Eleanor & Fred in part 1 of "Begin The Beguine"

Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire in part 1 of the classical musical number "Begin The Beguine" from the 1940 movie "Broadway Melody of 1940".

[@robertguttman1487]

The remarkable Eleanor Powell, who was so good that she usually danced solo because few partners could match her. The equally-remarkable Fred Astaire was among the few who could, though. Two of the very bes in the business, at the peaks of their careers.

[@robertriggs4291]

I agree

[@carloamagliani0944]

Si...si...si...vero.

[@giovannimedini2091]

Wonderful

[@Jenifer_G]

No where the charm of Ginger, good dancer for sure but only a soloist was Eleanor.

[@shirleybalinski4535]

Fred said she was too good. Eleanor was so athletic that Fred it was like dancing with a man.

[@searlekochberg]

MGM at its best, tremendous b&w art direction, amazing scale and such artistic talent in front of the camera. The best tap pas de deux ever...

[@maryellengrayberg9146]

She was the best dancer ever!!! Love her. RIP Eleanor🙏💙

[@TheConfuzzledCat]

There's nothing like the sound of good tap dancing - let alone from two legends like Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell. Holy cow.

[@arkleston3299]

The singer, the orchestration, dancers, and scenery, that set it all up for Fred and Eleanor, they deserve admiration too.

[@timerover4633]

I do not think that I can ever get tired of watching them dance to this number. It is magical.

[@alwaysblake148]

I have never seen this part of the Begin the Beguine dance. I've only seen the famous other part that is in That's Entertainment. Both are mind-boggling. Ms Powell was spectacular in her technique, timing, posture and presence. No one ever danced as well with Astaire. I know Ginger is wonderful, and Rita was lovely, but Powell is on another level entirely.

[@jimrenes99]

We will never see dancing like this ever again. Mr. Skylark is correct, this is when Hollywood had class! An era that will remain in the 20th Century.

[@Toudie6649]

Greatest dancer that ever lived in my humble opinion :-)

[@oldclassics1923]

This is pure magic. Fred and Eleanore are amazing.

[@Jenifer_G]

Yes, really lovely dancing, but the charm Fred had with Ginger is missing. Ginger added so much to Freds dancing, this is lovely but Ginger was unique.

[@carloamagliani0944]

@@Jenifer_G a me piace più Eleanor Powell... I suoi tempi mi sembrano più perfetti ma... I gusti son gusti... Un saluto dall'Italia... 👍👍

[@esmeephillips5888]

It is striking that in this, in the second (tap) duet and in the second part of 'I Concentrate on You', Eleanor summons Fred from the back or leads him on to the floor. She had always been her own dance director at MGM; Fred at Radio had always collaborated with Hernes Pan, but now had to fend for himself. The story is about a male dancer trying to keep up with a female headliner, and these scenes rub Astaire's nose in it. Never before or after would he appear in a professionally subordinate position. Moreover, in the picture's big romantic number, he is ousted by George Murphy, who could manhandle a girl as scrawny Fred could not. Did Ellie choreograph 'Between You and Me' knowing that Fred could not cope? So there was a risk he would be humiliated, in the eyes both of the studio folks and his wavering fandom. In Leo the Lion's den, Fred was surrounded by Ellie's loyal collaborators and admirers. Later he would become Metro's chief ornament, long after Powell had retired. But in 1939, Gingerless and recently named as box office poison, he was on dangerous ground. Ellie's incorrigible if subconscious determination to boss the show can be glimpsed throughout BM40: it is a 'challenge dance' film, not a romcom- unlike any other in the canon of musicals. All the more reason to admire Fred for being up to the test. His career got fresh impetus from it. He was no longer Adele's junior or Ginger's senior partner but a solo star who came through the sternest ordeal in movie hoofing: he held his own against the best.

[@1nightstorm]

Breathtaking video showcasing breathtaking talent! Many thanks for sharing this treasure.

[@Whiskers1949]

I think I was born too late, because I LOVE the music of the 30s and 40s. As a kid my parents "forced" me to watch Welk.... and I pretended to not like it.... but inside I knew that I wanted to hear more of the great era of music.... 400 and something CDs later... I haven't even made it to the 60s...

[@deegeraghty9426]

Superb dancing technique. A joy to watch. Thank you

[@peterbeickert2767]

In my opinion this is the greatest dance number ever recorded. Pure talent at it's best.

[@cathleenwitt2790]

I never tire of watching this spectacular performance! It really demonstrates that tap is both a visual and truly musical form of dance! The tap rhythms in this number are superbly related to the orchestration! A feast for the eyes and the ears!

[@marknewton6984]

Too great😮!

[@chattyroz2934]

What can you say? Just brilliant. And thank you so much for the high quality clip. You can pick up the smallest nuance of their expressions. Because it's not just a dance, it's a connection between two people.

[@user-kc1sj2bd8d]

this is my favorite dance routine what an amazing dancer she was then paired with Fred Astaire just amazing, thank you.

[@patricemoran7469]

This was when Hollywood had TALENT.

[@antonioginez5994]

WoW! Very impressive. Great dancers , Hooray! I love this show. Thumbs up.

[@ginnylorenz5265]

I think this is the only movie where Mr. Astaire's gorgeous dancer's behind is shown to such advantage!!!

[@BillHendricksShadowmason]

I just lost a friend who loved, Begin The Beguine. He loved the disco version with Johnny Mathas. After listening to that version, I am finding all these incredible renditions.

[@roslyndecanio81]

Awesome, part Flamenco, part almost ballet, spectacular art deco sets, Fred and Eleanor fantastic duo, evenly paired in their incredible talent!

[@abababab39]

3mt..

[@esmeephillips5888]

The dance style reflects an increasing 'Latinization' of musicals which was about to bust out all over when Eleanor's friend Alice Faye starred in 'Down Argentine Way'. In 'Ship Ahoy' Ellie does a Flamenco-inspired solo, 'Matador', and had planned a duet in with Jose Greco, but it was dropped. Pity, bc the aggressive call and response would have suited her 'attack' mode.

[@rmcfete]

No Ellie was better

[@royanderson9536]

Timeless rendition of Cole Porters great standard.

[@user-bo5vi2qs5w]

Это так красиво,что кажется каким то сказочным сном...И не хочеться просыпаться...Как же необыкновенно прекрасно умели в то время снимать кино!А в наши дни одна пошлость.Спасибо за это видео!!!

[@MrSkylark1]

This was when Hollywood had Class

[@MariaAlvarez-sm8bv]

Absolutely right you are !!!

[@patriciahelms8036]

Eleanor Powell dances so well with Astair! Great pair!

[@Lucy00682]

Talents of these two artists in full display.

[@judywhiting4684]

This is the GOLDEN ERA...will never have stars like that..EVER....Powell.was Heaven sent....simply poetry in motion...l think this number is one OF THE BEST....ever on screen.....two fabulous dancers.....

[@user-nb2ee9dt1i]

[@davidcattin7006]

Glorious! And the way her skirt flowed was divine.

[@mario58396]

Con su baile, Elenor y Fred hacen que la música asuma su forma, comenzando por el comienzo... sin nunca terminar.

[@christineconstable8508]

Could not be better ❤️

[@xiscapalmersegura3743]

Fantásticos espectáculos, con auténticas estrellas!! Únicas

[@TheAngel138]

Fantastic dancers!!!

[@ribamarmodestodasilva3109]

Mais um espetáculo de Eleanor & Fred.

[@JudithIN410]

Delightful in high quality; thanks!

[@safeinmyheart1]

Beautiful! 💜

[@Heather89Anne]

Mesmerizing!

[@MariaDasGracas-uh7jp]

Wonderful !

[@arturominu]

Desde jovencito vi a fred y creo no he visto otro igual!!

[@rmcfete]

You just did. She was better. She created her own routines, and this one, Fred had a choreographer

[@montsepasarrius6617]

Me encanta,esta musica 🤗👏

[@Vejur9000]

This is a super athlete, by any definition in sports, dance, or art. Famous for her gravity defying speed, physical strength and power, she layed down some of the most intricate rhythms in tap and dance history. Considered by many of the greatest dancers, to be the greatest of them all. Taught by one of the greatest tap dancers of all time, gifted with supernatural energy, natural beauty and charisma, is the greatest dancer of all time, who made it all look easy, sexy, and happy. Eleanor Powell.

[@mariaangelesarevalillolope3316]

NO WORDS, ONLY ADMIRACIÓN

[@mamaw49]

They were just the very best. I love this video.

[@jeffc.4323]

the sweet and splendid

[@luizsergiocardosodossantos9042]

Tínhamos Ginger Rodgers, mas tambem a inigualável Eleanor Power. Maravilha.

[@peterlarsen1000]

Pure magic....Rosa Larsen

[@mikerusli9660]

Amazing!

[@rodolfoaguirre8397]

Los ví de niño me recuerda bellos momentos hoy qué soy abuelo

[@roccotracanna163]

Very Very Very Good

[@josefinamartinez2251]

Beautiful

[@EandMetal]

@jeryd2003 Both of them had routines in their repertoires that were fast, intricate, precise, etc. They didn't need to prove it with every single dance. Dancers will always have slower routines too, for variety if nothing else. And slower routines might seem simpler, but they come with their own challenges (but good dancers will make them seem effortless).

[@rmcfete]

They practiced the arm movements for three weeks

[@olgabelarusminsk7396]

Элегантно, мило, нежно!!!

[@cre8lite11]

Also is exceptional the singer

[@NJack-uu8ej]

Cole Porter's wordplay echoed in the set's play with mirrors.

[@dianekennedy7086]

BRAVO!!!

[@bh5606]

..amazing..

[@susanabbott4144]

I am a big MGM musical fan. The B&W's were the best.

[@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930]

GRANDES E INOLVIDABLE PAREJA DE BAILE

[@NinoCrivello]

Semplicemente meravigliosi!!!!!

[@rinocardone5361]

che splendore, che classe

[@johncaya1030]

The greatest dancer i ever saw

[@kathleenwhelan1116]

Eleanor Powell was the best tap dancer of the 20th Century. Bar none!

[@lindaterrell5535]

It looks like the hem is slightly weighted. So the flow is more controlled.

[@annasezzatini9956]

Che bellezza guardarli ❤❤

[@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930]

Lnolvidable, mágica pareja de baile.!!!

[@judithschoner6433]

Hollywood at his best 👌.

[@EandMetal]

@jeryd2003 Your comment isn't comprehensible. Both Astaire and Powell could dance a lot faster than this, together and in their solo routines, but this part isn't meant to be a fast dance. I don't know what being humble has to do with it.

[@partycentralsales]

I’m obsessed with the two sets of spins she does at 2:00. They are just perfect.

[@leonie9003]

I know what you mean. She is perfection in this whole sequence. Those spins are identical even though her feet are in different positions when she does the high kick. Her arms are in an unusual position, her feet are beautifully positioned as she completes the double spins. Even her head tilt is the same after each spin. Such attention to detail. I'm obsessed with that backward climb up the incline like she is floating. @2:28. It is on the diagonal and she curves it as she approaches the upper dance floor. Incredibly, the axis thru her hips is parallel to the floor when she is moving up the slant. Another beautiful gesture from Powell comes at the beginning of the alternating turns @3:42. While Astaire gives a small clap of his hands and flicks his wrist as he points, Eleanor gracefully touches her right forefinger to her chest/heart then points. Her turns are smooth and effortlessly gorgeous.

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@leonie9003 The more I study Powell, the more I realize that although her individual moves were inspired and usually flawless, it is the way she traces the line of the dance- the seamlessness of it all- that distinguishes her. She never does a bit of busking or filling in so you can take time out to admire a move; you are compelled to go with her through a design that composes not only a pattern but a transit from A to B. There is always a solid substratum of thought behind the design. Thanks to the renewed availability of her work and the technology which lets one analyze it as you have done, we notice the details more easily than original viewers did. Then we must stand back and try to take in each work in full to see why Powell now seems to obsess cognoscenti like no other dancer, popular or classical, of the past century except Astaire. Ann Miller, whom I love, can blaze through a spectacular routine, but it will not acquire a larger meaning. It remains a specialty, a break in the action, a tasty snack. Eleanor's motion conveys, not a message or a doctrine of dance, but an atmosphere- what Jerry Ames, the dance historian, called a 'radiance of joy'- that elevates it above momentary beauty or excitement. It is the difference between immensely gifted and dedicated performers who were for hire and a creator whose ideas luckily turned out to be marketable enough that whole expensive movies could be arranged round her and her alone. The London Times obituarist wrote 'There was never anyone remotely like her', and that verdict stands. Really she was a mystic, possibly a saint; but she could not have conveyed her vision without reserves of imagination and determination one can only wonder at.

[@louisquintanar3066]

​

[@antoniojairdossantos2522]

Verdade , também gosto.

[@10001cf]

Does anyone know why they only ever made the one movie together? They are certainly well-matched talent-wise. Got nothing against Ginger Rogers but I would have loved to see these two in other productions.

[@partycentralsales]

Powell was willing to make another film, but Astaire said no. There are different reasons given for why he declined. Publicly, he stated that he didn’t think their styles were a good match and that they had done all that they could do together. (They danced four duets in this film.) He also didn’t want to be teamed with someone as he had been with his sister and then Rogers for most of his career up to that time. He told Powell that she worked him too hard. Privately, Hermès Pan, his frequent collaborator, added that Astaire thought he looked second best when tapping with Powell. Astaire also told Roddy McDowall years later that he had been scared to death of working with her because “she was the best woman dancer probably in history.”

[@CF-yb6kz]

@@partycentralsales Thanks for the info. Quite interesting....

[@markmh835]

@@partycentralsales -- Eleanor Powell: "the best woman dancer in history"? Probably true! 👍😁

[@caryreynolds1176]

@@partycentralsales Fred Astaire particularly liked the way Rita Hayworth danced, I guess she had her own style.

[@paulabroussard1824]

While other movies were initially planned for the two, it was ultimately Astaire's decision not to continue. Not only due to their different styles, but his comfort level in habits of choreography, moves that showed his personal technique to the best advantage, etc. He had so much admiration for Ellie's talent, and also wise enough to know he had to struggle, even being the master he was, to match it. We're currently working on an in-depth biography of Ellie, one which is long-deserved, which will delve into many of these interesting issues. Watch for it late next year from Kentucky Press.

[@mariagorettiserra4814]

Vaya elegancia

[@cc8339]

Credit for the soprano needs to be in the description!

[@gtlfb]

This must be one of the most subtly complex numbers ever filmed. Mirrored walls and floors, turntables, that massive curtain... I recall reading that MGM could not find a manufacturer willing to make that mirrored floor - so they did it themselves!

[@esmeephillips5888]

It was made by a firm that specialized in giant astronomical telescopes, and transported by train from the East- slowly and carefully. Wonder what became of the floor after shooting?

[@gerardrusso4156]

Bravo 👍

[@dimitridiamant5359]

In those days, The Greatest Generation. In those days, warning to the Germans and the Japanese: Don't touch the Americans.

[@DEB781]

How'd they do that?

[@imsunasong3912]

The singing was hard to listen to but the dance was amazing!!!

[@denisegariepy9513]

Souvenir souveNIN ET NOSTALGIE

[@88888gerald]

sadly we have nothing even close to their talent....

[@emmanuelleifrah7006]

❤❤🧸❤❤

[@youyong28]

Unfortunately, it seems to be getting stuck. Can it be resent?

[@vitangelomoscarda2522]

kitch! two sublime artists who dance tip tap mixed with modern dance a piece of beguine? WELL! excellent caviar canapes soaked in excellent coffee with milk. the choreography? ... to forget but let's break a lance we are in 1940 if I'm not mistaken and the dancers did not know barbie ...

[@rmcfete]

I wOuLd have liked to see her dance with lDonald O’Conner he was very good too

[@Msmorningsunrise]

OMG! what did this look like in COLOR???

[@peterlang9642]

It was photographed in black and white

[@raymondfrice]

it is better in black and white

[@kayregulski6828]

I always felt that Eleanor Powell was the best dancer out of all of them.The fact that she was taller than Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire, I think, what is the reason she wasn’t paired with them

[@esmeephillips5888]

She was not taller, but the gap in height was narrow enough to worry Fred until Mervyn Leroy got them to stand back to back in his office. Fred had the same qualms about Ann Miller. One reason his later work was with ballerinas- Vera-Ellen, Cyd Charisse, Leslie Caron- was bc they were petite. There are so many stories in Hollywood of girls turning to acting bc a growth spurt in their teens made them too tall for classical ballet. It is a very rigid world.

[@Jenifer_G]

The chemistery is not there as Eli danced mainly solo style where as Ginger anc Fred were a couple.

[@gabcarol8]

she looks like princess Leia

[@user-tk7zf4he9r]

Музыкальные постановки тех лет поражают красотой, великолепием, блестящим исполнением, поистине золотой век Голливуда. А какие таланты! Это касается и фильмов с другой тематикой. Можно пересматривать бесконечно. К сожалению, уже давно, американский кинематограф неинтересен, за редким исключением, нет интересных фильмов и актёров, всё какое-то примитивное и однообразное, это касается всех жанров и так происходит и с европейским кинематографом. Дело доходит до абсурда, когда во все фильмы запихивают представителей сексуальных меньшинств и расовых пренадлежностей, где надо и не надо, уже тошнит от этого. Из серии переборщили ребята, надо знать меру, поэтому интерес к кино упал, неправдоподобно всё. Разве могла быть Анна Болейн негритянкой? Я об этом. Снимают чушь несусветную. Это не значит, что отношусь неуважительно к народам, очень люблю и уважаю всех, я касаюсь только проблем кино.

[@patricemoran7469]

You are spot on in the analysis of today's mostly sub-par boreing cinema. So sad that this one-time illustrious medium has become so mundane.

[@rmcfete]

Only thing I don’t get is Mario Lanza’s version of this song is different than this one

[@paulhindenberg6364]

A time when music, movies and America was a kinder gentler nation with people who had class. People who appreciated Astair and Powell. Sadly, that time is gone, and we will never see anything as close to it. Requiescat In Pac

[@marijooneill8015]

Eleanor Powell is magical, her withbFred was good, I think he might have been a little intimidated by her.n

[@HobartBloke]

The word he used in later years, according to Roddy McDowall, was 'terrified... she was the best, she could do everything.'

[@esmeephillips5888]

It seems Powell was incapable of ceding control on her own turf at MGM. Half this sequence is her solo, with female support to greet her; then she summons Fred from the wings, as befits the plot in which Clare is the name over the title and Johnny the upstart gifted an unforeseen break. The ensuing duet, like the tap pairing which follows, is a meeting of equals, not a seduction. In the last moments she looks as if she is chasing him off the stage. Reviewers who complained of their lack of chemistry were right, if by that they meant that the normal musical story arc is ignored: no meeting-cute, misunderstanding, froideur, gradual realisation of the man's sincerity by the woman and final submission to him. BM40's writers seemed to grasp that the RKO template would not suit Powell. I can think of no other Astaire picture which keeps him in a suppliant position all through. No wonder he felt one bout with Ellie was enough.

[@yvonnefisher4775]

A

[@yvonnefisher4775]

What memories👏👏👏💕💕

[@shirleybalinski4535]

Powell was extraordinary. Many have stated she " attacked" the routines instead of danced. She was very athletic & few, including Astair, could match her. Also, I have read she was limited in her acting abilities,which limited her range. Powell had sort of a funny shaped body. She was quite wide in the hips, sort of muscular and slightly bowed legged. Was this because of dancing or did her body shape contribute to her ability. The first two reasons & her marriage to Glen Ford, resulted in her having a relatively short(& limited) movie career. She tried for a comeback after divorcing Ford but, her time had come & gone. Sad really, she was great.

[@esmeephillips5888]

Her comeback after divorce (1961-4) was limited to cabaret shows produced by herself. It drew rave reviews and SRO audiences everywhere from Vegas to Broadway, but she was 51 in 1964 and had had enough. She spent her last 18 years in charitable work and as a minister of religion.

[@rmcfete]

She was on broadway acting and singing they never said she couldn’t act. Only Hollywood did that

[@Silva007ish]

𝚜𝚘 𝚞𝚗𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚞𝚕

[@lanecountybigfooters5716]

Fred was amazing, but Ellie could match anything he was putting down! She was at least as good as he was... and possibly even better.

[@alejandrobonelli9507]

Con todo mi respeto,excelente si,pero mejor no! Son opiniones

[@patricemoran7469]

I totally agree!

[@LazlosPlane]

"Classic musical number" - not, "Classical musical" -- YES, GRAMMAR COP!

[@jeryd2003]

i wonder why fred astaire never reved up his dancing 4bore 100% fast i wouldn't have been that humble, lights out baby!

[@patricemoran7469]

???...

[@jerryjones7472]

@@patricemoran7469 I refer to "the babbitt and the bromide gene kelly and fred astaire. Their is 3 segments. Especially segment 3 fast and furious..

[@carloamagliani0944]

Uhhh.... Uhhhhh... Ok.. Ok...!!!