Fred Astaire - I Won't Dance, from Roberta

[@BeautifulSilence]

What a legend. Pulling off technically difficult moves left and right, back to back with the biggest grin on his face. I've never seen a Fred Astaire video in which he didn't look like he was having the time of his life. His dedication and passion for his talent is enviable, but mostly infectious. I smile like an idiot every time I watch this video.

[@valcristPL]

+CptCasey >I smile like an idiot every time I watch this video Guilty :|

[@horsluva0758]

well said :)

[@TorontoIam]

Me too

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

I was smiling the whole time. Wow!

[@casper7319]

They said he practiced so much that by the time he got to set it was all laughs because he was so seasoned. The only time you really hear about Fred being upset on set is in regards to his partners costumes

[@someonespadre]

Fred Astaire was one of a kind, amazing.

[@zeppy13131]

My jaw dropped when I saw Fred play that whole "hot" piano chorus! I knew he played several instruments as a kid, but had no idea he had such great piano chops, which were obviously overshadowed by his other talents. You can see the guys in the band openly admiring him. To be a singing/dancing star of that magnitude, and still care about playing an instrument-that's impressive musicality. I can't help thinking that videos like this may have a positive influence on young people, and encourage them to play music themselves. After suffering through a decades-long blight of electronica, there may be hope for us yet! :?)

[@Ellimir]

Apparently he got some pointers from George Gershwin during the runs of "Lady Be Good" and "Funny Face."

[@judahdsouza9196]

zeppy13131 first off. shut up boomer. second hell yeah that piano playing is mad

[@fionatsang9353]

@@Ellimir true; according to his book he met Gershwin when the latter was working as a 'song-plugger' at the music publisher Remick's. By Fred's own account, they would mess around at the piano and George was fascinated by Fred's 'slap-out left hand' technique, often telling him 'wait Freddie, play that bit again!' He could apparently also play the accordion, and was a song-writer in his own right who had a song in the top 40 hit parade. Also danced :)

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@fionatsang9353 And he was a drummer. Rhythm all through.

[@geraldstephens6612]

The way he played the piano reminds one of Fats Waller .

[@MsAppassionata]

Wow! I didn't even know he could play the piano. Such a talented gent.

[@Ellimir]

+MsAppassionata Here's another clip of Fred playing piano. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpm3fY2wZ82IhaM

[@MsAppassionata]

ScuffedShoes Thank you so much. I found another one too called I've Got My Eyes On You which is great too.

[@Ellimir]

That's from Broadway Melody of 1940. Also check his drum playing at the beginning of Daddy Long Legs and his dance with the drum kit to "Nice Work if You Can Get It" at the end of Damsel in Distress.

[@MsAppassionata]

ScuffedShoes I'll do that. Thanks again.

[@horsluva0758]

Oh, yes he can, sing, dance, play piano ..amazing!!

[@fewerbeansplease]

I keep coming back to this video...I'm a piano player and I don't think there's been a greater entertainer in the performing arts ever. He dances and plays the piano the same way, with apparent abandon and without fear. And what is left is utter joy in performing...

[@MsHighHorse]

Fred Astaire seemed to have some much energy. His singing voice is to die for, and he's a dream to look at....what more he can dance like no one else!

[@randomcringeyyoutuber6750]

Miss High Horse to imagine they said that he couldn't sing or act

[@billyalarie929]

i could watch this man do this for EVER

[@patricemoran7469]

I always found Fred very attractive in a slightly offbeat way. His smile..those. eyelashes not to mention his palpable charisma. Then I could go on about those magical feet and that delightful way with a song. He was certainly one-of'a-kind. I fell in love with him as a child and still am today...many years later. Unique talent.

[@allanmoore4353]

Exactly so, and people who look "perfect" are kind of boring.

[@barryd7476]

That look when Fred leaves the piano! Priceless.

[@MsMeiv]

That's the moment I fell in love with him😻

[@Coni2009]

Yes, he knew he’d smashed it.

[@julesgamingnstuff]

That's the part I always look forward to.

[@SuperC888]

He’s playing opposite Hal Borne the other pianist.

[@starwood213]

Most wonderful couple in movie history. So much talent, charm humour. Incomparable and the chemistry is off the charts.

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

This movie is cool because it actually used the live sound of the dancing. Usually Hermes Pan and Fred would post-dub the sound of the tapping. Fred wanted to experiment and that's why they use that hardened wood stage to dance on.

[@lanedolvin8823]

+Paula Harris Baca You're completely right you can tell and I think it works really well with this song, but especially the "I'll Be Hard to Handle" dance earlier because you can hear how much fun the two of them are having!

[@katy9569]

Really? Didn't realize until you mentioned it.

[@johnthrelfall5]

And it seems the piano playing and the dance band are recorded live on film and not dubbed. Great sound quality!

[@stacie7766]

I didn't know that, thank you. I like learning random things like that.

[@Akenfelds1]

I can't imaging what it took for a man like Mr Astaire to get to that level of unbeatable skill.

[@trevorpugh6475]

The very BEST dancer... no one has or will ever come close to Mr Astaire! Partnered with Ginger, I couldn't ask for more ❤

[@fewerbeansplease]

My favourite Fred Astaire video - and that is saying something - the apex of American culture. I'm fascinated by the fact that he and George Gershwin met while he was a piano pounder in Tin Pan Alley. The stars aligned....

[@MsMeiv]

Dude with specs and clarinet really into the piano solo!

[@julesgamingnstuff]

Love that guy and you can tell he is in awe for real. No jealousy.

[@AuntieMamie]

Enjoy this and her films, especially these with Fred Astaire. There will never be anything of their kind ever again.

[@gabrielcoronado6395]

Fred was a virtuoso, not only as a dancer, but as a pianist and drummer. Oh! And he was a fine comedian. Ginger was astonishing beauty, and really funny and enchanting

[@1000000trs]

incredible dancing, and an accomplished pianist too - this guy must be one of the most talented ever.

[@alicepersons2823]

Astaire was so multitalented - he could dance like no one else, play piano, drums and was a singer with great phrasing and timing despite not having a terrific voice. Made everything look easy, and fun.

[@SuperC888]

“I Won't Dance": Sung by Rogers and Astaire, Astaire introduces at piano; followed by a solo dance to the melody by Astaire (music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh) Hal Borne, who played one of the "Wabash Indianaians", and was Astaire's real-life rehearsal pianist, played the other piano.

[@Sunflower8587]

He was such a talented guy! I have no doubt that was really him playing the piano. He could play drums too. I read his autobiography, "Steps in Time", and he mentioned playing piano even as a child in vaudeville on the stage when he toured with his sister pre-Hollywood. You just don't find many multi-talented people like this any more, which is very sad. I've listened to and read many interviews from people who knew him that said he was a very shy, humble, and sweet guy. He was a perfectionist, yes, and could be a real task master. But he was never a jerk about it. He wouldn't push anyone else but himself. Ginger Rogers was just as much of a perfectionist, so that's one of the reasons their movies together are so awesome!

[@luluadapa5222]

The most beautiful dancer of ALL time. Mr Fred Astaire 💜

[@christopherlyons5900]

"FEELthy" Piano. Not dirty. This may be my favorite of all his solo dances, and I know that's saying a lot. Many others were far more stylish, ambitious, and visually innovative. But this is just flat-out great tapdancing, when he was still young enough to do stuff he had to finesse more as his legs aged. It's syncopated dancing. It always makes me laugh out loud to watch it. You never know which he's going to go next. You feel like he's even surprising himself, even though of course he always knows exactly what he's doing, and has rehearsed it many times. He somehow keeps that feeling of freshness and spontaneity. And of course it begins with him doing a syncopated piano number. Dancing first with his fingers, then with his feet. And at the very end of the film, with Ginger, to the same tune, as an encore. They knew by then what people were coming to see these movies for. And applauding in the theater after every dance. I've done it myself, at revival houses, and I was never the only one.

[@raphaelb8671]

Fred Aster, un géant, cité en exemple par de grands chorégraphes. Il savait jouer du piano, de la batterie, danser, jouer évidement des claquettes, chanter, mais surtout, il avait cette suprême élégance qui ne s'apprend pas. Avec la simplicité pour parfaire le tout.

[@Jonsey-lm5sv]

Wow, did not know Fred was such a good piano player! Ginger is such a doll, doing her fake Polish accent :) 'Roberta' is such a fun movie!

[@valcristPL]

+Chris „retrogurlaz” Mc That's supposed to be a "Polish" accent? I am Polish and I don't get it at all. Guess it's "really fake"

[@jonrc72]

+valcristPL Polish nobility learned to speak French, that was a mark of their status.

[@djandersonny]

Ginger is absolutely delicious! Scandalously so! So that's a fake French accent? Let's hear it for French Culture!

[@skyeshuttle9911]

Idk of I'm more amazed at the fact that he can dance, sing, and play piano like a god, or that while he's dancing he just looks like he's stumbling around but he's feet still go _along with the music_ ???

[@elenorcollins6725]

I love this song, just like i always say Old is Gold, its just amazing! and Astaire is to love for...

[@calikokat100]

wow...i didnt know fred astaire could play so well...fantastic

[@keithbraham6438]

Brilliant talent, sparkling personality, perfection on two incomparable feet!

[@jennyjones6068]

What's missing in today's entertainment is real talent and skills like this. It just feels good and makes me smile! 😁

[@onlyone23km]

So much class and demeanor. Men like Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Charlie Chaplin, Nat King Cole, and Louis Armstrong only come around once in a lifetime.

[@itsme-rr8wf]

Think of what you're losing By constantly refusing To dance with me You'd be the idol of France with me And yet you stand there and shake your foolish head rheumatically While I wait here so ecstatically You just look and say emphatically Not this season, there's a reason I won't dance, don't ask me I won't dance, don't ask me I won't dance madame with you My heart won't let my feet do things that they should do You know what, you're lovely So what? I'm lovely But oh, what you do to me I'm like an ocean wave that's bumped on the shore I feel so absolutely stumped on the floor Ah, but when you dance you're charming and you're gentle Especially when you do The Continental But this feeling isn't purely mental For heaven rest us I'm not asbestos And that's why I won't dance, why should I? I won't dance, how could I? I won't dance, merci beaucoup I know that music leads the way to romance And if I hold you in my arms, I won't dance

[@horsluva0758]

Fred Astaire was amazing!!! mutli-talented .. dance, sing, play piano... OMG!!!!

[@JudgeJulieLit]

And act and choreograph.

[@troynov1965]

Fred had morel talent than should be humanly possible. The best of the best.

[@michaelchapman4955]

They filmed a few of these Movie musicals at RKO Gower Pictures around the corner from my grandparents' N Bronson Ave LA, Hollywood 1922 home

[@kielsmith6583]

I’m still here listening to this and I’m only 23

[@rolandangler]

Fred always insisted on minimum editing and as much footage in full shot as possible. This ensures that the dance is viewed properly. Modern cinema and TV directors seem to think that editing a shot every couple of seconds is necessary, but it isn't when real talent is at work as here.

[@0210rapha]

Fenomenal performance!

[@robertakennedy1479]

I never get tired of watching Fred dance.

[@mikedonnarumma5337]

such innocence and integrity from this guys movies,

[@TimothyStapay]

Wow! I knew Fred Astaire was a fantastic dancer; but had no idea he had such great piano skills! Great nostalgic share! 😍👍👍👍

[@Jim-El]

The Greatest Dancer of All-time!

[@ericacroft13]

the greatest all round talent and humble on top just adds to it

[@taylortingey6536]

Does anyone realize how much of an artistic threat Mr. Astaire is/was? He can play piano, he can sing, and he can dance?! Is there anything he can't do?! This man is incredible!

[@illusion0711]

i dont know why but this is just beyond amazing! pure arts.. cant stop watching this

[@tamischmidt5281]

So talented... Nothing more to say 🤭

[@EaglesLair27]

Who knew Astaire could play such great stride piano.

[@heatherwhatever7714]

Unfreakin believable. Wow.

[@luigilippi884]

Un artista eccezionale: ballerino, cantante, attore e pianista, uno dei più grandi del 20° secolo. Unico!

[@dottedowlart8712]

Love the triumph in Ginger's face in 3:02 :D

[@nataliaomayraherreroleon8085]

Me too. She's wonderful 😍😍

[@globaltvandmovies4905]

Great Song. Superb dancing by Fred and super acting from ginger.

[@alessandrarossi-filippi9325]

So many things to love about this video! Pure joy!

[@RoryVanucchi]

One of their best. The great opening on the piano, the fun duet, the tap dance on real hardwood, only time. Ginger picked dress. It's a fun movie and made them top stars, tons of charm. Ginger in her time quite the figure and comedy and acting and dance skill set, especially for that era. Fred we all know master of all from drums to piano to vocals to choreography to tap to dance to acting, he's the top if the pile, miss having those two around.

[@arnlaurencerobles9761]

It makes me want to travel back in time exactly when this was made everything i watch and listen to this vid

[@billp7870]

"Can't act. Can't sing. Can dance a little" -- Burt Grady, evaluating Fred's 1st screen test at MGM. Good call, Burt.

[@sannimcable]

Genius dancing

[@stellabradow8220]

Im a tap dancer and the "i wont dance" remix is my song. My teacher told me to watch this and im sitting here watching his feet saying "how in the world do you do that" it just seems impossible.....

[@HazeEmry]

stella bradow did you ever get to do it though?

[@joeok8641]

Roberta...Jerome Kern and Irene Dunne...Fred Astaire and Randolph Scott...more class than in movie since.

[@lizaelliott6862]

Mannn! He has piano skills too! What can't he do?!

[@lisakurak3733]

Who knew Fred Astaire's hands were as talented as his feet?

[@astheworldturns3855]

The blonde guy in the background looks like he is a time traveler! Ginger used to dance until her feet bled, and in those shoes, amazing !

[@andersoncnn]

He does look giddy and excited to just to be here

[@paulmason6474]

And backwards❤❤❤❤❤🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@FredLeahy]

Apparently God wants us to see beauty!

[@cynthiarodriguez9466]

What talent! God bless you and Thank You! for sharing it with us.

[@TheMemeilove]

"And if I hold you in my arms... I won't dance." Rather scandalous? Lovely dancing either way.

[@pennyf6392]

He's "not asbestos"!!! Lol

[@amandavokins5958]

Pure pleasure,genius.Rest in peace.

[@JudgeJulieLit]

No mere "triple threat"--master dancer, singer and actor--here Fred shows he is a keyboard king ... "the top" of all his assayed genres.

[@Jenifer_G]

Thanks for the lyrics, I wrote them out, now I can sing along. 2023

[@Elena-gd5qu]

😆 Fred is a virtuoso!🔥 And Ginger is so beautiful! 💖

[@georgefspicka5483]

Like others have said, he makes it look easy. That's a true sign of a master ... And as others have said, I didn't know he played piano either.

[@JefferyBlack]

An amazing piece of pure Hollywood movie magic.

[@petercandler9034]

These words convey how i feel about Ginger, I fell madly in love with her when i first saw her and still feel the same today.

[@6709LeftzBehind]

So talented, he can sing, act, play piano, dance swing, tap, every ballroom dance ever and from what I've heard he was great to work with.

[@ElliotNesterman]

At some point an interviewer asked Ginger Rogers about the first time she danced with Astaire. The studio had arranged for them to meet at a restaurant. There was a dance band, of course, and Rogers said that when they danced he led her in, "only the simplest steps, and it was heaven."

[@erinreviews5444]

the clarinet guy in the bowtie and glasses silentl rocking out while watching Fred do his magic on the keyboard is hilarious :D

[@stko5174]

So timeless!

[@FredLeahy]

Just genius!❤❤❤

[@andrewlord5615]

The great stride playing. The interplay between the guitarist and the clarinet player. The little jig Ginger won't stop doing. Her fake accent. You're in love with it even before you get to the song.

[@PiotrBarcz]

An amazing pianist, amazing dancer and singer, and he even played drums!

[@pauljung3534]

"For what is life - unless you break a leg - with impact, with heart, with sway." "An opus on life. Dance it out, to the full."

[@rhetta3504]

Fred Astaire!!!...Soooooo...CUTE!!!!!

[@_LilacRoses]

Wow, used to sing this in primary school, only now seeing this. 20 years later.

[@iangarrard390]

This always makes me smile.

[@thierryfortier605]

These 2 are a good arguments for cloning technologies.

[@holistic7980]

It's as if the word fabulous were made for them God bless their souls.

[@OzJohn666]

Fred was THE Man! . . . that uninhibited syncopation coupled with style and grace!

[@whotookmyuserid]

at 1:45 - "Not this season. There's a reason". This is Fred. Fred knows partner dancing is risky during a pandemic. Be safe. Be like Fred.

[@TheTonyEd]

😁👍 where are the talented people today? Where is the dedication?

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

They are so charming. Fred actually looks at her fondly in this film.

[@sannimcable]

Yeah I dance in my living room cos its fun

[@Grau_boden]

dancing, acting, playing the piano - als hätte ein Talent nicht genügt

[@Grau_boden]

vergaß singing ...

[@chattyroz2934]

You forgot singing.

[@geolin5578]

a great artist. think of the vulgarity today.

[@starbuono3333]

That's why I enjoy watching the movies of the golden age of Hollywood so I won't have to think of the horrible vulgarity of today!!!

[@Raphael3032]

Remind 9f the vulgarity of racism, cocaine, prostitution, the great depression, war and other things from back then

[@bluesheep6]

@@Raphael3032 yes we don't have any of those things anymore.

[@Raphael3032]

@@bluesheep6 that not the point. "Vulgarity" doesn't exist, is just jovenoia

[@bluesheep6]

Raphael Vasconcellos I agree. I’ve noticed people tend to take one of two stances when talking about the 1930s and past eras generally - it was a glorious time and aren’t things just awful now, or it was an evil time of racism and misogyny and now we’re just better people and have left all that behind. I don’t have much patience for either argument, and I guess I was reacting to this rather than to your actual statement.

[@moon230686]

love how perfect he is on playing piano and dancing. This gentlemen is universal.

[@lizaelliott6862]

Fred..my heart is in your hands.

[@theolrazzledazzle5736]

bruh he can play the piano like that SIR SPARE TALENT PLEASE!???🥺🙏🙏

[@gill426]

Everybody already said so many beautiful things about Fred's performance and I totally agree! 😊 But honestly, Freddie had the self-restraint of a monk to not actually look at Ginger's cleavage that much, almost not to be noticed. 😁😎 I especially love their unspoken exchange, I love Ginger at 2:12 when she kind of involuntarily has to smile to herself as he sings "But oh what you do to me..." 😄😏 They were so playful with each other, also in the subtext of their songs, I wonder how they went about when the cameras weren't on them. ☺️ I love them so much, they're so cute! 💞

[@Gigigamble]

"Heaven rest us! I'm not asbestos!"

[@antgara1]

¡¡¡Inigualable... único!!! 👍

[@СергейП-р4ч]

Легендарная "Роберта"!

[@brianhammerstein]

All of the scenes on this set had live audio. The band you see is the band you hear. They are playing live and not dubbed later. Fred and Ginger's voices were captured live on the set with hidden microphones. The tap noises are the real live tap noises and were not dubbed later.

[@manpreetsandhu7700]

Wow! What an amazing dancer!! 😊😍😘

[@Ellimir]

Arguably the most influential dancer of the 20th century. The great Rudolph Nureyev when asked which three dancers had the greatest influence on him answered, "Fred Astaire, Fred Astaire, and Fred Astaire." Watch this scene from "Royal Wedding." His dance partner is late to rehearsal, so he has to make do. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpKngKKgjbNjodE

[@manpreetsandhu7700]

I am glad that I saw this video.. Thank you for the information. 😇

[@manpreetsandhu7700]

Thank you for the link😊. You can sense happiness in his dancing. So original. 😍😍😍

[@shawnthomas1375]

Fred Astaire the one and only who says he won't dance, can't dance! Then just blows the shit out of the dance floor!!!! Oh Fred... Mr. Tappy foot.

[@Ellimir]

If you follow the lyrics you'll note that he says he won't dance with _her._ "I know that music leads the way to romance, And if I hold you in my arms I won't dance." What he might do instead is left to the imagination of the audience.

[@shawnthomas1375]

Thanks mate didn't quite analyse like you did happy new year

[@pauljung3534]

"A Shakespearean tragedy (/comedy)... Fred resists Ginger's advances!!" "This charade of a non-dance is adorable! They dance not together, and yet dance!!"

[@miracleschmidt4342]

How could you not love this?

[@geraldjampol3120]

He's in a class by himself and outshines Gene Kelly.