Fascinatin' Rhythm

[triumphero]

My mother was her stand in. That's her (Lee Bailey) doing the stunt flips at the end. I remember her telling me about this when I was young. First time I've seen it.

[rungirlmgg]

She's such a goddess on the dance floor!

[starrynight0419gmail]

So talented and lovely. I don't understane why she always wore such a low inseam in what looked like guy pants. She had great legsbut it seemed like everybody was out to disguise that. It didn't work.

[SatchmoSings]

I like how when the chorus boys were flipping her over the cut between her and her stunt double was so seamless!

[cynthiacher]

She made it look so damn easy.

[Hotwok191]

Unquestionably, one of the greatest tap-dance routines ever committed to film! My only criticism is that when you have a pair of legs as beautiful as Eleanor Powell's, why cover them up with trousers?.

[MrSteveStarr]

Gadzooks! What a dancer! WOW

[mindthoughts1974]

Truly outstanding.

[thecommentmonster]

so incredible, but why did she always get such ugly outfits?!

[Fantomas4616]

another Amazing tap dance scene (you must see the behind-the-scene) in "That's Entertainment" (on BluRay) of the queen of tap dance

[EllieHobnob]

I've never idolised someone so much!

[EandMetal]

This is so amazing to watch. She seems cool and casual, everything so smooth, but it speaks of such a high level of control, technique and grace.

[aqu1r3]

love love love this :D new fav vid

[bellini7verdi]

cuando el talento se tiene ........nadie es mejor que alguien.......simplemente se tiene talento........la genialidad jamas tiene paralelos.....solo existencia.......lo mismo en opera.........lo mismo en pop.....rap ....hip hop....jazz....danza...ballet.­......la genialidad es la suma de las genialidades....no competicion por ser numero uno.....el numero uno es cero......y el cero es infinito como el uno........osea genial..........ahi va eso.....

[kenrayez1]

WOW WOWO WOW THAT IS TALENT! SIMPLY THE BEST!

[sweetbutdaring]

5 people have no sense of rhythm

[problem49]

Ellie Powell was a consumate professional, thoroughly devoted to her craft, and it shows.

[4MaryAnna]

Ellie is literary the beat of the music.She keeps time without fail,and could be the drum section herself by tapping it out.All that,plus she's the best female tap dancer ever,and it doesn't hurt that she started out in ballet,which makes her so damned graceful.

[MANUELFARINELLI]

I love this woman as only to admire this routine one sees how much professionalism as it exists

[Charisse709]

Oh, my God! Wow! She is just one the most exciting dancers I've seen. A female Fred Astaire. So, so glad I found this. :) :) This is definitely on my favourite list.

[ScaryPretty]

Fred said in an interview that eleanor was just as strong of a tapper as he was and could match him step-per-step!

[7jack7]

American ain't got talent

America HAD talent

[c3cubed]

@7jack7 Well said - and this is an example of the purest form of what the word "talent" really means. I don't think there was anyone better than this lady, during her time - a national treasure to be sure. Aren't we all the better for film having captured such magnificent moments of a time when this form of real entertainment and real talent was celebrated by the masses. What in hell has happened since?

[opelske]

WOW!!! I never get tired of seeing this. God Bless Ellie in Heaven dancing with the Stars!

[canajaneh]

Liquid legs, is all I can say. Wow.

[hajune]

Though she choreographed this routine, Busby Berkeley directed it. They took many takes and Busby was not satisfied with it until 2:00 in the morning. Ellie was battled and bruised but not one complaint. Rather she praised him for his effort after seeing the finale. Busby thought Ellie was far removed the greatest female dancer ever! He had nothing but praise for her dancing ,character, and humility. Some of her steps in this routine were very complex but as usual she made it seem so very easy.

[Johannesbaerli]

Das müssen auch schöne Zeiten gewesen sein :-)

WoW!

[InnerMittenSignal]

imagine seeing this performed LIVE!!! (:D

[Warren111able]

what if she dropped the sticks at 02:56.?

[hotwok19]

This is not so much dance as poetry in motion!. If You-Tube serves no other useful purpose, then it preserves for posterity to enjoy a matchless artiste like Eleanor Powell!.

[frenchkitty]

wow im not a fan of tap dancing, but she's amazing, and she did have a fascinating rhythm.

[problem49]

Va va va Voom! Hubba hubba and twenty three skidoo! Yowsah yowsah yowsah! What were they thinking by dressing a gorgeous bombshell like Ellie Powell in man drag? No matter her charisma overwhelmed the inappropriate costume and resulted in a boogie-woohie masterpiece.

[tonycozart]

@problem49 Oh, I don't care about that costume; those dancing skills just blow me away.

[chaplain1889]

she is sensational when im feeling blue i just watch her dance and my worries go away i luv u eleanor

[alshouse]

Very blurry. You can barely see her face.

[sanantoniosquare]

This is one of my favorite musical sequences in a movie, thanks for posting it!

[hajune]

Busey Berkeley shot the dance sequence( not the whole movie) He later said " We rehearsed the ending of this number over and over and at 2 a.m. We finally got it right. Ellie was battered and bruised but never complained. Not a whimper! She wouldn't give up until she had it right. When seeing the preview of the movie she thanked me. Few women are that gracious and talented. Another B.B .interview ... " Ellie was easily the best female dancer ever and maybe just the best .

[hajune]

Have the video of the making of this scene. 300 people were behind the scenes moving pianos , moving the stage etc. Truly fascinating how much had to be done to create this scene. Do not know how to post videos but if somebody would like to post iy , you are welcome

[finalolita]

amazing !!

[nicksacop]

amazing

[hajune]

Ellie was big on getting blacks in movies. Notice the piano players.She insisted they be black. Perhaps the only movie ever done in this era where there were all black piano players. She got her good friends the Berry Brothers in the movie. The Berry Brothers were perhaps the most physically gifted dancers ever.They did moves such as their jump from the balcony move that to this day remain unmatched! I'd love to have seen them (winners)dance in that famous contest against the Nicholas Brothers.

[lizzyvance]

i love to watch these tap dancers. they had such talent.

[hajune]

@lizzyvance One of the Berry Brothers played on the Our gang series. They were classy guys.They became ministers later in life. they deserve so much more credit then what they get. They were so very talented.

[lizzyvance]

I agree. I am jealous in a good way of their talents. I grew up watching old movies. I discovered berry brothers through Nicholas brothers. Every time I watch them dance I think amazing. Thanks for the information. Its nice to hear your favorite people in movies were classy. I had no idea they were ministers thats great. When I get on You Tube I watch them and some other people dance. It is just amazing to see them dance the way they did.

[hajune]

@lizzyvance Not sure if my posts are getting through. If the last one did not I will post some interesting info about these super talented brothers. I wish the dance off with the Nicholas Brothers was on film. It would be classic of all classics. If they living today and appeared on America's Got Talent they would be the winners. Truly amazing dancers!

[lizzyvance]

Is the balcony scene you were talking about called that or something else? Is it on You Tube? I would like to watch it.

[zipper179]

@hajune BLESS YOU..!!! So few, I mean, so damn few, of any of us know that; and I'm a dyed in the wool film buff.. You've just turned on a light, and led me out of the dark of ignorance..! Now, today, I can see...!!!

[hajune]

@zipper179 Go to Dailey Motion. you will see the making of this scene. Really good stuff. 300 workers involved.

[sweetaliena]

@hajune Do you have the nam eo f the video? I would like to see that.

[hajune]

@sweetaliena just go to Daily Motion. There are many Ellie segments and also the making of the scene. Great stuff to see.

[Ethel1974]

Muy bueno gracias por compartirlo...

[kerma17]

I a huge fan of Eleanor Powell, know female tap dancer that danced mostly alone can compare.

I have been looking for this segment of her dancing to Fascinating Rhythm for a long, long time, Thanks for posting it, she is the best !

[blkchk]

I'm looking for the routine where she bends over backwards, while tapping, and hits the floor with her hand. Do you know what movie that is from?

[kerma17]

Check out" Broadway Melody 1938" !

[lizzyvance]

Maybe it is Honolulu. She binds over backwards and taps dances in it.

[hajune]

She does that in several movies. She had the ability to put the inside palm of hand on the floor. Nothing though is her ability to do forward going pirouttes ,change leads, do it in heels and do 3 in 2 seconds. In the Hawaiian dance she did 16 in just over 10 seconds. Fred Astaire did 10 in 12 seconds. That is not a knock on Fred. look under Elanor Powell on you tube ( they misspelled her name. She does them in this movie. Sammy Davis introduces her as the very best in this one. She was.

[minorot]

Does anyone know what year this great performance was filmed?

[RJMCCLOUD]

From the movie Lady Be Good.........1941.

[lonelygurl8305]

Get it!! Go giiiiirl!

[hajune]

Ellie will be 97 Nov 21th. Thanks for gracing us with your presence Ellie. You were a class act on and off the stage. Ellie became an ordained minister and hosted an Emmy winning child's program. She said, "We are God's gifts and when we use our gift we return it back to God. " Red Skelton used that theme up from Ellie. (Did 2 movies with her.) He always said " And may God Bless" at the end of his TV programs . She danced at a level unfamiliar to anybody else while practicing 12 hrs a day.

[Truth614]

I wonder how many takes this took to shoot. Yeah, she's super talented but she also must have been incredibly fit. WOW!

[lenaweeparka]

When I first saw this her supposedly ungracious lower body never occurred to me: I was too busy being destroyed by her absolute genius on the floor. This WOMAN was a volcano of talent and as has been noted in the Begin the Beguine comments, was the only dancer Astaire was intimidated by. At worst she was ill-served here by a boxy cut on the pants but so what? Eleanor Powell was nonpareil. You want a hot ass, go watch a Beyonce video. Check out the Duchess of Idaho cameo from the 50s - hot!

[hajune]

You are a gifted writer. Also very observant. If you watch the Hawaiian danceher figure, as Sammy Davis Jr observed, was pretty darn nice. Elly had very strong legs yet shapely. She wrote letters to my mom, who was a huge fan of hers and stated she could hit a baseball farther then the boys and was first to be chosen in sandlot games. She choreographed all her own routines.The rope dance she performed was learned in 6 weeks. Her teacher said it would take years. He begged her to tour the rodeo.

[tonycozart]

When I see the extraordinarily skilled and talented performers of the 30's thru 50's I can not understand why people think that Micheal Jackson was so fantastic. MJ was hugely popular, but he couldn't hold a candle to the least known of those guys/gals from the middle 20th century. And this comment is coming from a proud Black Man.

[FOOFOOKITTY]

@tonycozart: with all due respect to your blackness, M J was/is considered "so fantastic" because he was so unique. His moves may not have been zillions of rapid taps but frankly, there are many fine tap dancers who do that ... no, he combined sophistocated Fred Astaire type moves, with karate moves, street hip hop moves, tap, jazz, his unique moonwalk moves... you name it! He did it all and put it all together in a completely personal, individual, & unique way.

[tonycozart]

Watch "Origins of the Moonwalk" on You Tube. You'll see that dancers were doing the moonwalk almost 70 yrs ago. So much for MJ's uniqueness. And if you watch Fred Astire, Elenor Powell, Gene Kelly, Bill Robinson, etc., you'll see that the dance routines were filmed almost in their entirety. Not spliced-up with a zillion quick cuts like MJ's video's. And most of Fred Astire routines didn't require 100 dancers, pyrotechnics, and a lazer show. Eye candy-YES, Over the top brilliance-NO!!!

[FOOFOOKITTY]

@tonycozart : Well, I haven't watched origins fo the moonwalk here (I will), and truly, there is nothing new under the sun as Solomon said. HOWever, my point was NOT that MJ's moonwalk was unique, or even that any particular move was, it was/is his COMBINING of moves from various genres made/makes for a unique style. A riveting style. Just like Ray Charles. Charles combined gospel (not new), R&B (not new), into something that was uniquely his own.

[FOOFOOKITTY]

@tonycozart : Also, as to the pyrotechnics, lasers, corps of dancers ... well, the "kids" these days need all that flashy razzle-dazzle, BUT you can sure find plenty of dance numbers by your oldie-but-goodies where the back-up dancers are legion and the costuming & sets are extravagant to the extreme. Different era, different way to dazzle. That said, MJ can dance all by himself just like Fred or these others did, and be just as captivating. Anyway, face it: YOU'RE OLD SCHOOL;-) but that's fine!

[tonycozart]

I'm not OLD SCHOOL. I'm a trained actor and dancer. And if you know anyone who is a trained professional, you'll find someone who critical of how this country celebrates mediocrity.  Rapper's, models, and former athletes as actors is a slap-in-the-face. When I watch MJ I can see that his lines aren't clean, his taps arn't crisp. his kick arn't very high, and that's just the dancing part. As a singer his voice isn't very strong nor is it interesting. and his lyrics are pedestrian

[tonycozart]

I was just expressing my opinion. At no time did I put you down for your opinion. At no time did I call you names or make personal references to you. So what's with all the "OLD SCHOOL" stuff, and the "take a nap stuff?" Can't a person have a different opinion without something being wrong with them? Btw, I like Van Gough and Picasso. And something doesn't have to be realistics for me; it just has to be at a level of skill and talent that I can appreciate. That's just me. Is that OK?

[biologygirl91]

@tonycozart

Sorry to ask: Who's MJ?

[Odin029]

@tonycozart I hate to say this but you sound like a classically trained person always missing the point... Someone may have said this before, but America has always embraced rough around the edges entertainment to the polished performers of the European model. It adds a character and authenticity that get taught out of people during too much formal training. MJ was an entertainment savant and people ate it up. I was classically trained myself at violin, but teaching myself guitar is way more fun

[velenjak4ever]

@tonycozart I couldn´t have said it better! So true!!!!

[dmvc2008]

@tonycozart You just summed it all up so nicely.

[FOOFOOKITTY]

@tonycozart: one more thing - Michael Jackson not only CAN "hold a candle to the least known of those guys/gals from the middle 20th century," he's probably holding a candelabra FULL of candles to the least AND the best of 'em! ;-)

[charlesprinceofswing]

WHat do you mean....I am interested in what you mean, don't understand. Cheers.

[hajune]

You're nuts. Need only see her do the Hawaiian dance. Hard pressed to find a co- star of her's saying she did not have a shapely figure. Know of nobody who agrees with you. You led a meaningless shallow life if all you can do is criticize her. You have -4 and -6 thumbs down. Nobody agrees with you. She was culled the Queen of Tap at age 17. Most people who are critics are talentless. Can you put a tape of yourself performing anything. It likely would be embarrassing.

[SuperNikki1]

I think it is the clothes they did not wear clothes skin tight like they do now. She is a fantastic dancer more talent than what you see today.

[problem49]

What an awesome Boogie riff.

[blackdiamond9]

ddaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmnnnnn

how many women NO PEOPLE can to that today!!!!!!

[rapitroy]

You GO girl!!!!!!

[gtlfb]

Busby Berkeley wrote that Eleanor was bruised all over by the time they had this number in the can yet was gracious enough to thank him for creating such a great showcase for her. Also, have you noticed the fabulous effects MGM got with curtains? Check the Pretty Girl number from the Great Zeigfeld and minstrel number from Babes on Broadway.

[blinko656]

She is thin there. Dang, is that tap sound her. It doesn't seem possible.. Plus it is a great video they set it up well...

[KellyTruax]

We just don't see talent like this anymore in the movies. What a joy!

[blinko656]

yep.

[Juliaflo]

@KellyTruax As was said by Francis Albert Sinatra in 'That's Entertainment': "You may wait around and hope, but I tell you, you will never see the likes of this again".

Happy Hallowe'en.

[nahatsu]

OMG!!! How I loved this fabulous and most incredible routine!

None can match her!

Fantastic!

(thanks for sharing)

[leahrivka]

Just amazing! This was done all in one take too!

[paulbranc]

In one of the "That's Entertainment" there is long shot of this routine, the stages were being moved while she danced. Did she get it one take, yes, three times.

[glennloura]

Sounds like Meade Lux Lewis on one of those pianos.

[ilovepuroland]

does anyone have this in high quality? it's fantastic!

[purpleflyingcowTWIST]

lorddd andy r uu for reaals

[17senior12]

this song is awesome! and the tapping is phenomenal!!!! i wish i can do those flips...:( But shes amazing! "fascinatin rythm, stop pickin' on me"!

[wazness95]

sigh, i just love the 1930's and 40's. this woman is the queen of all that is tap.

[joshyahoo2609]

A great performance and agood quality for the video.

[showroommeryll]

olala

[PlanetOfTheSkulls]

She's the greatest dancer in the entire World! The entire Planet!

[miladynana]

this is AMAZING ! she's certainly the queen of tap ! and I LOVE tap ! love this song too =D

[patsysisk1]

Fred Astaire stated in his autobiography that eleanor was the only other dancer he was intimidated of. He also said, if she wanted to she could blow him (fred) out of the water

[hajune]

Ann Miller in a interview that was once up on You tube said that Ellie's movies saved MGM from bankruptcy not once but twice. Broadway Melody of 1936 and 1938 made MGM millions when it looked like they could go under. If not for her ,Gone With The Wind and The Wizard OF Oz and many epic movies would never had been a reality. She is now starting to get the high praise and acclaim she deserves. She was, simply stated the best, the very best. We are blessed to have have these epic routines to see

[theatrebritty]

This number is just outstanding.

[saraismyname]

OMG! Amazing! Truly the Queen of tap dancing! Only the fact that she can stop and stand absolutely still at the end after all those flips, I would have fallen all over the place ;D

[hajune]

Ellie did 14 movies.She did not like the Hollywood scene and was low key. When she first signed she wanted to blow them off and asked for a huge amount of money. Surprising to her they agreed. She was to do a movie with Gene Kelley but a sexual affair ( not her) keep it from happening. She later performed in Las Vegas when she was in her 40's and broke all attendance records! When she made a movie they would build a grandstand and let the whole studio watch her and only her do her great dances

[bon1042]

Which movie is this from? Broadway Meloey 1940 also?

[mca1218]

"Lady Be Good-" MGM, 1941

[nicksacop]

Lady Be Good 1941

[bijdroaba]

man she had tehnic for tape

[tikimiki12345]

omg, SO GOOD.

also, at the end, i can't believe her hat didn't fall off when she was being flipped over so many times.

[PollyPeachum3penny]

she probably had it pinned down

[opelske]

This lady is absolutely timeless! Wish I could have seen a live performance. Why wasn't she in more movies? - she was so lovely! So much talent.

[ClassicFilmFan]

Tapdance & Gershwin, now that's a combination! Must be great and take so much hard work to be able to tap like that (:

[buzpt1959]

What pure joy!

[Estonyanovo]

Eleanor está muy guapa en este número de baile,con el que es imposible aburrirse y en donde la estrella demuestra una vez más su clase.

[netwitt1]

My only dislike in this number is the lighting - so often Ellie's feet disappear into shadow and the stark light and dark contrasts are a bit distracting. Of course, Ellie's work is impeccable - an interesting subtle shift in style for her.

[soulierinvestments]

The lighting problem might be the clip reproduction, or the size of the set and the unlocking -- locking movement of the set. See the YouTube Clip titled Making of Fascinatin' Rhythm.

[Pug1949]

About the best dancer and one of the hottest babes who ever lived, wow ,)

[Tigerlily21]

she's so talented. Now imagine if she been given better settings and routines during the golden age of MGM musicals in the early 50's like Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire got the opportunities to. She would have been unstoppable!

[newgreatyear]

one cannot take one's eyes off her. It makes me cry. Just beautiful. Pure rhythm.

[susieozbourne]

WOW that was amazing...especially the last part where she was spinning like mad and then they were flipping her in the air...thats the best I seen thus far!!!!

[hoofer1]

Nice save on the turn at 1:33, a lesser dancer would have been thrown off (her tap slipped a bit on the floor and threw her off center).

Man. Thank you SO much for posting this!

[netwitt1]

From an article by Michael Bernal: Many years later Busby said, "We rehearsed the ending of this number over and over, and it was two in the morning before we got it right ... she [Eleanor] was battered and bruised, but never complained. Not a whimper! She wouldn't give up until I had got what I wanted on film. After the preview of the picture, she thanked me. I've known very few women that talented and that gracious."

[MauriceFlower]

...AND breeeeeeeeth!!! :-)

[miffy1950]

No one as good as she was!!! The best female tapdancer ever and wow, what a spins she makes!!!

Thank you so much for posting!

[miffy1950]

S T U N N I N G!!!!!

[NonInflatable]

Extraordinary - one long take up to 2:46.

No other dancer came anywhere near Eleanor Powell.

When she dances with Fred Astaire you look at HER, not Fred! Astonishing technique....

She floats....

[ddaawnn55]

eleanor,you may no longer be with us but those memories of you will always keep us going til we meet again,

[ddaawnn55]

superb

[theofficialtapqueen]

this is by far my fave routine of hers the music is absolutley FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!you go tap queen!

[mca1218]

Only Ellie could make a man's tuxedo look sexy!! Thank you!!

[Shurayuki18481]

So True :)

[chaplain1889]

@mca1218  u got that right i luv when she preforms in a suit

[hebneh]

It is nearly beyond belief that the incredibly complicated first take lasts for nearly three full minutes - and notice that Eleanor never looks behind her as she dances, continuously backing up perfectly through all the moving stuff.

I love boogie-woogie, and the combination of this exquisite tap dancing and the music - plus Busby Berkeley's demented genius - just makes this a pinnacle of a movie musical scene.

[theofficialtapqueen]

that`s because she is soooooooooo awesome and talented

[jameszerukjr]

Oh, God...I am soooooo in love with her! Thank you for posting this! AWESOME!

[hotwok19]

This is an utterly awesome piece of tapdance by the greatest tapdancer ever to grace the silver screen. Eleanor set such sky-high standards that it is almost certain that she will never be equalled, let alone surpassed.

[Shurayuki18481]

Thankyou for such a nice comment. Sometimes there is a selfish part of me that hopes no one can ever be equalled to Eleanor.

[hotwok19]

I don't think there is any chance of that Shurayuki18481. There is another big favourite dance routine, which i am sure you must have seen, from "Broadway Melody Of 1940" in which she tapdances a duet with Fred Astaire which i love. Her solo tapdance routine here to "Fascinating Rhythm", is mind-boggling. She co-ordinates her entire body, legs & feet, hands & arms, head & torso into a perfect symmetry of movement. The greatest female dancer who ever lived, & i am not alone in that opinion.

[theofficialtapqueen]

you don`t have to worry about that, i mean just watch her

[something136]

all young people should see this to see what they're missing and what's possible in the world of entertainment.

[jamesrobert2]

That's unbelievable. I'd get dizzy!

[bootsamou]

Forget what I said ~ you can go to "Making of Fascinating Rhythm" here, to see it. Thanks Shurayuki!!

[bootsamou]

Just the MOST wonderful wonderful dancer that there has ever been ~ she makes it seems effortless. And those are some curtains eh?! All in one take until the final sequence ~ and, yeah, see "That Ents.3" to see how the stage hands move all the platforms out of the way for the camera to keep tracking. Unbelievable fantastic stuff.

[jameszerukjr]

HOW THE HELL DID SHE DO THAT!!!???!!!???

Good gosh, that's simply the best tap ever!

When the hell did she breath!!??

[Shurayuki18481]

In your opinion would you say that Eleanor Powell was better than Fred Astaire?

[dontlickit]

Eleanor IS the best female dancer, Fred IS the best male dancer

[mithol]

I agree with dontlickit. :)

[beriflor]

we'll never see the likes of miss powell again

[jameszerukjr]

Style...beauty...grace...what a wonderful woman!!

[cineaste2]

Eleanor Powell meets Busby Berkeley and the result is amazing. Pure gold.

See "That's Entertainment Part III" to see how Berkeley shot the opening.