Donald O'Connor tap dancing on roller skates

Donald O'Connor in a roller-skating routine two years before Gene Kelly attempted a similar one. The song 'Life Has Its Funny Ups and Downs' is sung by Noreen Corcoran

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Love
• Melvin
• Donald
• O'Connor
• Noreen
• Corcoran
• tap
• dancing

[sisapka]

Well, those who doesn't admire O'Connor are idiots anyway. Or maybe they just don't know him. Which is not a big surprise, since his movies are impossible to get from anywhere. I only have 3 or 4 of them, the rest of them are unavailable. Big shame. I'm a hoofer myself, so if anyone can admire this guy's dancing and acrobatic skills, it must be me. But it's very frustrating to see only a few cut-out bits and pieces on Youtube instead of the whole movies... :(

[catwomanpl1]

@sisapka You're not the only one who admires Donald - there are quite a few of us on yt :))) If you want to watch some more of his movies check sorrowfullflower's and donaldoconnorfan's channels. They uploaded the whole movies!

[sisapka]

With all due respect, guys; "Two years before Gene Kelly"? So what? Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers have already invented the thing in 1937. Check the roller skating tap dance routine in "Swing Time". Nothing new about it. Nevertheless it's always amazing to see someone do it especially this good. Donald was a terrific hoofer no question about that! Thanks for sharing this video, since I don't have this movie.

[catwomanpl1]

@sisapka 'Two years before Gene Kelly'... You're absolutely right - it's nothing but.... everybody remembers and admires Astaire/Rogers and Kelly, and nobody seemed to remember and admire Donald O'Connor, up to now. That's why I wrote this :)

[FallenStar57]

As a skater I know that precision skate wheels don't roll unless you push them. Donald was awesome here one of his best performances ever.

[catwomanpl1]

@FallenStar57 Do you think this was the case that the wheels didn't move? What about the different colour of the wheels? Many people claim he had them changed....

[thewigsterpig45]

Fearless.

[faith4094]

@NiKoLaJoULeSxX You are so welcome...check out my channel for a great picture...it's something... and great videos, montages, and tributes to Donald by my friends..you can go to these channels: LoveTheOConnor, TheSorrowfulFlower, wasittoyou, catwomanpl1 (this is her upload here) DonaldOConnorFan, rungirlmgg, etc.:)))))))))) Quite a few of us have all of his many movies and many are uploaded here on YouTube...Check out his fabulous romantic dances in Call Me Madam, Anything Goes, etc.

[NiKoLaJoULeSxX]

@faith4094 OKay then! aweosme! and thankyou :D!!!

i agree with your statement, is is definetly the best and adorable!!!! :)

[evelau]

I think I find the It's Always Fair Weather roller skates routine a bit more impressive, but this is still awesome. Thanks for posting. O'Connor was a great dancer for sure.

[faith4094]

@NiKoLaJoULeSxX No!!! LOADS of us absolutely LOVE Donald:)))) He's the best and the most adorable!!! You have great taste!!!!!

[elbalajazz]

no rollers at the end of video????

[NiKoLaJoULeSxX]

is it weird that i absolutely LOVE this man, and im 16 ???

[lovetheoldies100]

Great find -thanks for posting!!

[grabthars]

Obviously the wheels were locked. I could tell even when I saw this movie as a kid. Kelly's routine was done totally on rolling roller skates.

[hadamday64]

@sisapka my opinion he was more talented than Gene Kelly but Kelly had a but agent and publicist