off it
The Eleanor Powell one reminds me of a standout scene of hers in “That’s Dancing,” in which she was whipping around one leg over the other, stopping in between. Spin, whap! Spin, whap! Just the most amazing moves, done with precision and grace.
And the Nicholas Brothers, too. Just wow.
This Nicholas Brothers (and Cab Calloway!) scene Astaire called the greatest filmed dance routine. High praise. And phew, watch how they come DOWN the stairs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8yGGtVKrD8&feature=PlayList&p=844609266786C946&playnext=1&index=4
I’m always cheered up by watching Laurel and Hardy dance to the yodelling cowboys in Way Out West.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mKR4Y6NMGU
and then they sing The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, to boot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ikiny_d5FY&NR=1
Maggie45, if you’re just getting into old movies, you’ve got a lot to look forward to in the days ahead. I’ll get hooked on a certain actor and have to soak everything up they’ve done. Right now, it’s Gary Cooper. For awhile, it was Cary Grant. I hope you enjoy!
Wow, what a fun time this has been! Thanks for the great entertainment.
Here’s a clip listed after the, ‘Bob Hope and James Cagney‘ clip played on YouTube. It seems to capture the Spirit of Andrew B.’s vision well:
Donald O’Connor dancing and singing Make ‘Em Laugh in “Singing in the Rain” is a classic as well.
Good picks. Next category : dancers/dances that sizzled. Rita Hayworth in “Gilda” doing “Put the Blame on Mame” Kim Novak dancing in “Picnic”
Cyd Charisse in that acid green dress dancing with Gene Kelley in “Singing in the Rain”.
This list is is boffo. One of my favorites is the Danny Kaye/ Vera dance in White Christmas, the one on the dock. It is classy, and fun.
The Nicholas Brothers’ dancing is pure art. They were the best – and still are! Kudos to Mr. Bojangles – a real gentleman.
Absolutely amazing! I love the Nicholas Brothers and Eleanor Powell – they were and are and will remain forever the most amazing talents. Bojangles, Shirley Temple, Cagney – WOW! What a line up of great film entertainment. I’m a classic movie fanatic, always was since a young child of the 50’s -can’t get enough of this talent, this ‘real’ talent. More of this should be on television and get rid of the junk and vulgar shows – we need and crave decent and talented entertainment.
Ginger Rogers does a mind-blowing, highly percussive solo dance – sans music – on metal stairs (she’s in prison) in ‘Roxie Hart.’ (1942) It’s a very brief sequence and probably little known. I could watch it on a continual tape loop. I wonder if it’s on YouTube . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toDl2hXt8BM
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