MGM ：Broadway Melody of 1940 " Begin the Beguine "

[GeneMcNutt]

Eleanor was his favorite dance partner ever, I believe. Of course, Ginger Rogers was not only a great dancer, but also a great actress, and won an Academy Award for her acting in a role without music. But perhaps even Ginger would concede that Eleanor was "The Queen of Tap Dancing," as she was often called, & the greatest of all the women who have ever danced in the movies. Besides which, she was a fine Christian lady, which is more important than the dancing. She deserved better than Glenn.

[swampwiz]

OK, I've figured it out. :-)

The version on the soundtrack actually has BOTH versions, stitched together, with the one shown on this video as the 2nd part, and the one in the other video as the 1st part! I guess I'll have to torrent the movie to see how it was done for the movie!

[swampwiz]

I have a question. There is another version of this song which seems to be for the exact same movie - youtube -> _aruNKPCjxU

I torrented the soundtrack for the movie, which has on the cover the mention of Astaire & Powell, but it has the version of the song as per the link, not the one that Astair & Powell are dancing to in this video here.

I am very confused. If anyone can explain this to me, please reply!

[jetfa9]

Ginger was a better actress no doubts there..but Elinor was a pro-dancer and so was Fred so they could really go all out. She could really match him on the stage. I'll always be a Ginger fan because I think she brought something MORE. But Elinor is a far better dancer.

[CoquetteChrissy]

AMAZING! - And such good exercise... Particularly for the legs and toes. Wot a wonderful mediative state to be in - rhythm... The rhythm of the music beat, cadence, tempo, time, pulse, throb, swing. flow, tempo. - Yes... RHYTHM...

[pattigee1]

Bravo bravo!!

[jampat1964]

Notice Fred is watching his feet more than Eleanor. Who's better?

[GreyLabyrinthine]

Wow, that was crazy good! Take THAT, Michael Flatley!

[KBNiktu]

Powell is one, if not the greatest female dancer that share the stage with Fred. I know some of you like Ginger best, but Powell does it with so much ease and energy. I can watch this number again and again and never get tired of it.

[moiraregis]

fred astaire worked on each dance until, as he put it, when he heard the music, his body couldn't do anything else. eleanor powell is not paid much mind in our time, which is a real shame. great artists, both--

[a07002]

1:54 - Great transition!

[beckwik]

There was nothing like it then,and there never will be again - I know there will be great talent present and future, but this is one-of-a-kind. This was the only film they Fred and Eleanor danced together.

[blinko7777]

NICE HD!!! Wish more people would do it. I am doing a video with the old stars dancing and synched to 'Shake a tail feather - Blues Brothers.

[Classic1940s]

Thank you so much for the HD! :D

[pinkhighway]

Brilliant. This is one of America's greatest gifts to the world. Smashing entertainment.

[Mamasan41]

THANK YOU!!!!!

[charade97]

I have just manage to purchase the DVD of Broadway Melody of 1940. If you haven't seen it in its entirety you'll be interested to know that the Begin The Beguine dance is much longer. We only see the second dance in this video. You can see that Eleanor Powell is really enjoying this because of the stunning natural smiles she is giving all the way through! What a lovely girl.

[guitboxchicken]

@charade97 What gets me is that they make it look effortless, even though, I'm sure it took a lot of practice and skill to master tap to such an advanced level as one sees here.

[charade97]

@hajune Well, JohnnyContagious and Hajune; this is really riveting stuff, please keep going! Thank you

[JohnnyContagious]

Eleanor Powell was a remarkable dancer, she almost manages to match the mercurial Fred Astaire. Nobody ever got this close to him. Astonishing.

[bearcub410]

if i go to heaven i think it will be like this . perfection , magic !!!!!!

[eijigosen]

@hajune Dear hajune-san, I am an old fan of musicals and movie classics of America since I was small. I always appreciate your valuable comments. 

[elephark]

FLAWLESS VICTORY

[Jimtoday3034]

Rumor has it that this was Hitler's favorite film.

[JSDJerry]

Dancin' to the rhythm

[nancyfloressantos]

Amazingly delightful!

[sleedolfine15]

Too bad this is the only movie they made together. In Powell,Astaire definitely was dancing with his equal.

[soulgirl66]

Perfection!!

[EXIBITIONIST]

As Frank Sinatra once said and quote ; ' You will never see the like of this again '

[WSenator1]

If I even THOUGHT about moving half as fast, walking, as Fred and Eleanor moved, dancing, in this clip, I'd just fall down - hard! Magnificent!

[tayaoms]

Where's the long and complete version? Please.

[hajune]

@tayaoms Go to Dailey Motion to see it. There are some other interesting Ellie clips including the behind the scene making of Fascinating Rhythm.

[tly1977]

As they say in the MGM musicals it doesn't get much better!

[TheVanessamarquez]

FLAWLESS!!!

[startlining]

Awesome! Love Elanor Powell....an amazing dancer. This scene is always a pleasure to watch.