Bill "Bojangles" Robinson Stair Dance, 1932

[@OgDj2024]

WOW! 1932! This is priceless! RESPECT! ✊🏾

[@viazel2796]

A beautiful lost art. I'm so happy it was recorded and a great entertainer, Mr. Robinson!

[@nonosays]

A genius. He taught it to little Shirley Temple. Magical!

[@coolcpa3321]

1935's The Little Colonel. The Stair Dance and the Stable Dance are both captured on film. Mr. Robinson was 57 and Miss Temple was 6.

[@furpurr]

They did 2 movies together actually. Danced together in both.

[@annedavis6090]

I was just thinking of her little face, "I want to do that"☺️

[@thurayya8905]

This man didn't just dance; he flew! Look at how tight his steps are.

[@LeydenAigg]

He made it look as effortless as if he was walking down the street. Could you imagine all the countless hours of practice it took, for his artistry to reach this level? 🤩🤩🤩

[@rivpupper]

First time I've seen this and he is amazing!! 🤩

[@Tina-qp7py]

When you start young it's easy.

[@derekofbaltimore]

Unfortunately the audience didn't seem to care

[@susancoddington6393]

WOW! What an incredibly talented musical genius

[@TGirl503]

I mourn the fact that entertainment lacks anything like this any longer. Beautiful ball room dancing has found its way back to some small degree through things like Dancing With the Stars, but these wonderfully entertaining dancers just aren’t seen any longer. I think people have no idea of the dexterity or athleticism involved because they make it LOOK so easy through their smooth fluid moves.

[@davidclawson9664]

Art always evolves. Look at what's new, independent, and different. You might be pleasantly surprised.

[@Icewind007]

They still exist, you just have to go to one of the many niches.

[@Maoszman]

This is a miracle that this got recorded.

[@QuasiELVIS]

Not really. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1932_in_film

[@yolandajohnson8685]

it probably was filmed

[@QuasiELVIS]

@@yolandajohnson8685 what do you think "recorded" means?

[@yolandajohnson8685]

@@QuasiELVIS don't get so sensitive and bent out of shape. it was just a comment.

[@hutchmusician]

@@yolandajohnson8685 He just asked you a question. Don’t get so sensitive and bent out of shape.

[@vickilindberg6336]

So happy this recording exists. Thank you.

[@WhereisDreamland]

So glad it exists AND that it got preserved.

[@erikkillmonger5624]

If you ever wonder why so many old school dancers like Astaire, Kelly and Sammy revered Bill Robinson, just consider the fact that he was 54(!!!) years old when he made this film! Imagine what he was like in his 20s, 30s and 40s. He probably blew people's minds with his tapping.

[@melissavidic2895]

Erik Killmonger absolutely fabulous and at 54 holy golly gosh! God bless him!

[@misstramaine1981]

Yes! It was said Fred Astaire was influenced by Bill Robinson.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

@@melissavidic2895 thanks I truly have self importance 🤣 fucking prick

[@tommas2674]

they like fine wine got better with age.

[@essbrandon]

@@misstramaine1981 I'm a big Fred Astaire fan, and as I sat here and watched this, yes, I noticed the undeniable influence right away.

[@scotts653]

I've heard the Mr. BoJangles song for 40 years. I never knew what it was about until now.

[@JohnSmith-el2nj]

It isn't about him.

[@scotts653]

@JohnSmith-el2nj Just fictional happenstance? Or were there a few dancing BoJangles out there?

[@FarenHalven]

1932. You can really see the contempt in the crowd. The pure disinterest is palpable. Excellent dancing. It’s a shame he couldn’t receive more recognition for his work.

[@viperdemonz-jenkins]

they are all rich snobs , so not much entertained them. the rich and snobby are not a good representation of the masses as a whole, even today.

[@Doc_McStuffins]

​@@viperdemonz-jenkinsantiblackness definitely defines the attitude of the masses in 1932. In fact, the pooeer5thw white, the more contempt he held for black people. No

[@daralee3186]

I'm teaching my 3 year old son about him because we have a children's book about him and he really enjoyed this so happy we were able to find a video.

[@Odin029]

I'd just like to point out that the creases in his pants is so sharp you could cut fresh bread with them.

[@capacola262743]

so, not only could he dance, he could IRON too??? wow!

[@kristinab9680]

Yeah! It was a "thing"!

[@TomSpeaks-vw1zp]

Back when people took pride in themselves. They dressed their best when out in public.

[@viperdemonz-jenkins]

@@TomSpeaks-vw1zp self respect a lost art for most part in todays world.

[@snicholelx]

People pay THOUSANDS of dollars and train for YEARS to be just half this good. This man never took a single lesson in his life. ♥️

[@silverjohn6037]

It's like the Wright brothers and flying planes. When you're the first one doing something this amazing there's no one to teach you;).

[@alexdixon4550]

He was my grandmother's brother.... I hate that I never got to meet him

[@davidhalligan2126]

Mesmerising.Imagine if the ordinary mortal could do that and express themselves.Let things flow through them.Not this false mask everyone wears.

[@patirvin-bz9pg]

Wow! Oh, my. I wish you had gotten to see him.

[@lsingstock1646]

Remember all the stories and pass them on accurately. The world will always be able to enjoy them.

[@juneevans4394]

😮 WOW!

[@johndoe-ln4oi]

Dude- I am not kidding when I say that practically makes you American royalty. Bill Robinson was amazing.

[@dondillen7428]

Heard about this dance on XM radio today, couldn't wait to get home and see it. 1932..... amazing!! What a talent!!!

[@SeaofMadness-lz6ig]

His feet should be nominated for the best vocalist if you get my drift! He was AMAZING

[@thurayya8905]

Drum solo!

[@katbow5922]

I was just thinking that ..he makes his own beat ....love it !

[@annfillion4405]

What an athlete! He must have had leg muscles of steel. He was a fabulous dancer who made it look so easy.

[@annewarrell748]

the "pick up" step was AMAZING his feet hardly moved - shear TALENT!!! loved this thank you!!

[@timetravelingjukebox]

Bill Robinson is a LEGEND! He is the pioneer of tap and truly one of a kind! This performance is so mesmerizing and I will always love it!

[@williamoneill9573]

Jerry Jeff Walker wrote that song Mr Bojangles about him, then Sammy Davis junior took it up.

[@debrabrabenec3731]

​@@williamoneill9573My favorite version is by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band!

[@wendymcdowell2341]

Mr. Robinson would make it onto any of the “Got Talents” today. He was certainly talented in addition to all the hard hours of work he put in. ❤

[@user-kf7lu4qe6v]

This when ppl got famous for their real talent

[@deanapattpn3765]

Amen

[@lena-jr9si]

yo that's crazy bro but I don't remember asking

[@heya4405]

@@lena-jr9si LMAO

[@QuasiELVIS]

Like the Lindbergh baby? Give me a break you fuckwit.

[@jessiehermit9503]

More like networking skills or luck.

[@namj8145]

This is sublime. Among many favorite film tap numbers, this just always amazes me. Just the stairs, a bare set, minimal piano, and early, poor film quality. But Robinson is flawless. The incredible rhythms, the beautiful wooden sound, the precision of each tap in his rolls and wings, It is I think perhaps the greatest tap piece ever put on film. It's pure tap, and a dream I never want to wake from.

[@Tina-qp7py]

You're obviously a tapper. I'm still trying to get the time step down.

[@HeadCatMomCat]

There's the Nicholas Brothers.

[@geedee9366]

My feet started hurting just by watching this NO CAP! The amount of energy it must have taken the King just to pull this off RESPECT!

[@vessaj4482]

My knees hurt watching this 😮. 😜

[@windschaser101]

Watching Mr. "Bojangles" is music to my ears!! That is pure talent!!

[@rocistone6570]

You don't hear the now cliche phrase "poetry in motion" much anymore, but it certainly applied to Bill Robinson. Along with The Nicholas Brothers watchable, enjoyable and miraculous for hours on end. Reflecting on his passing still makes me cry, Watching him still fills my heart with joy, and that is what Bojangles would have wanted most, I'd say. Thank you for a truly remarkable clip that brings light into these clouded days .

[@jrcadet4]

I've seen a kinesope of Bill Robinson performing this same routine on early television, when he was age 75. The old gent didn't miss a step.

[@barryschwarz]

He died at 71. He's still amazing, because mosty of the footage we have of him is when he is in his 50s and 60s. But he didn't make it to 75, I'm afraid.

[@konradyearwood5845]

I doubt I could even climb those stairs. Simply amazing.

[@jaykhan6524]

Damn ... Mr. Bojangles ... Mr. Bojangles ... Dance ... ain't no one else in your Major League ... Ever. 🙏

[@dobypilgrim6160]

Mr. Bojangles, dance... Timeless classic.

[@jaggg.3821]

Yet Bill Bojangles Robinson's greatest joy 😂 was seeing Jackie Robinson break the color barrier in baseball he shook his hand and bought Jackie A brand New experiment Color T.V.

[@CashGravel]

The resilience of those people is off the charts

[@maryallan3982]

So much rhythm from such minimal movements - amazing to watch!

[@TheRoyalBavarian]

An enjoyment to this day.

[@shine-uy5fq]

the rhythm is what makes tap dance so fun. Bill has it in his bones!

[@l.5832]

I wonder why tap doesn't become a 'thing' again. It has everything that we would want. It has rhythm, it is athletic, is has an improvisation aspect or at least a great deal of scope in its choreagraphy, it can be done alone or in pairs, it is good exercise.........why isn't this a THING now?!

[@lenhummel5614]

Breathtaking talent & technique. Simply flawless❗💎

[@JRob594]

I have no words to describe how amazing this is pure talent💯

[@seaofmadness2622]

True quality entertainment and talent! Bill rocked the tap dance world wow! He must have been tap dancing since he was a year old!🎊🎊🎊🏆

[@calvinbass1839]

Back when talent and skill meant something. Thank you for sharing. Have a blessed day.

[@kylezo]

Good call, nothing has ever been good since 1932, you're so right, Calvin. Let's go outside and yell at clouds together, I bet you're really talented at it - not that talent or skill means ANYTHING theeeeese days 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅 I hate it when people drop hateful, disrespectful comments like this and then wrap it in a "have a _blessed_ day" it's so gross. I'm trying to have a good day over here Calvin, but I keep hearing these jackasses who won't stop complaining about how my skill and talent is totally meaningless because I don't live in the 40s and it's just so depressing and demeaning. What do you think I should say to people who tell me that, Calvin?

[@vincentpalazzoiii2064]

This man is a true legend.

[@liberte5847]

An outstanding musical miracle ever ! Merci beaucoup from Paris France.

[@capacola262743]

SACRE' BLEEEEU!!!!!!

[@michelterral5907]

never understood why Americans repeate ''SACRE BLEU'' WHEN THEY TRY TO SPEAK FRENCH ?@@capacola262743

[@abevigoda3149]

I was a teenager when I got the privilege to witness one of his performances when he was a little younger than here, maybe in his 40s if I remember well, he did this in a different set of stairs, not this ones though.

[@ElementofKindness]

Back when the only thing the world needed to be entertained, was a piano, a few wooden stairs, and a talented person with a pair of tap shoes.

[@catsara9114]

Mind blown! Dancing and playing percussion at the same time.

[@user-io3nd1xs9d]

Before gaming, t.v. and social media, people spent hundreds and thousands of hours perfecting skills. Now people just entertain themselves in their freetime.

[@LeydenAigg]

Now, people who have grown up with social media, where the slightest thing people do is condemned, are too afraid to take the risks to their fragile self-esteem to develop this level of skill.

[@SH-jv5uf]

Very underrated comment. People my age get it although we’re guilty too. We need to somehow convey to the younger generations the benefit of honing their own skills and abilities instead of just watching others display theirs.

[@JustineWittich]

What a treat to be able to see this!

[@CmeDEW61]

We should always pay homepage to Our Ancestors while we continue to fight for Equality In American soil. ThankYou King of Tap.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

🤣

[@TheRoyalBavarian]

Are you saying your not equal ?

[@HeyCoachBarbara]

He really got his steps in that day 🫶🏽

[@saguaro2231]

I am stunned, and so grateful to see this wonderful man's talent.....as I was with the Nickolas brothers.....and to sum up; the outstanding talent of Gregory Hines; thank you for sharing.....& I'm sad that so much talent was missed by me in my youth.....

[@Kuulei265]

The balance and coordination it took to stand on that top step and one leg too. That would have done me in. Right up there with the Nichols Brothers.

[@bihmthethird]

What an exceptional talent!

[@jaggg.3821]

Gregory Hine's Co-starred in Will & Grace played the Loud actress boyfriend, shot a biopic film on Bill Robinson's Life, and so when the movie ended Gregory Hine's was doing Bill Robinson's Dance move's.

[@ericthompson9970]

I love how they squeezed this in at the end of the movie, played by The Late, Great, Gregory Hines.

[@jonberry5816]

Mr. Bojangles...dance. Fabulous!

[@melodysanger103]

REMEMBERING BILL "BOJANGLES" ROBINSON (MAY 25, 1878 - NOVEMBER 25, 1949) [05/25/2020]

[@rama-annawallace2823]

PURE TALENT !!! ❤❤❤ Amazing ! ❤❤❤ Bojangles had those shoes and those stairs really singing !!! ❤❤❤ "What the Eye hears" ... Thanks so much for this video !

[@stephanieking1045]

The Master at work! 🙌🏽

[@wiewowos]

Thank you for sharing this gem!

[@roslyndecanio81]

Right up there with Fred Astaire, was also friends with the great Eleanor Powell! Amazing, tremendous talent!

[@amycarmichael2748]

He was the greatest!!!

[@gailgaddy5340]

Awesome 😊

[@melodysanger103]

REMEMBERING LUTHER ROBINSON "BILL (BOJANGLES) ROBINSON" (MAY 25, 1878 - NOVEMBER 25, 1949) [11/25/2017]

[@dexine4723]

Can't say I've ever been a fan of tap-dancing, but Robinson was amazing. I wish I could have seen him perform in person.

[@StarDreamMemories]

Wow! Great performance!

[@pascalelambert289]

Now all the great musicals have their own stairs show.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Extraordinary human being…so gifted!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Alhamdullilah 🙏

[@M10000]

Many thanks for walking on the end!

[@nancypiccirillo405]

The king of what he does best. Very underated.his name tells it all....Jimmy SLIDE. He slides across any and every dance floor.

[@Whattheeyehears]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6rbma1qmaido6c

[@karleyyork9001]

Amazing !

[@vangu2918]

Priceless👍!

[@mr.scottpowell]

Unmute! He's tap dancing. For those who have their volume turned down (like I did at first) this doesn't look like much. It's all in the sound those feet are making.

[@madeleinegrayson8372]

Yep, I did the same thing, lol. Night and day difference.

[@frankpaquet295]

He was so good! Always loved that he had the same last name as mine (maiden name), Robinson! Great recording. (from Sandi)

[@yvonnepagan9912]

I believe I saw Shirley Temple do a bit of this dance sequence in the Little Colonel. I do love a bit of tap!

[@danieljones3490]

I cant be the only Richmond-Va. native here to see this great local do his magic.

[@johncavedo3706]

So few young people today appreciate the true artists of entertainment. Today’s superstars are merely pretty.

[@vintagelady1]

aAreed---talent now days seems to consist of a pretty face, good makeup, fancy, revealing costumes---and plenty of autotune! And dancing? Well if you have an awesome corps of real pros running around, lifting you twirling & swirling, no one will notice that all you are doing is prancing around.

[@kylezo]

No John, you're just old. Go outside.

[@deanframe9095]

Wow he is amazing!, I hate how we treated Blacks, wish there were more videos of these amazing talented people!

[@TheHatGuy1500]

Yeah I can stand those racist jackasses

[@78tag]

A lost art, hopefully someday this style will make a come back - I bet MJ would have been great at this had he chosen that path.

[@Tina-qp7py]

It's all about the beat.

[@deepdipsheepdip881]

And I can’t walk up even three steps without any dancing.

[@davidwilliamson404]

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH: *If that Man ain't got, "The Jazz", then Nobody Does!* ; -)

[@user-CAB]

Yeah, this is how I go up and down my basement stairs carrying laundry! NOT!! Obviously I would die if I attempted that! But what a joy to watch Mr. Robinson!

[@robertklose2140]

90 years ago!

[@hopefletcher7420]

I wonder if the filmmakers who recorded these artists realized they were preserving them for future generations. If they thought that far ahead.

[@sirloinofbeef3862]

Talent. Pure talent.

[@natalee217]

A gifted and talented man

[@leonraymondwoolford2600]

He takes your breath away. So I'm speechless

[@jennywax1713]

i get chills watching this.

[@nosferatussister4903]

Simple. Beautiful.

[@jivanvasant]

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was the highest-paid black performer of the time, and he died penniless in 1949. Political figures and celebrities appointed Robinson an honorary mayor of Harlem. One of Robinson's methods for generating publicity in cities where he was not the headliner was to engage in "freak sprinting" races, such as running backward. In 1922, Robinson set the world record for running backward (100 yards in 13.5 seconds).

[@anessasaucedo9816]

Music to my ears

[@EricBarstad]

Jo Jones brought me here. Infinite respect.

[@ArmyScoutMom]

AMAZING!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@M4tthewun]

He could tap without moving! And so perfect that it looks like fake vidéo.

[@Queenalika85]

Amazing

[@diannasoler]

Thank you for posting this

[@janmccoy6522]

Marvelous!

[@TheHatGuy1500]

He sure has a passion of dancing

[@toddburgess6792]

No handrails, no safety cones, no way this could be done today! Too dangerous for we enlightened ones. 😉

[@mtpascoe]

What was up with those people in the audience not watching this wonderful dance?

[@suebradford5758]

Fantastic 😁❤🕺❤👌...Thank you👍...Thank You Lord✝️ for the Tingles 🙏❤✝️...In deed...a Miracle that it got recorded 🙏❤✝️