Say It With Firecrackers - Fred Astaire

[cattitta0087]

Seriously, I could watch this over and over again.. I can't believe The Triplets Of Belleville brought me here!

[mhoopisblues]

Oh i lovelovelove this Video so much and i can't get enough of Astaire. I thank God : there are actually no Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly or whoever from that period BUT there is youtube!

[mhoopisblues]

BRILLIANT!

[EthalaRide]

I just LOVE how Fred doesn't react to the explosions what so ever! he's an AMAZING performer. no, he is the best. B. E. S. T!!!

[nemeckathleen1]

One of my all time favorite numbers Astaire danced. Absolutely, positively, love it! How can you not love such skill what a wonderful & creative tap dancer with such excellent chorography. He truly was the master at his craft!

[Rhyno186]

The curtains part and he just floats his way across the stage. Pure magic!

[tsblonde510]

This is one of my favorite dance scenes in movies. Love this movie. Fred was the greatest.

{Even Gene Kelly made the following comment re: Fred Astaire] I work bigger. Fred's style is more intimate. I'm very jealous of that when I see him on the small screen. Fred looks so great on TV. I'd love to put on a white tie and tails and look as thin as him and glide as smoothly. But I'm built like a blocking tackle.

[tashlentine]

Just watched this on mute with Chilly Gonzales 'never stop' playing in the background. It works. Just goes to show that Fred will always be bang on. (pun fully intended ;) )

[BriefEncounter1987]

2 people who didnt like this video have clearly been hurt in Firecracker incidences :D

[KsTiggerMom]

Kelly & Astaire were 2 completely different kinds of dances. It's like comparing Frank Sinatra to Bruce Springsteen. They are all good just different. I enjoy it all.

[phophjoph]

ha when we play with fire we just get burned, now when fred plays with fire he sets the whole dance floor a blaze!

[kornbelt]

that's some dancin, and he ain't even "african amurrrrican"

[kornbelt]

haha that's great

[CaptEoNinja83]

Fred Astaire ROCKS SO MUCH!!!

[MissEloiseJ]

This is totally brill - can't stop watching it! Great film too.

[Abbeysums]

This has always been one of my favorite movie moments! Once you've seen this performance you're not likely to forget it for a very long time. Great Post!

[riffmagos]

He's still great, even after all these years. Simply timeless.

[TheLoyale]

I love this scene, Probably one of the catchiest skits in the movie. BUT, then again the entire movie is great just like so many others!

[2groomer]

Class Act!

[rosieyposie7]

WOW' say --I don't think I ever heard" JOLSON say it' just that way!!!

ONLY FRED ASTAIRE says it' best here!!!

THANKS 4posting CROSBY & ASTAIRE holiday movieclip'

4a WHITE CHRISTMAS'42-10.

Rosiey

[Prancer1231]

that isn't safe

[xx0katherine]

i've always loved this scene of this movie <3

[RyanDub3]

michael jackson took alot of his moves, two great dancers, great minds think alike.

[youhavegottabejoking]

One of Fred'd best solos. I love how he gets the triplet beat at 1:23, 2:00, 2:30

[nightswimmer99]

Only Fred Astaire could make flirting with pyromania look so graceful. Outstanding.

[misstonewood]

Dank U misspeggy & Fred

[SummerGagaRamsay]

Fred Astaire is my tapping hero...My fav Christmas movie cuz of the awesome dancing and singing.

[j5girl1]

Awesome!

[C3LT1CL4DY]

I love the way Fred Astaire just floats and makes it looks so easy. He was a true artist. Many dancers can replicate the moves but cannot do it with the fluidity that Fred Astaire can. There is no match.

[dlpine71]

Thanks, misspeggy0704, for posting this treasure from Holiday Inn - another treasure!

[AllieRushii]

I like the cigarette.

[Fabiolean]

Whooooo the fuck disliked this?

[aMUSEher]

Fred was hotter than a firecracker!

[misspeggy0704]

@PuddleMoon It's you who is pointing this out right now. There is only one comment about Gene in the 7 pages of comments. And I really don't see how you can compare them to Jerry Lewis!

As I already said, they had very differents techniques, you can see that in the Babbitt and the Bromide where they dance the same choregraphy in two different ways. And if people want to compare them, I really don't see why it should bother, that's their right...

[PuddleMoon]

@misspeggy0704 It doesn't bother me I totally think they're brilliant in their own right. I'm not saying anything more, I don't want to start arguments over dancing...especially since I'm not a dancer.

[deserthues]

Man, this is great! I'd love to see tap come back as a popular dance form with modern music. I hope it rolls around again sometime. Guys look so sexy when they dance. Maybe not necessarily Fred Astaire, but he was still a god on the dance floor.

[mca1218]

Absolutely stunning. But then again, this *is* Astaire. I love how he runs onto the stage already dancing- and at the very end gives himself one brief moment of proud indulgence as he takes in the applause. Every move an explosion!!

[cheerchum27]

He had to dance w/ firecrackers because his dance partner didn't show up.

[mrsmodernage]

ahhh I love this so much, now I have to watch each everyday! <3

[BallerinaAvis]

I love these movies! It does seem so much class & talent were evident in these older movies seriously lacking in current entertainment. Love Astaire & Kelly!

[stevelane1]

You're right, onebaud -- no two men ever worked harder to do those moves well; Kelly's ego wanted you to know it. Great pros, both of 'em.

[QuesoGr7]

Too much epicness!

[HereticElitesUnite]

When I first watched this act during the film, I rewound it and watched it two more times. It breaks my heart when I look back at entertainers from yesteryear like Mr. Astaire and Mr. Crosby and realise that so much has changed. Modern entertainment, whether it be films, music, or comedy, is suffering. It's all trash to me. I don't know. Perhaps I was born in the wrong decade. Anyway, thank you for posting this!

[Liamhatesyou]

@HereticElitesUnite I agree

[LovesMyJimmyStewart]

I feel the exact same!!!

[ranma763]

That or you simply have a different taste.

[Kissy731]

I KNOW i've seen this in color because it blue my mind. Does anyone have it???

[Skytroop]

Capsules of Potasium Nitrate?

[LaraCoffey86]

they dont make 'em like this anymore, pure genius.

[RicktheTapDancer]

EXPOLOSIVE TAP!!! Nice one Fred!!! THANK YOU for posting!

[snowgirl1052]

I wonder what the set would look like in color. Bet it was great. I watch this just about everyday and it never gets old or boring, just entertains the dickens out of me and makes me happy.

[sunshine19701989]

It is said that Fred lost 50lbs. filming Holiday Inn because of all the dancing he did!!! Amazing fellow!!!

[YNGR]

Well, 20 lbs., anyway. Had he lost 50, he would have been down to about 95.

[code2high]

He ws just as good .....on roller skates !

[ColexLover92]

i love him and i love bing lol, so this movie is pure magic to me. bing is one of the most talented singers in my book, and fred is the most talented dancer...just one word....AMAZING!!!

[chinesemanmy]

this is one of my favorite dances. He is perfect!! Have always loved 2:42 until the end.

[botbagel]

Only one catch-phrase comes to mind as I watch this: When You're Hot, You're Hot!

I miss he and Ginger....Others came before, others have and will come after, but Fred and Ginger are what I deem 'Gold Standards'...Doesn't get better than this....sigh

[goshnessmaggy]

i love him i love him i love him :D i love watchign everything he does he's so awesome. the beatles are first in my life and always will be (not counting family and friends, because that's obvious) but fred astaire is creeping up to the spot of second :]

[lakerfanforever08]

Fred Astaire, you never fail me.

[onebaud]

Fred Astaire was a great dancer that made every move look natural and easy. Gene Kelly was a great dancer but worked for every move.

[misspeggy0704]

I don't see why you need to compare them, but you miss the point, Gene was athletic and Fred was ethereal. I like Gene's muscles in the Pirate when he dances in Manuela's dream. You can see his all body working. That's the whole point!

But watch him in Invitation to the Dance, you'll see grace.

Believe me, they were both working, but one was dancing close to the ground, and the other was floating in the air. It's just two different ways of taping. I prefer Gene's one.

[kellyakabilly]

@misspeggy0704

Well said, Miss Peggy, well said.

[dlpine71]

@misspeggy0704 Exactly right!!!

[mhoopisblues]

@misspeggy0704 I totally agree. They were both brilliant on their own way and uncomparable. I always loved Gene Kelly's warm, emotional dancing and acting, but now i fall in Love with Fred Astaire's Elegance, Nonchalance and Humor. He's unbelievable and i love watching him. He is Fred Astaire and not Gene Kelly and Gene Kelly ist Gene Kelly and not Fred Astaire. That's all and that's easy to see.

[moroccansunshine]

@onebaud they both worked hard and were both just as good.

[mackinm00se]

@onebaud I'll argue this just because I'm bored. Kellys' style of tap was digging into every step, really putting force into each tap. Astaire, on the other hand, is much lighter on his feet and glides across the ground as he taps. Both are acceptable styles of tap dancing, but Gene Kelly developed a style thought of as being more masculine and daring, whereas Fred Astaire danced in a more traditional and, dare I say, classier form of tap.

Both are ballers and I want what they got.

[KboogieFunk]

@onebaud fred astaire practiced until his feet bled. RESPECT.

[IntrovertedLady]

Style, style, style!!!

No wonder Michael revered Fred Astaire (and for that matter, Gene Kelly).

[FrozenPandaPops]

Safety inspectors would have a heart attack watching this. lol. Still, a fantastic dance. :)

[babyinblack]

lol nicce

[AVTeckie]

haha ya. this is by far my favorite

[Choefoe]

Don,t try this at home !!!!! ;-)

[acla9000]

It was such a delightful movie, in which the king of crooners and the king of dance meet themselves! Thanks!

[acerb45666555]

man those nazis were stupid! they banned Freddys stuff!!

[annalovesfilm]

Oh, amazing number! I love it! Fred - the best dancer!

[acerb45666555]

wahoo! go freddy!!

[elvisnutkid]

Happy 110th birthday Fred

u rock

[jjjjjons]

what a vid. I agree with cookieinabucket. The question is would this vid be allowed now.Those health and safety's are everywhere,next on the list conkers then this, even watching this because it includes fire crackers and therefore may induce ideas of firecracker anarchy, may result in it being pulled. As that Sgt off Hill St Blues said "hey lets be carefull out there"

[cookieinabucket]

Next to Singin' In The Rain,this is my favorite movie. :D I LOVE YOU FRED!!!

[LoveBugNBumbleBee]

OMG! Holiday Inn Is My One Of My Favorite Movies!! I Can Watch Him Dance All Day Long!! He Needs No Introductions! Hands Down - He's Simply One Of The Best EVER!

[roseanne74]

I LOVE this scene from Holiday Inn - I bought the DVD just before Christmas ... this is, in my opinion, the second best ever display of Fred Astaire's phenomenal tap dancing ... the best is Puttin' On The Ritz.

[roseanne74]

Damn - now I've gotta watch the movie!!

[Oldiesmann]

Such a great example of just how talented Fred Astaire was. Sadly, you likely couldn't get away with this today.

[SirensandLights]

I've watched this movie on either Christmas day or New Years day for as many years as it's been available on video. It's my number two all time favorite, second only to "Casablanca".

[kjsdhfkjsgdyeahokay]

This is one of my favorite movies and it kills me when most of my friends don't even know this movie. Then I say it has Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby and they say.. Who?

[mmills211]

Couldn't agree more. :D

[hallsocker]

That is exactly what happens to me!! I love this movie, it's a timeless classic but its a shame so few people appreciate it today. :(

[annalovesfilm]

Fred is always amazing! I love this dance and I love FRED:)

[CosmicGravity]

I was told that this dance took two or three days to shoot. Fred was such a perfectionist, he wanted to make sure it was perfect. Well, I must say, he did amazing!

[Bobbytoo]

I heard and entire week! The director also said that Mr. Astire wore out 100 pairs of shoes

shooting this film! Wow!

[VogonPoetry42]

38 takes, I do believe. Talk about perfection. o.O

[SoNatTwilight]

this is my favorite dance by fred...he's amazing

[Choefoe]

je bent niet altijd een rund als je met vuurwerk stunt,alleen aan profs overlaten, dat wel ;)

[bewitched111]

I cannot telly ou how much i love this movie. i watched it at my grandma's when i was little and it instantly become my favorite.

[mmills211]

Watched it at my dad's for Christmas, and I fell in love with it.

[VideoCentral1050]

my grandma was in the scene long time ago he the croud

[bloofan06]

LOVE Fred Astaire! Never seen this before! Thanks!

[dochechkabronya]

Since you posted this comment a while ago I hope you've seen The Holiday Inn by now. If not, please do. It is one of the feel good movies of all times!

[sanseuikitty]

thank you so much for putting this up here i love this dance

[acerb45666555]

kool!5*****

[Pikmar27]

haha. fun

[mendoncacorreia]

(Bob Fosse) - "Rythmically, probably the best number I've ever seen in my life!" - That says it all!!!

[houselover18]

here's the kicker about this clip.

he did it in one take.

[futureusofficer]

He and Frank Sinatra are my biggest heroes. I finally get to learn how to tap.

[bus114]

Great routine.

While the cigarette was a prop used to light the firecrackers, 1:45 shows that he might have been a serious smoker -- he takes a big drag before discarding the cigarette.

[YNGR]

I dunno that the cigarette he discards at 1:45 was lit; after he discards it, there's a long sequence before a cut, and he never exhales any smoke from then on. Astaire did smoke in real life, but not very much.

[smantha456456]

I saw this on television the other day and I'm completely spellbound whenever I watch it. He so great!! ...An amazing, incredible dancer.

[ElisaHut]

The only one Fred Astaire! King of dancing!!

[Pikmar27]

King of your mom

[acerb45666555]

only Gene Kelly could match Fred!!

[intuaydumela]

este wey comio frijoles!!!

[christinedaae87]

my favourite astaire tap solo ever!!! thanks for uploading it. xxx

[jusstorm]

he's so DANGEROUS!

[haloofwinterr]

lol i love this movie!

[Snowypaws]

Man i love this movie <3 they dont make good movies like this any more with real talent in it..

[steevon64]

Holiday Inn is a great movie. They don't make 'em like that any more.

[illi10nis27]

this is one of my favourite fred astaire dances. he's so fantastic.

[tuajvk]

One of the greatest dance efforts!

[jayjayjay]

Watch out--he's packing heat.

[acerb45666555]

)O( The Dude Was One Crazy Cat!!

[purplgoo]

gah!! I LOVE THIS MOVIE!! I can't believe someone put it on here!, you are a god for putting this!, fred astaire is the greatest man..only he could do with only firecrackers!!!

[kisslime]

Aaaahhhhhh... the first seconds of that scene... him coming on stage, practically floating in... fascinating! And I love his matching scarfs (scarves?) around waist and neck.

[animeeclipse]

@kisslime thats a necktie he's using as a belt... how awesome is that! Apparently, he was like the first dude to do the necktie as a belt thing... THANK YOU FRED!

[rheubug]

this is by far my favorite Christmas movie...sad that it wasn't on this year... :(

[pobbitsox]

one word...AMAZING. fred is GOD.

[penguinqueengi]

This is my favorite movie...and this is my favorite Dance

[MrBertstown]

Hollywood, don't remake this film. Nobody can sing like Bing Crosby nor dance like Fred Astaire. And the Lincoln's Birthday scene is WAY TOO PI for some people's blood!

[jedgamil]

how did he light up the firecrackers

[misspeggy0704]

He doesn't need to light them up, they explode when they reach the floor.

[amunra71]

They were stage props. He didn't light any of them. They were set to go off. He is just so damn talented, that he was able to make it look as though he threw them. Had me fooled for a minute too

[salient47]

He's using real impact "torpedoes" up through 1:13 or so. They explode when you throw them down hard. After that, it's mostly charges wired into the stage. So you're both partially correct.

[wmb001]

He must have felt like falling over after smoking throughout the whole dance.

[speck211]

my GOD he must have felt like falling over after that number

[pinknebulous]

Yowza!  What a fantastic clip. Thanks for posting!

[northface13]

21. I've watched this movie every year for as long as I can remember. This has always been my favorite scene

[Thalysiakeuh]

wow, love it !!!

[mithol]

WOW

[fastzoe]

thank you for posting(:-)

[DakicaAshe]

oh my GOSH i've never seen this before! it's so PHENOMENAL!!!

[Mjansen77]

Go watch the movie Holiday Inn, that is what this came from. I absolutely love the movie, and I am 22 :) But I love Bing Crosby's voice in the movie as well.

[Texaslawhorn]

I'm 24 and I love that movie, too. In fact, it's my favorite holiday film!

[plethora77]

there's nobody like Fred. &hearts;

[lilgeek2011]

i love this movie, and this dance sequence is one of my favorites

[Kinemacolour]

Always a fun one to watch.

[ipmoic]

Really hot! Did you ever?? Nobody like him ever again.....

[3eyedho]

Nobody better! Sammy Davis Jr. right next door. Amazing!

[yellow4521]

you must see CLEM ZELESKI!!!!

[lorinhl]

Loved the movie, loved the scene, thanks for the post.

[FrannyRenee]

It is ashame you're not letting people post this it would have been great for the Fourth.

[misspeggy0704]

What????