Say It With Firecrackers - Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire in "Say It With Firecrackers" from Holiday Inn (1942).

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Fred
• Astaire
• firecrackers
• tap
• dance
• Holiday
• Inn

[onebaud]

Fred Astaire was a great dancer that made every move look natural and easy. Gene Kelly was a great dancer but worked for every move.

[misspeggy0704]

I don't see why you need to compare them, but you miss the point, Gene was athletic and Fred was ethereal. I like Gene's muscles in the Pirate when he dances in Manuela's dream. You can see his all body working. That's the whole point!

But watch him in Invitation to the Dance, you'll see grace.

Believe me, they were both working, but one was dancing close to the ground, and the other was floating in the air. It's just two different ways of taping. I prefer Gene's one.

[HereticElitesUnite]

When I first watched this act during the film, I rewound it and watched it two more times. It breaks my heart when I look back at entertainers from yesteryear like Mr. Astaire and Mr. Crosby and realise that so much has changed. Modern entertainment, whether it be films, music, or comedy, is suffering. It's all trash to me. I don't know. Perhaps I was born in the wrong decade. Anyway, thank you for posting this!

[lakerfanforever08]

Fred Astaire, you never fail me.

[cattitta0087]

Seriously, I could watch this over and over again.. I can't believe The Triplets Of Belleville brought me here!

[KboogieFunk]

@onebaud fred astaire practiced until his feet bled. RESPECT.

[mhoopisblues]

Oh i lovelovelove this Video so much and i can't get enough of Astaire. I thank God : there are actually no Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly or whoever from that period BUT there is youtube!

[mhoopisblues]

@misspeggy0704 I totally agree. They were both brilliant on their own way and uncomparable. I always loved Gene Kelly's warm, emotional dancing and acting, but now i fall in Love with Fred Astaire's Elegance, Nonchalance and Humor. He's unbelievable and i love watching him. He is Fred Astaire and not Gene Kelly and Gene Kelly ist Gene Kelly and not Fred Astaire. That's all and that's easy to see.

[mhoopisblues]

BRILLIANT!

[EthalaRide]

I just LOVE how Fred doesn't react to the explosions what so ever! he's an AMAZING performer. no, he is the best. B. E. S. T!!!

[nemeckathleen1]

One of my all time favorite numbers Astaire danced. Absolutely, positively, love it! How can you not love such skill what a wonderful & creative tap dancer with such excellent chorography. He truly was the master at his craft!

[mackinm00se]

@onebaud I'll argue this just because I'm bored. Kellys' style of tap was digging into every step, really putting force into each tap. Astaire, on the other hand, is much lighter on his feet and glides across the ground as he taps. Both are acceptable styles of tap dancing, but Gene Kelly developed a style thought of as being more masculine and daring, whereas Fred Astaire danced in a more traditional and, dare I say, classier form of tap.

Both are ballers and I want what they got.

[Rhyno186]

The curtains part and he just floats his way across the stage. Pure magic!

[tsblonde510]

This is one of my favorite dance scenes in movies. Love this movie. Fred was the greatest.

{Even Gene Kelly made the following comment re: Fred Astaire] I work bigger. Fred's style is more intimate. I'm very jealous of that when I see him on the small screen. Fred looks so great on TV. I'd love to put on a white tie and tails and look as thin as him and glide as smoothly. But I'm built like a blocking tackle.