Ann Miller & Ray Bolger Puttin' On the Ritz

[@RJS1974]

Marvelous. We will never see an era like this again. Three channels and something you actually want to watch.

[@yvonneplant9434]

No. Tap dancing is still going on but it does not get the attention it used to. 😔

[@liannebedard5521]

TV had little to do with the popularity of tap. Hollywood did…

[@donaldmorgan1773]

Ray Bolger and Buddy Ebsen were two of my favorite male dancers. AnnMiller and Eleonore Powell are my favorite female dancers. And of course Fred and Ginger. Rita Hayworth could dance too!

[@marymusic8920]

Live performance, little rehearsal, fantastic talent.... They were professionals, in those days; punctual, hard-working., respectful of their physical conditioning, and simply a dream, to watch... Thank you...!!!

[@robstockton2463]

Except Ray doesn’t remember the choreography and has to keep watching Ann. Give ‘em tons of credit for singing it live, though.

[@joksal9108]

@@robstockton2463You’re watching some other video, clearly.

[@stan4now]

Puttin' on the Ritz and painting the town red, what a hoot! Ann Miller and Ray Bolger are a tap-dancing team!

[@debbiebalnaves4842]

Still a class act today in 2023 😊 Roy Bolger great dancer and actor 😊 The scarecrow from the wizard of oz 1936 Thank you for the memories

[@luishumbertovega3900]

Oz was filmed in 1939. 😁

[@nathanjamesdance]

also checking we're in 2024!!! So not sure what's going in your world lol!

[@nathanjamesdance]

and if you read above I was also correcting the OP and not your correction.

[@briane3657]

Watch Ray dance in the Harvey Girls for some more of his great dancing skills.

[@luishumbertovega3900]

@@debbiebalnaves4842 ...and it's RAy Bolger, not Roy

[@bikerguy5944]

I love Ann Miller. I think she's one of the best of the best

[@mariad.1779]

I agree

[@eviesmail5447]

Absolutely

[@Juliaflo]

Copy that.

[@yvonneplant9434]

She was a child prodigy. There were some video clips of her. Not sure if they are still around.

[@briane3657]

@@yvonneplant9434 She was dancing on film at age 14 with Ginger Rogers! Ann had lied about her age to RKO!

[@amymack1954]

Good God! Ray Bolger was 62 years old in 1966! That's how old I am now, and I couldn't begin to imagine doing something like this!

[@coreycox2345]

You must be around my age, Amy.

[@rowwdycolt654]

I have a friend who just turned 73 and she danced just like this up until 2 years ago when she became ill. She will still try even after being so sick. It is what keeps them young.

[@nancydemoss8421]

Dancers dance

[@Tina-qp7py]

Amy, you could if you really wanted to!

[@davidhihm4353]

Oh, Come Now!

[@raysmith6590]

Ray Bolger at 62! Ray Smith is 62, and I wish I could move like that. Wow!

[@susanhicks4149]

God Bless these two. I hope they are dancing in heaven !

[@mikeberryessa7245]

YES , there is a sea of glass just to do that !

[@songsmith31a]

What's not to like? Two class performers giving a great song a wonderful "airing" for our pleasure.

[@MisterOtis]

Thank you for posting this amazing “live” tap performance - outstanding because it’s a rare documentation of a tap routine in which all of the syncopated metallic sounds are entirely and organically made by the plates mounted to the bottom of the shoes worn by the two dancers in the frame (at least, I couldn’t discern any post-production audio embellishment to Ann and Ray’s routine). The sounds heard in almost any tap routine of almost any movie musical are not humanly possible to create, yet for nearly a century, audiences have been conditioned to believe that the additional, embellished beats added by sound effect and foley departments during post-production were really created by the dancers in the routine they just watched. The level of production value indicates that the producers of The Bell Telephone Hour took care in creating a quality program, and that Bell allocated generous amounts for certain line items in the show’s budget, like talent fees and color video and camera technology. All the dance performance critics in this comments section should be reminded that (1) given the fact that it was a TV production and not a feature film, Bolger & Miller probably had very little rehearsal time, and certainly not as much time allowed for MGM perfectionists like Fred or Gene, and afforded by Arthur Freed, and that (2) if you can’t say something nice, please don’t say anything at all. Bolger & Miller kick ass!

[@pbohearn]

AMAZING ANN MILLER! Best Female Tap Performer Of her time. Ginger can have Ballroom, her talents pointedly asserted when responding to the accolades her partner, Fred, received stated, “Try it backwards... in heels. “ Ahem. Gold Footage of the Golden Era Of USA.

[@rosemorris7912]

Miller said that tap dancers would wear rubber caps on their shoes during filming because the floors were so polished; otherwise, they'd bust their keesters regularly. The best of the dancers, like Miller, Kelly, and Astaire, would then have to loop their taps in post-production. They used a special board that helped magnify the sounds for the microphone. And yes, they did their own Foley work because they were that good, that well rehearsed, and that precise.

[@ObservingtheObvious]

Rose Morris ...And Miller was every bit as much a perfectionist as Astaire and Kelly. Looped her own foot work on her pictures and love working with’The Perfectionists’ for a superior result. Clocked the fastest feet in Hollywood; 500 taps a minute!

[@keetrandling4530]

Well said, sir

[@lemaildoe]

🤦 You sound like Trump, saying something that is common knowledge but that you just found out and want to convince people that you're the only one who has figured it out. Well, congratulations on finally learning that bit of common knowledge, I guess.

[@PatrolOfficer161]

One camera performance. No cuts. Talent on display for all to enjoy.

[@bkeeshen]

Multiple cuts if you watch closely, but still very solid performance

[@shooterandwinniesmom]

It is so weird to see Ann Miller not wearing heels! Amazing live tap dancing!

[@gaymichaelis7581]

Absolutely adored this with Ann Miller and Ray Bulger! Well, I knew Ann Miller was a wonderful dancer, but now I am learning a lot more that Ray Bolger was a fabulous dancer also! Though I had just seen him before on the Wizard of Oz! As the scarecrow!

[@g.cosper]

You gotta look up some his stuff! You will be amazed

[@angiedawnmoody3519]

He had a 7 minute dance routine in the wizard of oz but they cut it out as the film was running to long. He also played Toby Noe in The Little House On The Prairie

[@etaoinshrdlu7247]

check out The Harvey Girls!

[@lilliekelly1835]

Catch Bolger in On The Atchiton Topeka and the Sata Fe. He is fabulous!

[@carlcushmanhybels8159]

In another life, i think i'd like to come back as Ray Bolger.

[@celestialskye1]

Absolutely loved seeing this! They just don't make dancers like this anymore! Ann was recorded as having the most taps in the world. Yup, they actually counted her taps.

[@adiedo]

There are dancers like this out there but the only place to really see it is on B'Way. The movies just are not a showcase for amazing dancers anymore. Plus this style of dance isn't always seen in shows. Still, these two old pros were amazing.

[@MermaidAnn]

Love this performance of my Uncle Ray Bolger--never seen it before, thanks!

[@katecoffee4744]

I really miss stuff like this.

[@johnmitilias3063]

You don’t see much of this anymore. Very nostalgic for me 😢😊

[@kurtb8474]

Dancing AND singing. Not lip-syncing. Awesome!

[@JustineWittich]

Two ultimate professionals "puttin' on a lesson" . We'll never see their like again. Certainly not on TV as is now. Thanks, KZbin!

[@jimb8830]

Style, art, character, entertainment.......yet now 2024

[@rfletch62]

Geez! TV was fun a while back.

[@RJS1974]

Ann was 42 yo here. There’s a timeless quality to her.

[@maya8443]

Absolutely, she was amazingly talented and beautiful.

[@showtunestarpower]

Bolger and Miller are magnificent. What a great number - done live! Thank you Bell Telephone Hour for preserving the work of mature talent during the turbulent 60's.

[@XX-gy7ue]

WHEN STARS WERE STARS !!

[@RatBatSpiderCrab]

When STARS were REAL ENTERTAINERS!

[@normanriggs848]

Thank you!!

[@AafkeArt]

Waw, Ann Miller looks so cute and elegant in tails!

[@levieenrose7646]

Two great talents...the likes of which we will never see again.

[@Juliaflo]

Copy that.

[@1stand2ndtimearound67]

Just LOVE Ann Miller!!! she had such an amazing style. Great duo!!! you have to give it up for Ray, he kept up to Ann pretty close...

[@Chifan71]

My dad used to call Ann, Ol' Legs Miller.

[@charlescopenhagen6198]

Now that’s what I call talent

[@bennyjazzful]

WOW Brilliant dancing & singing from two genuine superstars. From a 71yo Aussie fan.

[@maddi-son9527]

John Benn i know weren’t they incredible, nice to see another Aussie fan From a 16year old Aussie fan

[@xlivingdeadgirlx5347]

Maddi-son I am too!❤️

[@amandawilcox9638]

72-year old from Oregon, US here. This is so wonderfully done I've already forwarded the video to my daughter and a good friend. Hi guys! Nice age- and continent- ranges here. Take care & have a good year!

[@rosemorris7912]

She said in multiple interviews that Elanor Powell was her idol, and I can see a lot of Powell's influence in this number.

[@UncleDavesKitchen]

Wow. Amazing number I've never seen this before. I got to meet them both, both were lovely.

[@davidcattin7006]

Enchanting! And they're not even breathing hard!

[@dianegrant540]

Fabulous! Always thought Ann Miller was among the very top tap dancers ever AND always loved Ray Bolger's tap dancing too - I shall visit this video often. Thanks for publishing it Nathan. I got my husband to tap dance (aged 83yrs) down our aisle, to this music. I aim to sing it to him at this coming Sunday gig (he will be on drums and doesn't know I am going to sing it to him on this our first anniversary!),

[@troyannbladsacker1811]

Diane Grant Fabulous! And Happy Anniversary!

[@mayaa5048]

Diane Grant- Ann Miller was the second best female tap dancer in the world when Eleanor Powell was still dancing. Ann, became the best and the fastest tap dancer in the world. She was a true talent not only she danced her shoes off but was good singer, actress and a classy beautiful gal.

[@windsordance3698]

It sounds like you both have a great love of life! Good on you & happy anniversary!❤️

[@BrianStorey-j5n]

Oh to have seen that live!! no entertainment like that anymore

[@gtlfb]

There used to be so much real musical entertainment on TV. The weekly variety shows like Carol Burnett, Flip Wilson, Dean Martin; the revue shows like Hollywood Palace, Ed Sullivan, Kraft Music Hall; the teen shows like Shindig, Hullabaloo, Soul Train; then there were the one off specials featuring every great entertainer of the time - and just three networks. The 60s and 70s really were a Golden Age of television entertainment, but we just didn’t realize it.

[@Arkelk2010]

Thank you for posting this. And thanks to Bell Telephone and Firestone for all the performance of classy performances on their shows so we have them recorded for posterity. It is so good to see the old greats in action.

[@annefitz7346]

Absolutely!

[@MalloryL.McCartney]

This was amazing. I didn't know what to expect when I read that Bolger was in it, and I wasn't disappointed.

[@pumpupjam54]

I saw Ray dance with Eleanor Powell in the Bell Telephone hour in 63. Ann is just as good as Ellie.

[@joseph77080]

Wow what a delight! i can tell this is Ann's choreography! Ray was much older than her but he did a well job keeping up with her. #loveannmiller

[@troyannbladsacker1811]

Joseph Berck Ray Bolger was fabulous!!!

[@mayaa5048]

joseph berck - Ann Miller was a very talented dancer, love her for many qualities. If you're interested in watching Ann Miller interview/bio it's a 4 part vid, enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mInSaWqbm9F_o8k

[@carycomic1954]

"And there were showbiz giants in those days..." Thanks for sharing this with us! 🙂

[@deaneaton8105]

Ann Miller - damn!

[@bernardrubin5816]

True magic!!!

[@LucretziaB]

AMAZING!

[@ailsasublett7349]

LOVE Ray Bolger!

[@4eyeswalker]

Class with a capital “c”. Thanks for sharing this!

[@andrewbarrett1537]

I like how at 1:49 she's like "hate to fox-trot, love to waltz", so the orchestra obliges by swinging into a brief ragtime waltz version of the tune.

[@sylvanaire]

I never would’ve recognized him without the name in the title. Of course, I’ve only ever seen him as the Scarecrow in Oz and Barnaby in Babes in Toyland, & I didn’t recognize him in that either, lol.

[@nancyrafferty5568]

Those were the days when there was real entertainment non of the junk that is on now. I heard movie theatres were loosing money there isn’t anything worth going to see. Only violence and loud noise. I am 85 and went to movies since I was 6. It was family time. Back in those days it was ten cents for children and not sure for adults. You saw the main feature, news, coming attractions and second movie. Loved the old Hollywood actors. Music, singing and dancing. Life was good. 👍

[@lonsworth]

Ray Bolger a great dancer from his Broadway Days!!

[@troyannbladsacker1811]

Lon Landis No one could have played the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz but Ray Bolger. Genius.

[@mariad.1779]

I agree 👍

[@maya8443]

Ann Miller was brilliant, she made it seem so easy. Thanks for posting.

[@Vino-bv5ic]

Sublime !

[@UserName-sj8fg]

I saw him in several of his one man Broadway shows singing Once in Love with Amy and soft shoe dancing.

[@laurencebarton276]

Ann Miller was such an amazing and underrated MGM talent; her tap dancing trumps anything before and since. Watch here how her partner, Ray Bolger (the scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz) leads her at the start and then, midway, smartly watches her lead and tries to keep up. It's classic, beautiful tap dancing that is rarely seen anymore....and we need it more, now than ever.

[@pbohearn]

Laurence Barton si agree!!!

[@vincentlynch3652]

Of course, he was nearly 20 years older than her. I don't recall ever seeing her once she got to he his age here.

[@troyannbladsacker1811]

@@vincentlynch3652 she played in Sugar Babies on Broadway with Mickey Rooney. My mother saw her in 1983 and said she was fabulous. And she danced with a sprained ankle.

[@maya8443]

@@vincentlynch3652 - are you serious? She was in her 60's when she appeared in an episode of the love boat and she was jumping tables in that number, she was 65 when she did sugar babies with Rooney. So please do your research before yapping away.

[@patricktrussell7465]

Well said , L.B. !

[@maxwilson4748]

This makes me happy!

[@amywilson3593]

gerry wilson best performance of this i've ever seen

[@rickscookingschool4496]

Two of my favorites - they never quite made the "top" in Hollywood - but just watch this and tell me they didn't make the TOP of entertainment (for MANY).

[@pbohearn]

Rick's Cooking School completely agree. Under appreciated at the time. 2 “Hoofers” showin what they got, and, especially, the JOY OF IT. Total Pros. Kudos Ms Miller.

[@troyannbladsacker1811]

@@pbohearn and Rick's Cooking School I totally agree. They were fabulous unique dancers. Should have been bigger stars.

[@rosemorris7912]

Bolger wasn't leading man material, but he was a great specialty dancer who was a bonafide Broadway legend. Miller was a great dancer, but she made a better femme fatale/brassy side piece than she did the girl-next-door/leading lady type. She too went on to great Broadway success.

[@troyannbladsacker1811]

@@rosemorris7912 no one could have played the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz but Ray Bolger. He was perfect.

[@raptorfromthe6ix833]

Ann miller was a success she stole every scene

[@yvonneplant9434]

I've never seen this before!!! 🎉 ❤

[@zeekwolfe5781]

When we were a boy sitting in King Herod's court, I watched Salome dance in exchange for John the Baptist's head. Ann Miller was the best lady dancer since antiquity including Mata Hari.

[@mjrotondi5086]

Fabulous !!

[@karenklint5130]

April in Paris featured dance numbers by Ray Bolger and Doris Day.

[@mannyespinola]

Long live Ann Miller!

[@msrocker2121]

Just fantastic! 2 legends.

[@KenDanieli]

The confidence of Ann Miller.

[@laurencebarton276]

Ray Bolger started strong and led. Ann Miller classically saved the skit.

[@loisrossi841]

So good, thank you.

[@Paul-lm5gv]

What a treat! Ann was a great dancer and actress. And Ray Bolger - I mean - Wow! He was the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz!

[@1950Grendel]

Both past their prime when this was filmed but still better than anyone.

[@wmomente]

So fabulous old Hollywood

[@annetteskolnik9858]

Amazing Wonderful performance!!!

[@songsmith31a]

Tap into this! Absolutely top class performances from two top exponents of their craft. Class acts indeed.

[@thomasnuedling9167]

I saw Ann Miller at Carnegie Hall for That's Entertainment Live. Was I a lucky fellow? Yes, indeed I was!!!😃

[@mattharrington5064]

Amazing!

[@BalletBabyBoy]

Never see great talent like this again!

[@annettefournier9655]

What a treat!

[@cbass2755]

I loved these shows at night after work, school, and after dinner curled up on the couch. I’ll never see another one again...except here on Utube ( until they take this away too).

[@danieljstark1625]

Class personified!

[@rustyfrank]

What a surprise this is. Thanks so much, Nathan, for posting it. The thing that really strikes me is that it is the first time I've seen Ann dancing in pants. It's such a different look for her. Really powerful. Love it. Thanks again.

[@Gerry1of1]

Legends

[@tessjones5987]

Ray Bolger is so elegant.

[@a1productionllc]

I have ALWAYS liked this song, they made it even better!!!!

[@anthonystokes3826]

There was I thinking that all that fantastic talent was gone forever.... not a bit of it I have run out of words to say. except thank you...nathan james

[@caseylauren1106]

love this! brings back memories... but my, how times have changed!

[@pinkrose5796]

Loved watching this!! Grew up when old movies and remember Ray Bolger from " Babes in Toyland":)

[@rossinilove]

A true class act!

[@marysmith2137]

LOVE THIS--- NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL ENTERTAINMENT--- WOW!!

[@judithkuzma7960]

I saw Ann Miller and Andy Rooney in Sugar Babies in Boston. She had a broken heel and they announced she would modify her steps. You never would have known. This was in the 80's. I so enjoyed them. She was very impressive!

[@SallyGH2020]

I think you meant Mickey Rooney. 🤣

[@RobertCarnevale-qr5ey]

​@@SallyGH2020 That certainly was an eyebrow raiser. _"I never could figure this one out: could someone please tell me why..._ people get me mixed up with Mickey Rooney? He doesn't have my debonair looks." --Andy Rooney, perhaps

[@annbush1826]

This is the finest video of these two legends, You can see she is having fun bing challenged by a dancer her equal. A dark part of the life story of that wonderful giving woman was that her husband threw her downstairs. Pregnant, she lost the baby, but also broke her back.

[@colleenposadas8415]

Sad

[@THREESISTERS15]

WE have been lucky to enjoy real talent in entertainment world. Not what they have today.

[@lindaziella3212]

👍👍👍two of the best.

[@traceyjames3438]

love 2 find new tapes of ann, just miraculous

[@Dianaemanuel]

Incredible talent.

[@mariad.1779]

I agree

[@scotgat]

All I can say is this: "I wish the scarecrows in my garden could do that!"

[@brendafuller907]

I love watching the classic performers! Especially the dancers.

[@paulcanaday-elliott9834]

Can’t help but wonder whether this performance served as Mel Brooks’ inspiration for the Putin’ on the Ritz scene in Young Frankenstein!

[@kevinwachs5905]

I think that the inspiration for that scene in Young Frankenstein was Mad Magazine's Son of Mighty Joe Kong, which has Doris Day and the giant ape do a song and dance.

[@amandawilcox9638]

@@kevinwachs5905 That's hysterical!

[@edsmith3461-z7m]

Gene Wilder wrote that scene, he was a creator of the whole idea for the movie.

[@rixx46]

doubtful And it was Gene Wilder's idea - the one time he and Brooks disagreed about what was funny. Wilder was right

[@kevinwachs5905]

@@rixx46, yes, both Wilder and Brooks have told interviewers about their disagreement, and both acknowledged that Wilder was right. But note that nearly every scene in the movie is a parody of a scene from Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein or Son of Frankenstein. There is no public display of the creature in any of those, nor in the later, B-movie sequels from the 40s. The antecedent of this scene is Robert Armstrong's display of Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World, on Broadway in King Kong. I don't know whether Wilder knew the Mad satire Son of Mighty Joe Kong, but, if not, he came up with the same take on the scene from King Kong.

[@kennethpotts5056]

fantastic fancy footwork love the Bell Telephone hour wish there was more shows avaiable

[@silvinhofernandesrj2065]

two legends

[@orchardist6559]

Who’d have thought the Straw Man could turn on the tap. Thank you for sharing.