Slapstick Song And Dance Man

[dalgarno]

I too had a crush on Ray when I was a kid. I really wanted Dorothy to marry the Scarecrow, and nearly died when I first saw The Harvey Girls! God I wish there were men still like that :)

[StrawMaiden]

@dalgarno you're not the only one... XD

[Spongenat]

These videos are awesome. We are looking into the past, how awesome is that?!

[hotlemons73]

Awesome!! :D

[Yllacaj18]

my mind has been blown.

[mikern2001]

Ray Bolger elevates tap dancing to a high art. He has humor, style, finesse, and is always on the very edge...acting like he is nearly spinning out of control, only to regain it. There will never be another. Thank goodness for YouTube!

[grandskipper2]

Man could that guy dance. That "splits routine" at 2:20 is unbelievable, I've never seen anyone come up out of the splits like that. I read where someone asked him if he got any residuals from the Wizard of Oz, and he said no, just "immortality", and that was fine with him. Great stuff!

[neverknewtillnow]

@grandskipper2

Thanks, I had never heard that comment by Ray but, he was correct.

[timboss56]

hahahaha!!!! BRAVO!!!! Brilliant!!!!

[joangirl13]

awesome!

[Tobytrim]

The camera hardly ever left him - He might well have done that whole routine in a single take!! Bloody Amazing.

He was only 32 years old at the time, but fit is fit!!

[REBProductionsInc]

Holy SHIT. That's all I can say. I'm in awe, he was so amazing.

[mitchellivers]

Is this from a movie or an early television show?

[neverknewtillnow]

Movie, "The Great Ziegfeld" 1936.

[mikern2001]

pure genius. pure talent. clever. funny. charming. cute. lovely. fun. always on the verge of losing control. A real artist!

[neverknewtillnow]

But, other than that, what did you like about him? (ha ha)

Thanks for the comment.

[mikern2001]

So many of the stars from his era, had so many talents. They could sing, dance, always great sense of comic timing, etc. Probably because they mostly started their careers with live audiences.  I just saw a clip of Roy with Bing Crosby on the Tonight Show, with Marvin Hamlisch playing the piano. It all seemed so natural. This sort of thing is simply gone forever, in my opinion.

[neverknewtillnow]

Ah! but not gone forever as long as YouTube allows posting of great clips from the past.

[stellaluna92]

When I was little I was convinced I was going to marry Ray Bolger... unaware that he died 5 years before I was born :) Gosh he was such an underrated dancer.

[neverknewtillnow]

Sorry your young dream never materialized but, through the medium of YouTube he is always available for viewing.

Thanks for the comment!

[croetzjr]

i wish i could have had the privilege to see the man perform live

[neverknewtillnow]

Thank you for your interest, it is appreciated.

[DougieSnooker]

Apparently a gifted performer. Thanks for sharing this clip. (The wonder of YouTube)