In the 1948 Universal film 'Feudin', Fussin' and a-Fightin', Donald O'Connor does a wonderful routine to 'Me and My Shadow', in which he sees his shadow dancing through a screen. Louis da Pron was the choreographer for this, and nearly all Universal films at the time, and I have thought before that the facial profile of the shadow didn't look like Donald... but now, seeing this, with some of the same moves as the 'shadow', I think the shadow was Louis! Anyone else seen this?
I know of four versions of the shim sham. The first shim sham, second shim sham, revenge of the shim sham, and funky shim sham. From what I could tell, it didn't look like any of these shim shams, although a few of the steps in it seemed familiar to it. Perhaps they did their own version of it. There are tons and tons out there.
When I was singing in Manhattan Transfer, we did a TV special with Mary Tyler Moore, and met Louis Dapron. His taps are VERY clear and crisp. and we learned that he had been the sound (via overdubbing) of some of the famous screen tappers who were not as precise. He was a charming gentleman.
I was Louis' very last student.... he said- "you know Cathy, I just don't feel very good, do you mind if I just go home?" I miss him--- he was a master and I owe alot to him. Thanks for posting this
Wow... I wish I was as good as he was.... I will say that he helped me become quite the tap technician.... I had knee surgery several years back and that has inhibited my abilities but I still teach and do choreography. I love tap! I will always tap... the lady who runs the performing arts school where I teach is 90 and still tapping and teaching.
Cathy, I danced with Louis for years in his Woodland Hills studio. I would love to know where you are teaching. Louis was the best hands down!!! What a privilege we both had.
What great dancing by them both. Whatever happened to the girl? I don't recollect her being famous like another Ellie we know and love. But she is amazing.
My.... this is actually a very fancy routine. I'm definately borrowing some steps from this. Thanks for uploading, I discovered you today...checking all your dance videos now!
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Great Clip! THIS IS NOT A SHIM SHAM - too many heel beats, all steps begin on
"1' instead of "8". In 1927, Leonard Reed & Willie Bryant, took 4 popular steps of the 1920's,
strung them together & created the legendary "Shim Sham Shimmy" - tap dancer's
"National Anthem." In the 1930's, the "Freeze Chorus" & in 1994, at age 87, Reed
decided to create one more, the "Shim Sham II." But that wasn't enough! In 2002,
at age 95, Reed created his final dance, "The Revenge of the Shim Sham."
jttaps1 1 month ago
In the 1948 Universal film 'Feudin', Fussin' and a-Fightin', Donald O'Connor does a wonderful routine to 'Me and My Shadow', in which he sees his shadow dancing through a screen. Louis da Pron was the choreographer for this, and nearly all Universal films at the time, and I have thought before that the facial profile of the shadow didn't look like Donald... but now, seeing this, with some of the same moves as the 'shadow', I think the shadow was Louis! Anyone else seen this?
insect1752 1 year ago
Wow, were they doing the shim sham tap version? I didn't notice till I heard the singers at the end of the song mention Shim Sham...
burndogswing 1 year ago
@burndogswing
I know of four versions of the shim sham. The first shim sham, second shim sham, revenge of the shim sham, and funky shim sham. From what I could tell, it didn't look like any of these shim shams, although a few of the steps in it seemed familiar to it. Perhaps they did their own version of it. There are tons and tons out there.
SoftballKnight99 10 months ago
This makes me miss Phil Black's tap class even more. Who is teaching this style nowadays?
HallandaleDeb 1 year ago
Is the lady a real 'WHITNEY'?
cushtichavi 1 year ago
I miss you, Louis! Took lessons from him as a teenager and young adult.
AZnovelist 2 years ago
Great clip! Thank you for posting. Did anyone notice that the stage area seemed larger than the auditorium itself?
a07002 2 years ago
When I was singing in Manhattan Transfer, we did a TV special with Mary Tyler Moore, and met Louis Dapron. His taps are VERY clear and crisp. and we learned that he had been the sound (via overdubbing) of some of the famous screen tappers who were not as precise. He was a charming gentleman.
Mllelaurel 2 years ago
Magical clip!
twdeck 2 years ago
I wish all these dance shows on tv would incllude some tap for cry not loud!
Geostrum2 2 years ago 5
i love 30´s
LaValseAlex 3 years ago
Great clip!!
One of Louis DaPron's last films was as the choreographer in FUNNY LADY.
songplugger 3 years ago
Wow, finally taps in time with the music, unlike tapdancers of today. You can hear each tap so clearly. Thanks for sharing this.
pomeroy40144 3 years ago 5
beyond brilliant, thanks
lomnaianisd 4 years ago
WOW.... great routine.
70pat70 4 years ago
I was Louis' very last student.... he said- "you know Cathy, I just don't feel very good, do you mind if I just go home?" I miss him--- he was a master and I owe alot to him. Thanks for posting this
catdances 4 years ago
So from his teachings do you think you match his skills? Are you still tap dancing?
Shurayuki18481 4 years ago
Wow... I wish I was as good as he was.... I will say that he helped me become quite the tap technician.... I had knee surgery several years back and that has inhibited my abilities but I still teach and do choreography. I love tap! I will always tap... the lady who runs the performing arts school where I teach is 90 and still tapping and teaching.
catdances 4 years ago
Cathy, I danced with Louis for years in his Woodland Hills studio. I would love to know where you are teaching. Louis was the best hands down!!! What a privilege we both had.
bdazled1 3 years ago
@bdazled1
Any body remember "oh teacher" Dapron's local LA TV show featuring kids from his dance studio in the late 40's?
grabthars 1 year ago
now the look and sounds of her taps turns me on
DanceTaps 5 years ago
whoa! what are those crazy turny things he does around 1:50? I love her quiet style.
does anybody know where that video of chad and midori lindy hoofing is?
twentythreeskidoo 5 years ago
That's "falling off a log." (I think?) I think it's something you can learn to do slowly, and build speed with time.
hoofer1 4 years ago
What great dancing by them both. Whatever happened to the girl? I don't recollect her being famous like another Ellie we know and love. But she is amazing.
RJMCCLOUD 5 years ago
My.... this is actually a very fancy routine. I'm definately borrowing some steps from this. Thanks for uploading, I discovered you today...checking all your dance videos now!
eleanorpowell2007 5 years ago