Top 10 Solo Female Dance Scenes in Classic Hollywood Movies
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Date: 2023-11-21
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Comments and reviews: 30
Esmee
Eleanor Powell is the most awesome dancer ever filmed. Not only bc of her range of skills and styles, from buck to ballet. Not only bc of her athleticism and technical perfection. Not only bc of the blend of power, control, mischievous humor and warmth that she conveyed. Not only bc of her unstrident but constant feminism, keeping men in their place without humiliating them- from Louis B Mayer to chorus boys.
She had more say over her routines- music, sets, costumes and cutting as well as choreography- than anyone else. She never did a dud number, and always made profits for MGM.
But finally what elevates Powell above other star dancers is what one historian of the musical called her 'radiance of joy'. She felt she was obliged to use her gifts to the limit to diffuse her gladness at being alive. She was the most life-enhancing performer of any kind in movies: an inexhaustible fount of inspiration and good cheer.
I appreciate and enjoy all the ladies in this collection, but the others were under orders. They needed help. After 50+ viewings of Ellie's thirty or so numbers, it is clearer than ever that she dwelt on a higher plane. During a fairly short time in Hollywood she achieved what no-one has emulated, and maybe never will.
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Eleanor Powell is the most awesome dancer ever filmed. Not only bc of her range of skills and styles, from buck to ballet. Not only bc of her athleticism and technical perfection. Not only bc of the blend of power, control, mischievous humor and warmth that she conveyed. Not only bc of her unstrident but constant feminism, keeping men in their place without humiliating them- from Louis B Mayer to chorus boys.
She had more say over her routines- music, sets, costumes and cutting as well as choreography- than anyone else. She never did a dud number, and always made profits for MGM.
But finally what elevates Powell above other star dancers is what one historian of the musical called her 'radiance of joy'. She felt she was obliged to use her gifts to the limit to diffuse her gladness at being alive. She was the most life-enhancing performer of any kind in movies: an inexhaustible fount of inspiration and good cheer.
I appreciate and enjoy all the ladies in this collection, but the others were under orders. They needed help. After 50+ viewings of Ellie's thirty or so numbers, it is clearer than ever that she dwelt on a higher plane. During a fairly short time in Hollywood she achieved what no-one has emulated, and maybe never will.
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Douglas
I agree with all your choices in this video-- they are spectacular, each in their own way. I would like to add two solo dance numbers of a non-Broadway nature, both giving me a tingle that males get watching a beautiful woman moving beautifully. The first is the technicolor version of BIRD OF PARADISE, which features an alluring Deborah Paget as a native girl performing a mating ritual dance that, though it starts out as a female ensemble, quickly focuses on Paget and stays there. The second dance scene has Sophia Loren as a Spanish peasant woman dancing a Flemenco with other women but again the camera ends up singling the vivacious heroine out until she is alone in her moves in the latter half of the dance -- at which time I went through puberty when I first saw it on the big screen.
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I agree with all your choices in this video-- they are spectacular, each in their own way. I would like to add two solo dance numbers of a non-Broadway nature, both giving me a tingle that males get watching a beautiful woman moving beautifully. The first is the technicolor version of BIRD OF PARADISE, which features an alluring Deborah Paget as a native girl performing a mating ritual dance that, though it starts out as a female ensemble, quickly focuses on Paget and stays there. The second dance scene has Sophia Loren as a Spanish peasant woman dancing a Flemenco with other women but again the camera ends up singling the vivacious heroine out until she is alone in her moves in the latter half of the dance -- at which time I went through puberty when I first saw it on the big screen.
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Natalie
These are all Queen's of Canada Royal Chieftains of Indians of America as Hollywood Royals as Tapdancers and Ballroom Dancers as the older generation of Entertainers. I'm the most recent Queen as Hollywood Royal Natalie Helferty. I tapdanced as a kid as Shirley Temple with them in Hollywood Films. I am loving Musicals as my favourite genre of Movie. We in this generation of Hollywood Royals didn't do enough Musicals for the public. I've asked God to do more Musicals in the future as Hollywood Royals.
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These are all Queen's of Canada Royal Chieftains of Indians of America as Hollywood Royals as Tapdancers and Ballroom Dancers as the older generation of Entertainers. I'm the most recent Queen as Hollywood Royal Natalie Helferty. I tapdanced as a kid as Shirley Temple with them in Hollywood Films. I am loving Musicals as my favourite genre of Movie. We in this generation of Hollywood Royals didn't do enough Musicals for the public. I've asked God to do more Musicals in the future as Hollywood Royals.
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Jonna
I am a dance teacher, and a big fan of movie musicals. Overall, you got it correct. I do not think Ann Miller shouldve been number one. Vera Ellen could dance in a variety of genres. I highly recommend watching her in White Christmas. Eleanor Powell was in second place. Ann Miller could not match Eleanor in her turns. So glad you included Sweet Charity and Gwen Verdon. I wouldve given the number 10 spot to Ginger Rogers. I very much enjoyed this video. I love the old movie musicals.
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I am a dance teacher, and a big fan of movie musicals. Overall, you got it correct. I do not think Ann Miller shouldve been number one. Vera Ellen could dance in a variety of genres. I highly recommend watching her in White Christmas. Eleanor Powell was in second place. Ann Miller could not match Eleanor in her turns. So glad you included Sweet Charity and Gwen Verdon. I wouldve given the number 10 spot to Ginger Rogers. I very much enjoyed this video. I love the old movie musicals.
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WLSlater
Cyd Cherisse has always been one of my favorites. Maybe because my great-grandmother's name was Cherisse. LOL Vera-Ellen in One the Town (one of my favorite movies) is wonderful, both with her dancing and acting. With being a Doris Day look-a-like, I always thought she'd been in a lot more films. Ann Miller just got better with age, absolutely love her. Rita Hayworth I also love since I have a weakness for redheads. Some people tend to forget she's actually Latina.
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Cyd Cherisse has always been one of my favorites. Maybe because my great-grandmother's name was Cherisse. LOL Vera-Ellen in One the Town (one of my favorite movies) is wonderful, both with her dancing and acting. With being a Doris Day look-a-like, I always thought she'd been in a lot more films. Ann Miller just got better with age, absolutely love her. Rita Hayworth I also love since I have a weakness for redheads. Some people tend to forget she's actually Latina.
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Roderick
The first Broadway show I saw. Unfortunately I believe she came across better on stage than in movies she was a magnificent thing on stage I saw her and so many shows she was wonderful and that odd voice of hers didn't seem to come across in the movies for some reason. Not unlike Ethel merman really didn't come across in her later films if you're that she did but onstage she was a magnificent thing to see.
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The first Broadway show I saw. Unfortunately I believe she came across better on stage than in movies she was a magnificent thing on stage I saw her and so many shows she was wonderful and that odd voice of hers didn't seem to come across in the movies for some reason. Not unlike Ethel merman really didn't come across in her later films if you're that she did but onstage she was a magnificent thing to see.
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DannyJane
Never a fan of Ann Miller. Her style is all elbows, knees, and arrogance and lacking any grace or form. Why she got THREE entries against the likes of Eleanor Powell, Gwen Verdon, Shirley MacLaine, or Cyd Charisse is beyond me. Every single one of her entries could easily have been replaced by ANY of your honorable mentions or about sixteen others I could name who aren't even on this list.
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Never a fan of Ann Miller. Her style is all elbows, knees, and arrogance and lacking any grace or form. Why she got THREE entries against the likes of Eleanor Powell, Gwen Verdon, Shirley MacLaine, or Cyd Charisse is beyond me. Every single one of her entries could easily have been replaced by ANY of your honorable mentions or about sixteen others I could name who aren't even on this list.
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David
Any dancer who ever danced with Fred Gene or Danald has my vote so Vera Allen def Cyd Charrise yes and yez Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse too so yeah theres loads Dancing rewuires study work dilliegance i laugh at some of the so called Celebs on shows like Strickly come Dancing? The Pro Dancers are the true celebs its all good good pozy to remember the greats of the past cheers
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Any dancer who ever danced with Fred Gene or Danald has my vote so Vera Allen def Cyd Charrise yes and yez Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse too so yeah theres loads Dancing rewuires study work dilliegance i laugh at some of the so called Celebs on shows like Strickly come Dancing? The Pro Dancers are the true celebs its all good good pozy to remember the greats of the past cheers
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Roderick
You're right about one thing and wrong about another thing. Vera-Ellen was not giving her do that is a true she was a wonderful. But you said Eleanor Powell was one of the best answers she was the best dancer no one can touch her. I'm sorry I forgot Ruby killer one of our grade tap dancers don't you agree?
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You're right about one thing and wrong about another thing. Vera-Ellen was not giving her do that is a true she was a wonderful. But you said Eleanor Powell was one of the best answers she was the best dancer no one can touch her. I'm sorry I forgot Ruby killer one of our grade tap dancers don't you agree?
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Roderick
I enjoyed your show very much I happened onto it by accident unfortunately I wish they had been a little longer there were so many wonderful dancers back in the. Day. It's too bad your shows aren't longer because you couldn't get everyone in what about Mitzi Gaynor and so many others but thank you
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I enjoyed your show very much I happened onto it by accident unfortunately I wish they had been a little longer there were so many wonderful dancers back in the. Day. It's too bad your shows aren't longer because you couldn't get everyone in what about Mitzi Gaynor and so many others but thank you
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Stephen
My dad was born in 1928 and I grew on a steady diet of musicals. I have seen every performance on this list and am not shocked that Ann Miller and Cyd Charisse made it more than once. Happy to see Vera-Ellen on the list, while disappoint Rita Hayworth was only an honorable mention.
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My dad was born in 1928 and I grew on a steady diet of musicals. I have seen every performance on this list and am not shocked that Ann Miller and Cyd Charisse made it more than once. Happy to see Vera-Ellen on the list, while disappoint Rita Hayworth was only an honorable mention.
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WineWatcherUSA
Would have loved to have seen a shirt clip of Eleanor Powell dancing in her own living room with her own dog. (I cant recall the name of the film containing this incredible dance number for which she trained her own dog.
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Would have loved to have seen a shirt clip of Eleanor Powell dancing in her own living room with her own dog. (I cant recall the name of the film containing this incredible dance number for which she trained her own dog.
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Launa
Ann Miller's performance in Easter Parade was simply amazing, She was taller than Fred Astaire and danced in flats, She also had severely pinched nerves in her back and had to wear a back brace during all her dance scenes.
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Ann Miller's performance in Easter Parade was simply amazing, She was taller than Fred Astaire and danced in flats, She also had severely pinched nerves in her back and had to wear a back brace during all her dance scenes.
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Yulia
Glad to see that Not all of them are strip dances for men.
Even no all of them about limited women role as housewife or stripper.
At least one is about I get what I want. The weirdest but loveliest one.
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Glad to see that Not all of them are strip dances for men.
Even no all of them about limited women role as housewife or stripper.
At least one is about I get what I want. The weirdest but loveliest one.
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RiVeRs
There is a great scene in Bye bye birdie where the character Rose (don't know the name of the actress) does an extremely difficult dance routine filled with complex acrobatics in the mix in a cafe scene.
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There is a great scene in Bye bye birdie where the character Rose (don't know the name of the actress) does an extremely difficult dance routine filled with complex acrobatics in the mix in a cafe scene.
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Cool
Doris Day in Calamity Jane sings and dances to The Windy City. Her technique is top tier and the athleticism is mind blowing. On top of that, it's funny and entertaining. She really was a triple threat.
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Doris Day in Calamity Jane sings and dances to The Windy City. Her technique is top tier and the athleticism is mind blowing. On top of that, it's funny and entertaining. She really was a triple threat.
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luvmuzik4me
You missed Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes. I prefer Ballet so Moira Shearer and Cyd Charisse are my favorite dancers. Cyd Charisse in Meet me in Las Vegas is fantastic in that movies dances.
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You missed Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes. I prefer Ballet so Moira Shearer and Cyd Charisse are my favorite dancers. Cyd Charisse in Meet me in Las Vegas is fantastic in that movies dances.
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Koji
There were hoofers like Eleanor Powell and Ann Miller. Then there were dancers, like Cyd Charisse and Rita Hayworth. For beauty, acting and dancing talent, Rita is my favorite.
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There were hoofers like Eleanor Powell and Ann Miller. Then there were dancers, like Cyd Charisse and Rita Hayworth. For beauty, acting and dancing talent, Rita is my favorite.
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Sanford
Ann Miller didn't get her start in Radio City Revels. She'd already appeared in 6 films by the time she made that film, including her costar turn in the fabulous Stage Door.
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Ann Miller didn't get her start in Radio City Revels. She'd already appeared in 6 films by the time she made that film, including her costar turn in the fabulous Stage Door.
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Adrianne
Doris Day numbers should've been included as well as some Judy Garland & Juliette Prows and Vera Ellen had some much better numbers that should've been higher up the list.
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Doris Day numbers should've been included as well as some Judy Garland & Juliette Prows and Vera Ellen had some much better numbers that should've been higher up the list.
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Don
Not to deprecate the great dancing of Ann Miller, but I believe the tapping sounds in any of her (or other dancer's) routines were at a minimum enhanced by Foley artists.
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Not to deprecate the great dancing of Ann Miller, but I believe the tapping sounds in any of her (or other dancer's) routines were at a minimum enhanced by Foley artists.
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Terri
There is a video around of Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire dancing in a nightclub (in a movie) in this circle. It was unbelievable. She was an amazing tap dancer.
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There is a video around of Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire dancing in a nightclub (in a movie) in this circle. It was unbelievable. She was an amazing tap dancer.
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jaylayson69
Excellent list. Very well rounded. Id add to the Honorable mentions:
The Music and the Mirror from A Chorus Line
And Mein Herr from Cabaret
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Excellent list. Very well rounded. Id add to the Honorable mentions:
The Music and the Mirror from A Chorus Line
And Mein Herr from Cabaret
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RenShiWu
Where's Jamie Lee Curtis in _True Lies? _ She didn't always look like the matronly character in _Everything Everywhere All at Once, _ you know.
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Where's Jamie Lee Curtis in _True Lies? _ She didn't always look like the matronly character in _Everything Everywhere All at Once, _ you know.
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ned
Can't disagree with any of these, but Catherine Zeta-Jones had a fantastic number in CHICAGO, when she was demonstrating a dance to Renee Zellwegger
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Can't disagree with any of these, but Catherine Zeta-Jones had a fantastic number in CHICAGO, when she was demonstrating a dance to Renee Zellwegger
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BestVic
I was lucky enough to see Ann Miller in Sugar Babies on Broadway in the 80s. Even older- when I saw her in person, l got it. Incredible talent
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I was lucky enough to see Ann Miller in Sugar Babies on Broadway in the 80s. Even older- when I saw her in person, l got it. Incredible talent
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Celeste
I can say with utmost confidence that I have not seen a good majority of these and when I mean a good majority I mean all most of them oops.
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I can say with utmost confidence that I have not seen a good majority of these and when I mean a good majority I mean all most of them oops.
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abe
At 7: 15 enters Hollywood's most beautiful, talented, graceful, and athletic dancer. Cyd Charisse! Her performance on Sombrero proves that!
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At 7: 15 enters Hollywood's most beautiful, talented, graceful, and athletic dancer. Cyd Charisse! Her performance on Sombrero proves that!
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Fabrisse
I love Ann Miller, but Leslie Caron and Rita Hayworth should have been on the list rather than have Miller 3 times and Powell twice.
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I love Ann Miller, but Leslie Caron and Rita Hayworth should have been on the list rather than have Miller 3 times and Powell twice.
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01maggie
I think Vera Allen was the number one female dancer. Ann Miller was good but Vera better and Cyd Charise also better than Ann Miller
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I think Vera Allen was the number one female dancer. Ann Miller was good but Vera better and Cyd Charise also better than Ann Miller
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