Top 20 Most Underrated Dance Scenes in Classic Musicals
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Date: 2023-11-21
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Comments and reviews: 30
Ian
It is the law of nature those individuals and organizations that fail to adapt to changing times inevitably lose their relevance. Every studio back in the 40's and 50's had their individual dancers under contract, who shone in many musicals. Some of these musicals had repeat value, but quite a few were forgotten with the passage of time. Seen today, many seem dated and we often wonder what all the fuss was about. Yes, Gene Kelly's drive for perfection [as a dancer] with unrelenting. Singing in the rain has been touted as the 'best musical ever made. I find that statement overloaded. Yes, the highlight of the movie the Good Morning dance number was really an eye-opener and Debbie Reynolds caught everyone's fancy, the world over. I'll stick my neck out by writing that the best male dancer to ever grace the screen was Tommy Rall. He was a fantastic looker, built like a rugby player and possessed the most enviable dance moves in such films as Kiss me Kate, 7 brides for 7 brothers, My sister Eileen, to name a few. Ann Miller and her fantastic gams were great in films like Small Town Girl and Easter Parade. Kiss me Kate would never be complete without Miller's torrid dance to the number It's hot. Ann was fantastic in dance rehearsals from Two tickets to Broadway. Cyd Charisse was a very neat dancer with a ballet style of her own. But, the crown for the best female dancer goes to Vera Ellen who was as light as air. She overwhelmed audiences with her superlative dancing in dozens of films including Belle of New York, White Christmas [what panache, what style, what class - unsurpassable]. Sorry, but those dance moves from All that Jazz bordered on suggestive titillation. Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse were spectacular in The Damn Yankees. My favorite musical still remains Rock around the clock. I have seen it 64 times [and still counting[. This film could never date and is timeless. These are my personal opinions and do not reflect the views of others. How I wish Rock around the clock can be completely colorized seeing how the market for colorization is catching on like wild fire.
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It is the law of nature those individuals and organizations that fail to adapt to changing times inevitably lose their relevance. Every studio back in the 40's and 50's had their individual dancers under contract, who shone in many musicals. Some of these musicals had repeat value, but quite a few were forgotten with the passage of time. Seen today, many seem dated and we often wonder what all the fuss was about. Yes, Gene Kelly's drive for perfection [as a dancer] with unrelenting. Singing in the rain has been touted as the 'best musical ever made. I find that statement overloaded. Yes, the highlight of the movie the Good Morning dance number was really an eye-opener and Debbie Reynolds caught everyone's fancy, the world over. I'll stick my neck out by writing that the best male dancer to ever grace the screen was Tommy Rall. He was a fantastic looker, built like a rugby player and possessed the most enviable dance moves in such films as Kiss me Kate, 7 brides for 7 brothers, My sister Eileen, to name a few. Ann Miller and her fantastic gams were great in films like Small Town Girl and Easter Parade. Kiss me Kate would never be complete without Miller's torrid dance to the number It's hot. Ann was fantastic in dance rehearsals from Two tickets to Broadway. Cyd Charisse was a very neat dancer with a ballet style of her own. But, the crown for the best female dancer goes to Vera Ellen who was as light as air. She overwhelmed audiences with her superlative dancing in dozens of films including Belle of New York, White Christmas [what panache, what style, what class - unsurpassable]. Sorry, but those dance moves from All that Jazz bordered on suggestive titillation. Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse were spectacular in The Damn Yankees. My favorite musical still remains Rock around the clock. I have seen it 64 times [and still counting[. This film could never date and is timeless. These are my personal opinions and do not reflect the views of others. How I wish Rock around the clock can be completely colorized seeing how the market for colorization is catching on like wild fire.
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Paula
You know what is so great about the dance numbers then is the fact that it's all 100% practical effects and editing. Modern musicals and musicals designed primarily for children by adults who seldom understand what kinds of songs kids even like were so boring to me as a young adult (I couldn't stand most of the Disney soundtracks starting with the Lion King/Beauty and the Beast/Little Mermaid era, although the animation was beautiful and there was a song here and there that I enjoyed. I loved Flower Drum Song which, as I recall, was played a lot on TV in my teens along with The Birds and Marnie, which apparently were very cheap for local stations to play, along with The Music Man. I never could understand what dictated how some movies appeared over and over. another one was House of Wax or pretty much any Vincent Price movie from the era, along with any HG Welles movie featuring Rod Taylor but I digress)
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You know what is so great about the dance numbers then is the fact that it's all 100% practical effects and editing. Modern musicals and musicals designed primarily for children by adults who seldom understand what kinds of songs kids even like were so boring to me as a young adult (I couldn't stand most of the Disney soundtracks starting with the Lion King/Beauty and the Beast/Little Mermaid era, although the animation was beautiful and there was a song here and there that I enjoyed. I loved Flower Drum Song which, as I recall, was played a lot on TV in my teens along with The Birds and Marnie, which apparently were very cheap for local stations to play, along with The Music Man. I never could understand what dictated how some movies appeared over and over. another one was House of Wax or pretty much any Vincent Price movie from the era, along with any HG Welles movie featuring Rod Taylor but I digress)
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Yolanda
In West Side Story The Jets are in the underground parking garage dancing to Cool after the fight not before. Tucker Smith aka Ice is attempting to calm the gang down before their inevitable encounter with the police about who did what at the fight. Before the fight, they sing Tonight to get themselves riled up. I was in utero in 1961 when my mother first saw West Side Story, I was born in Jan 1962 and this has been my favorite movie my whole life! I am a trained dancer and I'm always amazed at their technique! My Mom brought me and my two sisters up on these old musicals, I've them all except a couple. Thanks for putting them together, my Mom will get a kick out of them once posted to FB!
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In West Side Story The Jets are in the underground parking garage dancing to Cool after the fight not before. Tucker Smith aka Ice is attempting to calm the gang down before their inevitable encounter with the police about who did what at the fight. Before the fight, they sing Tonight to get themselves riled up. I was in utero in 1961 when my mother first saw West Side Story, I was born in Jan 1962 and this has been my favorite movie my whole life! I am a trained dancer and I'm always amazed at their technique! My Mom brought me and my two sisters up on these old musicals, I've them all except a couple. Thanks for putting them together, my Mom will get a kick out of them once posted to FB!
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Dennis
Some of the choices seem to be there to provide variety, rather than excellence. Typical of any compilation, I suppose.
The top pick is an amazing number, I'm not even sure you showed the best parts.
No Ann Miller tap number got above honorable mention? I remember Gregory Hines commenting that he would love to demonstrate some of her moves, but he couldn't do them (speaking of, nothing from White Nights. Any number of her dances could displace a quarter of those selected.
Ok list, not great.
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Some of the choices seem to be there to provide variety, rather than excellence. Typical of any compilation, I suppose.
The top pick is an amazing number, I'm not even sure you showed the best parts.
No Ann Miller tap number got above honorable mention? I remember Gregory Hines commenting that he would love to demonstrate some of her moves, but he couldn't do them (speaking of, nothing from White Nights. Any number of her dances could displace a quarter of those selected.
Ok list, not great.
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oiooi
Perfectly exemplifying why lots of people loathe musicals, especially the MGM type. Self-indulgent, show offish, attention hogging tedium. Gene Kelly was the worst for self indulgent look at me routines, with the Broadway Melody being the absolute worst. It is so boring and kills the high energy fun momentum of Singing in the Rain stone dead. I don't think anyone would really classify Moses Supposes as under rated. For me that would be From NOw On or Rewrite the Stars from the Greatest Showman.
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Perfectly exemplifying why lots of people loathe musicals, especially the MGM type. Self-indulgent, show offish, attention hogging tedium. Gene Kelly was the worst for self indulgent look at me routines, with the Broadway Melody being the absolute worst. It is so boring and kills the high energy fun momentum of Singing in the Rain stone dead. I don't think anyone would really classify Moses Supposes as under rated. For me that would be From NOw On or Rewrite the Stars from the Greatest Showman.
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Mimi
Thank you for Moses Supposes! Definitely one of my all-time favorites too! Another dance sequence I think was fantastic but overlooked was When The Sun Goes Down from In The Heights. The Prom also had a couple of wonderful dance sequences featuring all the students (without the adults) that I think really stood out (but I can't remember the names of the songs. Thanks so much again for a delightful video!
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Thank you for Moses Supposes! Definitely one of my all-time favorites too! Another dance sequence I think was fantastic but overlooked was When The Sun Goes Down from In The Heights. The Prom also had a couple of wonderful dance sequences featuring all the students (without the adults) that I think really stood out (but I can't remember the names of the songs. Thanks so much again for a delightful video!
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Michael
Why is it mainly white? Where's Sammy D? Where are all of the movies featuring people of color that have RAVISHING DANCE SCENES? That's why MOJO is whack! MOJO is like the America's Funniest Home Videos of the 2020's. The Nicholas Brothers blow almost everyone out of the water; then, Fred Astaire kills - much better tapper than Gene Kelly (who is beast in his own, transparently, awesome human, right.
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Why is it mainly white? Where's Sammy D? Where are all of the movies featuring people of color that have RAVISHING DANCE SCENES? That's why MOJO is whack! MOJO is like the America's Funniest Home Videos of the 2020's. The Nicholas Brothers blow almost everyone out of the water; then, Fred Astaire kills - much better tapper than Gene Kelly (who is beast in his own, transparently, awesome human, right.
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Rick
I watched a separate video just about COOL - how the director and choreographer used the real location of the low ceiling of the parking garage (and the headlights of the cars as a lighting source) to symbolically illustrate the pressure they are under after the murder. It's used and placed differently in the Spielberg version and the original stage production
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I watched a separate video just about COOL - how the director and choreographer used the real location of the low ceiling of the parking garage (and the headlights of the cars as a lighting source) to symbolically illustrate the pressure they are under after the murder. It's used and placed differently in the Spielberg version and the original stage production
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Kevin
Only one Eleanor Powell reference and that as just an honorable mention? You evidently haven't seen enough of her work including some gems with Fred Astaire who was reported to be afraid of her dancing skills as being at least as good if not better than his - and remember, like Ginger Rogers, she did it in heels and Ginger did it backwards to Fred's lead!
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Only one Eleanor Powell reference and that as just an honorable mention? You evidently haven't seen enough of her work including some gems with Fred Astaire who was reported to be afraid of her dancing skills as being at least as good if not better than his - and remember, like Ginger Rogers, she did it in heels and Ginger did it backwards to Fred's lead!
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Juanita
One, you ranked the Jumpin Jive number at 10 out of 20 on this last? Are you joking? Two, I'm getting sick and tired of people labeling 7 Brides for 7 Brothers as gender inappropriate, when the movie itself went out of its way to label what they did as inappropriate. How hypocritical can you be? And the whole situation was not quickly resolved.
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One, you ranked the Jumpin Jive number at 10 out of 20 on this last? Are you joking? Two, I'm getting sick and tired of people labeling 7 Brides for 7 Brothers as gender inappropriate, when the movie itself went out of its way to label what they did as inappropriate. How hypocritical can you be? And the whole situation was not quickly resolved.
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fanjoy
I love Leslie Caron and Jean Kelly in American in Paris. But an inderrated dance in the movie Lili is one of my favorites. It is a ballet dream sequence with Leslie, Mel Ferrar and the puppets as live figures. So magical and memorable. I think Leslie was underrated as a dancer.
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I love Leslie Caron and Jean Kelly in American in Paris. But an inderrated dance in the movie Lili is one of my favorites. It is a ballet dream sequence with Leslie, Mel Ferrar and the puppets as live figures. So magical and memorable. I think Leslie was underrated as a dancer.
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Steve
Back in the day, everyone knew how to sing and dance. I've seen James Cagney, in this very movie before. Another 'surprising' dancer, Buddy Ebsen of The Beverly Hillbillies was a very good dancer himself.
Was almost the Tin Man, but was allergic to the face paint.
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Back in the day, everyone knew how to sing and dance. I've seen James Cagney, in this very movie before. Another 'surprising' dancer, Buddy Ebsen of The Beverly Hillbillies was a very good dancer himself.
Was almost the Tin Man, but was allergic to the face paint.
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Serenity
These movies came out between 10 and 20 years before I was born, except for Grease and All that Jazz. I grew up watching a majority of these movies. They were and still are great. Its a shame they arent played on tv anymore.
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These movies came out between 10 and 20 years before I was born, except for Grease and All that Jazz. I grew up watching a majority of these movies. They were and still are great. Its a shame they arent played on tv anymore.
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Singing
Loved this compilation, but the music behind your narration was super annoying as it was totally out of character with the eras you were showing and really kind of unnecessary. Sry, just true. Couldn't watch to the end.
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Loved this compilation, but the music behind your narration was super annoying as it was totally out of character with the eras you were showing and really kind of unnecessary. Sry, just true. Couldn't watch to the end.
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CR
This was irritating. Some of the best ones were in the honorable mentions. In fact, you could cut out everything except Ann Miller and the Sweet Charity sequence--which, frustratingly, did not show Shirley MacLaine dancing.
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This was irritating. Some of the best ones were in the honorable mentions. In fact, you could cut out everything except Ann Miller and the Sweet Charity sequence--which, frustratingly, did not show Shirley MacLaine dancing.
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Samsara
Gene Kelly was the male best dancer in movies and the very underrated Nicholas brothers were amazing and Donald Oconner. .and Cyd Cherise was the best female and Ann Miller was great too.
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Gene Kelly was the male best dancer in movies and the very underrated Nicholas brothers were amazing and Donald Oconner. .and Cyd Cherise was the best female and Ann Miller was great too.
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GradKat
And these fabulous dance sequences were just PART of a movie. I know times - and tastes - change, but so many movies now are just poor scripts, full of talentless, mumbled performances.
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And these fabulous dance sequences were just PART of a movie. I know times - and tastes - change, but so many movies now are just poor scripts, full of talentless, mumbled performances.
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Alan
All of the dances you've shown here (and the movies they appear in) have always been favorites of mine! Thank you for grouping them all together. Whoever underrated them, it wasn't me.
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All of the dances you've shown here (and the movies they appear in) have always been favorites of mine! Thank you for grouping them all together. Whoever underrated them, it wasn't me.
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fanjoy
I dont think anything from Singin in the rain belongs on a list of underrated anything. Anyone who loves this movie loves this scene. Every dance scene in this movie is perfection
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I dont think anything from Singin in the rain belongs on a list of underrated anything. Anyone who loves this movie loves this scene. Every dance scene in this movie is perfection
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Kieran
Watch Vera-Ellen trip over Danny Kaye's left foot at 23: 40 when she dances around behind him. My mom always used to point that out to me growing up. Great number, great movie.
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Watch Vera-Ellen trip over Danny Kaye's left foot at 23: 40 when she dances around behind him. My mom always used to point that out to me growing up. Great number, great movie.
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Voodoomaria
Donald O'Conner and james Cagney were two of the most underrated hoofers in Hollywood.
Incredibly talented, but under-used because of their talents in other areas.
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Donald O'Conner and james Cagney were two of the most underrated hoofers in Hollywood.
Incredibly talented, but under-used because of their talents in other areas.
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pbasswil
Sheesh, these are a selection of the most celebrated musical dance numbers from the classic era of musicals. Underrated! By who? Under _viewed_ in this millennia, maybe.
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Sheesh, these are a selection of the most celebrated musical dance numbers from the classic era of musicals. Underrated! By who? Under _viewed_ in this millennia, maybe.
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Julie
Well. According to this commentator Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is an awful depiction of gender roles! How very WOKE! I think it's bloody marvellous personally
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Well. According to this commentator Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is an awful depiction of gender roles! How very WOKE! I think it's bloody marvellous personally
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George
The Nicholas Brothers with Cab Callaway In Jumpin' Jive
It's the unsplitting that is absolutely amazing.
Nicholas Brothers as kids in Lucky Numbers.
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The Nicholas Brothers with Cab Callaway In Jumpin' Jive
It's the unsplitting that is absolutely amazing.
Nicholas Brothers as kids in Lucky Numbers.
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KT
Donald O'Conner more than held his own in that Singing in the Rain tap dance with Gene Kelly, something not everyone could do. They were a brilliant pairing.
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Donald O'Conner more than held his own in that Singing in the Rain tap dance with Gene Kelly, something not everyone could do. They were a brilliant pairing.
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Michelle
I have a huge crush on Donald O'Connor because of Singing in the Rain. Who hasn't wanted to dance across a room like Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr!
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I have a huge crush on Donald O'Connor because of Singing in the Rain. Who hasn't wanted to dance across a room like Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr!
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Jim
Jumpin' Jive has got to be one of the all time greatest tap scenes and I am quite flabbergasted that you would have it in an under rated collection!
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Jumpin' Jive has got to be one of the all time greatest tap scenes and I am quite flabbergasted that you would have it in an under rated collection!
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Hey
I'm so glad you featured that lovely dance with Vera Ellen and Danny Kaye in White Christmas. That was so elegant and packed with talent. Thank you!
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I'm so glad you featured that lovely dance with Vera Ellen and Danny Kaye in White Christmas. That was so elegant and packed with talent. Thank you!
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Canon
Danny K was not a dancer, which makes his appearance on this list that much more amazing. But I agree, he did a wonderful job, faking it. =].
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Danny K was not a dancer, which makes his appearance on this list that much more amazing. But I agree, he did a wonderful job, faking it. =].
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The
Oh gosh, i had forgotten about The King and I. I used to watch that a lot as a kid, and would dance around our living room to Shall we Dance
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Oh gosh, i had forgotten about The King and I. I used to watch that a lot as a kid, and would dance around our living room to Shall we Dance
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