I need some wonderful dance numbers to cheer me up, DLers. Please share some great song and dance scenes from classic films!
The one with that old bitch who spread her labia open
by Anonymous | reply 2 | January 7, 2022 12:24 AM |
by Anonymous | reply 3 | January 7, 2022 12:27 AM |
r4 I've recently started listening to Peggy Lee. Love her stuff.
by Anonymous | reply 5 | January 7, 2022 12:31 AM |
R5 check out her version of “Mohair Sam”
by Anonymous | reply 6 | January 7, 2022 12:35 AM |
“Singin’ in the Rain” - Gene dancing with water
by Anonymous | reply 10 | January 7, 2022 12:56 AM |
Jumping Jive with the Nicholas Brothers, with Cab Calloway singing.
by Anonymous | reply 11 | January 7, 2022 12:57 AM |
The other Gene -- Gene Nelson, the under-rated and even more athletic one, who could do gymnastics like an Olympic champ and who had a more pleasant singing voice.
by Anonymous | reply 12 | January 7, 2022 12:58 AM |
Here's another version of Fever by Peggy Lee in a Cocteau-esque background, a very muddy copy but I guess the only one available from the George Gobel show 1948.
by Anonymous | reply 14 | January 7, 2022 1:05 AM |
Those flesh-colored leotards on the dancers in the first FEVER number are bizarre in the extreme and horribly unflattering. WTF were they thinking??
by Anonymous | reply 16 | January 7, 2022 1:07 AM |
Paula Kelly, Shirley MacLaine, and Chita Rivera. Paula, in my opinion, was better than the other two stars, but the whole performance is excellent.
by Anonymous | reply 18 | January 7, 2022 1:12 AM |
R18. NO ONE is better than Our Chita! Period!
by Anonymous | reply 19 | January 7, 2022 1:20 AM |
The wonderful Vera-Ellen, who was great at tap, acrobatics, jazz, partnering, etc. in dance tapping en pointe with the fastest nerve taps (incredibly hard to do) in her debut movie in "Wonder Man". After this, Astaire, Kelly and Donald O'Connor longed to dance with her on-screen. She really starts going around 3:00 or so, but then you'd miss the Goldwyn Girls and the set up in gorgeous Technicolor.
by Anonymous | reply 21 | January 7, 2022 1:49 AM |
Wesley Snipes is so good in those scenes. So funny.
by Anonymous | reply 24 | January 7, 2022 3:01 AM |
For me, it begins and ends here. Fred, Eleanor, and Cole.
by Anonymous | reply 26 | January 7, 2022 3:31 AM |
by Anonymous | reply 31 | January 7, 2022 9:47 AM |
Wonder how many Marys were in this group......
by Anonymous | reply 33 | January 7, 2022 11:50 AM |
don't know about marys but lots of budding moobs in the clip at r33
by Anonymous | reply 35 | January 7, 2022 11:52 AM |
Are compilations okay? Someone posted this classic movie mashup the other day.
by Anonymous | reply 37 | January 7, 2022 12:00 PM |
Correction to R14, it's 1958 not 1948.
by Anonymous | reply 38 | January 7, 2022 3:09 PM |
Yikes r39
by Anonymous | reply 40 | January 7, 2022 10:01 PM |
Gene Nelson is an example of what happened to all those "hoofers" who once easily found work in Hollywood of 1940's and 1950's (if not before) when movie musicals were still a big thing.
By 1970's times and tastes had changed in Hollywood, not to mention end of studio system, all combined to send all those dancers in search of other employment.
George Chakiris and others lucked out with West Side Story (1961), and of course there were other movie musicals such as Can-Can (1960), but as decade wore on handwriting was on the wall.
Could be wrong but don't think that dry spell ended until "All That Jazz", and film versions of musicals All That Jazz, A Chorus Line and Chicago hit the screens.
by Anonymous | reply 42 | January 8, 2022 2:16 AM |
Jane Russell did another ship board dance number in film "The French Line", and it caused censors to have fits.
by Anonymous | reply 43 | January 8, 2022 2:19 AM |
Judy and Gene in "The Portland Fancy" from Summer Stock.
I love it.
by Anonymous | reply 47 | January 8, 2022 2:29 AM |
Donald O'Connor and Vera-Ellen dancing to "It's A Lovely Day" from "Call Me Madam" after the end of Ethel Merman's number is on par with the best Astaire and Rogers dances. Vera's dress is absolutely gorgeous and Donald's partnering just wonderful. Donald was going to star opposite Vera again in "White Christmas" but he was sick at the time and replaced by Danny Kaye, who then had to be replaced in some difficult partnering in a couple of numbers in that film by John Brescia, who could keep up with Vera's incredible dancing.
by Anonymous | reply 48 | January 8, 2022 2:58 AM |
Alison Jiear - I Just Wanna Dance. Lots of research, time and effort by a college musical theatre major to find an edit these clips. Always bring me a smile.
by Anonymous | reply 50 | January 8, 2022 3:53 AM |
Russ Tamblyns shovel dance in Fastest Gun Alive
by Anonymous | reply 57 | January 9, 2022 3:38 AM |
Russ Tamblyns shovel dance in Fastest Gun Alive
by Anonymous | reply 58 | January 9, 2022 3:38 AM |
Somebody did a spectacular job editing this all together, I can’t even imagine all the hours to sync and hit to the beat all these clips that it must have taken.
by Anonymous | reply 60 | January 9, 2022 3:57 AM |
R59
No, it's Mary McCarty.
You see her in first clip posted above from "the French Line" asking if Jane Russell's character is ready to do her number, then gives band leader heads up.
by Anonymous | reply 61 | January 9, 2022 4:01 AM |
So, r61, it *is* Stella Deems.
by Anonymous | reply 63 | January 9, 2022 4:05 AM |
I still think this is one of the most spectacular and impressive dance sequences ever caught on film.
by Anonymous | reply 64 | January 9, 2022 4:06 AM |
R63
Forgive me, am young and had no idea who "Stella Deems" was, but now I know.....
by Anonymous | reply 66 | January 9, 2022 4:24 AM |
See if you can spot everyone's favorite Catwoman Julie Newmar in the chorus of Zing.
by Anonymous | reply 70 | January 9, 2022 4:57 AM |
r70 - That's Miss Newmeyer to you, bub.
by Anonymous | reply 71 | January 9, 2022 2:48 PM |
That's also Miss Julie Newmar, or Newmeyer, if you prefer, as one of the 7 Brides in the famous barn dance with DL Fave Ruta Lee as another Bride. Julie is paired with the best-looking, if non-dancing 7 Brothers Jeff Richards, "Buck Winston" of The Opposite Sex.
by Anonymous | reply 72 | January 9, 2022 5:08 PM |
by Anonymous | reply 75 | January 11, 2022 9:59 AM |
I always like to post this is these kind of threads. Bob Fosse choreography.
by Anonymous | reply 76 | January 11, 2022 10:00 AM |
Mitzi Gaynor dancing Jack Cole choreography.
by Anonymous | reply 77 | January 11, 2022 10:11 AM |
[quote]Could be wrong but don't think that dry spell ended until "All That Jazz", and film versions of musicals All That Jazz, A Chorus Line and Chicago hit the screens.
GREASE (1978) was an even bigger hit than any of those, combined. In fact, it was a blockbuster and a phenomenon! The #1 film of 1978, even besting SUPERMAN, which had to settle for second place. Needless to say, it also became the highest-grossing movie musical at the time, breaking SOUND OF MUSIC's decade-old record.
by Anonymous | reply 78 | January 11, 2022 10:12 AM |
Hope this wasn't already posted...James Cagney, a song and dance man long before he became Mr. Tough Guy...
by Anonymous | reply 79 | January 11, 2022 11:45 AM |
by Anonymous | reply 80 | January 11, 2022 5:25 PM |
R79 He was already famous as Mr. Tough Guy, but he had musical roots, having performed starting out in, among other places, Yiddish theater and I believe also sometimes in drag. "The Public Enemy" in 1931 made him a star, with him famously pushing half a grapefruit into co-star Mae Clarke's face. He was a very popular winner in 1943 for "Yankee Doodle Dandy", and his theretofore hidden talents as a hoofer was a wonderful surprise to moviegoers.
by Anonymous | reply 81 | January 11, 2022 5:48 PM |
Wasn't Cagney that cutie who did those impressive flips with his vaudeville partner during the finale of GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY, one of the first movie musicals?
by Anonymous | reply 82 | January 11, 2022 6:00 PM |
And here we have the inimitable Groucho Marx, with his Captain Spaulding routine, and yes, it does contain a dance (of sorts.)
by Anonymous | reply 83 | January 11, 2022 9:13 PM |
Jimmy Cagney sang and tap danced in 1933's FOOTLIGHT PARADE with Joan Blondell and Ruby Keeler so his musical talents in 1943's YANKEE DOODLE DANDY were no particular surprise to audiences. He may actually also sing and dance a bit in 1941's THE STRAWBERRY BLONDE with Rita Hayworth.,,,,can't remember.
What was (I believe) a singular achievement was winning a lead Oscar for a musical role that was not based on a prior Broadway performance (as Yul Brynner, Rex Harrison and Joel Grey did). Has any other actor or actress done that? Remember I said lead, so that would not include Rita Moreno or George Chakiris.
by Anonymous | reply 84 | January 12, 2022 1:43 AM |
I wasn't very clear but I was referring to Cagney's Oscar for YANKEE DOODLE DANDY.
by Anonymous | reply 85 | January 12, 2022 1:45 AM |
[quote]What was (I believe) a singular achievement was winning a lead Oscar for a musical role that was not based on a prior Broadway performance (as Yul Brynner, Rex Harrison and Joel Grey did). Has any other actor or actress done that?
Julie Andrews for MARY POPPINS
by Anonymous | reply 86 | January 12, 2022 1:53 AM |
Emma Stone in LA LA LAND
by Anonymous | reply 87 | January 12, 2022 1:54 AM |
That Gene Nelson number in the gym is (while not really a dance) absolutely incredible.
Other scenes that make me smile: Ann Miller and Fred Astaire in "Easter Parade", Bobby Van in "Small Town Girl, Ver-Ellen's INCREDIBLE dancing of "Mandy" in White Christmas, and Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu doing "Whenever You're Away From Me".
Speaking of James Cagney, has anyone seen his reprise of his George M Cohan character in a cameo in The Seven Little Foys. He and Bob Hope are great in their one scene together.
by Anonymous | reply 88 | January 12, 2022 2:03 AM |
Did Emma Stone really win an Oscar for that performance??
Yikes.
by Anonymous | reply 89 | January 12, 2022 2:05 AM |
Too few people know Joan McCracken except Fosse's ex. She was brilliant.
by Anonymous | reply 90 | January 12, 2022 2:50 AM |
James Cagney danced as if someone was pulling a string up his backside.
by Anonymous | reply 91 | January 12, 2022 2:52 AM |
That being said Cagney's soft shoe and tap dancing style was said to be an ode to Irish American style. What exactly is different about Irish American from say blacks or others I don't know....
by Anonymous | reply 92 | January 12, 2022 2:56 AM |
Now for bit of history....
James Cagney got his start at Keith's Eighty-First Street Theatre, which still exists, though as a shell, at Broadway and 81st street in Manhattan, NYC.
by Anonymous | reply 93 | January 12, 2022 2:59 AM |
I ain't seeing enough coloured folks mentioned in this here thread.
Hattie McDaniel & Willie Best from Thank Your Lucky Stars.
by Anonymous | reply 94 | January 12, 2022 3:04 AM |
IIRC this was only song and dance number Bette Davis did on film. According to great La Davis, once was quite enough as she was slightly injured doing that jitter bug number. Oh and Bette Davis couldn't carry a note if it was in a handbag.
by Anonymous | reply 95 | January 12, 2022 3:06 AM |
Not so much dancing as strutting, but Ann Sheridan did it in spades. Great set of pipes, and rocking body, pity studios didn't know what to do with Miss Sheridan...
by Anonymous | reply 97 | January 12, 2022 3:09 AM |
Honestly, I think this is one of the most astonishing extended sequences in cinematic history. From the beginning with the singers head slowly becoming larger (then turning into the island of Manhattan), to the Busby Berkley dance sequences, it’s an Expressionism morality play like you’ll never see again.
(Dancing in Part 2)
by Anonymous | reply 99 | January 12, 2022 3:33 AM |
Busby appeared to be misogynistic. He has the Broadway baby above falling to her death and there's the dame getting shot in 42nd Street.
by Anonymous | reply 100 | January 12, 2022 3:37 AM |
Yes, the party girl meets an untimely end, but I was worried more about the cat at the end, R100
by Anonymous | reply 103 | January 12, 2022 3:47 AM |
I wanna know about the girl who falls at 4:30 . She falls, the crowd goes Ooh. She splat-lands on the wing below her, the crowd goes Yay. But is she o.k.?
by Anonymous | reply 104 | January 12, 2022 3:59 AM |
It's misogynistic now to depict a woman being killed in a movie? 🙄
by Anonymous | reply 105 | January 12, 2022 4:39 AM |
R8 OP said "classic film", otherwise I agree.
by Anonymous | reply 107 | January 12, 2022 4:54 AM |
R9 Oops. Was referring to Xanadu, R9
by Anonymous | reply 108 | January 12, 2022 4:56 AM |
Not a classic, but I've always thought this was great!
by Anonymous | reply 109 | January 12, 2022 4:59 AM |
The reshot final of Judy Garland in "Presenting Lily Mars" again with dance partner Chuck Walters.
This replaced the original ending number called "Paging Mr. Greenbacks" which I'm pretty sure isn't extant. How could it be any better than this! Look at the choreography and the levitating orchestra. Judy is at her very peak and a pretty sensational dancer. It makes me wish she'd been well enough to complete "The Barkleys of Broadway" which would have been one of her best roles.
by Anonymous | reply 110 | January 12, 2022 6:27 AM |
[quote]It's misogynistic now to depict a woman being killed in a movie? 🙄
Oh for chrissakes, r105, that generalization was your takeaway from my comment? I specifically mentioned Busby being misogynistic, not movies in general. Those three specific numbers feature a woman dying or being injured. In Lullaby and 42nd Street it's as if he's making a morality statement. Judy hated working for him. He almost killed Carmen Miranda ("Eef joo wanted to keel me, why doan joo use a gun?"). In my humble opinion, Busby appeared to be misogynistic.
by Anonymous | reply 111 | January 12, 2022 4:02 PM |
Ann Miller thought he was a beast too, refusing to let her rest when she had a blister.
by Anonymous | reply 112 | January 13, 2022 7:39 AM |
Yes, r113, and she absolutely oozed carnality in slacks and a Peter Pan collar.
by Anonymous | reply 114 | January 13, 2022 4:09 PM |
I remember the first time I really focused on Esther Williams and her aquacade musical numbers was in the original That's Entertainment which gave her a section all her own with many montages from several of her films. Back then in the 1970s, before CGI and other special effects these sequences seemed truly fantastical and almost surreal. Looking at them now, however, they strike me as rather clumsy, effortful and downright silly. Esther hasn't aged well.
by Anonymous | reply 116 | January 13, 2022 9:25 PM |
[quote]Esther hasn't aged well.
Neither have the skaters
by Anonymous | reply 117 | January 14, 2022 6:50 PM |
Judy sure rocked that Presenting Lily Mars finale . She also looked fantastic .
by Anonymous | reply 118 | January 15, 2022 3:23 AM |
Another dance number you just know had a few Marys...
But those thighs must have been in fantastic shape.
by Anonymous | reply 121 | January 16, 2022 8:58 AM |
Not from a movie, but fun to watch! C’est si bon!
by Anonymous | reply 122 | January 24, 2022 5:23 PM |