Eleanor Powell - "Duchess of Idaho" Cameo

Eleanor Powell's last big-screen appearance - other than clips in compilation movies of the 1970s-90s ("That's Entertainment" and its successors) - was a cameo in this 1950 film. MGM had moved on from lavish tap dance productions to extravagant water ballets, with Esther Williams as their new female star. Eleanor spent the next few years leading an Emmy award-winning local religious show for children, while raising her son Peter. In the early 1960s, after her divorce from Glenn Ford, she made a very successful comeback as a nightclub entertainer, dancing as well or better than in her earlier days, according to the critics.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Eleanor
• Powell
• Duchess
• of
• Idaho
• tap
• dancing
• Esther
• Williams
• Van
• Johnson

[44032]

Esther Williams was, in effect the successor to Eleanor Powell except as a swimmer instead of a dancer. They had entire films and huge production nubmers built around them. But dancing is more interesting than swimming, so I prefer Powell. But both are great ladies of the screen!

[JudithIN410]

@44032 Have you read Esther Williams' autobiography, "Million Dollar Mermaid"? She and Eleanor Powell were both very talented but very UNLIKE in character.

[dukesgal39]

Love Eleanor -- The Queen of Tap!!! Too bad this is the only video of her in color ...

wish there were more of her! Thanks for

sharing.

[JudithIN410]

She had a cameo role in "Thousands Cheer" (Gene Kelly, Kathryn Grayson - 1943) , which was in color. She performed her boogie-woogie number. You can find it here at YouTube.

[JudithIN410]

Today (Nov 21st) would be Eleanor Powell's 97th birthday.

[69alex7]

I wonder who the male part is?

[JudithIN410]

Her dancing partner/band leader? It's Van Johnson, a very popular leading man of the mid-late 40s.

[netwitt1]

In addition to her prodigious talent and indefatigable work ethic, Ellie had the ability to project utter confidence and authority in her dancing without losing ANY femininity. I never tire of watching her dance - even routines I've watched dozens of times still have the power to make me gasp at their complexity and artistry or giggle with joy at the sheer breathtaking speed and dexterity on display. She truly was one of a kind - The Queen of Tap. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

[Kaiserin1]

She sounds like part of the orchestra. Truly one of a kind

[beyoncetyratina]

My two favorite talented women! Eleanor Powell, the famous tap dancer and Esther Williams, the famous swimmer. Just love those two women! They are sooo awesome!!!!!!!

[Fantomas4616]

absolutly fantastic tap dance. Eleanor Powell is still the best!!!!!

[johnnyjackpot]

Thanks for this great video clip!

[trschaefer]

This number is definitely not worthy of her talent. The outfit that she's wearing is extremely unflattering too. She was the queen of movie dancers!!

[SpiritualGurl1990]

That's pure talent, man. Whew! :D

[44032]

@JudithIN410 No, I haven't. Could you be more specific? I thought both were very well-liked and widely admired.

[mpo1107]

Eleanor Powell, what a babe!