The dancing artist who inspired Fred in this role was John William Sublett, or Bubbles of Buck and Bubbles. John often tutored Fred. Since the great Bill Robinson was a Hollywood staple, Fred decided to honor John with this number. He is the shadow dancer you see. Every serious student of dancing understands the lnfluences all of these artist have contributed to the art. Even a shy young Indiana boy named Michael. He was such a student that he named his pet simian "Bubbles!
Yes, Fred Astaire Truly admired Bill "bojangles" Robinson. and it was a totally different era back then.. As an African-American myself, I don't see anything wrong with honoring such a great dancer in the way they knew how back then. (just don't do it in today's society) :)
Note, no racist wide-eyed closeups of his face, no exaggerated eye or lip makeup or expressions on his face. Nothing but joy and respect. In a way, this tribute is saying "Bill Robinson was so great a dancer that even his shadow couldn't keep up with him!" I wish there were more footage of the real Bill Robinson. All I've seen is a few adorable clips of him with Shirley Temple (HE was adorable, not just Shirley!).
I'm black and I think it is the most fabulous homage to someone. The way he is dancing with such rhythm and perfection. Why would anybody go through such a wonderful performance such a creative performance if they were racist?
@bionicrat Couldn't have said it better myself. A racist would have played the fool, Fred Astaire did nothing but but on a fantastic and creative performance. People who cry "Racist" are blind.
@pablocarbonari : I thought exactly the same thing when I first watched this a couple of years ago; I don't usually go for this sort of thing, but that "shadow dancing" sequence really struck me - very creative, very cool, and indeed amazing.
BLACKFACE is no TRIBUTE< it is and WAS racist, period, I heard no mention in the film, or saw no credits to Bo Jangles, nor was his mother's name MAMMY. I am sorry that this makes some uncomfortable, however, I see no discomfort in the sharing of credits and accolades when one's people does something worthy, it should be no different in the sharing of some not so worthy actions.
The obvious question then is "why not just film Bill Robinson?" Why not do a tribute to robinson that doesn't involve creepy black face? You can't simply say "this isn't racist:" of course it's racist! By putting Astaire in blackface it's making "race" the primary subject. It's trafficking in race. I don't doubt that Astaire liked and admired Robinson and was sincere, but the entire context of this thing is "race."
Astaire was in no way racist. In fact, Robinson himself was one the people who inspired his career. He did this clearly as a tribute to his inspiration in dancing, Bill Robinson. Some his political views, however, were too extreme, though Ginger's were probably worse. He had a thing against using any body movement that even slightly hinted sexual come-ons and he would not be willing to do any make-out scenes, even if the Hays Code were not enforced; he would only go as far as kissing.
"...while overtly paying tribute to Bill Robinson - actually broadens his tribute to African-American tap dancers by dancing in the style of Astaire's one-time teacher John W. Bubbles, and dressing in the style of the character Sportin' Life, whom Bubbles played the year before in Gershwin's Porgy and Bess."
was a very mop, and anyone who wanted to be Ubiera, eel biggest star in the world, tell me? who uses anything like instrument, the "artists" need help from personal effects or sound or other things to do their job and never had a clue to offend anyone with his work, his personality was amazing by far. "viva fred" urra ......
And somebody will say that he had to be polite in front of the journalists. Well, he said that John Travolta wasn`t actually a dancer and that disco thing was a "Jitterbug", he could easily say something similar about Michael`s dance style...but he didn`t...he elected Michael as his descendant. Watch Fred`s movie called: Band Wagon, then after watch Smooth Criminal or Listen to Dangerous...and you`ll see that it`s Michael`s tribute to Fred.
Fred Astaire said that Michael Jackson was his descendant in dance. He said he didn't want to leave this world without knowing who his descendant was...and said Thank You to Michael for being that descendant. Michael was his idol acording to him. Everytime people asked Fred about his opinion, he only said wonderful things about Michael. So...tell me...is this person racist? And you can put that in Google if you want to see the source.
I almost never take offense to events that occurred in the past because you can't place the morals and social customs in a time machine. The only problem that I have with the tribute is that Bill Robinson is not included. Astaire could of done a duet with him. In addition, I do not this Astaire was any more or less racist than anyone else at the time but was the black face truly necessary for a tribute?
@AceBaby15 Why was blackface necessary for Fred Astaire's tribute in "Bojangles of Harlem"? To make plain that this dance virtuosity (and tap dancing itself) had been achieved and indeed invented by blacks (with some influence in USA of Anglo country dance and Irish jigging). It's a homage. Astaire had the great artist's integrity to credit and celebrate the sources of much of the content of his own dance career. Too all acting is impersonation, to breed universality.
I think what people dont get is that it's not the context at all but rather the appearence. Black face will always be offensive, but fred Astaire, to a degree, did not come off as a racist. (though he likely was given the time, but his performance isn't offensive because thats how bojangle's danced)
@theblackriverteam Terrible assumption, you made, that Fred Astaire — or anybody else — at that time (1930's) was probably racist. Astaire wasn't racist at all. And blackface shouldn't be necessarily offensive to blacks — in the sense that Japanese Kabuki whiteface shouldn't offend whites. In fact, blackface is still performed nowadays in the Netherlands, sans the ridicule. However, 19th-century America's degrading portrayal of blacks in minstrel shows, was profane and unconscionable.
One more observation I want to mention and I will end it from here. The director choice to have the cast darkened up in a sepia tone as opposed to using black cork shows that they were looking to create a more exotic element to the scene rather than a comical one had they had gone completely dark.
It doesn't matter if you were Black, Green, Yellow, Brown or White then or now. There never has been nor will there ever be anyone who will even come close to being as talented, gifted, brilliant and divine as Fred AStaire!
@stevepollock1 Noone refutes his greatness as a dancer, but he like many white entertainers copped the style and inventiveness of black talent making millions while their originators remained relegated to the chitlin circuit never to get the recognition they deserve. It is like the old dance shows of the 50s and 60s that wouldn't allow blacks to dance on it but showcase white members performing dances that they pick up watching their African American classmates performing during recess.
@stevepollock1 They would get the credit and the fan mail while African-Americans got nothing from their talent. Many people think that Madonna invented Voguing but she learned it from Black and Latin American drag queens from the slums. Your response to my original comment seemed pretty vituperative. I was in no way attacking anyone's appreciation of this movie. I saw it movie on New Years Eve and remember how much I liked the dance number despite it's history.
If a few bilious sapsuckers took time to stop, look, and, listen, they'd see that Fred Astaire was paying homage to a great dancer, and, an even greater man..
Blah racist blah humbug- Shut up and watch, if just from the viewpoint of sheer talent and artistic excellence- how the hell did they synch Fred and those 3 silhouettes so perfectly? I was gobsmacked the first time I saw this as a kid and still am- look for the flaws, but cant see them! stunning technical work for- when is this- '37? '38?
Am I the only one who thinks that the blackface is actually an excellent and necessary aesthetic addition to the scene? I fail to see how this could be construed as anything less than an exaltation of African-American influence on dance.
O, I did not notice he was in blackface until I read the comments, I don't see race, I see humans. Nor sex, I had to google if Fred was a man or a woman.
@hellapeopleonhere what the hell do that even means these are white people painting there face black to mock blacks he could of done the tribute to bill with out the blackface only someone who not black would find nothing wrong with this.
@stick9ful Not true, I see a lot of comments from black people who are ok with it, why the black face?, because he would be just an other white guy, just Astaire. This nr is after all called Bojangles of Harlem and it,s more clear this way,don,t forget in this time Bill Robinson was more put aside so Astaire put him in the spotlight like this! Now we know more of Mr Robinson with all the new media then back then when this movie came out.
hahaha . Jsut like Beyonce not being able to where black face AND SHE IS BLACK. hahaha
People love to judge. Judge Fred as a racist rather then someone wearing costume to pay tribute.
What was that 80s college movie where the kid wheres black face? love that movie. And if a black mime shows up am I to call him a racist for wearing white face?
Racism sucks. so does political correctness. fag , retard any other words i can say to offend you
@hellapeopleonhere Should haved googled some more, Astaire was born in 1899!! died in 1987,that,s when MJ made smooth criminal as a tribute to Astaire, watch the Band wagon the girl hunt and you,ll get it;-) Astaire called MJ to congrat him on his exelent moonwalk and MJ adored Astaire and Gene Kelly.
Please, just recognize the man for what he is. Simply, the greatest dancer there ever was and ever will be. In addition, he created magic, dreams and everlasting beauty with Ginger Rogers in an era where simple joy, artistry and talent captured a Nation!
This is one of my favorite dance numbers of Fred's. Did you see the article on him about this clip in Sunday's New York Times (Jan 30, 2011) on Fred with a photo from this clip? It's all about this clip and one from The Sky's the Limit. He praises the people like you who post Fred's clips on YouTube. It was probably your clip he was referencing!
PepsiPrime, my apologies for not mentionng what brought me here in the first place. Kudos to you on getting this mentioned in the NY Times and having it linked in the online edition!
In his autobiography, STEPS IN TIME, Astaire wrote of how much in awe he was of Bill Robinson and the thrill of meeting him. He also includes of funny story of when he and Robinson played pool together.
i love this i have 2 fred astaire dvd sets i knew he really admired bojangles and this is his way of pay homage to him its from one great dance to another no racism here at all people need to really look at this creativity and not negativity
You are right. This is a great musical number. I say it this New Years Eve while waiting for the ball to drop. As an African American I can and appreciate Fred Astair's talent as a dancer, but I do resent the fact that there was equally as much black talent at the time but was stifled or overlooked by Hollywood due to the racism that prevailed then. I don't fault you for or find you racist for posting this. I'm glad you did. Take care.
@baldrottweiler ...Excellent comment and I'm sure Fred and Ginger would fully agree with you. Fred conveyed the same sentiment, and admired Bojangles Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers...and especially John Bubbles, who influenced him even more than Bojangles...because he danced not only with his feet, but his whole body. And as well, note that it was Ginger Rogers who starred in "Storm Warning", which was Warner Brothers 1950 hard nosed drama, skewering of the KKK.
WHAT? I DON'T CARE IF YOU WERE BLACK, GREEN, YELLOW, BROWN OR WHITE BACK THEN, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE!!!!!!!!! THERE NEVER HAS BEEN NOR WILL THERE EVER BE SOMEONE WITH FRED ASTAIRE'S GENIUS AS A DANCER, PERFORMER, ARTIST, ATHLETE OR HOLLYWOOD LEGEND! HE IS THE GREATEST DANCER PLANET EARTH WILL EVER SEE!
WHAT? I DON'T CARE IF YOU WERE BLACK, GREEN, YELLOW, BROWN OR WHITE BACK THEN, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE!!!!!!!!! THERE NEVER HAS BEEN NOR WILL THERE EVER BE SOMEONE WITH FRED ASTAIRE'S GENIUS AS A DANCER, PERFORMER, ARTIST, ATHLETE OR HOLLYWOOD LEGEND! HE IS THE GREATEST DANCER PLANET EARTH WILL EVER SEE! !!!!!
@baldrottweiler I totally agree! U.S. Army had separate blood bags for white and black soldiers until 1948 and this is the same country that faught the Nazis. There is only one word for it: HIPOCRISY!
Werner Herzog, the great German director, showed this clip at the beginning of a master class and said, OK, cinema can't get any better than this, we can all go home now.
back before world war 2 they had giant stages even bigger than one at the Quiting Time concert where I played even bigger than the stage at California jam 2 & with curtains that weigh many tons but People were stronger back then & could lit the curtains that I how They had 3 Dancers In front of a light behind the curtains then Their shadow was on the curtains
It's unfortunate that Fred in blackface(well it looks more like a John Boehner tan than anything else) distracts from the brilliance of the dancing. I don't think there's a human alive who could replicate the astonishingly athletic, graceful, moves that Astaire demonstrates here. I first saw it thirty years ago and the finale still gives me that little spark of pleasure it did the first time I saw it.
This is not "racist" but it just typical of the day in which it given birth. To have even African Americans dressed in "blackface" is an insult and should be addressed as such. Why would you make a "disclaimer" about this video being "racist" if you don't feel that it is?
@cooliegee Because a lot of people today have a knee-jerk reaction when they see old movie footage of anyone performing in blackface. They fail to put it in the context of the times. As the poster explained, Fred Astaire meant this number as a tribute to Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and certainly didn't intend any offense.
@sdogood08 I am confused what does lil wayne have to do with my response? as I said I see no problem with the acceptance and accolades for the good things your culture did take credit for the horrendous, to which blackface can't hold a candle. posting flyers for the evening community family barbecue, where human bodies were burned until limbs fell off, and then posed with for pictures with THE KIDS! I do understand that this was normalcy, excuse me if i'm horrified, it's just i'm not normal.
PepsiPrime....In fact, the dance in "Follow the Fleet" was a solo dance...but he danced it to the music played by an on screen black band. And another little point, is that Fred admired the great black tap dancer, John Bubbles more than Robinson, because Bubbles danced with his WHOLE BODY...central to Astaire's dance style...whereas Robinson was as pure "hoofer".
BTW....2,000 girls tried out for this chorus...chosen by Hermes Pan. Ginger Rogers had to go an radio to stop them from coming!
PepsiPrime....I completely agree with your assessment that Fred didn't have a racist bone in his body...and that this dance was a tribute not only to Bill Robinson...but even more, to John Bubbles, who played Sportin' life in "Show Boat". Fred learned everything he could from the African American tradition...which he then incorporated into his "outlaw style". However, there was no scene in "Shall We Dance", where he did a dance with African Americans. You are thinking of "Follow the Fleet".
@followthefleet1 In “Shall We Dance,” Fred sang and danced to “Slap That Bass” in a stylized ship’s engine room, introduced by a black male "zoom-zoom" chorus and a black solo singer performing the verse. But there were no black dancers in that number.
BTW, Sportin’ Life is a character in “Porgy and Bess,” not “Show Boat.”
@scotpens You are right. I knew it really, and said so in an earlier comment. You're right too about Bojangles model, Sportin' Life, being from Porgy and Bess, not Show Boat. Actually I knew that too, but misspoke. Thank you for keeping me on my toes.....so to speak. :-)
if it was a film made today yes it is racist but given the time period it was society norm. I watch this film for the history of the time period. it is like taking a trip to the past . I love the dancing.
Maybe the most talented performer ever. Watch him play the drums in Daddy Long Legs and Damsel in Distress, play piano in Follow the Fleet and Broadway Melody of 1940, dance on ice skates, roller skates, dance while teeing off golf balls in Carefree. The guy could do anything. Remember in '37 at 37yo he had already been on stage and in the movies for 30 years and this was his tribute to his friend Bill Robinson. A product of a generation never to be seen again.
Wasn't Fred Astaire's tap teacher african american the one and only John "bubbles" sublett who fred Astaires is quoted saying he was the greatest tap dancer of there generation... not racist at all
@honeegrrl He was paying a tribute to a black performer who he admired.Since he doesn't look anything like Bojangles it helps the illusion if he wears black makeup.
Incredible guy, amazing routine. Love everything he did.
PS. Remember to put this routine in its appropriate historical context rather than dismiss something like this as "racist" because it's trendy or easy to do so and spend that energy somewhere relevant.
author dont even need to write any explanations on this video. who cares man, and fred dont need to apologize to anyone if he was alive, cmon man, u making this sound like wite ppl cant put on blakface anymore. wtf
I think the best thing we can do is accept that blackface was an acceptable performance tool at the time. White entertainers using blackface and portraying African American styles of music, dance, etc did bring black culture into "style," if you will, helping bridge the color gap back then. Does it make it right or wrong, no; but it is part of entertainment & cultural history. I'm sure there are things in the media now that in 50 years people will be condemning as unethical or wrong.
Get over it, it is not racist. I am black and do not find this offending at all. Here in Holland all the white people dress up like black people ones a year during a holiday, nobody finds that offensive as well. Just enjoy this piece of art without having to discuss if it is racist or not.
@nightswimmer99 Nothing would happen! Look up the holiday "Sinterklaas". Your American Santaclaus is inspired on our Sinterklaas and his helpers the "zwarte pieten" (translated black Peters). Do you find it offensive that those cute little elves are actually little people or dwarfs.. nobody complains about that but isn't that a little bit discriminating?
This thing happened long ago in the past, it was Fred's way of bringing a tribute to Mr Bojangles.. He probably did not mean to be racist.
@MarcittY90 I think of elves as mythical creatures, and people with dwarfism as people with dwarfism. I think most folks make that separation, or I hope they do.
I know about Black Peter, but never heard of him as a group (zwarte pieten). Interesting.
As for Fred, I doubt he had any racist intent. He had the utmost respect for the Nicholas Brothers, M.J., etc. The times simply were what they were. And who watches Fred's face when his feet are moving anyway? :-)
@nightswimmer99 One more funny thing.. The children are most of the time actually scared of the white man dressed up as Sinterklaas but they love the white people dressed up as black people because they give you candy and are funny.
i first saw him dancing with Shirley Temple on The Little Colonel with my grandma when i was 3-4 an ever since then he was a bad ass tap dancer to me...i wanted to be like him! STILL DO! i'm determined to get there!
@bobbobato - I thought you might be interested to know that in the early 20th century minstrel show tradition, both Caucasians AND African-Americans performed in blackface. Granted, it was not often a compliment when Caucasians dressed in rags and blackface and mimicked African-Americans. However, the blackface alone isn't really an insult. There were actually some African-American performers who preferred blackface because they felt that it allowed more facial expression on stage. Just FYI.
... and that's all I see from this performance : talent, gracefulness.. Sorry, but though absolutely anti-racist, I can't see any racism in Astaire's performance. The fact he is in blackface is obviously too much, but unfortunately that's a matter of period.
Just one thing Pepsi Prime, "and I'm sure if Astaire was alive today he would apologize for any ill-feeling." He'd have nothing to apologize about, period.
Of course to imitate is the greatest compliment of all. Blackface was loved by everybody in this period. Too short to give the history but black people loved seeing whites imitating them. It made them acceptable. Not a complaint then, unfortunately revisionists now have lied about that era. Fred loved BR. He thought he was the greatest single dancer in his era. I could give much evidence but no room to do so.
The tribute is painful and beautiful all at once. The level of skill needed to execute that production was huge! I think the blackface just highlights the nastiness of the times. I think Astaire did a fair imitation of Bojangles movements, a bit more animated but still got the point across. I think Bill Bailey, Pearl Bailey's brother did a smoother imitation of Bojangles, but Astaire was talented. We just feel psychic pain when we see the racism so pervasive its in movies!
The tribute is painful and beautiful all at once. The level of skill needed to execute that production was huge! I think the blackface just highlights the nastiness of the times. I think Astaire did a fair imitation of Bojangles movements, a bit more animated but still got the point across. I think Bill Bailey, Pearl Bailey's brother did a smoother imitation of Bojangles, but Astaire was talented. Nobody can argue that. We just feel psychic pain when we see the racism so pervasive its in movies!
I love the performance and I'm not taking anything away from the great Fred Astaire but he didn't have to use black face, the tribute would have been just as brilliant without it and again, I am not taking anything away from Fred Astaire, he was a brilliant dancer and he had such class and style.
I hate to disillusion folks, but Astaire did not think that much of Bill Robinson's dancing--still this is an excellent tribute to him, black face or not.
@michaeljayklein That is absolutely not true.Not good to fabricate something. Read his autobiography for starters. Fre thought he was the BEST.Hate to see bullshit posted.You made that up.
No, you must read GInger Rogers' autobiography for that little factoid. I've read his autobiography, "Steps in Time" and if he said anything altering his real view, it was just to be nice--naturally he was not going to say anything to slight and even his personal opinion was simply that he did not care for Robinson's style--he didn't say it was bad or good, he just didn't think much of it. Now, go put that in your pipe and suck on it for a while.
@michaeljayklein. FRED would never say something JUST to be nice. Fred was interviewed (taken off You tube ) and expressed his opinion about other dancers. Bill Robinson was one of his heros, though their styles were different. Fred was a ballroom tapper and BR was a rhythm tapper. He admired BR greatly. I have many Fred quotes saying as much.
I agree the only racist part of the performance is the fact that Astaire is in blackface. He doesn't change his voice, or dancing style however it calls into question the reason for doing blackface at all (other than that was the unfortunate style). He could've easily done the tribute without the make-up.
That's why I now watch Bollywood movies. Singing, dancing, good message. We need to get back to basics over here and actually get some good singers/actors/dancers. Not just pretty faces.
They were all too ignorant to understand that blackface was dumb. I'm pretty sure Fred didn't mean any thing by it BUT the producers and everyone else knew exactly what they were doing!! Oh and your description is pointless you could have left that out because I'm positive you don't Fred Astaire personally soo you can't say whether or not the man was a racist!
@mansoldworld Yeah, I agree. I'd really like to see a movie that is simple, but grand like this without any of the things current Hollywood likes slipping in.. I'd be happy just watching dancers with some acting ability as opposed to actors with some dancing ability. Though I can't even think of anyone that I've enjoyed seeing recently that fits this. Gregory Hines? (RIP) :(
So sad you even had to precise Fred had no rascist thoughts while doing this show... Are they blind ? Can't they see how sophisticated and talentuous Fred is ? What a great dancer & entertainer, what a tribute is he offering !
For any of you out their that think Bill Robinson had a rough time in show business you would be wrong. He was paid the then tremendous sum of $3000 weekly. He was one of the 5 most adored people in show business , hence the Shirley Temple routines he was famous. At his funeral which happened when he was dead broke( He liked to gamble) it was arranged by Ed Sullivan with 5 white pallbearers. Over 30,000 were at his funeral, mostly white people and over a million listened to it on the radio.
Both Fred and Eleanor Powell honored the great Bill"Bojangles" Robinson doing blackface because of their appreciation. BR helped with the chorelography. He felt HONORED they wanted to imitate him. The greatest form of flattery is imitation. By doing blackface in this era it brought respectability to the race not disgrace. Blacks were naturally better dancers and their peers appreciated them or in some cases were jealous. Fred said that the Nicholas Brothers were the very best.
@Maceor The 'funny thing is that you don't seem to bother accusing someone of being racist, but would it bother you if accusing someone of being racist would be punishable too? Because it actually is in my country it is. It is so easy to throw the racism subject in without any proof, it's cowardly. If someone gives you arguments, you still wiff it off with 'well still...' That makes you actually look stupid and arrogant. A very annoying combination, not to be taken seriously.
What stamina! What brilliance! I love the way he changed his style to be more open, and round, closer to the dancer he was honoring! I wonder whether FA choreographed the ensemble work, or whether it was Bugsby Berkeley or some one else? Is this from "Shall We Dance?"
Before anybody yells 'RACIST', and, yes, Fred Astaire is in blackface. Astaire really paying homage to a very great man, as well, as a great dancer, which to me, was rather unusual in those days.
I have always wondered.....if during the early days of our country, if the irish and their quick stepping, tap dancing influenced dance in this country...because it has a longer history in Ireland than here.Wikipedia-Irish stepdance is a type of performance dance originating in Ireland from traditional Irish dance...
@Minxdini American tap dance is a mixture of African and Irish dance, but unlike Irish step dance, tap does not require the upper body to be so straight and rigid. The irish dancers tend to keep their arms against their body or behind their back.
The dancing artist who inspired Fred in this role was John William Sublett, or Bubbles of Buck and Bubbles. John often tutored Fred. Since the great Bill Robinson was a Hollywood staple, Fred decided to honor John with this number. He is the shadow dancer you see. Every serious student of dancing understands the lnfluences all of these artist have contributed to the art. Even a shy young Indiana boy named Michael. He was such a student that he named his pet simian "Bubbles!
Benelcar 1 month ago
Yes, Fred Astaire Truly admired Bill "bojangles" Robinson. and it was a totally different era back then.. As an African-American myself, I don't see anything wrong with honoring such a great dancer in the way they knew how back then. (just don't do it in today's society) :)
Jazzy9964 1 month ago 2
Note that Astaire stages himself as unable to keep up with the shadow, ie with Robinson.
tracybstrong 1 month ago
This is Astaires tribute to Bill Robinson. Bill Robinson was black. What did you expect Astaire to do? Wear green face???
vibra64 1 month ago
This is a great clip, a classic.
For those of you who might be offended by this well that's just too bad, live with it.
Repulso 2 months ago
Eh. I'm black but who cares. Fred was such a graceful dancer and that's all that matters.
kawbaby 2 months ago
say' I didnt know ASTAIRES music could of ever fit BOJANGLES
until I mixed it to BABY TAKE A BOW!
rosieyposie7 2 months ago
interesting tribute but we still have a long way to go
00dev 3 months ago
i dont know what was the point of the color face just do the fuckin tribute
shanicemb1 3 months ago
Note, no racist wide-eyed closeups of his face, no exaggerated eye or lip makeup or expressions on his face. Nothing but joy and respect. In a way, this tribute is saying "Bill Robinson was so great a dancer that even his shadow couldn't keep up with him!" I wish there were more footage of the real Bill Robinson. All I've seen is a few adorable clips of him with Shirley Temple (HE was adorable, not just Shirley!).
LatrinaTwalay 4 months ago
@kalifson the song is called BoJangles of Harlem, you fool. Is that not a big enough mention for you?
ImFamiliarWithLedges 4 months ago
Can you imagine Bojangles himself dancing this? It would have been AWESOME as well. Perhaps Astaire and Bojangles are dancing it out in heaven!!!
Mowgli15221 4 months ago
I'm black and I think it is the most fabulous homage to someone. The way he is dancing with such rhythm and perfection. Why would anybody go through such a wonderful performance such a creative performance if they were racist?
bionicrat 4 months ago
@bionicrat Couldn't have said it better myself. A racist would have played the fool, Fred Astaire did nothing but but on a fantastic and creative performance. People who cry "Racist" are blind.
Kyuuketsuki47 4 months ago
The three shadow part is amazing considering the time when it was made!
pablocarbonari 4 months ago in playlist rat pack, swing, big band
@pablocarbonari : I thought exactly the same thing when I first watched this a couple of years ago; I don't usually go for this sort of thing, but that "shadow dancing" sequence really struck me - very creative, very cool, and indeed amazing.
Dudley1970 2 months ago
Those silhouettes remind me of Michael Jackson
theone225 5 months ago
@theone225 Where do you think Michael got the idea from? He was a huge Fred fan...
80scouplerules 5 months ago
@80scouplerules I know. He got a lot of ideas from Fred. God bless them both!
theone225 5 months ago
BLACKFACE is no TRIBUTE< it is and WAS racist, period, I heard no mention in the film, or saw no credits to Bo Jangles, nor was his mother's name MAMMY. I am sorry that this makes some uncomfortable, however, I see no discomfort in the sharing of credits and accolades when one's people does something worthy, it should be no different in the sharing of some not so worthy actions.
kalifson 5 months ago
It's not racist as he didn't have the negro mouth
chocospartans27 5 months ago
The obvious question then is "why not just film Bill Robinson?" Why not do a tribute to robinson that doesn't involve creepy black face? You can't simply say "this isn't racist:" of course it's racist! By putting Astaire in blackface it's making "race" the primary subject. It's trafficking in race. I don't doubt that Astaire liked and admired Robinson and was sincere, but the entire context of this thing is "race."
HCCarey 6 months ago
Anybody know how they did the 3-shadow thing?
apocalypsynch 6 months ago
Astaire was in no way racist. In fact, Robinson himself was one the people who inspired his career. He did this clearly as a tribute to his inspiration in dancing, Bill Robinson. Some his political views, however, were too extreme, though Ginger's were probably worse. He had a thing against using any body movement that even slightly hinted sexual come-ons and he would not be willing to do any make-out scenes, even if the Hays Code were not enforced; he would only go as far as kissing.
hulkyone 6 months ago
"...while overtly paying tribute to Bill Robinson - actually broadens his tribute to African-American tap dancers by dancing in the style of Astaire's one-time teacher John W. Bubbles, and dressing in the style of the character Sportin' Life, whom Bubbles played the year before in Gershwin's Porgy and Bess."
shufflehop 6 months ago
This isn't really in the style of Bojangles, I think. The hands are too flamboyant, no?
LifeOutsideTheBubble 7 months ago
I'm a black person and I love this stuff. I don't mind racism that much in classic movies. I just hate it in real life.
KrazyKartoonKid 7 months ago 4
was a very mop, and anyone who wanted to be Ubiera, eel biggest star in the world, tell me? who uses anything like instrument, the "artists" need help from personal effects or sound or other things to do their job and never had a clue to offend anyone with his work, his personality was amazing by far. "viva fred" urra ......
calsam92 7 months ago
And somebody will say that he had to be polite in front of the journalists. Well, he said that John Travolta wasn`t actually a dancer and that disco thing was a "Jitterbug", he could easily say something similar about Michael`s dance style...but he didn`t...he elected Michael as his descendant. Watch Fred`s movie called: Band Wagon, then after watch Smooth Criminal or Listen to Dangerous...and you`ll see that it`s Michael`s tribute to Fred.
CamilaRibeiro 8 months ago
Fred Astaire said that Michael Jackson was his descendant in dance. He said he didn't want to leave this world without knowing who his descendant was...and said Thank You to Michael for being that descendant. Michael was his idol acording to him. Everytime people asked Fred about his opinion, he only said wonderful things about Michael. So...tell me...is this person racist? And you can put that in Google if you want to see the source.
CamilaRibeiro 8 months ago 2
I almost never take offense to events that occurred in the past because you can't place the morals and social customs in a time machine. The only problem that I have with the tribute is that Bill Robinson is not included. Astaire could of done a duet with him. In addition, I do not this Astaire was any more or less racist than anyone else at the time but was the black face truly necessary for a tribute?
AceBaby15 8 months ago
@AceBaby15 Why was blackface necessary for Fred Astaire's tribute in "Bojangles of Harlem"? To make plain that this dance virtuosity (and tap dancing itself) had been achieved and indeed invented by blacks (with some influence in USA of Anglo country dance and Irish jigging). It's a homage. Astaire had the great artist's integrity to credit and celebrate the sources of much of the content of his own dance career. Too all acting is impersonation, to breed universality.
JudgeJulieLit 7 months ago
I think what people dont get is that it's not the context at all but rather the appearence. Black face will always be offensive, but fred Astaire, to a degree, did not come off as a racist. (though he likely was given the time, but his performance isn't offensive because thats how bojangle's danced)
theblackriverteam 9 months ago
@theblackriverteam Terrible assumption, you made, that Fred Astaire — or anybody else — at that time (1930's) was probably racist. Astaire wasn't racist at all. And blackface shouldn't be necessarily offensive to blacks — in the sense that Japanese Kabuki whiteface shouldn't offend whites. In fact, blackface is still performed nowadays in the Netherlands, sans the ridicule. However, 19th-century America's degrading portrayal of blacks in minstrel shows, was profane and unconscionable.
JeffGR4 1 month ago
Warner Herzog was on Fresh Air today with Terry Gross saying this is one of the best pieces of film ever. Stereotypes aside, this is damn amazing.
eotto2001 9 months ago
One more observation I want to mention and I will end it from here. The director choice to have the cast darkened up in a sepia tone as opposed to using black cork shows that they were looking to create a more exotic element to the scene rather than a comical one had they had gone completely dark.
baldrottweiler 9 months ago
It doesn't matter if you were Black, Green, Yellow, Brown or White then or now. There never has been nor will there ever be anyone who will even come close to being as talented, gifted, brilliant and divine as Fred AStaire!
stevepollock1 10 months ago 7
@stevepollock1 Noone refutes his greatness as a dancer, but he like many white entertainers copped the style and inventiveness of black talent making millions while their originators remained relegated to the chitlin circuit never to get the recognition they deserve. It is like the old dance shows of the 50s and 60s that wouldn't allow blacks to dance on it but showcase white members performing dances that they pick up watching their African American classmates performing during recess.
baldrottweiler 9 months ago
@stevepollock1 They would get the credit and the fan mail while African-Americans got nothing from their talent. Many people think that Madonna invented Voguing but she learned it from Black and Latin American drag queens from the slums. Your response to my original comment seemed pretty vituperative. I was in no way attacking anyone's appreciation of this movie. I saw it movie on New Years Eve and remember how much I liked the dance number despite it's history.
baldrottweiler 9 months ago
@stevepollock1 Actually there was, don't forget Gene Kelly ! He was, at least, as talented as Fred Astaire :) Nobody can deny that.
Meik0o 1 month ago
@Meik0o And don't forget the Nicholas Brothers too.
honeegrrl 1 month ago 2
@honeegrrl You right, they were breathtaking too !
Meik0o 1 month ago
@stevepollock1
michael jackson beat him by miles retard.
ficksuck1 1 month ago
@ficksuck1 speak with a proper language or get the flat out
saintmaster22 2 weeks ago
If a few bilious sapsuckers took time to stop, look, and, listen, they'd see that Fred Astaire was paying homage to a great dancer, and, an even greater man..
zipper179 10 months ago
Blah racist blah humbug- Shut up and watch, if just from the viewpoint of sheer talent and artistic excellence- how the hell did they synch Fred and those 3 silhouettes so perfectly? I was gobsmacked the first time I saw this as a kid and still am- look for the flaws, but cant see them! stunning technical work for- when is this- '37? '38?
phaasch 10 months ago
Am I the only one who thinks that the blackface is actually an excellent and necessary aesthetic addition to the scene? I fail to see how this could be construed as anything less than an exaltation of African-American influence on dance.
ratchetfp 11 months ago 2
This was the first time the shadow dance was on film, believe. :)
ClassyVintageBroad 11 months ago
He was the best.
Lilmovieman27 11 months ago
where are all the white women...I wept when I saw him in blackface...how wrong
paulmarado 11 months ago
This is Aces. Fred copied so much of MJ
O, I did not notice he was in blackface until I read the comments, I don't see race, I see humans. Nor sex, I had to google if Fred was a man or a woman.
hellapeopleonhere 11 months ago
@hellapeopleonhere @hellapeopleonhere
are you for real?? just think about about what you said and who copied who
steve4656 11 months ago
MJ is a time traveler. Beyonce cant even were black face, isnt that saying it is bad to be black?
hellapeopleonhere 11 months ago
@hellapeopleonhere what the hell do that even means these are white people painting there face black to mock blacks he could of done the tribute to bill with out the blackface only someone who not black would find nothing wrong with this.
stick9ful 10 months ago
@stick9ful Not true, I see a lot of comments from black people who are ok with it, why the black face?, because he would be just an other white guy, just Astaire. This nr is after all called Bojangles of Harlem and it,s more clear this way,don,t forget in this time Bill Robinson was more put aside so Astaire put him in the spotlight like this! Now we know more of Mr Robinson with all the new media then back then when this movie came out.
Choefoe 9 months ago
@hellapeopleonhere
hahaha . Jsut like Beyonce not being able to where black face AND SHE IS BLACK. hahaha
People love to judge. Judge Fred as a racist rather then someone wearing costume to pay tribute.
What was that 80s college movie where the kid wheres black face? love that movie. And if a black mime shows up am I to call him a racist for wearing white face?
Racism sucks. so does political correctness. fag , retard any other words i can say to offend you
hellapeopleonhere 10 months ago
@hellapeopleonhere how could fred copy mj? mj wasn't even born. you got it backwards, just saying...
sandy3209 10 months ago
@sandy3209 Ironic huh... I like irony as comedy
hellapeopleonhere 10 months ago
@hellapeopleonhere Should haved googled some more, Astaire was born in 1899!! died in 1987,that,s when MJ made smooth criminal as a tribute to Astaire, watch the Band wagon the girl hunt and you,ll get it;-) Astaire called MJ to congrat him on his exelent moonwalk and MJ adored Astaire and Gene Kelly.
Choefoe 9 months ago
Please, just recognize the man for what he is. Simply, the greatest dancer there ever was and ever will be. In addition, he created magic, dreams and everlasting beauty with Ginger Rogers in an era where simple joy, artistry and talent captured a Nation!
stevepollock1 11 months ago 2
The shadows in the background are yet another inspiration for The King Of Music's Smooth Criminal
theone225 11 months ago
This is one of my favorite dance numbers of Fred's. Did you see the article on him about this clip in Sunday's New York Times (Jan 30, 2011) on Fred with a photo from this clip? It's all about this clip and one from The Sky's the Limit. He praises the people like you who post Fred's clips on YouTube. It was probably your clip he was referencing!
lana1939 1 year ago
PepsiPrime, my apologies for not mentionng what brought me here in the first place. Kudos to you on getting this mentioned in the NY Times and having it linked in the online edition!
cohenfs 1 year ago 2
In his autobiography, STEPS IN TIME, Astaire wrote of how much in awe he was of Bill Robinson and the thrill of meeting him. He also includes of funny story of when he and Robinson played pool together.
BobbyRiversTV 1 year ago 5
Well said, PepsiPrime. Simply amazing performance
cohenfs 1 year ago
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cohenfs 1 year ago
i love this i have 2 fred astaire dvd sets i knew he really admired bojangles and this is his way of pay homage to him its from one great dance to another no racism here at all people need to really look at this creativity and not negativity
LACE17 1 year ago 2
I like bothASTAIREmusicVERSIONS2!!!
THANKS4positing it!!!
Rosiey
rosieyposie7 1 year ago 3
When he dance, it looks easy.
frustrado 1 year ago
You are right. This is a great musical number. I say it this New Years Eve while waiting for the ball to drop. As an African American I can and appreciate Fred Astair's talent as a dancer, but I do resent the fact that there was equally as much black talent at the time but was stifled or overlooked by Hollywood due to the racism that prevailed then. I don't fault you for or find you racist for posting this. I'm glad you did. Take care.
baldrottweiler 1 year ago 31
@baldrottweiler Well said.
basso28 1 year ago
@baldrottweiler ...Excellent comment and I'm sure Fred and Ginger would fully agree with you. Fred conveyed the same sentiment, and admired Bojangles Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers...and especially John Bubbles, who influenced him even more than Bojangles...because he danced not only with his feet, but his whole body. And as well, note that it was Ginger Rogers who starred in "Storm Warning", which was Warner Brothers 1950 hard nosed drama, skewering of the KKK.
followthefleet1 10 months ago
@baldrottweiler
WHAT? I DON'T CARE IF YOU WERE BLACK, GREEN, YELLOW, BROWN OR WHITE BACK THEN, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE!!!!!!!!! THERE NEVER HAS BEEN NOR WILL THERE EVER BE SOMEONE WITH FRED ASTAIRE'S GENIUS AS A DANCER, PERFORMER, ARTIST, ATHLETE OR HOLLYWOOD LEGEND! HE IS THE GREATEST DANCER PLANET EARTH WILL EVER SEE!
stevepollock1 10 months ago
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@baldrottweiler
WHAT? I DON'T CARE IF YOU WERE BLACK, GREEN, YELLOW, BROWN OR WHITE BACK THEN, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE!!!!!!!!! THERE NEVER HAS BEEN NOR WILL THERE EVER BE SOMEONE WITH FRED ASTAIRE'S GENIUS AS A DANCER, PERFORMER, ARTIST, ATHLETE OR HOLLYWOOD LEGEND! HE IS THE GREATEST DANCER PLANET EARTH WILL EVER SEE! !!!!!
stevepollock1 10 months ago
@baldrottweiler I totally agree! U.S. Army had separate blood bags for white and black soldiers until 1948 and this is the same country that faught the Nazis. There is only one word for it: HIPOCRISY!
velenjak4ever 2 months ago
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rosieyposie7 1 year ago
This is classic movie land and for any of those who are offended by this: Well that's just too bad, live with it.
Repulso 1 year ago
Werner Herzog, the great German director, showed this clip at the beginning of a master class and said, OK, cinema can't get any better than this, we can all go home now.
poisonandantidote 1 year ago 2
back before world war 2 they had giant stages even bigger than one at the Quiting Time concert where I played even bigger than the stage at California jam 2 & with curtains that weigh many tons but People were stronger back then & could lit the curtains that I how They had 3 Dancers In front of a light behind the curtains then Their shadow was on the curtains
ortafunk 1 year ago
great video and commentary...Thank you for posting it!!!
Filsterman1 1 year ago
unique!!
sareta1979 1 year ago
It's unfortunate that Fred in blackface(well it looks more like a John Boehner tan than anything else) distracts from the brilliance of the dancing. I don't think there's a human alive who could replicate the astonishingly athletic, graceful, moves that Astaire demonstrates here. I first saw it thirty years ago and the finale still gives me that little spark of pleasure it did the first time I saw it.
chomsky88 1 year ago
JAZZ HANDS!!!
:D
Pooqua 1 year ago
just too damn good
A3QPVOT 1 year ago
just too damn good
A3QPVOT 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
HaHa, i get it, because black people dance like idiots.
croscream 1 year ago
Why did he have to make himself have a black face to show he was Bojangles, wouldn't his signature dance moves have been enough?
ksaeksae 1 year ago
@ksaeksae there is a reason for it in the movie, I just can't remember what it is right now.
rhslinebacker33 1 year ago
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ksaeksae 1 year ago
This is not "racist" but it just typical of the day in which it given birth. To have even African Americans dressed in "blackface" is an insult and should be addressed as such. Why would you make a "disclaimer" about this video being "racist" if you don't feel that it is?
cooliegee 1 year ago
@cooliegee Because a lot of people today have a knee-jerk reaction when they see old movie footage of anyone performing in blackface. They fail to put it in the context of the times. As the poster explained, Fred Astaire meant this number as a tribute to Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and certainly didn't intend any offense.
scotpens 1 year ago 23
@scotpens The context of the times was and is racist, period
kalifson 5 months ago
@kalifson Lil' Wayne and Flava Flav are far more racist and degrading than this is.
sdogood08 5 months ago
@sdogood08 I am confused what does lil wayne have to do with my response? as I said I see no problem with the acceptance and accolades for the good things your culture did take credit for the horrendous, to which blackface can't hold a candle. posting flyers for the evening community family barbecue, where human bodies were burned until limbs fell off, and then posed with for pictures with THE KIDS! I do understand that this was normalcy, excuse me if i'm horrified, it's just i'm not normal.
kalifson 4 months ago
Respond to this video...
kalifson 5 months ago
PepsiPrime....In fact, the dance in "Follow the Fleet" was a solo dance...but he danced it to the music played by an on screen black band. And another little point, is that Fred admired the great black tap dancer, John Bubbles more than Robinson, because Bubbles danced with his WHOLE BODY...central to Astaire's dance style...whereas Robinson was as pure "hoofer".
BTW....2,000 girls tried out for this chorus...chosen by Hermes Pan. Ginger Rogers had to go an radio to stop them from coming!
followthefleet1 1 year ago
PepsiPrime....I completely agree with your assessment that Fred didn't have a racist bone in his body...and that this dance was a tribute not only to Bill Robinson...but even more, to John Bubbles, who played Sportin' life in "Show Boat". Fred learned everything he could from the African American tradition...which he then incorporated into his "outlaw style". However, there was no scene in "Shall We Dance", where he did a dance with African Americans. You are thinking of "Follow the Fleet".
followthefleet1 1 year ago
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scotpens 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@followthefleet1 In “Shall We Dance,” Fred sang and danced to “Slap That Bass” in a stylized ship’s engine room, introduced by a black male "zoom-zoom" chorus and a black solo singer performing the verse. But there were no black dancers in that number.
BTW, Sportin’ Life is a character in “Porgy and Bess,” not “Show Boat.”
scotpens 4 months ago
@scotpens You are right. I knew it really, and said so in an earlier comment. You're right too about Bojangles model, Sportin' Life, being from Porgy and Bess, not Show Boat. Actually I knew that too, but misspoke. Thank you for keeping me on my toes.....so to speak. :-)
followthefleet1 4 months ago
Love this shadow animation. This is so cool.
whiteflag1000 1 year ago
if it was a film made today yes it is racist but given the time period it was society norm. I watch this film for the history of the time period. it is like taking a trip to the past . I love the dancing.
kansascitylady35 1 year ago
This is not racist at all. This is a great work of art. :) FRED ASTAIRE ROCKS
anastaire33 1 year ago
He has created a tribute of the highest form.
JaGlRo 1 year ago
Maybe the most talented performer ever. Watch him play the drums in Daddy Long Legs and Damsel in Distress, play piano in Follow the Fleet and Broadway Melody of 1940, dance on ice skates, roller skates, dance while teeing off golf balls in Carefree. The guy could do anything. Remember in '37 at 37yo he had already been on stage and in the movies for 30 years and this was his tribute to his friend Bill Robinson. A product of a generation never to be seen again.
Danewsh 1 year ago
One of his two or three best solo performances, and probably his most rhythmically
complex. But he's Fred Astaire--what else do you expect?
lmdohan 1 year ago
Wasn't Fred Astaire's tap teacher african american the one and only John "bubbles" sublett who fred Astaires is quoted saying he was the greatest tap dancer of there generation... not racist at all
Johntewnes 1 year ago
The shadow thing at 5:00 always boggled me (in a good way)
Tootsy39 1 year ago 2
This performance was brilliant, he could have left out the blackface though, the performance was still brilliant.
honeegrrl 1 year ago
@honeegrrl He was paying a tribute to a black performer who he admired.Since he doesn't look anything like Bojangles it helps the illusion if he wears black makeup.
lewisner 1 year ago
@lewisner You don't have to look like a person to pay tribute to them, the tribute would have been just as brilliant without blackface.
honeegrrl 1 year ago 2
He probably got to bang them all ,no wonder he's dancing so sprightly .
opencurtin 1 year ago
This routine is functional programming! The higher order functions are all over the place!
Ishpeck 1 year ago
Incredible guy, amazing routine. Love everything he did.
PS. Remember to put this routine in its appropriate historical context rather than dismiss something like this as "racist" because it's trendy or easy to do so and spend that energy somewhere relevant.
taylornr1 1 year ago
This is an amazing. I never get tired of it.
richklvq 1 year ago
I love to watch this video it seems to me timeless in good taste and profesionalism. This is what a well understood american values is all about.
Thanks to the person who upload this.
Isleif0 1 year ago
author dont even need to write any explanations on this video. who cares man, and fred dont need to apologize to anyone if he was alive, cmon man, u making this sound like wite ppl cant put on blakface anymore. wtf
jcage007 1 year ago
amazing
normanlanding 1 year ago
...as for Fred Astaire, he is fabulous as always. This is one of my favorite dances, especially at 5:00 with the shadows!
lisekaron08 1 year ago
I think the best thing we can do is accept that blackface was an acceptable performance tool at the time. White entertainers using blackface and portraying African American styles of music, dance, etc did bring black culture into "style," if you will, helping bridge the color gap back then. Does it make it right or wrong, no; but it is part of entertainment & cultural history. I'm sure there are things in the media now that in 50 years people will be condemning as unethical or wrong.
lisekaron08 1 year ago 2
Get over it, it is not racist. I am black and do not find this offending at all. Here in Holland all the white people dress up like black people ones a year during a holiday, nobody finds that offensive as well. Just enjoy this piece of art without having to discuss if it is racist or not.
MarcittY90 1 year ago
@MarcittY90 Is there also a holiday when the black people there dress up like white people? And what would happen if they did? Just curious.
nightswimmer99 1 year ago
@nightswimmer99 Nothing would happen! Look up the holiday "Sinterklaas". Your American Santaclaus is inspired on our Sinterklaas and his helpers the "zwarte pieten" (translated black Peters). Do you find it offensive that those cute little elves are actually little people or dwarfs.. nobody complains about that but isn't that a little bit discriminating?
This thing happened long ago in the past, it was Fred's way of bringing a tribute to Mr Bojangles.. He probably did not mean to be racist.
MarcittY90 1 year ago
@MarcittY90 I think of elves as mythical creatures, and people with dwarfism as people with dwarfism. I think most folks make that separation, or I hope they do.
I know about Black Peter, but never heard of him as a group (zwarte pieten). Interesting.
As for Fred, I doubt he had any racist intent. He had the utmost respect for the Nicholas Brothers, M.J., etc. The times simply were what they were. And who watches Fred's face when his feet are moving anyway? :-)
nightswimmer99 1 year ago
@nightswimmer99 One more funny thing.. The children are most of the time actually scared of the white man dressed up as Sinterklaas but they love the white people dressed up as black people because they give you candy and are funny.
MarcittY90 1 year ago
@MarcittY90 omdat ze ROETzwart zijn
HLimmen 1 year ago
@HLimmen Denk je echt dat zwarte pieten oorspronkelijk zwart waren van de roet? Het waren slaven... (algemene kennis)
MarcittY90 1 year ago
@MarcittY90 en negerzoenen dan . heh. HEH!
HLimmen 1 year ago
@HLimmen Vanaf hier volg ik je niet meer.. Wat is er met negerzoenen? Vraag je of ik dat racistisch vind? Laat ook maar..
MarcittY90 1 year ago
i first saw him dancing with Shirley Temple on The Little Colonel with my grandma when i was 3-4 an ever since then he was a bad ass tap dancer to me...i wanted to be like him! STILL DO! i'm determined to get there!
Diamondgrl2007 1 year ago
Blackface may not neccessarily be rscist in all its forms, but I still find it embarassing.
bobbobato 1 year ago
@bobbobato - I thought you might be interested to know that in the early 20th century minstrel show tradition, both Caucasians AND African-Americans performed in blackface. Granted, it was not often a compliment when Caucasians dressed in rags and blackface and mimicked African-Americans. However, the blackface alone isn't really an insult. There were actually some African-American performers who preferred blackface because they felt that it allowed more facial expression on stage. Just FYI.
oboelat 1 year ago
7:34 - 7:42
Boy, I've just seen a man flying !
... and that's all I see from this performance : talent, gracefulness.. Sorry, but though absolutely anti-racist, I can't see any racism in Astaire's performance. The fact he is in blackface is obviously too much, but unfortunately that's a matter of period.
clochette29450 1 year ago
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clochette29450 1 year ago
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clochette29450 1 year ago
What year was this?
happyface161 1 year ago
@happyface161 1936
Diamondgrl2007 1 year ago
Just one thing Pepsi Prime, "and I'm sure if Astaire was alive today he would apologize for any ill-feeling." He'd have nothing to apologize about, period.
fabrizzzio48 1 year ago
Of course to imitate is the greatest compliment of all. Blackface was loved by everybody in this period. Too short to give the history but black people loved seeing whites imitating them. It made them acceptable. Not a complaint then, unfortunately revisionists now have lied about that era. Fred loved BR. He thought he was the greatest single dancer in his era. I could give much evidence but no room to do so.
hajune 1 year ago
The tribute is painful and beautiful all at once. The level of skill needed to execute that production was huge! I think the blackface just highlights the nastiness of the times. I think Astaire did a fair imitation of Bojangles movements, a bit more animated but still got the point across. I think Bill Bailey, Pearl Bailey's brother did a smoother imitation of Bojangles, but Astaire was talented. We just feel psychic pain when we see the racism so pervasive its in movies!
mrigmaiden1 1 year ago
The tribute is painful and beautiful all at once. The level of skill needed to execute that production was huge! I think the blackface just highlights the nastiness of the times. I think Astaire did a fair imitation of Bojangles movements, a bit more animated but still got the point across. I think Bill Bailey, Pearl Bailey's brother did a smoother imitation of Bojangles, but Astaire was talented. Nobody can argue that. We just feel psychic pain when we see the racism so pervasive its in movies!
mrigmaiden1 1 year ago
read where dead voices gather-nick tosches-youll find that most early entertainers started in blackface
tencooktcats 1 year ago
I love the performance and I'm not taking anything away from the great Fred Astaire but he didn't have to use black face, the tribute would have been just as brilliant without it and again, I am not taking anything away from Fred Astaire, he was a brilliant dancer and he had such class and style.
honeegrrl 1 year ago
I hate to disillusion folks, but Astaire did not think that much of Bill Robinson's dancing--still this is an excellent tribute to him, black face or not.
michaeljayklein 1 year ago
@michaeljayklein That is absolutely not true.Not good to fabricate something. Read his autobiography for starters. Fre thought he was the BEST.Hate to see bullshit posted.You made that up.
hajune 1 year ago
No, you must read GInger Rogers' autobiography for that little factoid. I've read his autobiography, "Steps in Time" and if he said anything altering his real view, it was just to be nice--naturally he was not going to say anything to slight and even his personal opinion was simply that he did not care for Robinson's style--he didn't say it was bad or good, he just didn't think much of it. Now, go put that in your pipe and suck on it for a while.
michaeljayklein 1 year ago
@michaeljayklein. FRED would never say something JUST to be nice. Fred was interviewed (taken off You tube ) and expressed his opinion about other dancers. Bill Robinson was one of his heros, though their styles were different. Fred was a ballroom tapper and BR was a rhythm tapper. He admired BR greatly. I have many Fred quotes saying as much.
hajune 1 year ago
I agree the only racist part of the performance is the fact that Astaire is in blackface. He doesn't change his voice, or dancing style however it calls into question the reason for doing blackface at all (other than that was the unfortunate style). He could've easily done the tribute without the make-up.
TL8706 1 year ago 2
@TL8706
OH SHUT THE HELL UP AND STOP BEING SUCH AN IGNORANT FOOL.
stevepollock1 11 months ago
That's why I now watch Bollywood movies. Singing, dancing, good message. We need to get back to basics over here and actually get some good singers/actors/dancers. Not just pretty faces.
enharford 1 year ago
Astaire's great tribute to Mr. Bill Bojangles - Both are the best ever!!!!!!!!!!
Leilani50 1 year ago
Racist!
page371069 1 year ago
They were all too ignorant to understand that blackface was dumb. I'm pretty sure Fred didn't mean any thing by it BUT the producers and everyone else knew exactly what they were doing!! Oh and your description is pointless you could have left that out because I'm positive you don't Fred Astaire personally soo you can't say whether or not the man was a racist!
JasmineStar1989 1 year ago
black people are such funny clowns
tvrmx 1 year ago
black people are funny clowns
tvrmx 1 year ago
I love this dance and have in fact performed this in full costume and make-up for my fellow Hollywood Classic Club members to a rousing reception.
MegaShirleyTemple 1 year ago
This is soooo beautiful ...
I just watched this movie ... GREAT
Unfortinatly , thers no more movies like this! :(
mansoldworld 1 year ago
@mansoldworld Yeah, I agree. I'd really like to see a movie that is simple, but grand like this without any of the things current Hollywood likes slipping in.. I'd be happy just watching dancers with some acting ability as opposed to actors with some dancing ability. Though I can't even think of anyone that I've enjoyed seeing recently that fits this. Gregory Hines? (RIP) :(
d5ive 1 year ago
A tribute to a black man yet not one black dancer, how subtle!
malfini1 1 year ago
@malfini1 Exactly!! Those Hollywood people knew what they were doing!!
JasmineStar1989 1 year ago
another thing michael jackson used here, the large shadows for his live performance of smooth criminal
LFJ 1 year ago
So sad you even had to precise Fred had no rascist thoughts while doing this show... Are they blind ? Can't they see how sophisticated and talentuous Fred is ? What a great dancer & entertainer, what a tribute is he offering !
Alaix41 1 year ago 2
For any of you out their that think Bill Robinson had a rough time in show business you would be wrong. He was paid the then tremendous sum of $3000 weekly. He was one of the 5 most adored people in show business , hence the Shirley Temple routines he was famous. At his funeral which happened when he was dead broke( He liked to gamble) it was arranged by Ed Sullivan with 5 white pallbearers. Over 30,000 were at his funeral, mostly white people and over a million listened to it on the radio.
hajune 1 year ago
Both Fred and Eleanor Powell honored the great Bill"Bojangles" Robinson doing blackface because of their appreciation. BR helped with the chorelography. He felt HONORED they wanted to imitate him. The greatest form of flattery is imitation. By doing blackface in this era it brought respectability to the race not disgrace. Blacks were naturally better dancers and their peers appreciated them or in some cases were jealous. Fred said that the Nicholas Brothers were the very best.
hajune 1 year ago
well still Racist of him Just have the man tap with you
Maceor 1 year ago
@Maceor The 'funny thing is that you don't seem to bother accusing someone of being racist, but would it bother you if accusing someone of being racist would be punishable too? Because it actually is in my country it is. It is so easy to throw the racism subject in without any proof, it's cowardly. If someone gives you arguments, you still wiff it off with 'well still...' That makes you actually look stupid and arrogant. A very annoying combination, not to be taken seriously.
freedomlane 1 year ago
What stamina! What brilliance! I love the way he changed his style to be more open, and round, closer to the dancer he was honoring! I wonder whether FA choreographed the ensemble work, or whether it was Bugsby Berkeley or some one else? Is this from "Shall We Dance?"
DailyBrusher 1 year ago 2
Before anybody yells 'RACIST', and, yes, Fred Astaire is in blackface. Astaire really paying homage to a very great man, as well, as a great dancer, which to me, was rather unusual in those days.
zipper179 1 year ago 2
Beautiful! He was great at his craft!
EthelScarselli 1 year ago
fuccin excellent, timeless dance routine
JL0183 1 year ago 12
I have always wondered.....if during the early days of our country, if the irish and their quick stepping, tap dancing influenced dance in this country...because it has a longer history in Ireland than here.Wikipedia-Irish stepdance is a type of performance dance originating in Ireland from traditional Irish dance...
Minxdini 1 year ago 3
@Minxdini American tap dance is a mixture of African and Irish dance, but unlike Irish step dance, tap does not require the upper body to be so straight and rigid. The irish dancers tend to keep their arms against their body or behind their back.
DarkestBeforeDawn2 1 year ago
@DarkestBeforeDawn2 Sure it is! Is there anything on God's green earth that white people do not claim?
malfini1 1 year ago
wow the concept was GREAT!
MJ really had great taste in art
jacksparrow14 1 year ago 3