Eleanor Powell - AFI Tribute to Fred Astaire

[@esmeephillips5888]

This was Eleanor Powell's only appearance on a national screen during almost 20 years devoted to church and charitable work. As always, she kept it short, sweet and just a little sassy. It is wonderful that her last time in front of a camera was to honor her only male equal in creative dance.

[@willemverheij3412]

Nicholas Brothers where there too, sadly she never got to dance with them in a movie due to segregation.

[@stanleydavis7904]

Tina Turner said it, simply the best

[@Arkelk2010]

Dancing with the Nichlas Brothers would have been stupendous! Maybe in Heaven.

[@1JuliusStreicher]

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is how a little 68 year old lady not only lights up, but also commands an entire crowded room!

[@MomoBaileybutt]

She's not little. 🙂

[@-.Steven]

Standing Ovation! And very well deserved! Class, elegance, beauty, charm, poise, talent! I love her!

[@SaxonC]

A classy lady! She deserved the standing ovation !!

[@sheilahballard1039]

Yes ma'am!

[@robinofloxly2924]

Now thats the way to deliver a speech. Can't stop loving her.

[@sandeedobberstine5591]

How lovely! My heart breaks to think that she passed away, the following year. An amazing talent 🌈🙏💜

[@susanford2388]

I was thinking exactly the same thing. Two fab dancers. May they RIP

[@rhagedorn]

OMG! She was 69 here and still looked stunning. Fred himself called her the best Hollywood dancer ever, even better than him which is as good a praise as you can get.

[@anniefannycharles9951]

Thankyou for this post I really enjoyed it. Class A people.

[@daniellewales]

It's the smile! So youthful!

[@scook5599]

Eleanor Powell's tribute to Fred Astaire was so well done!

[@rossie714]

Sorry to be redundant, but Eleanor’s class steals this sequence. How? 1. Her description of Fred and her working tirelessly to get it just right. 2. Underscoring the respect they had for each other. 3. Praising Fred for being so enthusiastic when they did something right. 4. The sheer joy she expressed in looking back, and wishing they could do it again. Very powerful. Now that’s a lady and a great professional.

[@esmeephillips5888]

During her years as a minister she often officiated at ceremonies, so she had plenty of experience of speaking succinctly and pointfully.

[@stephenvincent4989]

Eleanor Powell - Talent and Class a magical combination

[@ricardobigi5476]

Elegance, elegance, elegance, of movement, of attitude, of everything. Lovely lady. God bless her.

[@drabcoat]

This has got the best speech ever at one of these Los Angeles get-togethers, and appropriately dedicated to the greatest dancer of them all. Eleanor Powell had in abundance not only inate talent but, and more importantly, character.

[@plaine59]

I'm in tears... "JUST ONE MORE TIME"

[@curtlewis2795]

Me, too. I get a lump in my throat every time I watch this clip as she comes to that line! Love her

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@curtlewis2795 But thanks to technology, we can and do watch the best performers just one more time- and see something new and marvelous every time.

[@curtlewis2795]

Esmee Phillips You are SO right!!! ❤️

[@joycie014]

@@esmeephillips5888 I do agree with you. My father was an avid fan of classic movies - musicals most of all, which he passed on to me. So many times over the years I have seen these great films on DVD or even on television now and wished that he had been alive to appreciate that we can see them now virtually any time we want to.

[@laddiemeadows1156]

Did anyone see that Debbie Reynolds was the first to stand? Pure class.

[@hcombs0104]

Yes. Debbie knew how to show respect.

[@Jasper7182009]

I gave a shout out immediately! Debbie Reynolds knew who were the great stars and she always appreciated it. If it weren't for her, all those stuffed shirts would be sitting on their hands while the great Eleanor Powell stood before them.

[@josephworby724]

Laddie Meadows that was a generation that had class we seem to have lost it shame (the wife)

[@death2pc]

Pathetic audience/people. How revolting. Thanx Debbie, at least you knew.............................

[@eduardocuchero4224]

Yes, I saw Debbie!!!!!

[@colinlove6509]

What a brilliant tribute - short, sweet, elegantly delivered and most certainly deserving of a standing ovation! It's one of life's great mysteries as to why Fred and Ellie didn't do another film together but at least we have this one - if ever you get the chance, see "Begin the Beguine" on the big screen - it is amazing!

[@sunnyseacat6857]

Fred Astaire said Eleanor Powell was the only dancer he would not dance with...perhaps this was after this film together. Why did he say that? Because Eleanor Powell was an very athletic dancer.

[@colinlove6509]

@@sunnyseacat6857 It is sad that he said that but I think he was worried about being overshadowed by her as she was a very accomplished dancer! Most of his other partners could be "trained" not to outclass him and do exactly what he wanted - you only have to listen to what Ginger Rodgers said about the endless rehearsals for just one dance number!

[@Francis-m2d]

@@colinlove6509 Late in the day to add this, but I recollect a different version of this. Astaire was asked by reporters, after his last movie with Ginger, who he would like to dance with...he said he thought he could dance with anyone, but he was nervous about dancing with Eleanor because she was so good! Now, that was meant as a tribute to her talent.

[@glenjones7597]

I wish they would've done something like this for her while she was still alive, she didn't get a star on the Hollywood walk of fame until after she passed away . Maybe she looking down and smiling knowing she still has fans of her work. love you Miss Ellie

[@esmeephillips5888]

The turnout for the Walk of Fame ceremony was a roll call of old Hollywood, led by Jimmy Stewart, whom she had steered through 'Born to Dance'. Even Gene Kelly, that old sourpuss, was there, making up for his absconding from 'Broadway Melody of 1943'.

[@Lampshade51]

What a rare treat to see Eleanor Powell in the 1980s. I don't think that she made a public appearance for many years, and the audience of show biz greats showed their surprise and respect with a standing ovation. She was right up there with Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Ginger Rogers.

[@sleeper600]

Eleanor Powell was a class act. Not to say that Fred Astaire wasn't fabulous, but why didn't Hollywood give her a tribute as well? She was so great - a powerhouse with a great gift and an unassuming manner. I guess the guys just weren't ready for her authentic and unique style and talent. Anyway, the whole crowd (more enlightened and evolved by then) gave her a standing ovation. She was so gracious. She comes across so expressively and genuine in this clip. What a woman! Very underutilized in her time.

[@franciscofernandes9435]

They will be seen forever because they were unique.

[@juliag.5114]

Unfortunately she retired in the mid 40s and I think her popularity sort of declined, remember back in those days they didn't use to have reruns all the time like we do now

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

@@juliag.5114 No reruns? In the 1950s, 60s and 70s, local TV stations relied heavily on old movies to fill out their programming day. In Detroit there was "Rita Bell's Prize Movie" at 9 am, "Bill Kennedy at the Movies" at 1 pm, the 4:30 Movie after school and 3 or 4 hours of "Late Late Show" movies in the middle of the night. Today's viewer is far less knowledgable about old movies than we were as kids. But to answer the original question, Eleanor Powell didn't have Astaire's career length or versatility. By today's tribute-happy standards she clearly deserved it, but in those days only a very few got this kind of all star tribute. They did include women such as Bette Davis, but dancers were never as well represented as the big dramatic stars.

[@juliag.5114]

@@daveconleyportfolio5192 Yes, and nowadays they're on TCM 24/7. Like I said, very different from today.

[@BBBYpsi]

@@daveconleyportfolio5192 I am from Detroit myself & I sure do remember the Rita Bell & Bill Kennedy stuff. Remember when they would have a all Elvis week?

[@camhamster3891]

Powell is always amazing to watch dance. She had what seemed like perfect control of her movement.

[@genelsac]

Eleanor Powell personifies class, elegance and pure talent. To me, she'll always be the queen of tap and with Fred, have set the bar really high. I've also noticed how Debbie Reynolds quickly stood up to honor and give respect to an esteemed colleague of the bygone era. Sigh! I doubt if any of the new breed of Hollywood stars would do that.

[@esmeephillips5888]

Debbie knew and cared for the legacy of classic Hollywood. She labored to collect historic objects which might have ended in the trash. Today's students of those times owe her a lot.

[@WondrousEarth]

What a gracious lady she is, and a fabulous story teller. She's right she and Fred made it look easy, effortless, now we know from her lips just how much work was involved to 'get it right'.

[@Celluloidwatcher]

...And, Long Live the Queen!!!

[@DAVEJJR]

My eyes are filled with tears.... Man.... Ellie, ur a class act!!!!

[@ledymeghaghynandini5490]

Dave Jordan better dining hot beautiful

[@hcombs0104]

It's always good to see Eleanor Powell, especially these days with so much negativity in the world. My favorite routine is still the one she did with Buttons the dog!

[@brucekuehn4031]

“Look, it’s just fine. Print it!” It was more than fine, it was miraculous! Watch the whole dance again - impossible artistry captured on film for all time.

[@mrmarvellous5378]

Rudolph Nureyev once said Fred was the best dancer he had seen, well Fred said that Eleanor was the the best including himself among the rest. Her dancing said it all, and as Frank Sinatra said once, we will never the likes of them again.thanks Eleanor and Fred for the great memories.

[@solveigmenard5115]

SPOT ON!!!

[@yvonneplant9434]

L

[@20alphabet]

The American age of grace and endurance is but a mere memory today. Sad that.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Yes. It's sad.

[@markmh835]

I've never seen this clip before. How magnificent! Eleanor Powell -- First Lady of Dance. 😊👍

[@SheilaStahl]

Just chokes me up... nothing more flattering and heart-warming than telling the truth... oh how I wish we'd do it more.

[@edwardjames50]

SO sweet! How could eleven people, who could ANYBODY, give this a thumbs down?

[@hcombs0104]

Because they're IDIOTS with their noses buried in their iphones most of the time, bumping into things and people without looking where they're going!

[@esmeephillips5888]

Ill-wishers of humanity?

[@julianmarsh1378]

How else to get even a smidgen of attention??? Poor souls.

[@LenHummelChannel]

Fred, Gene, Donald O'Connor. Eleanor. Ginger. Cyd. so many wonderful, classy, amazing talents...gone, ... yet still with us.

[@emilyhayek1132]

Yes. They were all brilliant entertainers. And sadly gone but never ever forgotten. We watch their movies today and yearn for that kind of class, talent, beauty and graciousness!!!

[@LenHummelChannel]

This was a truly heartfelt tribute to Fred from a great talent & admirer. Astaire was a true genius at what he did best. Nothing but huge respect to Fred, Gene, and (a not so distant third) Donald O'Connor.

[@jeanjones5550]

And don't forget; Vera - Ellen.

[@taylordowning2533]

Don't forget Rita and Ann as well

[@esmeephillips5888]

If only the sound film had been invented by 1900, so we could see a pas de deux by Anna Pavlova, a solo by Isadora Duncan, or whether Nijinsky really could do the 'entrechat douze'- leaping, crossing and uncrossing his legs six times before he landed. Old ladies swore they saw it. Still, we have the legacy of the last 90 years, whereas every previous generation had to rely on memories or eyewitness testimony. I wonder if dancing in musical films declined because the brilliance constantly visible to younger performers disheartened them. How do you surpass Fred or Ellie? Baryshnikov joked that dancers in the 1980s hated Fred because he was 'too perfect': an omnipresent reminder of what they could not do. For the same reason, perhaps. you don't see movie recreations of Golden Age dancing (as opposed to biopics of actors with lookalikes) because today's hoofers would not look convincing. Gregory Hines did quite a nifty Bojangles, but he's gone too.

[@opelske]

Beautiful lady inside and outside. Sure do miss her kind of talent today. God Bless her in Heaven! A wonderful video to share.

[@ChristopherAlam1]

Still so beautiful in her old age. She was a classy lady!

[@esmeephillips5888]

The month after this tribute (her last public appearance) she was diagnosed with the ovarian cancer which killed her the following year. 'What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.' (Eleanor Powell)

[@mca1218]

I love it. It's a pleasure just to listen to her describe how they trained, dancing in 'counter rhythm' and so forth. And what an impact she had on an audience who gave a standing ovation for even a one-time appearance between Fred & Ellie. Always a lady.

[@jerrybrownell3633]

The beautiful talented and athletic Eleanor Powell (1912-1982). Truly one of America's National Treasure's and one of Hollywood's true Superstars.

[@pattigee1]

Never heard such an ovation and so well deserved! Lucky us to have experienced their spectacular dance. Thanks.

[@GummedUpTheWorks]

When standing ovations meant something.

[@esmeephillips5888]

Watch also the clip of the 1967 Oscars, when Fred and Ginger danced on to the stage to present an award. By then the business had begun to understand what it had lost.

[@MsBeryl6]

Gone but not forgotten. You will be remembered for years and years to come. God be with you, and rest in Peace. You are still entertaining us now in 2014.

[@robinofloxly2924]

Whenever I'm down I watch a little of Eleanor's performances and I'm feeling good again.

[@mayaa5048]

Robin Ofloxly - well watch this performance is just like fresh air Mrs. Powell directed a marching band with her feet, awsome, enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6vGn5WVZ7mfgZo

[@sugarlove]

what a wonderful lady! bless you Eleanor Powell

[@TheShizue777]

Thank goodness for KZbin. We get to see the entire Begin the Beguine number where Fred is stellar and Eleanor is just plain brilliant.

[@alexandrabillings99]

Absolutely glorious. Thank you so much for posting this. What a treasure.

[@pam0626]

Beautiful speech from a beautiful lady.

[@rivaridge7211]

What a lovely and heartfelt tribute! I recall (the great!) Fred Astaire once saying(paraphrasing) that Eleanor Powell was his only (tap) dance partner "whom he could barely keep up with." I well recall this television tribute upon its initial airing in 1981 - it was re-broadcast (by CBS) in 1987 shortly after Mr. Astaire's passing on June 22 at the age of 88. It was a bit sad to watching this the second time around, but it was a great and well-deserved tribute to Astaire's life - and that of his co-stars as well.

[@danielstanwyck2812]

I wish they could, too. Just one more time. The lady had winged feet, light as air, while at the same time, she was the salt of the earth. What a beauty. She died less than a year later.

[@esmeephillips5888]

MGM's trailer for 'Broadway Melody of 1940' called her 'the wingless angel of the dance'. That sounds about right.

[@Bageera63]

Eleanor was awesome in a dancing sequence with Buddy Rich in Ship Ahoy (1942). Tossing drumsticks & drums back & forth. Man, that was cool! You can see Buddy say 'nice' at the end. That movie was FULL of talent!

[@esmeephillips5888]

Some years after she quit, she told the gossip columnist Hedda Hopper that she still did her old numbers at home, alone. She said they were like her children, and she felt she was keeping them alive.

[@photo161]

What a wonderfully gracious speech and what a lovely, vivacious and endearing woman, the great Eleanor Powell

[@esmeephillips5888]

Eleanor Powell passed this day 39 years ago. But as John O'Hara said of George Gershwin's death, I don't have to believe it if I don't want to. Long live the Queen!

[@kenowens9021]

Probably the only time where a guest speaker got a standing ovation before speaking. She earned it.

[@curtite]

Really interesting to hear her talk. Thank you so much for uploading this of a classy dame.

[@dreamer2anime]

RIP eleanor you were an inspiration and a huge reason if not the first to inspire me to tap dance

[@647Anna]

OH MY GOD! That was such a great speech! I'm crying! "I still wish we could do it just one more time" :'( no more talents like that... I wish I had an opportunity to live in the same time with them!

[@pebrogan]

What a lady - what a class act and what an amazing dancer. Thanks for sharing that wonderful clip. It made my day!!

[@burlingtonpark4136]

thank you for posting this lovely moment in the life of a great talent and lady.

[@esmeephillips5888]

If you're on a screen for the last time, how better to bow out than by reviving a fond memory of the only man in the business who was your equal. It is of a piece with the warmth and humility that made Eleanor Powell the most beloved star at MGM during her seven years there. And the rest of her life was as devoted to others. If she had been a Catholic rather than a Presbyterian, she would be a candidate for beatification.

[@coreycox2345]

Both old and lovely. Elanor Powell is still such a dancer in this that the way she moves, even standing there is elegant.

[@oktovrios]

i loved what she said in the end..." long live the King"!!!!

[@ytshawzam]

I got to observe one of her impromptu lessons! It was around the time of this clip, not long before she passed away. At a screening of her films at the Vagabond Theater in Los Angeles she was appearing in person and regalled us late arrivers to dance lessons in front of the theater on Wilshire blvd. while everyone else was inside enjoying the films! Someone asked if she gave formal lessons and she referred them to the Nicholas Brothers. She was really cool and signed autographs for all.

[@stephaniewiens923]

Most amazing tribute ever!!!

[@netwitt1]

Great clip, Judy. Woohoo! And yes, wasn't Ellie just sparkling - those were the exact words that came to my mind as I watched the clip. She was a gem inside and out.

[@MrGranfield]

Eleanor Powell was not only a great dancer but wonderful human being. So sad that she died of cancer only a few months after this tribute.

[@l.a.gothro3999]

I tear up every time I watch this. EVERY time. *sniff*

[@Kexgoija]

One of the Great Ones! What Movement!!!😊

[@dudley5533]

As Hermes Pan, choreographer, referred to Ann Miller's "machine gun taps", the same could be said of Eleanor Powell, but with much more including her acrobatic abilities, high kicks, cartwheels, splits, backbends, etc., all perfectly done to the musical rhythm. Can't forget what a beauty she was even though her performances were in black and white.

[@lindasullivan1521]

Hello, I hope that you don’t mind my making a slight correction to your fine comments? What you refer to as cartwheels were actually front walkovers. Walkovers are much more difficult to do than cartwheels. Cartwheels are done from the side. Front walkovers are done from the front. It’s a completely different technique. Slow Ellie down and you will see! Best regards, Linda

[@dudley5533]

Linda: Thanks for your kind reply.....I learned something I never realized the difference. They sure are a nice distinction and more effective in the dance routine.

[@districtline]

My God, what a class act.

[@hedwigkiesler]

classy, beautiful, talented and always true to herself - eleanor was all that and more. what a role model.

[@holiday07]

I was a small kid when this event took place but its making me cry now. Rip to two great performers Ellie and Fred, you will never be forgotten.

[@royalwedding777]

The Classiest speech ever. Brought me to tears when she said, " Just One More Time!"

[@bernardoschmidt]

In tears... sweet, wonderful, talented, classy lady...

[@kirsteni.russell5903]

What a beautiful woman she was, not only as a dancer but as a woman looking back at a routine she'd done with Fred Astaire forty years earlier. You can see the routine here on You Tube (look for them dancing to "Begin the Beguine"), and then her tribute to him here is all the more moving.

[@bernaldelcastillo1768]

the greatest of the lot. Miss Powell and Mr. Astaire

[@pabloparedes6294]

I see you everywhere

[@bernaldelcastillo1768]

I'm a humble bloke with many interests!

[@DomenicoG1953]

Two real legends. Thank you for all, Mr Fred and Mrs Eleanor!

[@jerrybrownell3633]

Eleanor died not long after this ceremony at age 69 from ovarian cancer. Taken from us much to soon.

[@opelske]

I agree! So elegant! We're lucky to have film to remind us that real dedicated talent was once celebrated.

[@bkey6012]

Really cool, full of life very respectful. Can't believe I missed this short tribute

[@acousticguitarfan55]

Pure class!

[@granand]

Thanks Judith, I fell in love with her for her song with Gracie Allen in Honolulu and then I never stopped seeing all her available videos on youtube .. my time flies watching youtube of Elenor, Fred, Gene Kelly, Vera Ellen .. good times have gone & now is the time of re-takes & tricks of camera and video editing..

[@BBBYpsi]

Back when a standing ovation actually meant something. Now I would feel like I did something wrong if I did not get one so many are given these days. Sadly she passed away less then a year later of cancer.

[@tonychuter4830]

WOW what a talented woman this was in 1981 she passed away the following year it would of bin wonderful if fred astaire got up on stage with eleanor Powell one more time...

[@PatriotSteve]

Classy woman. We could use more like her today.

[@2legit64]

What a lovely tribute.

[@fernandatralala]

What an adorable and beautiful lady! I hope I age so well like her. :)

[@RandomHud]

What a beautiful, beautiful woman!

[@MrImiller07]

Eleanor Powell and Astaire demonstrated some spectacular dancing in Broadway Melody of 1940, in which this routine originated. She was one of the premier dancers in musical films and she clearly admired Astaire.

[@fastdrive55]

Amazing. Great speech!

[@brule1961]

Love her smile!

[@canoga1958]

Great job Judy! Thanks so much for posting.

[@stephenoshaughnessy2279]

That was an outstanding and dramatic presentation.

[@bbobrm]

Eleanor Powell was awesome ...... and with Fred Astaire .... magnificent !

[@etrimbleable]

Astaire was 81 years old when this event took place, and he had just lost his dear sister Adele a few weeks before. According to his widow, she had to prod him into going. Can you imagine the stamina required for a person his age to sit through this lengthy evening? I only wish the entire event was posted.

[@clkk1165]

Wow that was a great tribute.

[@luishumbertovega3900]

¡ Qué dama tan hermosa ! What a beautiful lady ! Tan talentosa, she deserves to be mentioned among the greatest dancers of all time.

[@elizabethwalker9976]

A classy lady and from what I have read as beautiful inside as what she was out.

[@boblowney]

a truly good and wonderful person. Her life after her public career was fantastic.

[@visualize2feel]

Classy lady all the way. This is was when Hollywood had real stars with talent, grace and beauty.

[@honeyjbc1]

best number in any movie. Heavenly.

[@larainek2831]

Most stunning woman ever to grace Hollywood when young....still has that smile and twinkle here! Bet she was a hoot at a dinner party and took no crap either! Underrated but God, beautiful or what!

[@maya8443]

You don't know what you're talking about because Eleanor Powell was far from being underrated she was the highest paid dancer, she was regarded as the best female dancer equal to Fred Astaire. Have you read her bio? Well read it and see all the awards and honors she received. She sure ain't underrated.

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@maya8443 I was surprised to find that her one-off rate for her first MGM film (before signing a seven-year contract) was $1,150 a week. Seven years later, at the height of her popularity, Veronica Lake was on $350. Eleanor Powell was 22 and an almost unknown quantity when she came to Hollywood. She asked a price she thought would be refused because she wanted to stay on Broadway. To her mixed amusement and horror, 'Mr Mayer' at once accepted her terms and the stringent conditions she added, such as 12 weeks a year just for planning and rehearsing her routines plus her own accommodation on the lot. Every one of her nine starring films made money, whereas Fred's last two out of nine with Ginger at RKO did not recoup. According to Ann Miller, Ellie was getting $150,000 a picture (about $15m in today's money) when she quit.

[@maya8443]

@@esmeephillips5888 - Absolutely, she was one of the highest paid dancer of her time. Thanks for adding those facts, many people don't know how successful Ellie was. Take care!

[@JudithIN410]

If I hadn't seen your post of this months ago, I would never have known it existed. Thanks! :-)

[@JudithIN410]

Wonderful! I'd read of this; great to hear from someone who was there. Thanks for commenting.

[@everettfuqua114]

Oh, that wonderful beaming smile!

[@everettfuqua114]

She still had that same beaming smile.

[@manuelfarinelli3839]

Two genius of Tap Dancing, I love both.