Make 'Em Laugh (1952): Full Song & Dance - Donald O'Connor - Musical Romantic Comedy - 1950s Movies

[@adammwalch]

Hysterical. I was honored to live next door to Donald O'Conner in the 1970's. He was gracious, charming and humble. He's an epic talent, and it makes me sad how much he is rapidly being forgotten in popular culture.

[@Delcat42]

You lived next to Donald O'Conner??? That's AMAZING. He's one of my role models! I'm very glad to hear he was a real one, thank you for that {8>

[@elodieba5450]

❤❤❤oh wooow I was pretty sure he was humble and charming ! He seems to

[@Ella_person]

That's insane I love him so much

[@JefferyTheRealOne]

cap

[@adammwalch]

@@JefferyTheRealOne Yeah. You're right. I just go around making up facts about old movie stars for the hell of it. Troll

[@solezeta1314]

The fact that Donald O'Connor was bedridden for some time after this sequence.... Gotta give the man respect, he's a legend! Plus, he's perfectly casted as Cosmo: he has the humor, charm, wit, moves and voice!

[@TDIBone]

I believe they also found the lighting was wrong after the first time they filmed this. So had to do it again once he had recovered.

[@highkingthorgrimgrudgebear7468]

@@TDIBone the fact that he didn't kill the lighting crew after that makes him GOAT in my book.

[@greythomas]

Cosmo was the best character in the film

[@tryarunm]

That's bullshit. Are you telling me that a man who spent hours daily practising his craft would fall over for a single film sequence? I don't know where they find such gullible ignoramuses.

[@solezeta1314]

@@tryarunm I read that in Wikipedia 😑

[@deirdremacnamara9885]

This man is a legend. A one off. Never got the true recognition he deserved. Fantastic. 🎶🎤👏

[@amabelbarlow8046]

Absolutely agree with you

[@JhenDArcy]

Totally agree.

[@cathyoneill9013]

Absolutely agree!!!!

[@biged8290]

I couldn't agree more,one of Hollywood's most athletic dancers.

[@miketalcott5180]

When your competition is Astaire and Kelly you are both cursed and blessed. These three pushed each other to ever greater heights. Unlikely to have the confluence of the medium, the genre and the talent again in our several lifetimes.

[@LPJack02]

RIP Gene Kelly (August 23, 1912 - February 2, 1996), aged 83 And RIP Donald O'Connor (August 28, 1925 - September 27, 2003), aged 78 You both will be remembered as legends.

[@aerinapatra]

him: make em' laugh! me: *concerned about his physical well-being*

[@mariusbra5321]

By 3:27 I started being more concerned about his mental well-being

[@cgamejewels]

😂😂😂😂

[@alisonbell3561]

This scene took about 20 hours to film. Donald had to be hospitalized for about 3 days after filming as he was so exhausted by it.

[@Shogun_4X]

@@alisonbell3561 so him collapsing at the end was real?

[@lizze6369]

@@Shogun_4X Pretty much, they had to do this scene twice and he was also a smoker so that didn’t help.

[@chriscarson7384]

I remember as a small child lying on my side and "running" in a circle to copy Donald. Great number performed brilliantly!

[@jessicaspading6712]

I tried doing the same thing as a kid.Definitely not as easy as he made it look.But hysterical.😂😂

[@annefitz7346]

Same. I was too scared to try running up the walls😂

[@JefferyTheRealOne]

sameeee

[@FRN2013]

And Donald, of course, copied Curly of _The Three Stooges._

[@BrandonMuir-c1r]

I've got a 4 year old who watches this and does that circle run nearly every day!

[@jeremydyck2601]

Anybody who gives this a "thumbs down" clearly has no soul. This was, is and will always be one of the funniest scenes ever made.

[@patriot-hj5vx]

It's me, i'm the hater 😿 i don't get it!

[@xxxViceroyxxx]

@@patriot-hj5vx takes a context probably. dont sweat it just movies

[@vintagesubliminals3398]

What a genius scene, truly one of the greatest scenes in all of movies! People don’t give enough credit to comics and musical artists in films!

[@erickmata3682]

That was terrible

[@shelleywantiez7964]

This scene was all Donald's idea. He choreographed the entire thing.

[@thepackingpacjack7767]

This is one of the best examples of physical comedy I’ve ever seen

[@bandicootsav2270]

This is the closest I’ve ever seen a living person acting comparable to looney-toons physics, as if he was a cartoon himself. Dedication is the only thing that comes to mind, Jesus Christ, I hope he lived out his dreams for such a performance.

[@omarcogle1965]

To me, Donald O'Connor is the Wild Card dancer, whereas Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire are the Elite dancers. Donald can keep up with those guys.

[@theMcWOPPER]

I think he went to the hospital after the performance. He was a heavy smoker

[@omarcogle1965]

@@theMcWOPPER He did go to the hospital after that performance. I think he was bedridden for a couple of weeks.

[@theMcWOPPER]

@@omarcogle1965 nicotine is a hell of a drug

[@omarcogle1965]

@@theMcWOPPER That and the fact that Gene Kelly worked him hard.

[@TheHouseBugDJ]

That effortlessly smooth jump onto the piano😳 amazeballs

[@modiste]

Note when he’s both playing and standing on the piano keys they barely move.

[@harrisonmccartney4878]

​@@modiste I don't think they move at all.

[@sailinmo]

You know, I never thought about how that was a subtle but powerful move. Then, I thought about if I were to try that. Yeh, that’s a no. 😅

[@TheHouseBugDJ]

@@modisteI think they switched pianos between the cuts

[@MaleOrderBride]

This scene is still so impressive...even to this day 80 years later!!

[@Shadywolf09]

69 years

[@alwest4472]

@@Shadywolf09 heh

[@christianramirez9303]

80 years? 2032? You from the future?

[@rashidapittman8513]

Not 80 years! 70

[@baldheadkid]

I would say "especially" to this day

[@AnonYmous-ry2jn]

This is monumental. If you read the wikipedia articles on O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds, it becomes obvious that the performances in this film were vastly more difficult to pull off than they appear, however impossible they appear. Reynolds reports that Gene Kelly pushed her beyond her capacity, to the point of physical injury and probably psychological as well (though she clearly admires and appreciates his direction more than any other's in her career), and O'Connor reports that the strain and injuries required hospitalization. It's monumental because however great it is, it is a documentation in every frame of artists forming a vision and doing anything required to bring it to life, going far beyond what a human should be able to do, talent and stamina transcending their limitations. They make it look exhilarating, smiling throughout, but they're pushing themselves like olympic athletes. And of course they strike pure gold.

[@surrealfarm]

Gene Kelly pushed himself much harder than he pushed his co-stars.

[@steveb1164]

Kelly was an egotistical bully, and was one of the most hated men in Hollywood.

[@americaforever]

I always thought Gene Kelly didn’t “float effortlessly” like O’Connor, Fred Astaire, and the Nicholas brothers. That gracefulness just seemed to lack a bit.

[@AnonYmous-ry2jn]

@@americaforever he’s a muscularly heavy performer; he won’t have the “daintiness” of Fred Astaire, to be sure. Some approaches to dance go on a more athletic direction, and it’s a different effect and aesthetic. Kelly might well be a terrible ballroom dancer (o have no idea) at least relative to Astaire. But I bet Kelly could far outdo Astaire in more physically demanding ballet-type dancing.

[@frangiles9958]

There are many myths surrounding Gene Kelly. Debbie Reynolds said in an interview (in her 70s) that the story that he pushed her to dance till her feet bled in Singing in the Rain was complete fabrication.

[@randywhalen6675]

As a sound engineer I have met quite a few celebrities. I was fortunate to have met and have run sound for Donald O'Conner singing "Singing in the Rain" during a private event. I have a personal rule about celebrities, I simply don't ask for their signatures; I made an exception for for Donald O'Conner! He was the man! yes humble and gracious.

[@kevinkilduff2064]

There is little that can compare with this level of excellence! O'Connor and the iconic Gene Kelly. One of the greatest musicals ever put to film.

[@genedryer-bivins8314]

O'Connor wasn't as versatile, but as a hoofer, a song-and-dance man, he was better than Kelly. Watch their side-by-side dance with the chairs. O'Connor is more graceful and when they jump, he goes higher than Kelly, and more easily.

[@omarcogle1965]

@@genedryer-bivins8314 If they ever do an animation adaptation, I can see Neil Patrick Harris voice Donald O'Connor character, he's a full fledge theater nerd.

[@unlimitedredux8367]

His fluidity when he jumps and moves on the piano is crazy, such precise movements but delivered in a smooth manner, incredible talent.

[@jackofroge]

It's just 3 straight minutes of this guy being goofy. Best song I ever watched.

[@denisesalles7248]

dude was an early break dancer and genius! wow!

[@PodRealoaded]

Really

[@lextual]

I'm sure doing all of that he must have broke something...

[@denisesalles7248]

@@lextual LOL!

[@madylines6364]

😂😂😂😂😂😂🙄

[@davedee4382]

This was the greatest musical dance solo ever filmed.

[@TheTmny876able]

Until west side story

[@illyaedwards7188]

​@@TheTmny876ablewest side story doesn't even compare or come close to this.

[@lylianemanquest2323]

Les records au bout de tant d annees deviennent tellement relatifs... je parlerais plus de qualités sceniques EXTRAORDINAIRES....... 😂🥰🤩🤣🤗🤗🤗

[@HLM101]

I'm exhausted just watching him!

[@chuffy438]

I'm only 19 but singing in the rain is probably one of my favourite feel good movies of all time. Don't let older people tell you that young people don't know or don't appreciate classic movies and music from years ago.

[@tim2015]

Send the links to this, Singing in The Rain and others, to your friends as I do. If you are not sure if they might like it... give them the opportunity!

[@Lynchsnightmare]

Im also 19 and this movie is one of my fave feel good movies!!

[@Brigid-w4f]

Yes, I just turned 17, and I adore this movie! I saw it a few years ago, when it reappeared in theaters or at least my local one. I was probably the youngest person there! The movie truly does not age!

[@janeenschultz8502]

I amazed my high school choir director back in the early 2000's by being the only one in the choir who knew and loved this movie. I'm in my 30's now and my kids, 9 and 7, love it too. Pass on the good movies. May the love never die.

[@Lynchsnightmare]

@@janeenschultz8502 thats so nice❤️ When I have kids I will also show them this beautiful film

[@Usedw0tm8]

You gotta wonder how much of this was improvised. I read that the bit with the dummy was the first take, they kept the first footage they shot with it. Simply beyond words, one of the most impressive and dedicated performances in movie history.

[@thehair1474]

Donald improvised the whole way with Kelly's approval. They just let the camera run, Kelly sat there and supervised, and Donald adlibbed his way to movie immortality.

[@JMoruzzi]

O'Connor based it on an experience he'd had on the New York Subway with a gay guy!

[@marvinhall9462]

I wish the movie industry would go back to making these kinds of movies, fun, pure joy, silly, the world needs more laughter, not violence, not sappy romance, but pure joy

[@QuickWorksBeauty]

Indeed!

[@evapalosdelarosa2904]

Agree!!

[@Engineer_Eric_59]

Absolutely

[@Karaokuma]

I recommend the movie Hundreds of Beavers. It's a recent film, but it's a black and white slapstick film. Think Canada meets Looney Tunes.

[@kgothatsomaine3002]

The part of "Be an actor my son, but be a comical one" blesses my heart every time I come here

[@davetoffen7944]

No one nowadays could reproduce this....it's called magic

[@vaslav030547]

Also called Star Quality Talent.

[@conserva-chan2735]

Glenn Quagmire did

[@CBReptiles1]

SNL did it with J Gordon Hewitt

[@TheSteph120765]

Glee did it in season 2 Matthew Morrison sang it in the episode “the substitute

[@madylines6364]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🙄

[@alexanderwells4402]

After that athletic Make em laugh sequence Donald O'Connor was laid up in bed for a week after finished shooting it suffering from exhaustion

[@operation1968]

He was? You sure?

[@alexanderwells4402]

@@operation1968 Yes.

[@alexanderwells4402]

@malice ramirez The music is definitely great.

[@sabra0218]

@@alexanderwells4402 I read that also. There were several takes of this scene, I cannot even imagine!

[@konjurekatrina]

He hadn’t done that since his Vaudeville days. And Kelly told he was going to do it in Singing in the Rain. Kelly was the boss. He choreographed everything.

[@Realbeatz86]

Donald O’Connor = the king of physical comedy. RIP to legends like him. #purehollywoodgold

[@lonniebishop1750]

Donald O' Connor , pure and simple, was at his best with this classic routine.

[@genedryer-bivins8314]

Most of the movie was choreographed by Gene Kelly, but "Make 'em Laugh" was all Donald O'Connor's own.

[@mtkishbaugh]

He felt his best work was in Call Me Madam with Vera-Ellen. Mitzi Gaynor, with whom he danced in Anything Goes, has stated that the best dancer was O'Connor, but Gene Kelly was stronger and able to lift his partner more easily.

[@lylianemanquest2323]

J avais un Ami ( assez petit puis a bien grandi ) qui disait " quand on est petit Il faut .. Malin. Espiegle " 😂

[@justcurious3119]

Genius. Laughing today, April 1st, 2024. What talent! The choreography! Happy it's posted. I'm here from just watching the Singing in the Rain bit by Gene Kelly.

[@amywc5309]

Was not alone with trying to duplicate the spinning around on the floor.

[@narellecanchat]

A quadruple threat... could sing, could dance, could act, and funny AF!! There'll never be the like again.... these are the days of legends 💜💜

[@brianjones7907]

A true Hollywood Classic Performance from a Golden Age...

[@Scottness1001]

Very underrated dancer and entertainer. Never seemed to get the accolades that Kelly or Astaire received, possibly due to his more comedic turn. That skit alone is insane in skill and fun 🥰

[@luisrosado97]

Respect. One of my favorite dance sequences. Thank you Donald O’Connor. When I’m depressed I watch this clip and the world doesn’t seem that bad.

[@debsylvester2012]

The studio had this sequence developed by Donald O’Connor 24 hours before he performed this brilliant number. He was an exceptional talent in many areas and should be celebrated as one of the greats. RIP you wonderful legend and genius of song and dance.

[@Guigui_82]

Just showed this to my 3yo. He laugued a lot!

[@figgusriggs6462]

I'm 29 and we watched Singing in the Rain in music class when I was in elementary school. My entire school did. I loved it. I live somewhere very cold and moved to Florida for a few years. I never got to play in the rain as a kid because it was too cold. The first thing I did during a rain storm in florida was throw on Singing in the Rain and dance through the puddles in front of my aparment. One of my favorite things I ever got to do. This musical is not fading away any time soon. I personally know over 1,000 kids in a small town that watched it in entirety. We're far from the only ones. And shows like Family Guy, (love or leave it) also will continue to introduce it to younger generations. I've seen a lot of comments from people who don't want this to be forgotten. You're in good hands, friends. It's still here

[@darcimonet]

God, I just love this man. An exquisite talent. ♥

[@sailaab]

Watching Looney Tunes or Load Runner as a kid, I'd feel that all these hyper animated movements were so unreal. But here we have👌🏽Donald O' Connor❣🙇🏻.. putting life to this real performance👌🏽 making it seem soooo natural, fluud.

[@Laura-zs7ys]

70 years later and we're still laughin' 😂😂😂 ❤

[@jerseymike7946]

100 years from now on the Mars Colony people will be watching this.

[@zaniahsims]

THIS SCENE WAS SO IMPRESSIVE?? i know he was exhausted after filming this 😭

[@darthstarkiller1912]

A Golden Globe winning performance, ladies and gentlemen.

[@awdimmick]

When I was a kid, I loved this scene so much that I would run throughout the house flopping around while yelling this song 😂

[@uvefreitag5749]

He is funny😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@chrisjohnston4445]

Legendary! Too bad the ending is ruined here by the pop-ups.

[@djmotise]

Isn't it appalling? Just awful. Pop ups at the wall flips finale. Blocking half the screen.

[@DearProfessorRF]

I found this one without the stupid pop-ups. Not quite the same quality but still great and without the ruined ending: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4XOfH-NjMSgr9k

[@theMcWOPPER]

You said it sister

[@deb-1558]

If you leave the comment section open it'll keep them off

[@Joseph_Drew_III]

Try going to the actual website (not the app) on your phone, and keeping it in fullscreen.

[@polytheneprentiss1534]

Physical comedy genius! Love this number & Donald O’Connor!

[@mumandauntyglad]

He will never be forgotten, while Im still alive. Thank you, Donald for all the pleasure that you have given me, and many others. Wherever you are now! Make em laugh.

[@amabelbarlow8046]

I absolutely love Donald O'Connor

[@andrewphippsphillips1455]

It was thanks to this film that I got to stay up late, after seeing in New Year as a child for the first time. My Dad didn't realise I'd never seen it before and said I could watch it, because Donald was far & away the greatest part of it. To have his dance talent AND comic timing is a truly rare combination that few can say they possessed. Never fails to put a tear in my eye, purely out of genuine admiration. A genius who should be seen as Hollywood royalty

[@alexanderwells4402]

When Donald O'Connor do backflips on the wall i laughed and laughed and laughed some more

[@alexanderwells4402]

3:38 and 3:42

[@liamlafferty3144]

My reaction was my god he actually did that no stunt no string just him

[@alexwells9948]

@@liamlafferty3144 That moment really tickles me

[@mercoid]

The perfection almost brings one to tears, and hilarity. Good god! Because it’s funny, doesn’t mean it’s un-important.

[@michaelbrenner2637]

He was SO underrated & SO overlooked ! A travesty . Donald deserves so much more !

[@ltsora6276]

one of the greatest scenes of all time

[@mehcol]

yes.

[@rowancrew2934]

Phenomenal talent.

[@KM-ch5gm]

Oh! He's totally brilliant! 🎉❤

[@ddabrowski88]

I have loved this scene since I saw it when I was a child. I still to this day don't think he ever got enough of the spot light for how ridiculously talented he was. He is my absolute favorite and is crazy talented from his acting, singing and dancing he is just another level. Such a legend ❤

[@bellaluna4835]

Just, wow!!!!! No one today can recreate that scene. Such talent!!!!!!;;

[@Critick3000]

Especially since it was done in one take

[@omarcogle1965]

Glee tried to recreat that scene in Season 2 when Will Schuster and Mike Chang sung Make 'Em Laugh.

[@lallimj]

@@omarcogle1965 I thought it paled in comparison.

[@omarcogle1965]

@@lallimj It was a homage so, I also want to see the one where Joseph Gordon-Levitt also did it.

[@winstonpoole9906]

In a film that was close to perfection, this is my favourite scene ❤

[@nickpayne-fo6mi]

The single best individual performance in movie history. And this comes I'm the same film as Singing in the Rain. Superb performance

[@AlasdairGR]

3:27 I remember trying and failing to replicate this so many times as a kid.

[@thomaschacko6320]

Pure genius, what skill! Donald O’Connor was one of the great dancer/comedians. As much fun as this was, have a look at the “Good Morning” number featuring him with Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds!

[@GAILandROD]

We saw "That's entertainment " in the 70s with my parents in a theater. That skit came on and my mom and I laughed hysterical 10 min after the scene!

[@bluecrowe]

truly one of the best musical theatre comedy solos - and definitely one of my favourite musical scenes of all time :>

[@loricook6331]

Never ever get tired of this. Perfection

[@moonfish3638]

I saw this clip about 10 years ago when my parents showed me "That's Entertainment!", and it has stuck with me ever since. To me, this is the pinnacle of physical comedic humor and it sparked my love for old movies, I'm so happy I was exposed to these movies when I was so young!

[@FeatheredWingz]

0:39 underrated part. Look how smooth that leap was, and how graceful the landing was lol. He didn't even accidentally slam his foot down on the keys

[@maxprobst3531]

Unbelievable... Why they can't make movies like this any more? This is real art (istic).. Legendary..

[@ericremotesteam]

Because sadly all that matters to the people who matter is cranking out more content and making money. :/ Artistic integrity, being life affirming, making connections with the human experience, making the audience feel a wid tapestry of emotion, and plain old having fun at the movies seems all but dead nowadays. 😢 If you're lucky you'll stumble into something that fits those criteria, but it feels fewer and far between now...

[@GertrudPiaAdam-Taylor]

Weil es einen Gene Kelly und einen Donald O'Connor nur einmal gibt. Sie sind Legenden, die in unsere Herzen weit er leben.

[@8kirton]

I love him, he was very funny and talented. ❤️❤️❤️

[@mariskaschoon9987]

Singing in the Rain is great! We are watching it right now.❤

[@anare4333]

Here again, over and over, admiring this great actor. One of the greatest scenes from movie ever! You make us laugh, Mr. O' Connor: simply perfect!😂😂😂Thank you!👏👏👏

[@martintimmer8574]

The scene is an absolute masterpiece ! The joy I have every single time I watch this ,is almost unmatched with anything in other movies.His skill in dancing ,singing,physical comedy,acting,just wonderful . It never gets old. I probably saw it for the first time about 45 years ago,and I love it till this day. Thank you Donald O‘Connor. You make me laugh! A treasure in movie history.

[@lesafowers8142]

How did he do it? Unforgettable performance! 📽🖤📽🖤📽🖤

[@theonetruerobb4852]

Kelly's rain shower number is one of the most iconic scenes in American film, and absolutely defines this movie. Having said that, O'Connor's tour-de-force here is perhaps the most entertaining piece of film ever produced by Hollywood. They don't make 'em like this anymore...

[@johnboger6]

Gene Kelly was fortunate to have Donald O'Connor as a partner in this film. The movie wouldn't be half as good.

[@TheRealDarrylStrawberry]

When i was little i thought the part behind the couch was movie magic. Its clearly just an exhausting effort by a true legend.

[@CraigFarangBa]

Musical comedy at its finest -- one of the most memorable scenes from any musical film.

[@Eltrebolde4hojasdemijardin]

Que gran actor, comediante y cantante, magistral su musical, Pa mi gusto una genialidad para esa época, saludos desde el 2024

[@jeansiino4920]

THE GREATEST COMIC DANCE ROUTINE EVER!!!!

[@poja82]

I always considered this number the best part of the film, it does not have the romantic touch of Kelly, but my god the skill, and making it look efortless...pure gold.

[@lamerced2010]

Complete artist = Dancer + Singer + Actor

[@ScootandWillow]

I had to watch Singing in the Rain for a class and it was amazing. Donalds blue eyes just pop in this movie. He is such a amazing actor. I wanted to laugh out loud when i was watching this but i didnt want to embarrass myself.

[@SelenaSecretShow]

Dang that was amazing I just learned about his life. And boy it was pretty dark for someone with so much talent

[@ElGibby]

Good grief, I’m feeling joint and muscle pain just watching those pratfalls! No wonder Donald ended up bedridden for days,I’m surprised he could walk at all after that. Now THAT is dedication to art if ever I saw it. Also, if Hollywood lore is to be believed Gene Kelly was….well,frankly an absolute nightmare to work with so I wonder how much satisfaction Donald got out of beating him up with that hat 😂😂😂

[@MrXabungle]

The floor was all concrete with zero padding and yeah, O'Connor basically bashed himself non-stop while singing and dancing.

[@danmcdaid]

Donald O'Connor is an absolute gem

[@jasonbarton9352]

I know this is supposed to make us laugh.......I just watch with my mouth open in complete awe as this may have been one of the greatest Hollywood scenes known......holy $ht....

[@El_Mince]

what a scene. the pure energy emanating from this man is so wild. I love it

[@kermitefrog64]

What an incredible talent. These where incredible movies.

[@alexanderwells4402]

What i like best is Donald O'Connor doing backflips on the wall

[@alexanderwells4402]

3:39 and 3:43

[@MightyPeanutVideo]

It’s criminal to put two preview/advertising frames over the screen *right before* the “run up the wall and flip” sequences

[@MikeJones-jh5ih]

Brave browser elimates all the ad related stuff.

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

Exactly……stupid morons!

[@marykopydlowski4654]

Wow OConner was extremely talented!!! Cool too

[@rwinger2481]

Saw this movie. I loved it and this scene is just perfect for Donald O’Connor’s character. An impressive dance routine that can not be replicated. And this is a full representation of Cosmo in the movie along with being a great friend to Don. A bygone era that is still researched and treasured by future movie fans. There are not a lot of cuts as it holds on to O’Connor and his craftsmanship of a very heavy and physical dance. And I actually was laughing. This scene is just perfect.

[@sueriddett673]

Loved this man ❤

[@wendywoohooo]

He will forever be in my opinion the best movie character in all of cinematic history. I fell in love with him and also aspires to be him.

[@fruitdirt7269]

I’m forever floored by (and kinda jealous of) the absolute control of the body required for scenes like this. Donald O’conner was one of my favorite actors when I was a kid. Watched ragtime and rain all the time!!

[@cruisematt8585]

I’ve seen this movie countless times and just now noticed that hilarious expression on Gene’s face at 0:07-0:08!

[@michaeljw3602]

He confirmed years later he was a chain smoker and smoked 4 packets a day while doing this.. incredible effort really.. doing this while not smoking would be exhausting enough for anyone.. still an absolute legendary sequence.. never got the recognition he deserved

[@mtkishbaugh]

It probably helped that he was only 26 years old.

[@MrXabungle]

The floor of the set was all concrete with no padding underneath the carpet. Dude was landing his ass that he could've shattered his bones but ended up bruising his legs and feet

[@thestrengthwithin4249]

An absolute genius 👏👏👏👏🌹🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@0428733]

God, the physicality of that man was something else

[@10bencook]

I love this scene especially the running up wall part. I wish I could do that.

[@michellejones2416]

One of the finest entertainers I’ve ever seen in my life!!!!💝

[@londonmcgee1540]

Can we talk for a minute about how insanely athletic this scene is? Some of these jumps and moves are insane

[@biged8290]

Donald O'Connor...every bit the fabulous dancer as Astaire and Kelly,yet sadly best remembered for movies with Francis the Talking Mule.