Best tap dancer and drummer in the world

[@SatelliteGalaxy]

It CANNOT be denied. Our grandparents were way cooler than any of us could ever hope to be.

[@justinbradshaw5098]

I say this all the time. I wish my friends and I were half as cool and badass as our grandparents were.

[@matrox]

Actually all modern generations before GenX and beyond were cooler than what we have today. GenX GenZ Millennials are the worse. Many of the peeps in this video are the Greatest Generation except Bert Lahr born in the 1890s. Red Skelton, Buddy Rich are part of the Greatest Generation/WW2 Gen. GenX and beyond have contributed very little.

[@wdd3141]

Let's not forget, these performances came from a lot of discipline and practice. "Coolness" is in part an acquired trait.

[@matrox]

@@ellecee453 Those who rode the coat tails of the greatest generation, after they laid out a strong foundation.

[@gabberzabber1962]

Well said

[@gostrum1]

The actor-dancers and musicians from that era were just fabulously talented

[@wendyeames5758]

They didn't have so many other distractions like we do now

[@islandbirdw]

Hoofer’s is what they called themselves. The music was hot, and the dancing, singing; all top notch! Not to forget the crooners 🥂

[@RubyRomanii]

Right? And you know she did multiple takes too.

[@nobodyaskedbut]

Eleanor was not only the greatest all-around dancer, she was also, one of the ten greatest female athletes in American history. The elements of ballet and gymnastics she includes is what separates her from all the others. Factor in her beauty and effortless grace and you have the perfect performer.

[@StarfieldRailway]

She was also good at catching.

[@lurlenehaag1718]

She was my favorite female dancer all of my life AND, she was married to Glen Ford :)

[@tonypanzarella9387]

@@lurlenehaag1718She was married to FORD, and could dance the CONTINENTAL.

[@dotarsojat7725]

@@lurlenehaag1718Ford certainly didn’t deserve her.

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

She wasn't. Tommy Rall was, and that was pretty much the consensus of those who were in the film industry and those who worked with him. He was unbelievable.

[@grevillewarwick1885]

A professionalis rarely seen today. Magnificent!

[@orkelyssupersaver]

Her smiling through the whole phenomenon puts the cherry on top

[@andrewtongue7084]

That's how Variety performers were schooled in those days, you had to be able to sing, dance, act & thru' it all, smile; entertainers today are as nothing by comparison...

[@orkelyssupersaver]

@@andrewtongue7084 so good

[@andrewtongue7084]

Quite so, Ma'am ! Regards, Andrew.

[@eleanorpowell2007]

99 years today since the birth of Eleanor Powell. Thanks Eleanor for all the exhilarating happiness you provided the world with your craft.

[@ladyjae65]

That's my girl! Her and Ann Miller were just tremendously talented.....😊❤

[@jamesmurrell2306]

Yes, Ann Miller was sensational but for overall technique, power, and athleticism, it's got to be Eleanor Powell.

[@sandramartin1830]

@@jamesmurrell2306 Exactly!!

[@robstockton911]

@@jamesmurrell2306 Also musicianship. Powell found interesting internal rhythms and had more variety. I love Miller too, but she was more straightforward in her performances and she tended to use the same rhythmic motifs and dance moves over and over.

[@jamesmurrell2306]

@@robstockton911 Well observed! Saw Miller on Broadway with Mickey Rooney, well into her career. She drilled down into repetitive cadences and motifs full of showmanship and won lots of audience applause but lacked choreographic variation (although, maybe the fault of a nostalgic choreographer playing to her strengths). But, I grew up with her and Vera-Ellen, and Mitzi Gaynor in my filmic mind's eye --- so never going to disparage Ann and the dance pleasure she gave my generation. Wonderful legs, as well!

[@DwightStJohn-t7y]

@@jamesmurrell2306 Miller played the landlady for the arriving starlett in "Mullholland Drive"!!

[@sakaridis]

Eleanor Powell is simply beyond this world! I could watch her dance for hours!!!

[@marknewton6984]

She and Astaire!

[@yvonneplant9434]

All true. But the Nicholas Bros beat all of them anyway.

[@sandythompson1150]

If only we had people who are really true hardworking entertainers, with talent

[@rhyshughes7663]

This is almost beyond belief. What a tremendous dance routine! The precision, the athleticism, the timing, everything! And with drummer Buddy Rich and it's all totally coordinated and a bit dangerous. Magnificent stuff!

[@maudeboggins9834]

Forget the drummer. Eleanor Powell is the magic here. She was, in my opinion the best dancer ever. Hollywood was not so kind to her. They shortened her career

[@marinazagrai1623]

This was before any TVs so everything was in movie theaters.

[@johnlewis9745]

@@maudeboggins9834 I am correct in saying that Eleanor was a great. ‘Tapper’ but not much in the other forms dance ? She did not, in my view, have the range of other dancers.

[@idesdemona2336]

@@johnlewis9745 Not really true. She trained and began in ballot and she disliked tap when she started out. However, she was offered a chance on the screen during the depression as long as she'd do some tap dances. That's what they had available and so she learned to do it. She had to hold buckets of sand in pails to learn not to "travel." That forced her to find her core and hold that center at all times. Anne Miller said Powell was the best and, although Astaire adored her dancing, he refused to ever dance with her again because she was so good. He didn't want the audience's eyes to be drawn away from him.

[@johnlewis9745]

@@idesdemona2336 Are you really suggesting that Astaire refused to dance with Eleanor Powell ? Just remember they were both contracted to film studios and appeared in what they were told to. Furthermore, many dancers, both male and female train in the various dance forms, but that doesn’t make them the best in all forms. Then there is the gender aspect. My preference is for female dancers to be very feminine. I’ll say no more, let’s agree to disagree.😊😊

[@dpol123]

Unbelievable! She is the upper limit of excellence in tap and choreography. And catching drumsticks while tapping!

[@bobbyd1019]

The timing of Powell and Rich is phenomenal!

[@toinimoore3463]

They Danced Then Really Great , I don’t know what they call it today but it sure isn’t Dancing like they Did That’s True Talent and Hard Work !🤩😃

[@JSB1882]

That number would be done with CGI nowadays. * sigh *

[@Fantomas4616]

@@JSB1882 and several more cut's in the number

[@jasminea9061]

This is the most impressive dancing scene I’ve ever seen

[@marknewton6984]

Begin the Beguine... She and Astaire.

[@dennispine2603]

That Lady has twice the energy she needs for this number and doesn't seem to be getting out of breath, at all.

[@gregoryagogo]

That's no lady, that's Eleanor Powell!

[@wardberger3777]

This was not shot in only one take.

[@radeum1010]

That ending is just off the radar for dynamic choreography. And the precision with the interplay between Eleanor and Buddy with the drum sticks and dancing is an art form lost.

[@radeum1010]

❤️

[@Hambone571]

Amen to that. “Entertainers today are NOWHERE near this caliber. They entertained with talent, skill, and showed fun doing it.

[@esmeephillips5888]

This is the official definition of 'dancing up a storm'.

[@audreyseals7307]

L

[@DeadAbeVigoda]

1:25 thru 2:14 is a single take. Not one cut in the entire sequence of Powell dancing, jumping, beating drums & tables, tossing & catching drumsticks, and performing. She kept rhythm and didn't miss a beat. Incredible.

[@sharonspencer2312]

It was almost perfect. I saw her foot snag the edge of the chair once. Still the best I've ever seen!

[@richardscally694]

They certainly don't make 'em like that anymore, because they Can't! Incredible Timing & Talent.

[@ajn465]

The collective chops, arranging, swing, dance and cross pollinated talent on display here is just breathtaking. The band, the dancers, Buddy, Eleanor, and even the cinematography are all perfect. This comment section reads like an underfed troll convention. Sad. Here is one of the shining gems of swing era musical filmmaking, and all people can do is nitpick and belittle things they couldn't do in a million years. Watch it again. There's something wrong with you if you can't see the perfection presented here before, you simpletons.

[@RToni]

and please remember: Young People say Step up 3D is the best Musical ever. LOL

[@harrylangdon491]

I teach millennials and they are depressing people. Take away their phones and laptops and they might as well be dead. They haven't heard of anything or anybody from over ten years ago.

[@philthy903]

You teach millennials? How can that be? According to them, they know everything already!

[@philthy903]

Oh please. It was High School Musical 27 (or whatever number they're up to now).

[@chuckdahlin7003]

Millenials? I call them generation X-Creta. BTW, have you considered a career in film?

[@anthonyg8063]

There was not a female tap dancer any better than elanor. Tops in style, ability, rhythm and innovation.

[@4musikable]

Strong, fearless, beautiful and without peer.

[@J3unG]

There were like, four cuts in that whole thing. Amazing. What an amazing piece of history.

[@debbielucas3795]

Just watched this amazing piece of artistry, and I thought the same thing. Hardly any editing of the entire scene. I read that she also had extensive acrobatic training as a youngster.

[@mkattn]

Eleanor Powell was able to dance with the power and athleticism that people of her era previously thought only men were capable of.

[@musicloveBH]

I always shake my head in disbelief when the routine ends! It's SO amazing!

[@masterrik7499]

Damned they could dance back then!!

[@davidsigalow7349]

The directors knew that when you have talent like this, you don't need a lot of fancy editing - you put your camera at a discrete distance and let the performers do their thing.

[@stedye]

they're fantastic dancers, yet, to witness dancers extraordinaire check out : Nicholas Brothers on you tube

[@anniefannycharles9951]

Hey..they can twerk now!! LOL..sad, ain't it?!

[@stevepatterson5778]

I never tire Of Eleanor Powell....true genius mixed with years of hard work that she makes look effortless

[@frmarquis]

Candidly, superlatives are inadequate to convey how amazing this incredible performance truly is. Fills one with an authentic sense of awe.

[@IvyGrass]

I literally watched this video every couple of years

[@rmcfete]

Then you don’t watch it often enough

[@IvyGrass]

@rmcfete ❤️ than you for reminding me

[@gregorymorrow4360]

I have watched the ending of this clip HUNDREDS of times now and my jaw STILL drops every single time...HOW did she and Rich DO that...!!!??? It simply does not seem humanly possible, but they DID it...!!!

[@larrypeppard6964]

Yes. Excellent. Love Lahr har har

[@peterlushing2648]

If this wasn't filmed in one take, they would not be nervous about having to reshoot the whole thing and then screwing up again. But if it was one take, then you know why Buddy Rich was considered (and still is) by many to be the greatest drummer ever, and Eleanor Powell is certainly in the top three woman tapdancers. Ergo, they'd be good at stick throwing and catching because their sense of movement, reflexes, and grace is of a different order than yours and mine.

[@TheAnn2shoes]

Me too, I just keep returning to this again and again as I just cannot believe anybody on earth could dance like this! And the drumming of course.

[@TheAnn2shoes]

Peter Lushing Who are the two other top women tapdancers ever?

[@songplugger8330]

One of them is Ann Miller.

[@sleeper600]

What a graceful, athletic, rhythmic, musical and artistic performance. Such positive energy and beauty! I wish I had met Eleanor Powell. What an inspirational performer. She was so unique I don't think there is anyone who can compare. I am glad that she was paired with equally youthful and energetic performers in this sequence. It is obvious she is the leader but also a team player. Remarkable. I have seen many fabulous performances. This is in the top ten and most definitely in a class by itself. Thank you for making this available on you tube!

[@mircat28]

Bet you would have l Liked to sit in on a rehearsal day because that precision didn't just happen.

[@arthurgearheard4701]

She's better than Ginger Rogers!

[@golstonefran]

That wasn't Eleanor Powell.

[@davidreidenberg9941]

@@golstonefran oh No? Then who was it?

[@timoteoluna3789]

This woman is awesome

[@horrorislander]

We are so privileged compared to the original audience, to be able to watch and re-watch a scene like this with a click of a button, focusing on different aspects each time -- the feet, the facial expressions, or Buddy Rich/the other actors. So much going on!

[@esmeephillips5888]

That is true- since videorecording we have been able to 'read' movies like books, whereas the original cinema audience had to 'attend' to them like a speech, taking them in once and relying on memory thereafter. The penalty for our accessibility is an attenuation of response. Our little images do not captivate us as instantly. Few now see the old-time classics as they were meant to be seen, on the great big silver screen in the dark without distractions. And we are drenched in tiny, humdrum moving pictures all day, instead of going to the flicks once or twice a week. Those former conditions let the Dream Machine stimulate reveries and impressions that were more like being transported by poetry than perusing prose. Musicals were more packed with such attractions than other kinds of movie. Heaven knows how overwhelming the craftsmanship and pizazz of such sequences as this must have been: a real sensory overload.

[@maryellengrayberg9146]

Love Eleanor Powell I have seen several of her routines however, this one is beyond what I believe anyone could have performed as well as Eleanor! I have always thought that Eleanor was the absolute best tap dancer, bar none! A great talent, that I'm not sure received her proper due! RIP Eleanor🙏💙

[@dudley5533]

First time I've seen this movie clip....what genuine talent doing difficult stunts that were incorporated into the dance. Her dancing abilities are truly amazing, including her facial expression and a smile that shows she really enjoyed what she was doing making it look practically effortless. Great job on this video.....many thanks for making it available.

[@ralphsorrenti1602]

Great just great. You will never see that today.

[@missinformed4269]

Absolutely Amazing. I can not imagine how much work this took to choreograph, how many times it must have been practiced and rehearsed. To my eye it is perfect down to every note, every word and every facial expression and still raucous and wild. Elinor Powell and Buddy Rich radiate confidence, mastery and perfection.

[@letsgorangers5264]

I never heard of Eleanor Powell until tonight. I’m about 84 years late to the party. She’s awesome.

[@JabberCT]

Wow the coordination at the end throwing the sticks around, bouncing them off the floor, and having to catch them at the right time was pretty damn impressive!

[@stevesurprenant1005]

I couldn't agree more! You get it! The hand eye coordination is incredible.

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

I woulda fallen in the pool-a. What a creative scene, despite the utter silliness of the song. The timing was so complicated, what with the rhythm of the song and all the props and Powell pulls it off like it was only about as difficult as cooking scrambled eggs. Amazing.

[@elwoodblues9613]

The mark of a great dancer is that he/she can do something difficult and make it look easy. Case in point: this routine. I doubt that even Ann Miller could have pulled this off. And Eleanor Powell did it! I gotta confess, though, that I watched this only because I recognized Bert Lahr.

[@donbrynelsen2157]

I wonder how many times in rehearsal Ms Powell possibly DID end up in the pool, until they got everything perfect?

[@gracegorman642]

@@donbrynelsen2157 Probably once at least.

[@BuntingClipClop]

Yes, as you say...the props! Not just one prop, but different ones, sticks, hoops, swinging across pools, I couldn't take it all in! I'm going to have to watch this multiple times to try and get a grip on what just happened!!!

[@sunnyseacat6857]

The silliness of the song is the point of the song - quite joyful play on words/bending of words.

[@lisahind8858]

What incredible athletic ability by Eleanor Powell.:)

[@davidtvedt7597]

What a Classy time in our history, great dancing, hard work and talent on display, terrific!

[@domenicv7962]

Best thing I've ever seen

[@zoltankadar3974]

She is just unbelievable...where are these gifted dancers/singers now? kisses from Hungary/Europe

[@emma41093]

Just. How. This is incredible!

[@KuttyJoe]

Catching and throwing back the drumsticks was the most amazing part actually. That was amazing.

[@dianewilliams1125]

Tommy Dorsey,Bert Lehr,Red Skeleton, Elenor Poweii and Buddy Rich on drums! Wow! ❤❤❤

[@jonthomas3416]

gene krupa on drums

[@dianewilliams1125]

@@jonthomas3416 Really? Oppps!

[@azul8811]

@@jonthomas3416 Gene Krupa was not in this film.

[@jonthomas3416]

@@azul8811 you are right - a young Buddy Rich!

[@boopah4365]

Doesn't matter what genre of music, jazz, rock, metal, country, every drummer has stated Buddy Rich as one of their main influences.

[@ljr1761]

Eleanor Powell was, hands down, the greatest female dancer of her era! Precision, precision, precision!

[@lawrenceray3545]

Any era period.....

[@DDumbrille]

@@lawrenceray3545 Sorry, but Ann Miller could -- and did -- dance circles around Powell.

[@kwebster62]

@@DDumbrille Ann Miller was great. But, not as good as Eleanor Powell. Powell leads most lists as the best. Even Ann Miller said Eleanor Powell was the best tap dancer.

[@DDumbrille]

@@kwebster62 Of course Miller would say that -- what would you expect her to say? It's called reverence and modesty. The fact remains that Ann Miller was the only dancer who could tap hundreds of times per minute AND spin at the same time. Powell was a great technical dancer, especially in the number w/Astaire, but could not tap & spin like Miller. If you find a clip where she does, let me know. You won't find it though...

[@kwebster62]

@@DDumbrille Miller could have named someone other than Powell as 'the best'. I'm sure many agree with you that Miller was better. But, Powell tops many lists as the best tap dancer, for a reason. "In 1965 the Dance Masters of America bestowed upon (Powell) the title of World’s Greatest Tap Dancer." Reminds me of the Astaire vs Kelly debate. They were both geniuses, to me, but I give the slight nod to Astaire. And the slight nod to Powell.

[@glenjones7597]

Eleanor Powell was good friends with Bill Robinson and he taught her a lot of moves in tap look it up

[@ruthsmith1694]

WOWEE! What a fantastic and mesmerising dancer Eleanor Powell was. This was a great dancing scene and very uplifting to watch her incredible dancing talent. Thanks for this!

[@vincentlewis1297]

One continuous take, all those set pieces, all those drum stick passes, even some at the end where the drumstick actually bounces from the floor to the hand... incredible

[@UrsulaAusNewYork]

Eleanor Powell is the greatest, most overlooked tap dancer of her age....who is here in 2019??!!

[@tracyLoJo]

This jumped in my feed in 2024!

[@wymple09]

She was NEVER overlooked by anybody.

[@grahamsneddon9196]

Gone the way of the worlds greatest lute players and maypole dancers. Time marches on. Never did like tap dancing, it's a novelty act that got out of hand. Glad to see the back of it.

[@mizzury54]

She is far from overlooked.

[@eileenhetherington3704]

OVERLOOKED?????????? Where have YOU been? Anybody who knows anything about the history of dance knows this lady. Astaire was so intimidated by her ability he quit making movies with her.

[@BamaMama1981]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for posting this fabulous clip of my favorite tap dancer. Eleanor Powell is super talented and simply the best tap dancer ever.

[@rmcfete]

The best dancer, period! Fayard Nicholas

[@helenjohnson7583]

This is so creative AND DANGEROUS! Holy cow!!

[@boomerlady]

Eleanor and Buddy do not hide their light under a bushel!

[@sticktrik]

The thing that blows me away is that there are no edits or splices!!!! Just precision!! From start to finish with NO FUCK UPS!!!!!!!! Amazing!!

[@partycentralsales]

From the time she starts tapping, I count 8 cuts/splices. I have no doubt that Powell could have done most of it one take, but they did need to move the camera. I can also believe that she and Rich would have taken a couple tries to get the drumstick play exactly right.

[@catherinehermansen4376]

I loved seeing Red Skelton. He was so handsome in his youth.

[@danmyers9372]

But not much of a singer. 😬

[@karenking-ellis441]

Sammy Davis Jr. called her The Very Best. Takes one to know one!

[@perwiratempur]

Amazing is an understatement!!

[@natanbridge]

What amazes me is how athletic she is - on top of being so musical and so artistic. A true phenome.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Dancers are athletes. More people need to understand that.

[@connieandgwennie1450]

That was extraordinary! What a fantastic performance!

[@christophermclean3921]

She was absolutely amazing ! It’s ok to say that.

[@remyparaskovia5499]

Wow wow, now's that's a dance number.

[@rastus338]

"I don't regard Eleanor Powell as the greatest female tap dancer; I regard her as the greatest dancer, period." - Fayard Nicholas

[@marilynstevenson865]

my goodness Mr Nicholas.you are a true gentleman ans the Nicholas Bros were supreme dancers that I followed, in Australia, from childhood. There is no comparison to the talent and modesty of The Nicholas Brothers.

[@dr.brianjudedelimaphd743]

Yes... what an insane talent !

[@women65andover]

Yes and Amen. She gave up her career for Glenn Ford and he abused her terribly and left her on bad shape. Who knows how far she'd gone if not?

[@KristineMaitland]

He would know.

[@jsmall10671]

False modesty. She's good, but he was out of this world.

[@asaintinwaiting]

What a gal... talented, energetic, utterly beautiful and classy. There will NEVER be another talent like Eleanor Powell.

[@fuzzlenuff]

Impeccable choreography and the most amazing talent I have ever had the pleasure of watching.

[@dandybubble9098]

This has just made my day or should I say night seeing this..... Insomnia has its plus points at times....

[@rhagedorn]

According to Wikipedia Fred Astaire was somewhat intimidated by Eleanor who was the only woman capable of out-dancing him. He was quoted in his autobiography as saying, "She 'put 'em down like a man', no ricky-ticky-sissy stuff with Ellie. She really knocked out a tap dance in a class by herself." BTW, her husband was Glenn Ford.

[@namj8145]

Powell told of how they were both secretly intimidated by each other, calling each other Mr Astaire and Miss Powell as they worked. One day, they finally got a difficult step down and grabbed each other in joy. Astaire backed off, apologizing for the outburst. She laughed and said to him they were just Fred and Ellie, two hoofers, and the ice was broken and the friendship formed.

[@shawnrice9015]

The tap number she did with Fred to Begin the Beguine. Is my all time favorite ! Black and white , clean , and lovely ...

[@Hambone571]

@@shawnrice9015 A great number. Reading about it, they did it in one take, no rehearsal, nothing. They started the number and that was it, good enough.

[@jonz.1242]

Look at how seldom the camera cuts away during her routines. This means she was dancing complicated routines without stopping along the way and picking up later in the middle. The 'Begin the Beguine' routine is famous for that ... it's about five minutes straight with one camera, no breaks of any kind. There's only one break near the end when the camera changes.

[@namj8145]

One odd thing too I remember reading, when they went to include it in a retrospective, they looked at the original recorded tracks and it had the normal music track and later overdubbed taps track added, all standard for the time. But there was a tap section blank, no recorded dubs. All they could figure was that section had to be filmed with their live taps used. Either they had an improvised tap section (unlikely), or they just had such a perfectly done complicated part recorded crisply, they decided to not try redubbing it later. Not tough to think they realized, as we do....wow, that can't get any better!

[@egeo03]

What an athlete, along with being an incredible dancer.

[@pattygoody]

MIND BLOWN!!! Wow! What a dame!

[@CherylSimser]

+patricia goodman For sure!! :)

[@hectorkeezy1499]

patricia goodman YES ! That girl is steaming hot.

[@katherinehogan578]

I love,love red scelton. He is also my favorite clown !!! Thanks for this film .

[@TheAnn2shoes]

This simply the most amazing dance sequence ever by a single person.

[@russwentz3957]

The old generation entertainers were so very talented due to the fact that to get work, you had to have many skills, dancing, singing etc. then work your way up.

[@eleanorpowell2007]

You're absolutely right. As a dancer she's perfection in human form.

[@boomer3150]

Same as Buddy Rich as a drummer.

[@italktothewind4769]

Eleanor Powel BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO !!!!!!!!! FOR ALL THE ETERNITY YOU WILL BE REMENBER FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS THIS TAP RUTINE IS A M A Z I N l

[@luigilamorte7753]

Eleanor Powell was an absolutely wonderful performer and actress.

[@lallyoisin]

Music n dance are devolving!

[@SA-sk4ci]

For a second I thought the finale was her diving into the water…UNTIL the guy caught her and she kept going and going!! So mesmerizing

[@dudley5533]

There had to be a lot of hard work in culturing that amazing talent of hers, not only the tap dancing, but the great acrobatic moves within the dance. All this plus her beauty and captivating smile and THOSE DIMPLES! Thanks for a very special upload.

[@russellcampbell9198]

John M Yes!

[@lfader]

That was great!! Buddy Rich THE KING 👑💪👊❤️❤️ Eleanor Powell The Queen👑❤️❤️🌈 Just like the title says .....

[@beaubarri]

To all Ellie fans please contact (if possible) Peter Ford, Eleanor's son and encourage him to make the effort to write his book about his mother. He said in his 2011 interview with Connie Martinson that he has the information. I recently emailed him asking if he still intended writing. He kindly replied as follows, "No Barrie, I am not although I would like to one day. I have all the information of what would be a terrific story but ... time is marching on and the older I get the less I can get done- Peter". She was such a lovely lady, I would love him to honour her by writing her story, "warts and all". Regards from the UK.

[@spacey64]

Someone a while back (maybe it was you!) posted his email with a similar message and I emailed him and got a similar response- that he would like to but wasn't currently working on it. That was a few years ago though. It's a shame, I hope he at least passes that info on to someone who might be able to compile it into something we can all enjoy.

[@Mermaidinfrance]

Could we have Ellie's son e-mail address please ?

[@adj5767]

Lol...what a lazy response. Of course he's getting older and has no intention of doing that...lolz

[@rmcfete]

He could give someone he trusts to do her justice write it

[@frankdalla]

Looks like the cowardly lion got his courage...

[@moerosen2566]

it was .. Bert Lahr and the taller gent was none other than Red Skelton

[@ElleborAlba]

And a nicer suit!

[@FB1BB1BB1]

@@moerosen2566 Yeah, Freddie the Freeloader.

[@PlasticGirl65]

I wondered where I'd seen him before, thanks for that, saves me wracking my brain all day 😁

[@gregevans6741]

Noticed that as well

[@hitty9]

It's breathtaking and inspirational How could this be any better?

[@gregoryhenderson2640]

Holy smokes. That was amazing.

[@realfredwithtires]

Nobody could touch Eleanor Powell. Still the greatest tap dancer on film bar none.

[@themorn2112]

I suggest you look at the Nicolas brothers and the Berry Brothers.

[@DDumbrille]

And I suggest you look at Ann Miller's work.

[@jwbmw6084]

Check out Ann Miller in "Small Town Girl"

[@russellcampbell9198]

Olly4Ever Yes!

[@chingchowder4596]

Ann Miller also has said world records for fastest tap dancing at 500 taps a minute.

[@johnbogdon1413]

I have to agree...Eleanor Powell was and still maintains her tap dancing highest accolades Always a pleasure to watch. Buddy Rich and Gene Kruba..unbeatable!! Ann Miller and Vera Ellen were also great tap dancers.

[@randallulrich]

*Krupa

[@triplethreat017]

Happy birthday Eleanor!!! Such an amazing clip - love the song and dance number, I never get tired of watching it!

[@williamwhiting6285]

Eleanor's coordination with Buddy in the stick-flipping was great!

[@cbass2755]

I miss those days of great movies like this. Real talent, beauty….

[@hesyrett]

What an amazing dancer!

[@danroberts9050]

Unbelievable talent that people had back then. Just hard to imagine.

[@philthy903]

The talent is still around, but it needs context outside bitchfest reality shows that are nothing but parasites.

[@Troy_nov1965]

phylbert phylbertson .......you certainly hit that nail on the head.

[@lauratalbot6094]

Dan Roberts teddy boy

[@jwbmw6084]

So much talent! They also didn't have cell phones, laptops, video games and facebook to waste their time.

[@nikidon99]

And today actors would charge 20 million when their body doubles do all the work

[@stankimer9980]

Stunning and fantastic .... I had always thought Ann Miller was the top tap dancer but Ms. Powell may even be better! WOW!

[@rmcfete]

Not maybe. Better. Miller didn’t choreograph her own dances or do as much. Athletically as Ellie.

[@rmcfete]

Not maybe IS BETTER BY FAR. She was the choreographer

[@rmcfete]

U should not have said May because she created the routine. None of the others except Kelly did but she was way better than him

[@vicsaul5459]

now thats talent. thank god 4 utube,...i watch this clip again and i am convinced eleanor defies gravity, amazing to witness. she floats on air, yet absolutely nails the rhythm, never out of sync, just flawless,

[@boomer3150]

Agreed, but we bought the film, which is the better way to enjoy it.

[@mrjolly00]

Absolutely fantastic! I love the part when Eleanor starts dancing on the board at 3:00 with the other dancers, you can see the extras in the background watching and loving every minute of it! And how did she and Buddy do that bit with the drums? Compared to the films today I'd rather watch this on loop for a few hours!

[@barrybryson6240]

'Just blows me away every time I watch it! So many top stars in that number besides the obvious two masters of rhythm.

[@victorialewkow5730]

Not just a brilliant dancer, but one heck of an athlete,!

[@cantalope67]

Man the timing was impeccable. He bounced that drumstick on the ground to her and she caught it. Amazing. Entertainment back then was entertainment not the crap they're serving today which belongs in a landfill

[@bicyclist2]

Wow! They don't do anything like this anymore. They had so much talent and class. Thank you.

[@timmyb1965]

just GREATNESS!!!! MISS ELEANOR

[@fanorama1]

amazed every time i watch this!

[@jelaboothe2363]

Eleanor's POWERsfull dancing is a JOY t behold. DEFINITELY 1, of the GR8IST female dancers of all time. Hats off t ya, BEAUTIFUL LADY.

[@frmarquis]

This is the very definition of "God-given talent"! WOW!!!

[@rmcfete]

Nope and yup. A lot of damn painful work. You don’t become the best by just showing up. You work your ass off for years, decades yet she did it in about ten years that is unbelievable she didn’t start until she was nearly 8 tapping. Ballet and gymnastics before that. And even more amazing is she was born two months premature which left her with some issues only premature babies have . I know I had one three months early

[@colinfrance6926]

She made it all look so easy when it was incredibly difficult. Eleanor, Buddy and the drumsticks-just magic.

[@richardwesley4236]

I'm betting that the choreography between Buddy Rich and Eleanor Powell was arrived at when it was discovered that Ms. Powell's athleticism included a level of dexterity that allowed her to keep up with him, and they worked everything out on the spot. Eleanor and Buddy are both about the same age in this film and they both were something of child prodigies. They must have leapt at the chance to work together because it's not every day that level of talent finds its match. Then, in the same number, you've got Red Skelton and Bert Lahr - two of the greatest American clowns whoever lived. This is like looking at a sample of the greatest of American entertainment history from just before the US entered the Second World War. Quite a treat.

[@vestibulate]

Richard Wesley Buddy Rich also had a background in dance, so he's very comfortable in this setting. Incidentally, the band is Tommy Dorsey's. The latter appears in group shots next to Skelton.

[@esmeephillips5888]

Plus the fabulous Dorsey ensemble underscoring everything. The way the brass blasts into overdrive at 2:30 and 2:39 to reinforce the hectic gaiety of the dancer is thrilling-- BIG band sound!

[@esmeephillips5888]

Sorry, should be 3:39.