With those beautiful legs of hers on such display doing a magnificent tap-dance routine, it is beyond me why this was cut from the movie Honolulu. Eleanor Powell's dancing here is so wonderful to watch I would have kept this & maybe scrapped the rest of the movie!.
It was common editorial practice in Hollywood after preview that if a film ran too long, or the audience was antsy to cut out or shorten one or more of the musical numbers, as they were the easiest to trim or eliminate without destroying the flow of the narrative. Lest we forget Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM, wanted to cut "Over the Rainbow," from "The Wizard of Oz" but was persuaded by Arthur Freed and others not to do so.
The bandleader is Phillip Terry (one of Joan Crawford's husbands) which confirms it as "Honolulu" also the reference book "Hollywood Song" by Ken Bloom credits the number to "Honolulu" and he got his info from the music cue sheets at Metro.
@PugetSoundFlyer No they weren't they were from a movie called 'The Great Morgan' which contained Frank Morgan and another family star. I think it's beautiful that it was cut away as it makes this routine ever more intriguing.
The music here is (I believe) "I'd Rather Dance" from LADY BE GOOD. Perhaps this was cut from LADY BE GOOD (1941). Powell also sang the intro (also cut); you can find it as an outtake on the LADY BE GOOD DVD.
Wow! I don't have that movie on DVD only on VHS. This was cut from Honolulu in 1939. Eleanor Powell called it( "The La Conga Tap" a combination of the lost long charleston and a native South African dance gone mad with the heat"). So the Music I'd rather dance sounds like this music does it?
Curious where you heard it was cut from HONOLULU. It sounds and looks like it might be LADY BE GOOD(1941). Powell is skinny, like she was in that film, and the nightclub isn't the one aboard ship in HONOLULU. It looks more like the one in LADY BE GOOD. I am also curious where you got this video clip, since I have been looking for THE GREAT MORGAN where it appears. Do you have a copy of it?
I have picture of her working on this routine and on the back it details that it was to be in her next film Honolulu. The band leader is from the same band that conducted her Hula/Drum Dance in Honolulu. The editors didnt use it in the end. The Great Morgan which I have only last for 52 minutes or so and it a compilation of archive footage from MGM's vaults. Among them is this routine which was never used.
This is Eleanor Powell at her best! This is one of her most technical routines, a real treat :) I got this of a DVD called "The Great Morgan" it's a pretty rare DVD or film.
The only unfortunate thing is in the context of the film they actually are making fun of her because the joke is that the star of the film is given the job of making a movie out of stock footage, and does a terrible job of it. It doesn't reflect well on what is truly a classic piece of dancing. Hopefully the original footage will be included if and when Honolulu is released to DVD.
This is verging on the very edge of superhuman in terms of athleticism, technical skill and speed - if tapdancing were an Olympic sport this performance would have won gold. But, as someone else has said - it is the dramatic intensity and emotional brio that she infuses into every phrase, every gesture - that makes this a pinnacle of dance achievement. Modern dance has NEVER come close to the excitement or emotional intensity of this - the skills seem to have faded away.
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Miss Powell was truly an amazing dancer, especially technically. I'm sure we'll all have to agree to disagree, but I think this clip proves that as good as she was, Ann Miller was even better. Powell could tap and spin very quickly, but Miller could do both AT THE SAME TIME. She held the world record for 500 taps a minute...while spinning! :)
Yes I just love the way Ann taps so fast!!! I love Ann just as much as Eleanor but I think it's Eleanor's stunning and imaginative choreography that gets my attention the most!!! Both I praise tremendously for the hard long hours each of them put to practise their art :)
Wow, beautiful... both the dancing and the lady. Legs to die for!
PtolemyJones 3 months ago
With those beautiful legs of hers on such display doing a magnificent tap-dance routine, it is beyond me why this was cut from the movie Honolulu. Eleanor Powell's dancing here is so wonderful to watch I would have kept this & maybe scrapped the rest of the movie!.
Hotwok191 7 months ago
It was common editorial practice in Hollywood after preview that if a film ran too long, or the audience was antsy to cut out or shorten one or more of the musical numbers, as they were the easiest to trim or eliminate without destroying the flow of the narrative. Lest we forget Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM, wanted to cut "Over the Rainbow," from "The Wizard of Oz" but was persuaded by Arthur Freed and others not to do so.
ilprofessore10012 9 months ago
The bandleader is Phillip Terry (one of Joan Crawford's husbands) which confirms it as "Honolulu" also the reference book "Hollywood Song" by Ken Bloom credits the number to "Honolulu" and he got his info from the music cue sheets at Metro.
HurricaneRhonda 10 months ago
@HurricaneRhonda Thank you for this bit of information! I've wondered a many times who the genius is behind this orchestration.
Shurayuki18481 10 months ago
How did she dance in those heels?
LkOutMtnMan 1 year ago
@LkOutMtnMan Practise and feminine prowess :P
Shurayuki18481 1 year ago
Terrific.She was one of the Best tappers ever....
TheMaisie80 1 year ago
I just watched Honolulu last night with the wife. The characters in this segments cutaway were not in that movie.
PugetSoundFlyer 1 year ago
@PugetSoundFlyer No they weren't they were from a movie called 'The Great Morgan' which contained Frank Morgan and another family star. I think it's beautiful that it was cut away as it makes this routine ever more intriguing.
Shurayuki18481 1 year ago
i have the most beautiful autographed photo of eleanor. she is the best ,ever, no contest.
patsysisk1 2 years ago 2
She`s amazing! ***** from Igor :D
UkuleleIgor 2 years ago
Thanks for uploading! Great!
LordHamlet99 3 years ago
HER TAPS MAKES ME FEEL VERY HARD MMM
tapdancegirl88 2 years ago
The music here is (I believe) "I'd Rather Dance" from LADY BE GOOD. Perhaps this was cut from LADY BE GOOD (1941). Powell also sang the intro (also cut); you can find it as an outtake on the LADY BE GOOD DVD.
Gobbleknoll 3 years ago
Wow! I don't have that movie on DVD only on VHS. This was cut from Honolulu in 1939. Eleanor Powell called it( "The La Conga Tap" a combination of the lost long charleston and a native South African dance gone mad with the heat"). So the Music I'd rather dance sounds like this music does it?
Shurayuki18481 3 years ago
Curious where you heard it was cut from HONOLULU. It sounds and looks like it might be LADY BE GOOD(1941). Powell is skinny, like she was in that film, and the nightclub isn't the one aboard ship in HONOLULU. It looks more like the one in LADY BE GOOD. I am also curious where you got this video clip, since I have been looking for THE GREAT MORGAN where it appears. Do you have a copy of it?
Gobbleknoll 3 years ago
I have picture of her working on this routine and on the back it details that it was to be in her next film Honolulu. The band leader is from the same band that conducted her Hula/Drum Dance in Honolulu. The editors didnt use it in the end. The Great Morgan which I have only last for 52 minutes or so and it a compilation of archive footage from MGM's vaults. Among them is this routine which was never used.
Shurayuki18481 3 years ago
Thanks for the reply, and for posting the clip.
Gobbleknoll 3 years ago
Hey Shurayaki, I came up with a better name- Yankkee Doodle Wahini.
bronsonski1952 3 years ago
What would you have if James Cagney and Eleanor Powell had a baby? A Yankee Doodle Hawiian.
bronsonski1952 3 years ago
Hahahaaaha :P Good one!
Shurayuki18481 3 years ago
I'm so addicted to watching this. I play it over and over.
Soul0125 3 years ago
Whoa?! What is this? Where did you find this clip...have never seen it before! Very cool.
hotmarriedgays 3 years ago
This is Eleanor Powell at her best! This is one of her most technical routines, a real treat :) I got this of a DVD called "The Great Morgan" it's a pretty rare DVD or film.
Shurayuki18481 3 years ago
The only unfortunate thing is in the context of the film they actually are making fun of her because the joke is that the star of the film is given the job of making a movie out of stock footage, and does a terrible job of it. It doesn't reflect well on what is truly a classic piece of dancing. Hopefully the original footage will be included if and when Honolulu is released to DVD.
saskabush2006 3 years ago
This is verging on the very edge of superhuman in terms of athleticism, technical skill and speed - if tapdancing were an Olympic sport this performance would have won gold. But, as someone else has said - it is the dramatic intensity and emotional brio that she infuses into every phrase, every gesture - that makes this a pinnacle of dance achievement. Modern dance has NEVER come close to the excitement or emotional intensity of this - the skills seem to have faded away.
broxmouth 3 years ago 9
@broxmouth You are an excellent writer. The ole professor gives you an A+. Nice to see writing skills like yours.
hajune 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Miss Powell was truly an amazing dancer, especially technically. I'm sure we'll all have to agree to disagree, but I think this clip proves that as good as she was, Ann Miller was even better. Powell could tap and spin very quickly, but Miller could do both AT THE SAME TIME. She held the world record for 500 taps a minute...while spinning! :)
dannybex 3 years ago
Yes I just love the way Ann taps so fast!!! I love Ann just as much as Eleanor but I think it's Eleanor's stunning and imaginative choreography that gets my attention the most!!! Both I praise tremendously for the hard long hours each of them put to practise their art :)
Shurayuki18481 3 years ago
What an absolute stunning performance. Thank you for the great footage and sharing. Eleanor had a true talent.
bwrimel 3 years ago 2
Your welcome!!!
Shurayuki18481 3 years ago
I love how she dances with her hands, exressions, and her feet !!
skyler6290 3 years ago 4
Yes she was great for using all parts of her body to make everything look balanced :)
Shurayuki18481 3 years ago
a princely and gracious body, and a dancing genius
Tamborr 3 years ago 3
Wonderful dancer and charming lady! Her tapping is done with such class and style I could watch it over and over again!!!
keepthemusicplaying0 4 years ago 2
I could do the same! Thankyou for you kind comments!
Shurayuki18481 4 years ago
thanks for adding this rare #!
twentiesDOLL12213 4 years ago 3