Eleanor & Fred in part 2 of "Begin The Beguine"

Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire in part 2 of the classical musical number "Begin The Beguine" from the 1940 movie "Broadway Melody of 1940".

[@bsmith5970]

No cuts. No retakes. Just one perfect dance routine - complete and unbroken. Astonishing.

[@lynnelovesroses4485]

There is one cut at 3.11 before they go into the spin section.

[@jillwhite6875]

​@lynnelovesroses4485 that was unusual for fred and he never had close ups of feer or face it alway had to be full shots which was unusual. Still greatest performers of period for me as i was brought up on this amazing dancing.

[@walfredswanson]

And can we take a moment to acknowledge the perfection of the camera work? A tracking shot of dance was a special challenge then, and note you never see the camera crew in the reflections. Yeah, it may seem like inside baseball, but I’ve shot dance with lighter cameras today, and what happens here is so smoothe you don’t even think a pot it. It really lets the performance shine.

[@dkuiv]

I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t seen this before. My existence has been made better in watching this. The pinnacle of culture!

[@centaureg]

The timing, the flawless execution, the way they make difficult moves look easy and effortless, the two greatest dancers in the history of cinema dancing together as a team. No superlatives can adequately describe the thrill of watching such talent light up a sound stage. We are all gifted that this performance is recorded for the ages. It happened over 80 years ago but it has the energy of occurring only a moment passed. Whenever the term "awesome" is bandied about think of this performance because it is truly awesome!

[@justinchetham-strode5234]

You should check out the Nicholas Brothers on KZbin.

[@centaureg]

@@justinchetham-strode5234 Thanks. I'm quite aware of the dazzling Nicholas Brothers, legends of tap. Probably the best team of brother or sister dancers ever to live. Bar none.

[@karlkeating2803]

@@justinchetham-strode5234 Yes, the Nicholas Brothers routine is great, but this one is greater. Theirs is more athletic, this one is more musical and flowing. The Astaire-Powell dance is simply the top dance on film, period.

[@ruthnoelmarie...9061]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@barbaraleary8300]

Totally the best tap routine of their lives. Eleanor and Fred were so great in this great dance routine. Sheer magic.

[@mikey1941]

One of the all time great dance routines. Eleanor Powell was one of the finest female dancers in the history of the Hollywood musical.

[@mja91352]

Eleanor was THE finest female dancer in movies.

[@djgrumpygeezer1194]

@@mja91352 According to the Nicholas Brothers (who should know), she was one of the finest dancers, PERIOD. In my opinion, Fred Astaire (who I love) looks a bit wooden in comparison to how she moves.

[@vicordecastro2851]

Astaire they said was a hard taskmaster, as constant practices until the routine was, in his mind, flawless . . .

[@michaelmcevoy7769]

Not one of the finest female dancers, but THE finest dancer, period.

[@richardscally694]

@@michaelmcevoy7769 Correct 100%

[@marthacanady9441]

Eleanor Powell was and is the finest tap dancer of either gender. The best period.

[@halo101st9]

Include Ann Miller. Ginger Rogers and Rita Hayworth were no slouch either.

[@davidreidenberg9941]

@@halo101st9 Ginger Rodgers wasn’t really a tap dancer. She was a ballroom dancer. Neither was Rita Hayworth.

[@petegarrido5406]

Yes...and you should be tested for faulty DNA

[@petegarrido5406]

Ginger ballroom dancer ? You must the downer of the party.

[@diannaeversole6622]

​@@davidreidenberg9941and Eleanor was the most graceful of them all.

[@hankgolfer1]

Even Fred Astaire was in awe of Eleanor Powell. This dance scene is the greatest duo dance scene on film. The amazing in sync these two dancing is beyond amazing

[@hankgolfer1]

@@danielbuckner2167 you are lost. 16 thumbs up. I praised this dance duo in this fantastic dance scene. Hello. Even Fred Astaire was in awe of her. There was nothing insulting in my comments. You are delusional.

[@danielbuckner2167]

@@hankgolfer1 somehow youtube put my reply on YOUR comment... it was made in reference to someone elses comment... stand by...

[@danielbuckner2167]

OK, fixed! Either a youtube gliche or a firefox update gliche in how the page loads and where links were.

[@kirsteni.russell5903]

How to cheer up during the corona virus pandemic: Watch these two dance.

[@cor3944]

It is not only about talent or perfection (we also have in actually tines), it is about grace, elegance, attitude, personality, glamour, soul, real classic and eternal beauty.

[@marknewton6984]

The Best!

[@michaelratcliffe7559]

My goodness. Makes me want to see all those fabulous song and dance routines again. Just stunning talent - from inception to execution.

[@shizuehicks7442]

Their hands, their arms, their heads, their smiles, and those talented feet! Perfection🤩

[@peterbeickert2767]

The best dance routine ever put on film and done by the two best dancers.

[@edwardwalker3437]

Absolutely incredible..No other words for it..🙂

[@janettucker3196]

Perfection, from beginning to end, in every way. Astaire's expression at 1:57 is marvelous. This is for the ages.

[@llcamus249]

Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell - the BEST dancing I have ever seen!

[@marknewton6984]

The Greatest!

[@michaellovell1368]

That's because this IS the best dancing there ever has been 😄

[@doctorxxful]

Two of the greatest dancers of all times! You will never see their like again.

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@politicsbyjake Another 46 years have passed, and Sinatra's verdict stands. A masterpiece of Hollywood craftsmanship as the setting for one of the most complex popular songs ever penned, to accompany a display by the two greatest dancers of the past century. Until the cinema got sound, such performances were the stuff of legend. Now we can evaluate them for ourselves, but they must be an oppressive weight on those who have to follow in such footsteps.

[@carlosfunesarana8711]

I have seen a million times this dance and still amazes me how easy looks what these unique artists did almost 80 years ago. absolutely unbeatables!

[@drjulia6860]

Mesmerising. How can anyone give it a thumbs down. They work as one. Sheer talent.

[@esmeephillips5888]

One would never dare to call any work of art unsurpassable of its kind. All I know is, it's 82 years and counting...

[@Tipledan]

In my view, this is most likely the best and greatest tap number ever in the history of tap!

[@rmcfete]

The Nicholas bros I think hold that distinction. No rehearsal one take

[@rmcfete]

Don’t forget the Nicholas bros

[@hughgrection4205]

When I was a young lad I couldn't stand this stuff. I am an old man and I find it astounding. I am grateful to have lived long enough to understand the beauty and grace of those that entertained my parents generation.

[@markfairbanks6601]

Agree, my thoughts exactly.

[@docsmithdc]

Agreed.I saw some of this on TV back in the 50s.Thankfully I have had an opportunity via KZbin to revisit these classics.Astaire was amazing but as good as he was I am really astounded by Eleanor Powell.What a magnificent woman.She "glides" through her moves.Some will say /have said she is the greatest female dancer ever....no she is the best period male or female.You can see here that Fred is dancing as fast as he can and Eleanor is gliding as fast as she wants to.

[@gabchaim8232]

i'm from '51. Fred Astaire's geniousness and the whole 'Astaire-school' later on struck me from the first moment. Must have been 10 or 12 years old.

[@annwinchester2711]

docsmithdc p

[@annwinchester2711]

I *

[@cynthialagraff4144]

Never get tired of these two.

[@meh1943]

Nobody, absolutely, nobody better than these two. Never before, ever since….they will always be the BEST……

[@peterbeickert2767]

Still the best dance routine ever recorded by the two best dancers ever. It's 15 minutes of perfection

[@danmingori284]

Each were beyond wonderful - together, magnificent doesn't even come close. How they could concentrate on each note of music, each individual movement and step. Staggering.

[@cfitz4397]

ENCORE! ENCORE! How in the world they can tap THAT fast is beyond me. Just love seeing this clips from classic movies. Thanks!

[@stephenbatjiaka7300]

Two insanely talented entertainers who probably rehearsed for hundreds of hours preparing for this scene.

[@janeiwasduncan8463]

I think this routine was the most iconic...a shiney black floor and dancers dressed in white...who can do that today????

[@kosmosyche]

Everything about this video is awesome.

[@haileyh500]

Wow!!! Fred had to keep on his toes to stay up with Eleanor! That was awesome.

[@katharinedalton839]

When it came to tap dancing, they were in perfect sync. Their tapping skills were remarkable, and they seemed identical in their footwork. Fred still gets extra points for elegance and grace, while Eleanor is the champ as far as athleticism and matching any male dancer, step by step. I think she is more comfortable as a soloist, and just as dazzling. Fred was a dream, with or without a partner, but I heard he didn't want to just be part of a team, even though everyone knows about Fred and Ginger. I love to watch their incredible precision!

[@jamesrotella8070]

Raw talent polished to perfection. Legend has it this was done in one take and never repeated. Astaire apparently intimidated to never appear again with Powell. An astounding production I have never seen duplicated (without special effects and computer overlays)

[@Halo101st]

Two of the very best doing what they do best. Perfectly in step and thoroughly enjoyable. What a shame this sort of entertainment is no longer with us.

[@dondouglass8665]

As close to perfection as two can become. Just outstanding, - never get tired of watching this. Such delicate grace while laying them down hard. That’s work, - made to look easy. Every session they ever did turns into a master class.

[@brianthompson2781]

This will never be surpassed. Absolutely the greatest ever.

[@jacquemccoy4511]

I agree this is the best ever recorded! Two super talented hoofers! I loved them both! No, there will never be another pair like this or a dance lie this👏👏

[@graceraymond830]

Loved her dancing and that beautiful smile.

[@halo101st9]

Music and talent like this just does not exist any longer - tragically. Such consummate professionals.

[@joevald3]

Hard to believe that anybody had that much talent . I'm glad there films of it so we can remember what it looks like

[@rjwintl]

my God, YES indeed , and it's not CGI or photoshopped !!! ... It's REAL and unedited LIVE !!!

[@pamtebelman2321]

Agreed!

[@miraclay]

Amazing to know this movie was the only one they made together. I read that he was intimidated by her because she was so good. But he admired her too.

[@vlaekershner7305]

The problem wasn't that she was too good, it was that she was too tall for him.

[@orchardist6529]

After all the rehearsals what a fabulous joy it must be to dance so beautifully.

[@dh2838]

from a time when talent was talent and not manufactured, outstanding.............the golden age was the greatest era

[@normadesmond6017]

o, for sure. Look at what they did then with limited means. Look at what they do now and still get it wrong..... There is no comparison. I would look at a Fred Astaire movie, laughing with Laurel and Hardy, admiring the style of Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, admiring Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner any time compared to what they do now. Really - it's a joke what they are producing in this day and age compered to that.

[@WJack97224]

Fred and Eleanor left us this excellent legacy. They make me cry.

[@jimsouthern1398]

Worth noting, there was only one camera break in the whole routine. No multiple takes or film splicing, just great dancing. Also, as per Fred's instructions, no isolated body shots, just the full body for the whole routine. Magnificent!!

[@brucekuehn4031]

Just let the camera document what great athletic dancers we really are.

[@beverlybarnes3122]

When I was in the second grade I started dance lessons in ballet and tap. Tap dancing to me was 100 times harder than ballet. I'm 68 now and I can't do either anymore. These two artists make it look effortless. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rest in peace. I hope you're dancing in heaven. I can't wait to meet the two of you. And the nickel's brothers.

[@susankennedy5739]

I agree, I studied many dance forms and tap was, for me, the hardest! (BTW, it's the Nicholas Brothers.)

[@melody2171]

Wow. Superb!! Best couples dance ever. Perfect synchronization!!

[@leonardohummel8658]

*Such astounding talent wedded to perfectionism. a great GREAT bygone Era.*

[@kurtsherrick2066]

My dad would let me stay up late to watch the old movies in the sixties and early seventies. He knew I appreciated the dancing talent. I would get up and start dancing on a polished wood floor in my socks. Later in the late seventies and early eighties I was always the best male dancer on the floor in the clubs. When I was a early teenager at the Arcade my friends laughed at me dancing with the girls by the Jukebox learning the Rollercoaster and that prepared me for the line dances the clubs. When we grew up and able to get in the clubs I was dancing with the pretty girls all night long and my friends weren't laughing then as they held the walls up. Thanks you Fred and all the great dancers I watched and learned some killer moves.

[@fredwood7001]

this is brill,listen to the timing,split second precision,-unbelievable timing,im watcing it again ,and again.coz im old fashiond,and proud of it.

[@stephaniestanley8041]

Fred Wood the most amazing number. I've watched it a hundred times

[@johnmello6837]

Not just great music. Not just superb dance. But also an incredible example of black and white cinematography. Maybe the greatest 3 minutes Hollywood ever produced.

[@patricemoran7469]

Fred Astaire's genius besides his stylistic "style" was in his ability to make a demanding tap routine look absolutely effortless.

[@johnnybeanz1296]

He combined dancing grace with pure athleticism like nobody else. Ever.

[@scottcampbell1377xanadu]

Fantastic, Looked so Natural

[@jamesanthony5681]

Well, she's pretty good herself, if not better. And she's doing it on heels.

[@patricemoran7469]

@@jamesanthony5681 She was excellent and Fred's equal in this masterpiece but.. better than him...NEVER. In 1928 NY theater critics said he was the best tap dancer in the world.

[@pluevo1]

Only Eleanor could so close approach the unter perfection and beauty of Astaire. But being that close is just other worldly in itself

[@simbaon17th]

never ceases to amaze me how well these two danced together. If this had to be the only time, then - WOW - did they get it right!

[@dbluehorsedeboe5567]

This was the era with no television. Spending a Saturday evening going to the movies and watching up beat positive classics like this

[@Kelly-nm4kw]

Hello Danielle, How are you doing?

[@dbluehorsedeboe5567]

@@Kelly-nm4kw I’m very good, thanks

[@Kelly-nm4kw]

@@dbluehorsedeboe5567 Nice to hear from you Danielle, Where are you from?

[@robertsoskis264]

Greatest American dance duo of all time. What a pleasure to behold.

[@charliejohn1]

I can't keep my eyes off Eleanor. What a talent. 😍

[@esmeephillips5888]

Love how at 2:39 she glances down at Fred's feet with pursed lips as if judging him. Poor Fred, he met his Waterloo after six years schooling Ginger.

[@woofie8647]

Once you begin watching these two you cannot stop.

[@esmeephillips5888]

Technology has deskilled dancing.

[@royanderson9536]

What wonderful entertainment! Eleanor Powell partnering one of the greatest dancers with the musical backdrop of a song written by the greatest of all the composers for the musical stage.

[@ritacross855]

Absolutely fantastic

[@DavidAusman]

The whole time I watched this I was just laughing with delight! It's beautiful!

[@cnjgnd]

Absolutely BRILLIANT, the likes of which will never be seen again. I read that the magnificent Fred Astaire was at first intimidated by Eleanor Powell's amazing tap dancing but then went on record that she was his favorite partner of the many women he danced with over the years. This is by far the best tap dance ever recorded or ever will be.

[@vibra64]

agree!!!!

[@tyedrichill8097]

@@vibra64 you my friend, have never watched the Nicholas Brothers have you?

[@stephaniestanley8041]

The best

[@gill426]

Well he was very reluctant about picking a favourite but in one interview he kinda puts Ginger as exceptional in all of his partnerships. But either way, I know he was intimidated by Eleanor Powell, it also shows in the clips I've seen. But they're all marvellous, I love them so much, they are just an utter joy to watch. Fred&Ginger will always be my absolute favourites but I love seeing the flawless professional dancing he did together with Eleanor as well.

[@dianadorazio1824]

Actually he saidit was Rita Hayworth that was his favorite dance partner. I believe this was in his autobiography.

[@cor3944]

Dancing is not about perfection but class. When Fred Astaire dances, it seems effortless and elegant.

[@jamiecorrigan3241]

Cole Porter ----- I Love You !!! Eleanor And Fred Too !!!

[@libertyone5853]

Two of the GREATEST dancers of ALL time. CLASS.

[@brianmccauley3267]

Eleanor Powell danced circles around the men-folk. 🙃 In my humble opinion she's the best dancer, male or female, to have ever enchanted us with her perfection.

[@kennyc3670]

Not only Eleanor, Fred also partnered Ginger, Rita, Judy, Cyd, Leslie and Audrey to mention but a few. What a fortunate guy!😃😃😃

[@carolenewman5180]

Magnificent. Where or where have they gone. No one compares.

[@bluepacifica123]

Anytime I watch a dance number with Astaire and one of his partners, my eyes follow him, except, this number with Eleanor Powell. She was his equal like no other partner had been.

[@PlanetYokoshima]

I'm searching around what this person meant by number ; - ; I would LOVE learning such terminology... does mean tap dancers/partners together?

[@aloveoflibraries]

Have you seen him with Ginger Rogers? I have to disagree, she’s incredible.

[@vpsantos1577]

@@PlanetYokoshima In Portuguese, my first language, number means any kind of performance or presentation. Só It makes perfect sense to me. I Wonder wether It's not clear in English.

[@zulmarivera9397]

His best partner EVER was Ginger Rogers. They made many movies, all of them were magnificent, great dancing pair.

[@paulallison2412]

@Dusty Grady Not baloney at all Dusty! Fred said himself that he was in awe. I can't recall the quote exactly. Not suggesting she's better and it's not a competition anyway, but you clearly haven't seen her routine with Buddy Rich's drum sticks!! I'll leave it there.

[@lsmith9249]

l love Eleanor Powell and Fred and Ginger, Astaire was a genius

[@deborahearle4151]

On June 22, 1987, I came in at the tail end of a CNN Headline News story featuring this scene. When I saw it, I knew right off they'd just been reporting on the passing of Fred Astaire.

[@esmeephillips5888]

It had been excerpted at the American Film Institute's tribute to Fred in 1981- Eleanor's last public appearance on TV.

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Total rapport achieved by two amazing performers. Graceful and elegant unlike anything we enjoy currently bombarded by a thumping meternomic bass. Bravo!

[@kevineast9211]

One camera until 3:10. Then one camera to the end. One camera. Amazing.

[@1nightstorm]

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

[@waynem7634]

Powell and Astaire...equally matched and spectacular!

[@marthacanady9441]

Never will there be a tap routine to equal this. Masterful is an understatement.

[@Kelly-nm4kw]

Hello Martha, How are you doing?

[@kengordon7613]

Ken Gordon 1 second ago I believe our nation lost its innocence and beauty when musicals died. Movies with fear and terror can never replace those with grace and beauty.

[@vixart]

once u have watched it a thousand times just to watch the footwork, try just watching their faces, if that isn't the pure joy of life, I don't know what is ….and to think WWII erupted in 1939,. and this film comes out the very next year,.

[@daviddurfee6127]

The music was written by Cole Porter and is being performed by the Benny Goodman orchestra with Lionel Hampton on the vibraphone. The pinnacle of American culture.

[@esmeephillips5888]

Not Goodman- a studio band souping up Jerry Gray's chart for Artie Shaw. Hampton had popularized vibes, but he is not on here. However, the choice of music testifies to MGM's daring under Louis B Mayer. For a big-budget production's climax, he okayed an arrangement as cool and up to the minute as could be conceived in 1939, trusting that Middle America would buy it. As if the latest in rap or techno was on the soundtrack of 'La La Land'. It was far from Mayer's adoration of what you would hear in a MacDonald-Eddy movie; but he was big enough to accept that two maestri of syncopated hoofing need sounds that fit their moves.

[@daviddurfee6127]

@@esmeephillips5888 Thank you - I was making a semi-educated guess.

[@normadesmond6017]

There will never be perfection like this one ever again

[@stevenlaboe3585]

I'm somewhat shocked by the audience reaction here, shouldn't this kind of outstanding once in a lifetime performance warrant a standing ovation? 😎

[@jackanthony976]

It was probably a stock audience shot that was kept on file and that they used over and over again for their musical films.

[@rowbygoren1830]

I was also underwhelmed by the audience shot. After such perfection by Fred & Eleanor - they cut in a rather bland audience stock reaction. One guy in the audience, on the aisle, was even coughing. ....Rowby

[@2getha5eva]

They were too in awe to move.

[@mca1218]

Breathtaking. And a lovely picture-- the high quality is so fine, you can see the iridescent glitter on Ms. Powell's already gorgeous dress. And a brilliant execution of black-and white set design, cinematography, and costume. And Fred & Ellie even manage to tip a hat (intentionally or otherwise) to Bill Robinson at 1:52 with the little hand-on-hip travel from right to left. Stunning.

[@donaldkane1714]

A lovely picture if you don't mind the stretching. They both look a little shorter than they really were; it's called distortion. That's why I give it a thumbs down.

[@alanjacobs6211]

Talent that will live forever to enjoy for all who love film and musicals,just divine a privilege to watch two of the greatest dancers of all time,thanks a million!

[@richardwestwell4902]

Two masters of the art of dance at work.

[@deadandburied7626]

Hypnotic, awesome.

[@paulmarshall4754]

Best dance duo EVER!

[@nancy9478]

Back when woman dressed like ladies on the stage and the dancing was the focus. Pure raw talent, pure class.

[@alazjaw.8968]

they were naked during that time too. a video doesn’t detour that.

[@audm.5946]

I never get tired of this! NEVER!💐

[@arthurgearheard4701]

Who doesn't? These egomaniacal young Hip Hop Dancers on Facebook should watch this to see what REAL TALENT is like!

[@johnireland6301]

Watch carefully young people. Pure genius at work.

[@christinelawrence4315]

Greatest dancers in history .. just think my grandparents were 21 years old .. my father was born in this year of 1940 and I'm now 51 .. WOW!!! they were the good old days - wholesomeness and goodness prevails (apart from the war at that time)...

[@taylordowning2533]

That was excellent. They should have made more films together

[@christophermclean3921]

That was amazing. My Mother said Fred couldn’t keep up with her. She makes it look easy

[@marialuciana7481]

9

[@alejandrobonelli9507]

Perdón,pero no estoy de acuerdo

[@brucehamrick9651]

I saw an interview about this clip that Eleanor said that she and Fred felt this was one of their most challenging and favorite routines. She also said that they both felt that it wasn't ever perfected and they filmed it several times until the director said enough and that they would have to stop. This was just amazing. I think I heard Fred say that Eleanor was his favorite partner.

[@esmeephillips5888]

She was not his favorite. He refused to work with her after this because she pushed him too hard to keep up. He was 40 and liked schooling and leading younger women, not being tired by them. Fred was close-mouthed and tactful about his ladies, but I think the last word is Vera-Ellen's. She said his favorite partner was himself- he worked harder on solos than anything.else.

[@chattyroz2934]

@@esmeephillips5888 I beg to differ somewhat. This is, in fact, very much like a solo in that they each to their own thing and just slightly interact with each other. His real preference with ladies was a romantic, emotional dance, which did not suit Eleanor who was basically a tap soloist. They danced together 4 times in this film and he was quoted as saying that they had accomplished everything they could together. Their partnership was a departure for both of them and he didn't feel it could be taken any further. I'm so glad this film had as many numbers as it did, all of them brilliant.

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@chattyroz2934 Yes, I think BM40 is choreographically the richest of all musicals, primarily b/c Powell was in charge on her home turf and was on her mettle up against Mr Astaire. Considering they were both on record as thinking their styles were incompatible, the film is an object lesson in how persistence and professionalism can pay off... when neither party is a prima donna. One critic called their encounter the summit meeting of movie dance. Like the best summits, it entailed hard bargaining and long hours, but it ended in mutual respect and a compromise deal which satisfied the outside world and delights us 80 years later.

[@sammorgan1963]

@@esmeephillips5888 Thank you for your analysis. Enjoyed reading you. Sam

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@sammorgan1963 On the eternal question of Fred's favorite partner- for years he would give his coy grin and reply 'Bing Crosby'.

[@nandor41]

Excellent . Two of the greatest dancers of the cinema. The best all the times cine and music....

[@mamaw49]

This is my favorite being performed by two of my all time favorites. They were just the very best. ❤

[@zulyquintana2728]

I love this music. Greatest dancers! ❤❤❤

[@twohawks7884]

Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire OWN this routine. No need to compare Eleanor Powell to Ginger Rogers or point out whether or not Fred has better rhythm than Eleanor. This man and woman pair are DIVINE together. What a pleasure to watch.

[@deadandburied7626]

Fred met his match in Ellie.

[@bennyjazzful]

WOW Pure magic!

[@eddiecheung7795]

With technich, class impeccable dance, he is the one and no one even can come close. He leaded the music and his partner, what a great legend!

[@marylingo5966]

So talented and easy for them it looks as though they don’t even breath hard. Love FRED ASTAIRE, hear him sing “ HEAVEN “. I think he was the greatest entertainer history of film💋‼️‼️😳

[@CaptAmerica12]

My God they are so GREAT.

[@ednguyen3822]

My favorite dance from the movie! And look at that exquisite cinematography! Glorious B&W, impeccable placement of the mirrors to make the stage appear huge, old time Hollywood was the best.

[@esmeephillips5888]

It was one mirror, the biggest in the country then. Made by a firm that specialized in astronomical telescopes and taken west, very carefully, on a special train. When Louis B Mayer had faith in a project he backed it to the hilt.

[@ednguyen3822]

@@esmeephillips5888 Wow, that's good trivia. I love Astaire films, and it's always fun to learn something new.

[@rontom0604]

fabulous. love everything fred does and all his partners. thanks for the memories. more please. ron thomas

[@wackneyhick7129]

A dancer who worked with Astaire on one movie, where she was only in a scene that was to occupy about three minutes of screen time but took a day to shoot, said that he was as supportive and encouraging throughout as anyone could wish. He praised her work, offered a few hints politely and humbly - and was clearly not trying to have his way with her. She ended the day feeling good about herself as a person and a performer. A gentleman by report and a marvel to behold.

[@brucekuehn4031]

A true pro from the old school. Fred and his sister Adele started dancing together as kids in vaudeville and then became big stars on Broadway and the London stage. He knew that when it came down to it, it’s not ego but hard work and practice, practice, practice.

[@esmeephillips5888]

There are hundreds of stories like that about Fred. He was a natural gentleman, on- and off-screen. As for Ellie, she was the most beloved woman at MGM. These two proved that nice guys can finish first.