Corrections: Balanchine was not "fired" from Ballets Russes. Its founder Diaghilev died in 1929; the original group (which saw uneven revivals under later impresarios seeking to trade on the name) folded. GB was working at the Royal Danish Ballet and in London, when Lincoln Kirstein invited him to come to the US in 1933.
Re: authenticity: Zorina's biography describes the mirror/lake scene, Suzanne Farrell describes her learning his "Slaughter", and full lists of his work in film exist as well.
he also danced and acted in hollywood, the swan lake rehearsal bit had him as the conductor asking vera if the speed or something is alright. ha ha, mr. b's hollywood stuff is really funny and crazy, like getting hit by volley balls and banging on the swan castle...he had a big sense of humor
Yes this is Balanchine. The woman in the beginning is his wife, Vera Zorina. Ballet was a new concept in America. So, after he was fired from Ballet Russe he went Hollywood. Just to stay a float. Then he went to NYC. But yes it's him.
that slaughter on 10th avenue choreography in the movie was Robert Alton's- that is not Balanchine's choreography
mshullabalulou 1 year ago
Arte divina!!!
Bertamoura 1 year ago
Also, if you had any doubts, look at that off-center arabesque rotation in the pas de deux. Pure Balanchine eccentricity in motion.
....and this series doesn't even show the elephants...(read Taber or one of the other bios of GB for more info!)
dellaroux 1 year ago
Corrections: Balanchine was not "fired" from Ballets Russes. Its founder Diaghilev died in 1929; the original group (which saw uneven revivals under later impresarios seeking to trade on the name) folded. GB was working at the Royal Danish Ballet and in London, when Lincoln Kirstein invited him to come to the US in 1933.
Re: authenticity: Zorina's biography describes the mirror/lake scene, Suzanne Farrell describes her learning his "Slaughter", and full lists of his work in film exist as well.
dellaroux 1 year ago
he also danced and acted in hollywood, the swan lake rehearsal bit had him as the conductor asking vera if the speed or something is alright. ha ha, mr. b's hollywood stuff is really funny and crazy, like getting hit by volley balls and banging on the swan castle...he had a big sense of humor
unsatura 2 years ago
ITS MR. B. PLEASE STUDY.
RONIDC1979 2 years ago
Yes this is Balanchine. The woman in the beginning is his wife, Vera Zorina. Ballet was a new concept in America. So, after he was fired from Ballet Russe he went Hollywood. Just to stay a float. Then he went to NYC. But yes it's him.
silverfeetsue 2 years ago
As the narration says on the last ("Slaughter on Tenth Ave.), this is NOT Balanchine, but Kelly's "reconception" to the same music.
TubeUself 2 years ago
This SURELY CAN'T be the Mr. B we all know and love. It's SO untypical.
balletnut 2 years ago