Fascinating Rhythm

[mmmgirl100]

i love  the berry brothers

[hajune]

Ellie was responsible for getting the 4 black piano players. One is Earl Hines the father of modern piano jazz. I think the othe other 3 are likely ones that worked for and with him. They were really good.

[hajune]

Ellie wanted to do the same stunts as the Berry Brothers but the studio was against it. The Berry Brothers were oft times getting hurt and it was not unusual to see just 2 perform as the other recovered. It was this reason that swayed Ellie from doing some of those amazing acrobatic moves the Berry Brothers and Nicholas Brothers performed. She was probably the only female who could do them. She was off for about 1 1/2 month with a severely spained ankle attemping to do a highly physical move.

[Azfargh]

our grandpas and grandma kick the modern dance asses

[hajune]

To see the making of this sequence you have to go to Daily Motion.Over 300 people moving stages etc etc. involved in this elaborate production.

[Blackjesus3]

they really are amazing best tap dancers I ever saw

[hajune]

Busby Berkley produced this segment. They finished it late in the morning.Ellie was badly bruised and battered but not a whimper or complaint from her. She thanked Busey for his effort. He was amazed that somebody of her status would react that way.As he said few would have done so. Busby thought Ellie to be the greatest female dancer ever with room to spare . Also he was totally impressed by her choreography which she designed months in advance of a movie.

[hajune]

Berry Brothers were Great dancers. If they were on a talent program today they would be mega stars.

[hajune]

One of the Berry Brothers was part of the "Our Gang " series. Had they been around today they would be considered so much better then any others dancers out there that it would be ridiculous.

[hajune]

I have a behind the scenes video of this routine. Not handy enough to put it up. Anybody out there who can then contact me. Set was being moved by over 300 helpers. Busey Berkeley worked this scene until 2:00. Ellie was battered and bruised but never complained . Not a whimper. When she saw the routine she thanked Busey. As he said only a handful with her talent and class would have done that. She was the real deal. He considered her easily the best female tapper ever.

[hajune]

Ellie was indeed the blackman's friend as nobody else ever was. Bill Robinson was her son's Godfather. She insisted that the piano players be black in this sequest. She worked hard to get the amazing Berry Brothers in this movie. She fought even harder to get Willie Covan the MAIN job as MGM dance instructor. He taught a long list of stars such as Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. She dedicated a blackface step dance to Bill Robinson. He taught her the routine.

[terkitty]

renabusby, I totally agree!

[sjmcconway]

I remember Vincent Minelli on Cavett or Carson showing a home movie of filming this segment. EP dances on top of a white piano at the start with a sheer white curtain behind her. She continues backwards revealing other pianos while pieces of stage move behind her as the sheer curtain furls bhind her. Find that. Real moviemaking history.

[hajune]

@sjmcconway I think I have what you are describing. There were 300 helpers. It is a fascinating behind the scenes video. See my comments .

[CherryTripping]

o.O

sweet

[renabusby]

This is one of the best clips I have seen, however, I wish there was a complete one with Connie Russell singing the intro of

Fascinatin Rhythm before the Berry Bros. come on.

[IHuckDisc]

The move at 1:20 is crazy. I remember a few years ago some of the Lindy Pros at Boston Tea Party trying to figure that one out (and getting most of it but the jump onto the neck...)

[Xeria]

tks for posting