Donald O'Connor in a sensational unforgettable balloon dance

[@donna1473]

I will always believe Donald O'Connor was, by far, the greatest dancer, ever.

[@nzmoggy3898]

Along with Vera Allen, Eleanor Powell and the Nicholas Brothers. A dance number with all of them would have been perfect.

[@shelleywantiez7964]

Donald O'Connor took dancing to an entirely different level. He defied the law's of gravity. In my opinion, he was head and shoulders above them all. He was smooth, flawless, admirable and adorable. His many talents had no boundaries. And he's been doing this since he was three. Thank you for keeping his memory alive. He by definition, was America's male sweetheart.

[@mori.art.ea.3851]

We'll keep his memory alive ✌🏼 my kids will hear about this man, and I believe many other will. We can't let him die, never

[@joyhaswell751]

After all these years, I still have the biggest crush on Donald O Connor!

[@mortalclown3812]

Joey Good HAAAA

[@pancak3565]

Yup same

[@avonleagirl2925]

I know, same here. He is so darling and extremely talented. I have loved him since the very first time I watched "Singin' in the rain"

[@judefoote8502]

Me too I’ve never understood why people favour Gene Kelly this guy is a MUCH better dancer and better shape!

[@sandrastitt527]

Me too

[@uhohhotdog9150]

only a select few of the greatest performers could dance this wonderfully, while still seeming so drunk. Donald O'Connor doesn't get as much acknowledgement as he deserves. This wonderful man was a legend.

[@DeniseRosa-tz7nc]

When I was twenty years old I met Donald when I was working at a hotel . He was in the parking lot when I approached him for an autograph ! It was my birthday. The autograph said. Happy of all birthdays Love Donald O’Connor !! It sure made my day ! He’s the sweetest man.Also told me I was beautiful,of course that was sixty years ago !

[@tommoncrieff1154]

Who even thought this up? And how hard they must have worked to set out the balloons and design the xylophone. And how much rehearsing and retakes would this take? Just brilliant. Donald O’Connor, the most likeable star of all, is effortlessly thrilling here. He usually was.

[@robrush47]

He never loses the 'drunk' act throughout the entire performance. A true talent a true professional actor and dancer. Amazing. How did manage to break the balloons on the first kick every time??

[@peterpunk5049]

I am pretty sure he had a nail or something at the front of his shoes :)

[@kennschmidt966]

Simple. Pins on the toes. 😁

[@robrush47]

I'd just rather believe in Magic.

[@pilarpolicano3604]

@@robrush47 the magic of the cinema!😁

[@senorkaboom]

OK. Astaire is classy, Kelly is athletic, but for good tap dancing, Donald O'Connor beats them all. He has been a favorite of mine for many years.

[@sariah-lakepeneha3125]

How can u say such a thing

[@faithk2525]

I totally agree! Gene Kelly even realized how fantastically talented Donald O'Connor was when making Singin' in the Rain, so he put in "Make 'Em Laugh" because he deserved a solo! I love all three of those classics for their different acting strengths and O'Connor's strength was definitely tap dancing along with comedy!

[@cathymckay3784]

They can sing. dance and act!

[@tamolyn5141]

All three were very good, but Gene Nelson is the very best...so versatile and elegant.

[@maryclaremayo6157]

Donald O'connor has the best voice. He sings so fluidly and effortlessly.

[@lynncarden]

He always made it look like he was enjoying himself and I always love the musicals that had lot of dance routines... when you was not feeling good or even feeling good always perked me up. . Watching them was reason I lived dancing and still do.... I'm 75 almost 76....Help keep you young.

[@crankycarole]

Oh he was so cute and adorable and talented...I just love him...thanks for posting this..

[@Scathingly]

@ Carole Jensen - You are spot on. He could carry a movie every bit as good as Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. Have never EVER understood why he never got star billing--he was a match and then some compared to the other two (whom I also liked). He most definitely had the whole package, dancing, singing, acting and as you said, he was so cute and adorable. and yes....LOVEABLE!!

[@shelleywantiez7964]

​@@Scathingly To add to that, he was in movies since age 12. In vaudeville since 3. He's more we'll rounded overall, than Kelly or Astaire. I will never understand it either.

[@Scathingly]

@@shelleywantiez7964 ...Thanks cuz I hadn't been aware that he'd started so young. Well, we 've got our fan club of 3 musketeers ....let's hope we can see it grow! 😊

[@firiel2366]

How can he dance like a total drunk and still be absolute perfection.

[@victoriaodegaard1]

Firiel It's Donald O'Connor... when is he not perfection?

[@kroakie4]

That is what natural talent is. You can’t do this kind of thing so convincingly if you aren’t born with it.

[@AJ-ld5mv]

Because he is Donald O'Connor!

[@pwnagraphic690]

Runs in the family lol

[@skippymagrue]

Like Jackie Chan can fight like a drunk.

[@manipool]

AMAZING! Donald was boyishly cute and talented, Kelly was mannishly handsome and talented, Astaire was average looking but supremely talented. They were all great entertainers.

[@googlefan7409]

Actually, to be fair, you should compare 1930s Fred to 1950s Kelly and Donald because that would them the same age. For me, 1930s Fred was far more good looking than both and yes, he had so much chemistry with lots of partners! Donald comes the second for me, he is super underrated!!!!!

[@terrysmith8749]

With all due respect, Fred is homely looking. If a women was homely looking like Fred, she would be a never was. In this World, a man doesn't have to be even slightly good looking to succeed. Women on the other hand are Judged by their looks.

[@dianaaljadeff2983]

For me after Astaire and Kelly the best dancers were O Connor funny good singer and talented Gene Nelson elegant Bob Fosse criative dancer and choreographer with an unique style and Tommy Rall both an athletic dancer and an excelent tenor .

[@rosierennie4523]

I had the BIGGEST crush on this guy when I was a tot. He was funny, talented and very cute. A funny guy is always the first thing on my list Why couldn't I have been alive in the fifties?

[@lewistrotter1039]

My problem exactly!

[@randomcringeyyoutuber6750]

Rosie Rennie racism

[@50s_fan]

My exact thoughts

[@hazelholmshaw9415]

I wa s alive in the 50 and have 160:d.v.d. play them often, and they keep me feeling young although I'm 84,music and dance.

[@cellis3045]

BRILLIANT...they don't make talent like that anymore...

[@Sasha8611]

All this talk of who's better, Donald or Gene, when we could be talking about how fantastic they were as a pair! They had great chemistry for starters, and I always thought that they contrasted brilliantly; you've got Gene's athletic figure alongside Donald's leaner physique, and Gene's very masculine style alongside Donald's walking-on-air sort of flair. Both show serious talent in their performances, and compliment each other wonderfully!

[@alworkedup]

+Sasha S. They're both wonderful :) :)

[@RoyalQueenLadyJD]

AGGRREEEEEEED!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃 SOOOOOOO AMAZING. I was orn in 76' but i LO LOV LO V and respect all this a d jts beautiful and now look at world 👎👎👎👎👎👎😛😛😛😛😛

[@danieIlondon]

+Sasha S. This gentlemen was certainly lighter on his feet - which i think owes to his slightly smaller form. I also notice that when they dance in pairs; O'Connors movements are less lumbered and more precise. So i'd have to say technically he's a better dance.

[@shiteetah]

+Daniel K personally I have the opposite opinion. I think Gene was the more technical dancer whereas Donald was more carefree and loose. Neither was better than the other in my opinion but Donald was the master at telling a story with dance - no doubt he was the most expressive dancer there ever was on the silver screen.

[@juliagutschy5948]

They are both good... but nobody can beat the Nicolas Brothers xD

[@pumpupjam54]

In a interview, Debbie Reynolds asked Donald how in the world did he do all those wall flipping and dance routines in Singing In The Rain, he said...I had a shot of whiskey, after that I couldn't remember anything else except I knew that I was flying around the set. Meaning, he wad dancing and jumping on the walls and did the back and front flip! LOL

[@shelleywantiez7964]

His older brother taught him how to jump in walls when they were little. I saw in an interview

[@lynncarden]

Debbie said he taught how to do the wall flip.

[@charliesierra6919]

His physical moves are next-world genius. Criminally underappreciated imho!

[@sandrastitt527]

He made it look so easy & was so light on his feet. Great voice

[@bubbathebulldog]

This was decades before I was born. What an awesome man and dancer! There are no actors like this these days!

[@michaelcornett444]

I read that he loved making this movie, and thinks of it as his best work. It was a great role (really, he was the second lead), he got to work with Vera-Ellen, who he admired greatly as a dancer, and I think he actually got along with Ethel Merman, which is an achievement in itself. This tune isn't from the original "Call Me Madam" musical, but from another show; they wanted a number to give him a solo, and it works beautifully. A delightful movie, with great acting, singing, and dancing, fabulous songs, and a smart, zingy, satirical script that still resonates today.

[@user-yellowwolf]

甘いマスク、低音の効いたカッコいい歌声、キレのあるダンス等、神は彼に幾つの才能を与えたもうたのか…。

[@kevinbalsdon4705]

The true meaning of a genius in his field.

[@mori.art.ea.3851]

I'm happy to see this comment section is still active... what a man, what a story, what a talent

[@tymeratownsend5096]

He is so cute and such an amazing dancer I can't get enough of him RIP Donald

[@faith4094]

You and so many of us...how we LOVE Donald!!!!!! He does romance soooooo perfectly....see Walking My Baby Back Home and Anything Goes, too:)))) On a T.V. show, 5 Hollywood actresses said Donald was the best kisser in Hollywood - we can tell:)))) He was such a beloved and wonderful gentleman, and family man, so importantly.

[@laura20022004]

Tymera Townsend freakin love Donald amazing guy and dancer

[@tigermaximus8003]

awww he past away? i though he was still alive?:( daaamm!:( when did he die? if you know. please tell me.

[@Mybpeterson]

@@tigermaximus8003 He died in 2003.

[@tigermaximus8003]

@@Mybpeterson noo...;(

[@jenn976]

Donald O’Connor was fanTAStic!!! Glad to see this one come up. Those two “walks” off the table very were difficult and done so well.

[@alwaysblake148]

Donald O'Connor is perfection.

[@shelleywantiez7964]

Well said 👌

[@50s_fan]

I rather venture to say he was an angel on earth- always smiling, and making so many happy.

[@CoconutMigrationCommittee]

donald is the greatest actor, dancer, and singer. ever.

[@erikas.4001]

What a Hoofer! An absolute legend.

[@RuffxRainbow]

I feel like most people might not know what a hoofer is, but yes Gods be good he was one of the best!

[@50s_fan]

If somebody blares this song in my head, for ten hours, despite people arguing with me that I'd be exhausted of hearing it, I'd only be more delighted, and would cry upon seeing the ten hours were over.

[@maureentuohy8672]

what a guy!! So underrated as a star! Marvelous in everything he ever did!

[@happyprincess6220]

He had a very beautiful voice

[@leokimvideo]

Proof that the best entertainers are from generations ago.

[@Mile_]

leokimvideo oh my gosh its leo its good to see that you are coated gold like this

[@tallgirlnosbest]

Lololo

[@avonleagirl2925]

Totally agree

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

Wrong. Good entertainers will always exist.

[@katiemccor6995]

Better actor. Awesome Tap Dancer. Never got the recognition, or top billing he deserved.

[@sandrasanders706]

The most underrated dancer in film! I bet when Fred Asatire saw this routine, probably said the only idea I didn't think of...balloons!!lol His dancing reminds me of the Nicholas Brothers, well I think every male dancer from Astaire to Kelly learned from (and borrowed) that just made the brothers reputation greater...what dancers, brilliant artists..

[@rotflmfao3474]

2:34 that wink followed by the walk gets me every time 😂😂😂

[@shelleywantiez7964]

The entire routine is absolutely adorable and flawless. He was so talented, and of course adorable

[@eugenemalush9284]

I am a 52 year old male. I have seen Kareem, Bird, MJ, and LeBron but I have never seen this talent before.

[@barbarafrock5068]

And more than likely you never will. O'Connor and his era of dancers are a hard act to follow and they are not.

[@RowanYetiLund]

That was absolutely amazing! I love Donald O'Connor!

[@shelleywantiez7964]

Me too 😊

[@lisaguy1860]

THIS MAN DID NOT GET THE CREDIT HE DESERVE IN HOLLYWOOD! HE WAS GREAT!

[@dustydog6868]

Yes, very underrated

[@poetcomic1]

He was SO effing AMERICAN. The exquisite tap, the almost childlike trusting attitude to life, the guileless joy in sheer movement.

[@sharoncarthy3764]

Those blue eyes, that singing voice and that dancing! Love him!!

[@marymwhite2]

I was blessed enough to have my house as a child and my grandparent's home...playing these classics. I grew up on Danny Kaye, Donald O'Connor. Loving Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire as well. Although these greats were a bit before my time..I still recall my grandparents and my parents watching and enjoying these movies and me doing so right along with them. As a child of the 60s..I also watched Danny's television show each week and have fond memories of it *smile*

[@Daidan011]

oh mary, i grew up with them too, but from my mums influence, im 34 and our house was and is always full of wonderful movies such as this one.you were so lucky to have watched these wonderful shows the first time round x

[@bradromans4719]

An underappreciated talent.

[@linmiller8147]

So agile and graceful. Underrated, just like the great Tommy Rall.

[@MomIrregardless]

so young...so sweet!! so fluid, his every move, even just walking, is music to the eyes. dancing while (pretending) to be drunk.....what talent!! and now i want to see the off camera prop guy taping the 'fallen' balloons to the floor for Donald to dance with!! watch, you can see Don carefully watching off camera making sure the balloons are ready for him!!! such greatness, thank you

[@caroltenge5147]

Its always good to read something positive. Thanks, as Donald was a talent of talents!

[@thegorn68]

This is one of the most amazing individual dance numbers on film I still have ever scene.

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

So glad my ethestic tastes, even at a very young age, included deep appreciation of such as Donald O'Connor. He was visually awesome!

[@shelleywantiez7964]

And flawless

[@123Rockchild]

I LOVE watching Donald O'Conner dance. His routines are fun and whimsical.

[@TA-wp6xg]

4:36 That effortless spin is mesmorizing!

[@blazingtimeblazer9004]

Don’t mind me... just having a crush on this man in 2021...

[@shelleywantiez7964]

Join the club 🙂

[@thegorn68]

Donald O'Connor was the most talented person to ever walk the planet.

[@sprague49]

Donald O'Connor's feet and an Irving Berlin song - doesn't get any better.

[@chrismcbee4653]

What a dancer❤

[@Tmanaz480]

Love the marimba sequence. Imagine what he could have done with the Hammacher Schlemmer floor piano from BIG.

[@marionlee9201]

Always loved his dancing.

[@SolitudeSometimesIs]

What a wonderful find ~ love this man

[@manipool]

Imagine hitting every balloon on cue over and over and not hurting yourself doing all those falls!

[@josephfeeley3476]

I'm in my mid 50's and this stuff makes me so happy!

[@MsSaka100]

Love Donald O' Connor's dancing! The athleticism of Gene Kelly with the grace of Fred Astaire.

[@19jacinta88]

I always return to the brilliance of this.

[@sagesaria]

Donald O'Connor you were my hero. I loved him in Singin' in the Rain and I cried so hard when I heard about his death. This is honestly an era and a style of musical that I wish they'd bring back sometime because it's just so nostalgic and amazing...and I wasn't even born yet when these movies were coming out.

[@lepetitchat123]

look at how he jumps and moves around with such ease and poise...

[@giocodispecchi]

Amazing !!! Great O'Connor, thanks for sharing !

[@19jacinta88]

One word to describe this: INCREDIBLE!!!!

[@deirdrehenry5657]

Wonderful talent. Loved this video. Thank you for sharing.

[@alvinderama3196]

"They could murder me with a shave." I laughed so loud at this part! 😂😂😂

[@tiffanygray3577]

Don't get me wrong I love all.of this. Now that I've had a few years in the hospitality industry, my sympathies are with the owner just trying to go home. 😂

[@Tom-iw3zh]

My favorite entertainer. Just had it all.

[@trenaj1971]

It does exist. Look around in your local theaters. Just about every town has at least one small theater company that cranks out great shows every year filled with local talent. Real talent. Look for them and give them your support!

[@SheriJohnson-w1c]

He dances beautifully! With grace and fluidity!

[@SilentAlchemy1333]

What a beautiful world it was.

[@RayGrimsby]

Thank goodness for MGM who made so many wonderful musicals in this era with so many fabulous stars.

[@wangmowangdi3471]

Fabulous dancers too! Those golden era actors were the real deal- they could sing, dance and act as well as fight! Real talents all RIP 🙏

[@LenHummelChannel]

The man was truly an amazing talent. Tied at top spot with Fred & Gene.

[@swtsngr85]

20 dislikes????? WHO could NOT like Donald O'Connor?????????????????

[@debbielough7754]

+swtsngr85 Well there have to be people wit bad taste :)

[@abisheldon5208]

Darling, I love O'Connor but not the destruction of the gentleman's inn. I'll watch any other number of his in bliss.

[@alworkedup]

Kelly and O'Connor were both great and that's that :)

[@liberte5847]

A great singer he was and an amazing dancer to! Bravo!

[@dedmazaika4713]

Amazing performer!

[@alexisnewell3672]

i watch "call me madam" with my mother adored her n the American musicals she introduced to me here in Australia n Donald Oconner fabulous 🌟

[@johnconnelly7550]

I saw him in a "Francis the Talking Mule" movie when I was a kid. There was a scene in a high school gym even more amazing. The most coordinated human I've ever seen.

[@kapuso7kapamilya2]

One of MGM's most amazing and talented actors was Mr Donald O'Connor.In Call Me Madam he had performed his memorable and sensational solo number - Mr Irving Berlin's What Chance Have I With Love - in precise,hilarious,vigorous,and exuberant manner.I can't help but to notice how well-rehearsed and well-prepared he was particularly when he'd popped the balloons in perfect timing with the music and his dance steps.He's really intoxicated with high spirits and fascination in his number.

[@shelleywantiez7964]

Well said, Donald O'Connor was perfection in everything he did.

[@rogerzuch8124]

Gene Kelly eat your heart out, Donald outshines you every time!

[@louisemiller2774]

I have never seen this before....great...thanks.

[@trenaj1971]

Real tap shoes and outstanding choreography!

[@МаргаритаБутакова-й1ф]

Дональд О'Коннор как всегда прекрасен 💚💚💚💚

[@JenniferGlatzhofer]

Love this so so much! Just amazing:)

[@theresabraddock9310]

absolutely amazing and memorable and completely adorable!

[@sharonanderson3844]

I loved watching Donald. Such a great talent.

[@christinegallacher7409]

He was a wonderful dancer and I feel was never quite given the recognition for its fabulous precision of his timing and dance artistry...he was pretty wo derful actually...

[@kathrynmolesa1641]

Donald and Russ Tamblyn were my two favorite dancers. Donald loved his fans. I met him in Portland. Charmer.

[@Lurker1979]

Astaire , Kelly , O'Connor and the Nicholas Brothers are my favorites from this period of Hollywood when it comes to dancers.

[@1baud]

I first saw Donald O'Connor as the friend of Francis the talking mule. It was years before I knew he could sing and dance.

[@thelostjournalofmystifying354]

whats crazy is he got even better at dancing as he aged and more handsome. what a lucky fellow

[@annodomini7887]

50’s were the golden age of dancing pictures....

[@larryjung8062]

Fred Astair, Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor Hollywood's golden era greatest dancers !.

[@lillmango]

I wish I did this when I was drunk

[@mehitabel1290]

Hugely entertaining and sophisticated in the way that only that era ever was.. But: A dancer, or an acrobat?

[@anicole3804]

What great fun...sure do miss that kind of entertainment.

[@stevenleslie8557]

Highly underrated entertainer

[@kevinclarke1222]

The gymnastics of"O'Connor Dance" is remarkable.

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

No one could do these complex novelty dances filled with physical comedy as well as O'Connor. Unfortunately, he was not given the best songs to sing and dance to as a solo. Ever heard anyone sing this song outside of this film? Great respect for his talent.