Eleanor Powell - George White's 1935 Scandals

Here is the young, fresh and beautifully talented Eleanor Powell as Marilyn Collins (The World's Greatest Female Tap Dancer) at the tender age of 23 performing a tap routine to the song "It's an old Southern Custom" in the 20th Century Fox Film "George White's 1935 Scandals". Her outfit in this number is very true to the Art Deco Fashion.
Please Comment!!!

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Eleanor
• Powell

[luckdog909]

I love the whole routine, but 2:25-2:40 sets my hair on fire!!!

[Shurayuki18481]

@luckdog909 yes that ending is just so climatic to watch, I just cant get over the brilliance, there is simply no comparison with any other tap dancer Eleanor Powell was the greatest and thats it! I'm practising this entire routine myself and am very determined to see myself do it on the same par as her, a bit grandiose of me to approach but someone needs to follow in her footsteps and not let these moves die! and I'd rather it be a true fan than some tacky imitator :D

[cancerjuly1989]

Does art deco means art decorations

[Shurayuki18481]

@cancerjuly1989 Yes Art Deco refers to the very fine Interior Design of these days and also the fashion. The Art Deco is my favourite of all time! Look it up on the internet it's really classy and elegant, what Eleanor is wearing here is very Art Deco :)

[FlyingSquarePancakes]

Is there a name for that turn she does around 2:08?

And does anyone know exactly what she is doing across the floor right before that?

[Shurayuki18481]

I've never know a name for that particular move but it certainly was a signature move of hers (look at Boogie Woogie video), especially those steps before hand. What she was doing across the floor is quite simple, I suggest you slow motion the video is you want to try it out :) She created the most original, entertaining and elegant choreography :)

[frosty7530]

She was to dance what Hendrix was to guitar. MAGICK. We'll never see her likes again for a long long time.

[ginseiron]

EXCELLENT !

[luckdog909]

@Shurayuki18481 Hey, please go after it. I would love to see someone tap like Ellie today. It can be done. It won't be easy, Ellie set the bar extremely high. But I've learned that she actually practiced 12 hours a day. Not because it was her job, but because she would rather dance than eat. She gave 110% but it didn't feel like work because she truly loved what she did. If you truly love what you do, then there is no reason you can't acheive this level if you want to. I wish you the best!!!

[luckdog909]

@zipper179 Brotha, MAN did you say a mouthful!

[zipper179]

As a man, a black man, I'm very surprised that these 'fightin' militant feminist historians have made little or no mention of Eleanor Powell, as one of the very few women solo tap dancers, in a totally male-dominated world..

[FlyingSquarePancakes]

@Shurayuki18481 Thank you for your help :)