I remember seeing this on "That's Entertainment" for the first time, followed by other performances on "That's Dancing". Utterly brilliant. The high kicks going up the drums and those moments when she tapped the beat with one foot are unbeatable. No question - the best.
I really don,t care about her dress, or about the extravaganza,,,I ONLY care about Miss Powell,s AMAZING routine here, the best I have EVER seen!!. She is a Godess...unique....a wonderful artist...the BEST dancer EVER!!. Matthew
@weightfeather1 We can always respectfully disagree. I wouldn't rate this routine anywhere near any of her dance routines in Broadway Melody of 1936 - particularly her finale, which remains the best performance I think she has on film.
Al Jolson & Nelson Eddy were behind the drums telling Ellie if she fell they would catch her. Those very slippery drums from the dew (shot at night) were most challenging to navigate without slipping. Notice that Ellie firmly plants her lead foot on each drum. My mom wrote Ellie 9 letters as a child & Ellie always wrote back. My mom wanted to be Sonja Henne( ice skater). Ellie encouraged her. Strangly Ellie described herself as Sonja in this number. It was the most dangerous dance she ever did.
It was the most expensive dance number ever done. There were more cameras used then any other movie. (26). That was more then Ben Hur. It was done outside on 60 acres and there was dew on the drums. Ellie said she became the ice skater Sonja Hennie dancing on the drums but somehow pulled it off. She was the only one who could have done that.
Fred was terrified when he found out he would be cast with Ellie in his first MGM number. Ellie was the 1 st female rhythm tapper. That is the highest skill level for a tapper. The great Fred Astaire was a ball room tapper and Ellie's sophisticasted uneven rhythm moves were something Fred was not familiar with. Then there was Ellie's spin moves. Male dancers were used as props when she did them. Fred, Ann Miller, and Fayard Nicholas all thought she was the greatest dancer ever
Quite simply, Eleanor Powell is the greatest dancer who ever lived - even Fred Astaire admitted that he was nervous about dancing with her!! Notice that most shots are lengthy - no cut & paste in her movies! And is there anyone who can watch her turns without getting dizzy? It is bewildering how she maintained control...
A great natural beauty combined with the ability to make the most difficult routines look effortless make this one of my favorite numbers of all time.
This number is quite beautifully haunting, your right about her being better than Fred Astaire. Him and Gene Kelly get all the gold stars but it's Eleanor who at the end of the day is the classiest of them all.
@SDKoka I was thinking the same thing about her spinning. It is just simply amazing how she does all of those spins and keep her composure to continue dancing like nothing happened. I know that if I tried that I would hit the floor as soon as I came out of the spin!!!
@SDKoka If you could ask both Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire who they considered the greatest (tap) dancer who ever lived, both of them would tell you it was Bill "Bojangles' Robinson. Don't think there has been a tap dancer alive, including Powell, Astaire, or Kelly who ever rated themselves above Bill Robinson. Due to Hollywood segregation, he didn't get the starring roles, sharp wardrobes, and first class music and sets the others got, but off the movie set everybody knew who was best.
Can someone tell me which movies of her are best or are all great. I have just discovered her and would like to see more of her movies. I first saw her with Fred Astaire. She was amazing.
Well, if you are interested in Ellie's dancing, then, yes, they all are great. Some have more dancing than others, but in each she creates unique and pretty spectacular numbers. I find that, aside from the dancing, the films leave a bit to be desired. Some are long on silliness and short on plot. Fortunately, with commercial DVD's you can simply skip over the tiresome bits and exalt in the superb dancing. Don't miss a SINGLE one if you really enjoy her dancing.
the idea for this number actually came from Eleanor Powell herself, I read in a book about Hollywood musicals. She was appearing in the Shuberts' Follow Thru on BWay in '29 (in a small part) and saw Ruby Keeler in Zeigfeld's Show Girl during a night off from Follow Thru. well, for her opening number, Keeler was carried out on a big drum and tap danced on it. Some how Powell remembered it in 1937 when they were filming Rosalie....
Ellie is moving so fast on those final spins that I can't help but add a mental brake squeal at 5:03 when she comes out of that last one! She actually skids sideways a bit! Always makes me grin!
Those moves are balletic...the series of pirouettes through cellophane hoops at the end is world-class, not to mention the ones while descending down the stage drums, or the one in which she taps while turning (try that sometime!) There is even one pirouette ending in a pas de chat up to a higher level. I've seen ballerinas who would not attempt that. She's absolutely wonderful.
Ellie said it took her 3 years of practice to perfect the "taps on turns" that she did. Her turns are stunningly beautiful - I've never seen faster or more beautifully executed turns than hers.
You are absolutely right. I'm a great ballet fan, and I am certain that with her astonishing techinical ability, she could have danced with the best. (Of course, I'm sure she made more money in the movies than on the ballet circuit :)Yes, her talents were extraordinary, and other female dancers of the period simply don't match up. Stunning dancer!
The epitome of MGM spectacle. A number that's been sort of mocked over the years by the cynics as an elephantine extravagance, but what's generally not mentioned is that our lovely Pierette dances down the staircase of drums, then dances UP them, before coming down them a SECOND time. And Eleanor Powell has a frickin' ball: the head-toss of defiance at 3:12 is so cool. Not to mention the jumps through 14 cellophane panels at the end. 'Have mercy' indeed.
Sensational! It's nice to see the whole number, as there's a very abbreviated version in "That's Entertainment!" I love the shots of her whirling and bursting through the cellophane flowers.
Hey, I just came acrossed the number to which i referred below from Rosalie: "I've a Strange New Rhythm in My Heart." ...and its right here on this page, lol. Always liked that number. Nice tune with a nice directorial flow.
I always thought this number to be a bit contrived and typical of the misuse of Powell's tap talent. Her dance concepts, never seemed to keep up with her talent...particularly compared to the dance concepts that kept Astaire and Kelly on film for decades. Powell hit the big time with Melody of '36, which is a classic... it has one of the greatest finales in American musical film. Unfortunately, to me, she never really surpassed that performance, which I blame the studios. She was misused.
Yes, if its the 2:03 "lost routine" number you have on your page. Nice routine, but i wouldnt rate it over her finale in Melody of '36. I guess I wish more of her routines were incorporated into the film story (like 'Breakfast') as opposed to being stand-alone "Stage" routines. I seem to remember a scene from "Rosalie" that I liked where she did a number moving thru several hotel or dormitory rooms where she and other girls were staying. I liked that routine, but havent seen it on here yet.
I prefer her tribute to Bill Robinson in 'Honolulu' (despite the unfortunate choice to do it in blackface) or the finale of 'Lady Be Good', but this is still - compared to any other female tap dancing performance, a tour de force. Powell devised most of her tap routines, which may not have the sophistication of Astaire or Kelly (whose did?), but her unmatched exuberance and fantastic bodily freedom overcome any choreographic limitations (in my opinion). She's simply sensational!
You know, when I first saw this number, I too, was annoyed at the contrivance of the piece - those giant drums and that rather bizarre costume!But the more I watch it,the more I like it.The set was one that allowed Ellie to stretch out and get creative.She capitalized on the interesting camera placement by creating one after another of dynamic, stunning silhouettes.From the saucy flick of the eye mask at the beginning, to the inhumanly fast spins at the end, she makes it her own. Lucky us.
Noticed alot of mentions of the Nicholas Bros. here. Had the great honor of being seated at a banquet only 2-or so years-ago nevt to Fayard Nicholas, and his wife, just shortly before his passing. What a great gentleman, and an awesome talent! The song, "Rosalie" was written by Cole Porter, and while, yes, the movie is something of a bore, this clip is as good as it gets!
of course, duh. yeah i know his tapping. had she said davis jr i probably would have gotten it. Thank you. Love Eleanor Powell! Your stuff is terrific.
Elie's most sexually charged performance, I think. No, I didn't forget the Hawaiian dance. Those spins through the hoops. Whoaaa!!
The biggest drum was 15 ft. high. Nelson and the dancer who played his sidekick (can't think of his name), as a joke had an ambulance waiting, in case of an accident. Some joke.
she's the greatest dancer of all time, period. eleanor powell....wow, the nicholas brothers said her combination of ballet, dance and athleticism was unmatched even by astaire and kelly and davis and barishnikov
My mother also was of the opinion that Bill Robinson was the greatest she ever saw.
triumfero 2 months ago
My mother was her stand-in . I have great still clips of this many other films they worked in together.
triumfero 6 months ago
@triumfero That's lovely to hear thanks for stopping by and sharing that.
Shurayuki18481 6 months ago
@triumfero I love that you shared this with us! Tell us more and who else she worked with : ) !
RedWillyandFugi 4 months ago
I remember seeing this on "That's Entertainment" for the first time, followed by other performances on "That's Dancing". Utterly brilliant. The high kicks going up the drums and those moments when she tapped the beat with one foot are unbeatable. No question - the best.
ghtsw11 8 months ago
@ghtsw11 Thank you for your kind comments! - G.A
Shurayuki18481 8 months ago
I really don,t care about her dress, or about the extravaganza,,,I ONLY care about Miss Powell,s AMAZING routine here, the best I have EVER seen!!. She is a Godess...unique....a wonderful artist...the BEST dancer EVER!!. Matthew
varon1979 8 months ago
@weightfeather1 We can always respectfully disagree. I wouldn't rate this routine anywhere near any of her dance routines in Broadway Melody of 1936 - particularly her finale, which remains the best performance I think she has on film.
ecapital46 10 months ago
@weightfeather1
I just watched her Hula dance number in Honolulu. Now, THAT"S what I'm talkin' about!!
Thanks for the reference! Thank God the choreographer decided to showcase her feminity for posterity!
frogrfb 10 months ago
The elephantine production cannot disguise her prodigious talent.
44032 1 year ago
Al Jolson & Nelson Eddy were behind the drums telling Ellie if she fell they would catch her. Those very slippery drums from the dew (shot at night) were most challenging to navigate without slipping. Notice that Ellie firmly plants her lead foot on each drum. My mom wrote Ellie 9 letters as a child & Ellie always wrote back. My mom wanted to be Sonja Henne( ice skater). Ellie encouraged her. Strangly Ellie described herself as Sonja in this number. It was the most dangerous dance she ever did.
hajune 1 year ago
It was the most expensive dance number ever done. There were more cameras used then any other movie. (26). That was more then Ben Hur. It was done outside on 60 acres and there was dew on the drums. Ellie said she became the ice skater Sonja Hennie dancing on the drums but somehow pulled it off. She was the only one who could have done that.
hajune 1 year ago
Comment removed
hajune 1 year ago
Fred was terrified when he found out he would be cast with Ellie in his first MGM number. Ellie was the 1 st female rhythm tapper. That is the highest skill level for a tapper. The great Fred Astaire was a ball room tapper and Ellie's sophisticasted uneven rhythm moves were something Fred was not familiar with. Then there was Ellie's spin moves. Male dancers were used as props when she did them. Fred, Ann Miller, and Fayard Nicholas all thought she was the greatest dancer ever
hajune 1 year ago 4
Great - can someone upload Ilona Massey singing 'Spring Love is in the Air' from this film please??
woozle1954 1 year ago
A woman with such great legs and moves and they stick her in the UGLIEST dress of all time! An unbelievable crime!
I'd love to see her dance in the nude, or in something clingy and flowing that shows her lovely shape at every turn!
frogrfb 2 years ago 2
@frogrfb That dress was not ugly it was fugly. What a shame.
hajune 1 year ago
Quite simply, Eleanor Powell is the greatest dancer who ever lived - even Fred Astaire admitted that he was nervous about dancing with her!! Notice that most shots are lengthy - no cut & paste in her movies! And is there anyone who can watch her turns without getting dizzy? It is bewildering how she maintained control...
A great natural beauty combined with the ability to make the most difficult routines look effortless make this one of my favorite numbers of all time.
SDKoka 2 years ago 10
This number is quite beautifully haunting, your right about her being better than Fred Astaire. Him and Gene Kelly get all the gold stars but it's Eleanor who at the end of the day is the classiest of them all.
Shurayuki18481 2 years ago
@SDKoka I was thinking the same thing about her spinning. It is just simply amazing how she does all of those spins and keep her composure to continue dancing like nothing happened. I know that if I tried that I would hit the floor as soon as I came out of the spin!!!
luckdog909 1 year ago
@SDKoka If you could ask both Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire who they considered the greatest (tap) dancer who ever lived, both of them would tell you it was Bill "Bojangles' Robinson. Don't think there has been a tap dancer alive, including Powell, Astaire, or Kelly who ever rated themselves above Bill Robinson. Due to Hollywood segregation, he didn't get the starring roles, sharp wardrobes, and first class music and sets the others got, but off the movie set everybody knew who was best.
ecapital46 10 months ago
Wow I did not recognize her. In this
GaijinPrincess 2 years ago
Can someone tell me which movies of her are best or are all great. I have just discovered her and would like to see more of her movies. I first saw her with Fred Astaire. She was amazing.
lizzyvance 2 years ago
Well, if you are interested in Ellie's dancing, then, yes, they all are great. Some have more dancing than others, but in each she creates unique and pretty spectacular numbers. I find that, aside from the dancing, the films leave a bit to be desired. Some are long on silliness and short on plot. Fortunately, with commercial DVD's you can simply skip over the tiresome bits and exalt in the superb dancing. Don't miss a SINGLE one if you really enjoy her dancing.
netwitt1 2 years ago
the idea for this number actually came from Eleanor Powell herself, I read in a book about Hollywood musicals. She was appearing in the Shuberts' Follow Thru on BWay in '29 (in a small part) and saw Ruby Keeler in Zeigfeld's Show Girl during a night off from Follow Thru. well, for her opening number, Keeler was carried out on a big drum and tap danced on it. Some how Powell remembered it in 1937 when they were filming Rosalie....
mookindahouse 2 years ago
i wish i coulda met her
legitimateJunkiee 2 years ago
@legitimateJunkiee You and me both!!!
luckdog909 1 year ago
I love the 40's era! The dance, music etc! Wow!!
hoffman98 2 years ago 3
I thought this was incredible the first time I saw it, and it's still jaw-dropping.
MRain65 2 years ago
All that, and besides ... she's HOT! Sexy smile, killer legs ... and the way she moves ... well, hot!
michaelhynes 2 years ago 4
Ellie is moving so fast on those final spins that I can't help but add a mental brake squeal at 5:03 when she comes out of that last one! She actually skids sideways a bit! Always makes me grin!
netwitt1 3 years ago
Those moves are balletic...the series of pirouettes through cellophane hoops at the end is world-class, not to mention the ones while descending down the stage drums, or the one in which she taps while turning (try that sometime!) There is even one pirouette ending in a pas de chat up to a higher level. I've seen ballerinas who would not attempt that. She's absolutely wonderful.
stefakamelpash 3 years ago 2
Ellie said it took her 3 years of practice to perfect the "taps on turns" that she did. Her turns are stunningly beautiful - I've never seen faster or more beautifully executed turns than hers.
netwitt1 3 years ago
You are absolutely right. I'm a great ballet fan, and I am certain that with her astonishing techinical ability, she could have danced with the best. (Of course, I'm sure she made more money in the movies than on the ballet circuit :)Yes, her talents were extraordinary, and other female dancers of the period simply don't match up. Stunning dancer!
stefakamelpash 3 years ago
This is one Fit , Agile , Acrobat ,Of a DANCER....=Great sense of Rythym......
DYNODRUM 3 years ago
The epitome of MGM spectacle. A number that's been sort of mocked over the years by the cynics as an elephantine extravagance, but what's generally not mentioned is that our lovely Pierette dances down the staircase of drums, then dances UP them, before coming down them a SECOND time. And Eleanor Powell has a frickin' ball: the head-toss of defiance at 3:12 is so cool. Not to mention the jumps through 14 cellophane panels at the end. 'Have mercy' indeed.
mca1218 3 years ago 2
Eleanor Powell - the greatest tap dancer ever.
kpyng 3 years ago 3
After seeing what Ellie did with that Gershwin-esque break at 3:35, I sure would love to see what she would have done with "An American in Paris"!
netwitt1 3 years ago
I know that part is just so right on. So in time and the movements are just flawless, what our Ellie couldn't do I wonder.....
AleZ06 3 years ago
Sensational! It's nice to see the whole number, as there's a very abbreviated version in "That's Entertainment!" I love the shots of her whirling and bursting through the cellophane flowers.
libearian 3 years ago
Her marshmallow skirt is PERFECT! (and I'm a straight female...)
chillingboro 3 years ago
She's an awesome dancer, but that skirt is horrible!
gingerszabo21 3 years ago
Really? In fact I thought it was really cute and even sexy!
marcdebrouwer 3 years ago
She was great. Her smile is so sincere. She was in her elememt in these movies and it showed.
bestoffrank 3 years ago 3
her costume reminds me of the circus in a good way though i still have to see this movie
theofficialtapqueen 3 years ago
Hey, I just came acrossed the number to which i referred below from Rosalie: "I've a Strange New Rhythm in My Heart." ...and its right here on this page, lol. Always liked that number. Nice tune with a nice directorial flow.
ecapital46 3 years ago
Elinor Powell was absolutely incredible. Thanks for posting this ... one of my favorite numbers of hers.
KnightHawk111 3 years ago
the guy who you saw at the start there in the hat is also Professor Marvel in the wizard of oz
i love Miss Powell she was one the female GREATEST tap dancers
silvershields 3 years ago
I always thought this number to be a bit contrived and typical of the misuse of Powell's tap talent. Her dance concepts, never seemed to keep up with her talent...particularly compared to the dance concepts that kept Astaire and Kelly on film for decades. Powell hit the big time with Melody of '36, which is a classic... it has one of the greatest finales in American musical film. Unfortunately, to me, she never really surpassed that performance, which I blame the studios. She was misused.
ecapital46 3 years ago
Have you seen her cut routine from Honolulu? If you have what do you think about it? I think it's a shame they didn't include it in the film.
Shurayuki18481 3 years ago
Yes, if its the 2:03 "lost routine" number you have on your page. Nice routine, but i wouldnt rate it over her finale in Melody of '36. I guess I wish more of her routines were incorporated into the film story (like 'Breakfast') as opposed to being stand-alone "Stage" routines. I seem to remember a scene from "Rosalie" that I liked where she did a number moving thru several hotel or dormitory rooms where she and other girls were staying. I liked that routine, but havent seen it on here yet.
ecapital46 3 years ago
I prefer her tribute to Bill Robinson in 'Honolulu' (despite the unfortunate choice to do it in blackface) or the finale of 'Lady Be Good', but this is still - compared to any other female tap dancing performance, a tour de force. Powell devised most of her tap routines, which may not have the sophistication of Astaire or Kelly (whose did?), but her unmatched exuberance and fantastic bodily freedom overcome any choreographic limitations (in my opinion). She's simply sensational!
willissuperb 3 years ago 2
You know, when I first saw this number, I too, was annoyed at the contrivance of the piece - those giant drums and that rather bizarre costume!But the more I watch it,the more I like it.The set was one that allowed Ellie to stretch out and get creative.She capitalized on the interesting camera placement by creating one after another of dynamic, stunning silhouettes.From the saucy flick of the eye mask at the beginning, to the inhumanly fast spins at the end, she makes it her own. Lucky us.
netwitt1 3 years ago 3
Noticed alot of mentions of the Nicholas Bros. here. Had the great honor of being seated at a banquet only 2-or so years-ago nevt to Fayard Nicholas, and his wife, just shortly before his passing. What a great gentleman, and an awesome talent! The song, "Rosalie" was written by Cole Porter, and while, yes, the movie is something of a bore, this clip is as good as it gets!
bchfront 3 years ago
Bravo!! No wonder Powell and Astaire looked so good together - - she's marvelous in this balletic sequence here!!
skyler6290 3 years ago
What a great number. She's just...awesome.
Too bad the movie it is contained in is so horrible.
hotmarriedgays 3 years ago
Yes you're right, I find the storyline to be okay just the script to be very weak.
Shurayuki18481 3 years ago
nic bros said she was better than Fred A, Gene K, Mikhail B, and.....davis. davis who, which davis?
paulotomaso 4 years ago
Oh Sammy Davis Junior. Yes he was also a tap dancer.
Shurayuki18481 4 years ago
of course, duh. yeah i know his tapping. had she said davis jr i probably would have gotten it. Thank you. Love Eleanor Powell! Your stuff is terrific.
paulotomaso 3 years ago
That's Hollywood at its best ***** thank you for sharing this top clip of Eleanor Powell's tap dancing !
Markink 4 years ago
You're most welcome!!!!
Shurayuki18481 4 years ago
MAGNIFICENT !! What a superb performance, thank you for posting it and I have subscribed to your wonderful channel. Cheers from Sydney :-) G*
keepthemusicplaying0 4 years ago
Thankyou! I'm really glad you liked it and thankyou for subscribing!
Shurayuki18481 4 years ago
now THAT is a set.
Citronatic 4 years ago 3
Just beautiful. Eleanor`s fast spins make me giddy. Lorraine
Gemini730 4 years ago
Elie's most sexually charged performance, I think. No, I didn't forget the Hawaiian dance. Those spins through the hoops. Whoaaa!!
The biggest drum was 15 ft. high. Nelson and the dancer who played his sidekick (can't think of his name), as a joke had an ambulance waiting, in case of an accident. Some joke.
23brookside 4 years ago 3
This movie is my favorite after B'way Melody of 1936. Simply beautiful!!
precodeDOLL12213 4 years ago
she's the greatest dancer of all time, period. eleanor powell....wow, the nicholas brothers said her combination of ballet, dance and athleticism was unmatched even by astaire and kelly and davis and barishnikov
beriflor 4 years ago 12
Wow!! The Nicholas Brothers said that!!!?
Shurayuki18481 4 years ago
Oh 'Rosalie' is just a name.
Shurayuki18481 4 years ago
What is that mean? 'Rosalie'
Revirth 4 years ago