George Raft and Carole Lombard - Bailando Bolero!!

[dbm4ol7xg]

I have never seen this before, although my mother use to talk about George Raft dancing the Bolero. She was 20 at the time of this film. He did appear on TV in the '50s dancing to it but it was a different style. I thought it odd since I had known him only in gangster roles. Also, I did not know that Carole Lombard was his partner in the original. What choreography. What a team!

[varadero1839]

@dbm4ol7xg I've heard so many conflicting things about this video that I posted! My grandmother told me she watched George Raft dance for nickels in New York many years ago. Though he was a sensational dancer, it's possible that the "long" shots were filmed by doubles. At this stage I'm not sure it matters anymore. These 2 beautiful people will always be thought of in this exotic performance. Grateful to hear from you!

[dbm4ol7xg]

@varadero1839 Yes. This is quite an athletic dance. Raft is obviously a slender man of maybe 150 pounds, and she must have been about 110 pounds; and it takes a lot of strength to do some of the maneuvers, especially the part where she leans backwards on his arm and he twirls her in mid-air. Man, I love it !!!

[rncsp]

Love the movie , the song, and this dance scene,,,real passion!

[1983CUEVAS]

Can someone name the song they dance to.

[varadero1839]

@1983CUEVAS "Boléro" is a one-movement orchestral piece by Maurice Ravel (1875–1937.) He was a musical genius! I'm so honored that you asked! Thanks so much for your inquiry!

[sky0725]

so... this is a Pre-Code film.

[lukeloveslauraalways]

I love watching this clip. This was just wonderful to watch. Loved George Raft and Carole. Too bad she died so young.

[Kievest]

Sexy, sizzling, sensuous, smouldering, stunning and sensational historic

footage. Thank you varadero for the GREAT posting and to LadyRavenhaire

for sharing!

[varadero1839]

@Kievest I'm over the top just hearing from you! Not to lessen the impact and my gratitude for LadyRavenhaire, but needed to know if you're still in "The Borough of Churches?" I'm hoping you still remember me! I've been to the two best "Atlantic Avenue" locations in the world! Oddly enough, the first was "Avenida Atlantica," in Rio. The next one was in the beloved "Brooklyn, NY!" Hoping you're both well! Please write if you remember me, OK? Hugs to LadyRavenhaire!

[poolplayeroneeye]

Thank you for responding to my question about Raft at the Palladium. I'm sorry you never saw it. It was in his older years but very good.

[CurzonRoad]

Thank you varadero for posting, and thank you LadyRavenhaire for sharing!

[varadero1839]

@CurzonRoad You're very welcome! I'm grateful to you both. Pretty much, regardless of who is actually dancing the distance shots, it's none other than the spirits of both exquisite Carole and jazzy George that give this piece its panache!

[revdoodoo]

revdoodoo correctly states that Raft was born in 1901. As per Wikipedia, it was on September 26th. Gypsy Fairy85, as if a Republican candidate for President, says Raft was born in 1895. As a legitimate Stonewall Inn rioter, I know a fairy from a fairy.

[poolplayeroneeye]

Would you please put back George Raft in 1965 at the London Palladium. It was taken off and we miss it.

[varadero1839]

@poolplayeroneeye Lovely to hear from you, but I think you're confusing me with another. I've never seen the clip of Mr. Raft at the Palladium! Now, think I'm jealous! I wish I had! Sorry not to have been of more help!

[anderson7293]

Thanks for posting this...after watching George Raft in so many gangster type roles when I was a child, I had forgotten that he was also an accomplished dancer......I really enjoyed watching him and Carole Lombard in this clip...what movie is it from?.....I wish there was some early footage of Cesar Romero as part of a pro dance team, prior to becoming an actor.....but I don't think any exists....

[Chestnutgray]

Frank Veloz of the famed ballroom dance team, Veloz and Yolanda, was hired to do the choreography for this film. Also, George Raft, though a vaunted dancer from many contests won at Roseland in NYC, was not, in fact, the male lead seen in long shots doing lifts with Carol Lombard.

Instead, Veloz and Yolanda were tasked to do these uncredited, since Raft and Lombard were meant to be teamed in multiple dance movies. Yet, for reasons unknown, "Rumba" was their final film together.

[jimaroo100]

I would never let MY wife dance the Bolero with George Raft.... if I did she would never come home to me after that dance... steamy!  Thanks for posting.

[varadero1839]

@jimaroo100 You're welcome! There was no doubting the chemistry between these 2 fine artists. Also, I think at the time, George was really enamored of Ms. Lombard. See other comments regarding his feeling for Ms. L!

[EMCEMITCH]

george was a fine artist as well as truly a tough guy

[jennifer1003]

George really loved Carole & thought she was the most wonderful unique woman he ever met, a woman he could just talk to & be himself with without worry! They dated for a while & had a poster of her from this movie over his bed for many years! I read his bio-WOW!!!! Fantastic! A real ladies man,but also a generous one too!! LOVE YA GEORGIE! LOVE this movie!!!! Thanks for posting!!!! :)

[varadero1839]

@jennifer1003 Hi jennifer1003,

George was an amazing talent, as were they both. Sadly, Carole died too young, and Mr. Raft, and/or his advisors made some bad choices about his future career. Two I can think of are: "Treasure of The Sierra Madre," and "The Maltese Falcon!" What's the line from "Mildred Pierce?" This was spoken by Zachary Scott, "One man's poison is another man's meat!"

Mr. Raft was, is one of my favorites! Long may he reign!

[stephenjoeagi]

Very nice.

[universoeterno1]

Great piece of Silver Screen memorabilia. Never seen it before. Miss Lombard looks simply fabulous in that dress. And the dance, eventhough stiff, is a charm. Thank you for posting it.

[shanghaibenny2]

Ooh-aah! About as erotic as you could get without being declared pornographic for the time.

[debbiechickie5]

@shanghaibenny2 AND HER DRESS IS SEE THROUGH IN THE LONG SHOTS!

[revdoodoo]

George Raft was born in 1901, so in little Minburn, Iowa, when I saw him in the 1930s he seemed far more than 20 years my senior. Raft was born in Hell’s Kitchen, a dangerous area of Manhattan where I lived from the 60’s to 90’s and where neighbors proudly pointed to the area where Raft was raised (as well as where Sen. Patrick Moynihan told me he had been, also). Raft’s being involved in crime was never proven. Raft's hands got so close to Lombard's breasts despite Hayes Office censors! Wow!

[varadero1839]

@revdoodoo I've a dear friend who absolutely adores George Raft! It's been rumored that the "long-shots" in this movie were with doubles, but guess we will never know. I know Mr. Raft was a fine dancer and could have performed most of what's seen here. Also, have visited the "Capri" Hotel in Havana where Mr. Raft was manager for a number of years. It's located in the "Vedado" area of Havana, about a 15 minute taxi-ride from "Old Havana." Love the fact that this one got by the powers that were!

[shanghaibenny2]

@revdoodoo

Really close to her breasts! But, technically speaking he was touching her hands which happened to be covering her breasts...sly.

Sure this is only a movie, but I wonder if professional dancers get this horney during a performance. Good thing he isn't wearing tights.

[GypsyFairy85]

@revdoodoo

He was born in 1895.

[11777766]

Before or after the Hayes Office (?), this film footage is seriously sensual. Raft and Lombard were a handsome couple dancing the bolero!

[varadero1839]

@11777766 What fun! Guess this just missed the "Hayes/Breen Office" directives, and obviously, though it came later, the "Legion of Decency!" Thanks for your comment my friend! I can't even imagine what Bishop Fulton Sheen would have had to say about this one!

[Innerstorm3]

Stunning. For those of us that have known love that can never be, I thank you.

[varadero1839]

@Innerstorm3 Kind friend, I suspect we're kindred spirits! I'm delighted that you've commented on this video, and sadly I, too, admit to having lived the same misfortune as evidenced in this movie. Best to us both, and regardless of how many years have passed, we're still here!