"Putting On The Ritz" Fred Astaire "Blue Skies" (1946)

[@patricemoran7469]

Fred is really considered the best by most of the greats in the world of dance...his immaculate sense of rhythm...his style...his inventiveness...not to mention his lovely way with a dance partner and a song. There will never be another like him. He had it all.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Absolutely

[@barbaraleary8300]

Fred Astaire was the classiest man in Hollywood. He was the world's best dancer. May he RIP.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I am stuck on who is the best ever. Fred was not just a great dancer, he was always his own choreographer and his imaginative dance routines are what adds so much to his performances. Gene Kelly was the same, a different style, but also his own choreographer. The two of them are without a doubt the best dancers/choreographers in history, and deciding who is #1 leaves me wanting to call for a tie. If we judge just dancing alone, I put Ginger Rogers up there with the other two, I have watched so much of the history now, and the more you watch, the more you appreciate her incredible talent. That is why the greatest duo of all time, without doubt, is Fred and Ginger.. nobody comes close.

[@juliorosenberg2222]

He was a great dancer possibly the most famous but not as well known for his dance abilities was America's best movies gangsters James Cagney could dance like the best of them. SAMMY DAVIS Jr also was in the heavyweight class of damcers

[@pcon71]

Undoubtedly

[@JackoMoonwalker]

After Michael Jackson!!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Micheal might not agree. They lived near each other when Micheal was young, and were friends. Fred praised Micheal as a great dancer. I am sure Fred showed Micheal a few things..

[@merlinjones6485]

Fred doesn't need to look like Gary Cooper...he's classy enough on his own!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

What is really strange is the song was already old by this time... came out in a movie of the same name in 1930, when Gary Cooper's career was not very old....

[@rondaleroi]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 The original lyrics (in 1930) didn't contain the reference to Gary Cooper.

[@justanotherinternetexpert7743]

@@rondaleroi correct!

[@stirlingskym9774]

I guess you could say he's super duper

[@PabloPerez-ed9gp]

May b😂😂😂

[@ebardog2048]

Mikhail Baryshnikov, opening the tribute on the occasion of the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in 1981: "I have been invited to say something about how dancers feel about Fred Astaire. It's no secret. We hate him. He gives us complexes, because he's too perfect. His perfection is an absurdity that's hard to face. Classical dancers could deal with legendary rivals from the past, such as Nijinsky, because their accomplishments were known from books and from photographs that don't move, Baryshnikov said. With Astaire it was another story: The problem with Astaire is that he's everywhere -- moving. You know, you give your own performance and receive applause and you think maybe, just maybe, it was successful, and you go home ... and turn on the television to relax and there he is. Making you feel nervous all over again. You remember the remark by Ilie Nastase about Bjorn Borg: 'We are playing tennis, he is playing something else.' It's the same with Fred Astaire -- we are dancing, but he is doing something else."

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Thank you very much for that quote. As a mtter of fact, it seems I missed reviewing this AFI tribute from 1981 also. Reviewing everything about Fred is an overwheklming task...

[@ms.annthrope415]

From dancing with a coatrack to a cane, to Rita Hayworth and Ginger Rogers, Fed Astaire was amazing and incomparable.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Yes, he was, in front of the camera and behind the scenes. The one and only Fred Astaire

[@clincher2626]

Who's Fed?

[@frederickwise5238]

Took me back to 1946. The war was over and people were beginning to relax . Good times were comin round the corner. Had my order in for a new Ford convertible.

[@eldalopez663]

What can be better than one Fred Astaire? Ten Fred Astaires ❤

[@julesb7707]

Omg! That was impressive, his timing is impeccable.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

He had been working on this dance, more or less, his entire career. He did an early version in a Broadway play, then "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" in "Top Hat". He was retiring (he did that a few times) and wanted to go out on top, with this masterpiece...

[@julesb7707]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 Thanks for the info. I loved this clip so much I searched for the full scene online. It’s just astounding that the camera rarely cuts away. I read that he liked to do a whole dance in one shot & that his leading ladies used to dread making a mistake. I will now watch all the films you mentioned. 👍🏼

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

He did every dance he was the choreographer for, which is most of his dances, as close to in one shot as possible. That was hard on him, and his partners. I read he and Ginger would both lose 15 pounds from the start to the end of a movie, and neither had a lot of extra weight to lose in the first place. Fred made two comments on this... all of the girls cried at one point, except Ginger, or most of the girls cried, except Ginger. I do not beleive he could make the great Eleanor Powell cry, she was just like him with the practice. In the most extreme case, when doing "Never Gonna Dance" for "Swing Time", which took over 40 takes on the lower level, and more than 40 for the upper level, they were exhausted, it was after midnight, when someone noticed Ginger's shoes were red with blood. They thought she would want to stop, but no, not Ginger, she continued on, and the great dancing at the top in the movie was done while Ginger had bleeding feet.

[@annarodriguez9868]

Fred Astaire was a class act on and off the stage. I was 6 or 7 the first time I saw him on tv back in the 50s. My dad had fallen asleep watching tv and I heard popping sounds and I wanted to see what was on the tv. I saw this skinny guy in a strange suit dancing 🕺and was fascinated! I tried to make my feet move like his 😂 Impossible! Thanks for showing this edited version! Now I need to see the whole movie again! 😊

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

The movie is decent, I also really like Crosby singing the titel song, but the highlight of the movie IS this scene, best solo dance Fred ever did.

[@kaohsiung99]

Cool post!

[@teijaflink2226]

Possibly one of the best dance scenes in a film.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I have it rated #3 after "Singin' In The Rain" and "Cheek to Cheek" from Top Hat... but they are all great, and the order could reasonably be different

[@mynameisworld]

You need to see more films. 😂 Watch a Gene Kelly movie sometime. If Fred Astaire, who stands still for most of the song, is your idea of the best dancer, then Gene Kelly will blow your mind right out of your head!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I hae not only seen all Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly movies, I own them all. Gene was great, but different from Fred. Fred did PLENTY of high speed very active dances. But he was also great at other dance styles. Perhaps your view is more than a little narrow.

[@barbaraleary8300]

Fred Astaire was the best dancer ever. I loved him in many movies and Putting On The Ritz is an awesome number Never tire of watching this graceful and classy man.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Agreed. It was not just his dancing skills, he was also one of the best choreographers ever. More than anything else, that is what separated Fred and Gene Kelly from the rest.

[@Francis-m2d]

One of the many reasons I have for appreciating Astaire is that he was virtually alone among dancers of his era that liked that 'new music' rock n' roll. rhythm as his thing.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

ASs great a dancer as Fred was, I think he was even a greater choreographer, AND had insight that improved the methodology of filming song and dance so much he received a special Oscar for his contribution

[@amsj2906]

Thanks for this. I love seeing his cane fly back to him! 🙂

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

One viewer pointed out how it worked. I thought it was compressed air, which it was, but that air shoots a bolt up through the floor and that is what makes the cane fly to him.

[@lyallg7925]

It’s great that this has been uploaded to KZbin. Previously it’s only been available on Vimeo. It’s a shame however that the writing has to be over his footwork.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

This is one of my oldest videos. I no longer do that. I had the hardest time getting this to load at all, it was constantly copyright blocked. I looked at other videos that seemed to have longer clips published, and I thought perhaps the text in the video helped it run longer. I saw others where they speak over the video the entire time, did not want to do that. There is another version, kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGLCm42Nj6mrqtk , without that. But this one is my most watched, and I cannot replace it until I get a lot more watched videos

[@tyejabs670]

I absolutely adore Fred Astaire . I watched all of his movies with Ginger Rogers.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

All 10? Then, what are your farvorites, in order? I am interested.

[@l.e.6263]

Sad that over 80 yrs have passed since BlueSkies release & younger generations cannot enjoy a true wondrous complete clip of groundbreaking artistry , No cgi, No green screen or faking. This art ALL still can enjoy & be inspired. Fred was stickler for perfection, likely influenced by his ballet yrs, practicing for hours daily until he danced with ease- nothing is easy about his dancing nor his original choreography. MJ clearly got Smooth Criminal ideas , lyrics & costumes from Fred’s ballet short with Cyd.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

This dance scene has to be the most copyright restricted of all. I can post almost entire other dance scenes, but with this I cut it short and it was still blocked, so I had to cut it more. I bought "Blue Skies" so I can watch it, and Crosby singing "Blue Skies", in an otherwise unremarkable movie. Actually, a very sad story, when Ginger was honored at the end of her life at the Kennedy Center, Fred had already passed, and his widow fought over money, so they could not play Ginger dancing with Fred... at her life acheivement recognition. That I find terribly sad and unjust. I do not beleive Fred would have done that.

[@l.e.6263]

I agree. Fred & Ginger made up before he died by both being seen in public again at rare public events, friends again without unknown barrier Ginger refused to comment. Thanks for uploading this, even when it’s chopped, it’s still masterful & unforgettable. And I believe in special revealing ingenuity of Fred’s dances, for this iconic dance all the background dancers are all Fred, the studio used mirrors , that’s why they all match him perfectly, & Fred had to replicate himself 50 times. Again, ground breaking.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Wait, MJ is Michal Jackson? Fred and Micheal were good friends,,,,,

[@l.e.6263]

As buddies,then MJ got Fred’s blessing or input bc certain choreography, even contrast colors of MJs wardrobe in MTV vid , are identical to Fred in ballet short. No unique Cyd in modern MJ vid.

[@gill426]

"Made up before he died"?? I don't recall them ever being in a dispute, they had a constant...let's say, very good friendship from 1930 when they met until 1987 when he died. There are lots of pictures with them together throughout every decade. But I agree with the original author of this video (you're great, by the way!) that it is absolutely heartbreaking that those movies could not be shown at her ceremony. I wholeheartedly believe that you are right, Fred didn't want that. I don't know what it is with Fred's wives, they both made Ginger's life rather miserable on many occasions. Well, Fred&Ginger are dancing in Heaven now and I'm sure they're happy. Robyn Smith is still doing her thing here on Earth and I should be glad if her extreme reign on Fred's legacy would reach far enough to prohibit this awful biopic that is supposedly being made. I like to remember Fred the way he was, just him and also dancing with Ginger. 😊

[@laurensrulkens4185]

Heard this song when I was young... searching long for it now I found it!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

It is quite old, written by the great Irving Berlin in 1929, and introduced in a movie of the same name in 1930. It became the #1 song in America. Yet it is probably best know from this scene in the movie. In "Young Frankenstien" they did a parody of this with Gene Wilder and the monster, Peter Boyle

[@laurensrulkens4185]

Thans for explaining

[@richard169]

I have NEVER seen this before! Thank you so much!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Your welcome!! That is what I do this for, so people can see some of the greatest scenes from the greatest movies of all time. It's a shame I have to cut it so much, this is the MOST restricted dance scene I deal with. Maybe watch the movie Blue Skies to see the entire thing.

[@irvingchenets6181]

You worry about not being able to show the whole clip and then you leave that huge title covering his feet through the clip. Smooth.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

This was one of my first videos. I could not understand why it was being copyright blocked even as I cut it more, and more, and more. I thought perhaps the lettering "changed" it and would help me get it up, like I saw other websites where they talked all over the clip. I no longer do this, but this is my #1 video and if I change it, it has to start all over from scratch. There is another version in my top 100 dance list w/o the constant lettering.. it still has to be all cut up,

[@pcon71]

My God what a Divine voice..

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

He ruled the Billboard Top 100 charts for most of the 1930's

[@thomasleary2814]

What a shame! The man was an absolutely brilliant dancer, both in movies and on tv and we can’t see the entirety of what may well be his best solo dance because of copyright issues. Thanks anyway for posting at least part of this amazing performance.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Thank you. I have this rated the #3 best movie dance of all time.

[@thomasleary2814]

@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 What do have for #'s 1&2?

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

#1 is Gene Kelly's "Singing In The Rain" from the movie of the same name, because I find it the purest expression of joy ever done in a movie. #2 is Fred and Ginger's "Cheek to Cheek" from "Top Hat", because I think it is the most beautiful dance scene ever done. Of course, there are plenty of valid reasons to rearrange the order, I must have rearranged my top 100 at least a dozen times before I just had to stop myself. I put out one video with the entire list, just 15 seconds each dance, starting at 100 and moving up to 1. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGnEoXZ_bbuFeNk I also made a playlist of all 100, longer takes for each. kzbin.info/aero/PLrwI-xJ5yWqN2RpSkYdKz27VRMCE9L50v

[@thomasleary2814]

@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 Both excellent! My favorite is Fred and Cyd's "Dancing in the Dark" for the same reason that you gave for your #2. I just think it's perfection. Fred and Cyd were my favorite male and female dancers respectively.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I have "Dancing In The Dark" from "The Band Wagon" as #36. I had a problem in doing this list, SO MUCH at the top was Fred and Ginger, or Fred and someone else, or just Fred, and I artificially surpressed Fred and he ends up with a bunch of dances in the lower numbers. Cyd makes 3 dances, her eye popping (at least for guys) #19 "The Broadway Melody" from "Singin' in the Rain" (because of those incredible legs), #36 "Dancing in the Dark" and I really love her "Silk Stockings" from the movie of the same name, #86. Truth is I had never watched "Dancing in the Dark" that many times, and as I edited it a new appreciation of her dancing came over me. I am a Ginger fan, and beleive Ginger was Fred's best "movie dancer", which is different than just dancing, it includes the acting while dancing, but I believe Cyd might very well have been the best pure dancer he ever paired with.

[@kelliebrand9837]

Love this! Love tap dancing, also enjoy Taco performance of this song, ❤ Fred

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

He was the best

[@jarretthellums9545]

This had more talent than the last 20 years of music

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

the golden age

[@wnyduchess]

You need to seek out different music then. The talent never went away, you just aren't looking for it.

[@telbon8869]

@wynduchess So are you suggesting we should look at "rap music" for this kind of talent???? Come on, get a grip , "duchess"!!!!😂

[@katienoneofyourbusiness1048]

I sang this song in chorus in 4th grade and it scared me for some reason. Now I love it.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

LOL, I wonder why. You do not remember?

[@flyingdutchmanindustries5877]

Now the kind of drama people have over their shoes is on some whole different level!

[@1510Ronald]

thank you for loading - this ist the best version from dancing Fred Astaire

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

your welcome.

[@telbon8869]

​@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 One of the greatest regrets of my life is unfortunately having been born with two left feet and little coordination and rhythm. Despite numerous attempts at the Arthur Murray dance studio , it was fruitless. But at least I can enjoy Fred&Ginger's and Gene's (and other's) incredible talents thanks to motion pictures!! Thank you for sharing these sublime images!!!

[@ldcraig2006]

That fascinating sequence towards the end (about 2:57 or so to the end) where Fred is dancing with multiple versions of himself. I'm awed at how they might have achieved that; how could they have split-screened that many duplicates, all of them in exact timing with the original. Amazing!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Fred won an honorary Oscar for his advancements in the art of filming dance. He was much more than the greatest dancer of all time. HIs first trick photography dance scene was in Swing Time, Bojangles of Harlem, where he dances with 3 huge shadows of himself on the wall behind him, all dancing differently.

[@barrygolbin4896]

The fellows in the background are all different (and REAL) people. You can see that some of them are holding the canes at different pl;aces along the spine of the cane. Also they are of different heights as well. Is there anything quite as good as this around?? Is there ANYONE who can watch this segment without tapping their feet or keeping time with their hands? I suspect not. In the words of the song from the Broadway show "How Now, Dow Jones", "They don't make 'em like that anymore."

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

LOL, several told me they were all the same... not that it was the image of what Fred was doing in the foreground, that he did several takes in the background. I will have to look really hard at it, but with my old eyes.... I never really paid attention to movie dancing before this, and, yes, it is truly marvelous.. I LOVE Ginger Rogers....

[@terryv]

No, they are all Fred Astaire - filmed separately, and edited in together. That’s where the gimmick comes in - the magic (in 1946) of trick editing.

[@Fantomas4616]

no, they are all Fred Astaire. First thought they are animation likes that dancing Gene Kelly did with JERRY MOUSE and im still un-sure when the brackground Fred Astaire was real him. It's so incredible well done.

[@loohna1716]

Thank you ❤❤

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

You're welcome 😊

[@joeschembrie9450]

Wasn't it Fred Astaire who went in for an audition, and a studio executive wrote a memo, "Can't act, can't sing. Can dance -- a little."

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

That's the legend, the document is lost. Fred says it said "Can't Act. Slightly Bald. Also dances."

[@addictiontransfer3731]

lol the "WOW" at the end was great.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Thanks. Fred had so many great dances in his career. This actually was a redo of "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" from the great "Top Hat". But better, much better. Fred had anounced his retirement after this movie (he never did retire, just took breaks), and as a farewell he did this amazing routine. I am putting together a "best movei dance" list, and I have this at #3, right after #2 Fred and Ginger's "Cheek to Cheek". I could, and have, watched it over and over and over....

[@addictiontransfer3731]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 If you put out that list in the form of a video i will for sure watch it!!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Thanks. I am so bogged down in a documentary about Fred and Ginger. Had no idea what I was getting myself into. Their combined careers spanned 136 years, over 100 movies, stars in vaudeville, broadway, movies, radio and tv. I have finally determined the format, and now have to take the mountains I have created and organize, but the end is near, Then the list of dances....

[@addictiontransfer3731]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 well i subscribed! if you dont mind a little advice tho, first chance you get, you should splurge on a new microphone. If you're really spending all that hardwork on your videos then it will be a crying shame if the sound quality prevents people from enjoying it (personally it doesn't bother me, but statistically the sound quality of the commentary is the determining facter in whether a surprising amount of people stick around, watch the full video, and subscribe here on youtube oddly enough).

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

No, Your critique is fair. It is NOT the microphone, it is ME. A great deal of what I have imporved was simply my being able to read text without slurring and other vocal issues. I find the audio the hardest part of all this. I have one more morning to complete the first new Fred and Ginger episode, and then the final touchup including video transitions and TRYING to keep my voice constant and understandable over 45 minutes of video... wish me luck.

[@gerardmurphy3414]

INCREDIBLE TALENT

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I have watched them all, repeatedly, and this is his finest solo dance. He was also a great choreographer, did all his own shortly into his movie career. Never mind being also a top star on the radio, and a great piano player. He coudl do it all.

[@Shadowkey392]

Fun fact: at the time Fred Astaire planned to retire from performing after “Blue Skies”, meaning it would be his final film. So he wanted to do a really big and fancy dance number (a personal magnum opus, if you will) to end his career on the highest, showiest, most memorable note possible. Irving Berlin apparently agreed with him, and cooked up “Puttin’ On The Ritz.”

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Not sure about this. Puttin' On The Ritz was a song from Berlin, yes, but written in 1929 and introduced in a movie of the same name. Berlin did change one lyric for Fred, to remove something considered racist.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I found the reference.. Fred went to Irving Berlin and asked he change on lyric because Fred felt it was racist, and Irving complied, so Fred could use the song....

[@briansunny4010]

Masterpiece😳😍!!!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Thank you... this was a decades long developed dance by Fred, this is the third iteration of it. He retired after this movie (Of course he came back, he never DID stop) and wanted to go out with his finest solo dance. And he succeeded

[@stanyscognamiglio1080]

many people ignore that the best songs of Irving Berlin were written for the films of Fred Astaire and for this he is the best performer ever, even if the way of singing in the 30s is emphasized and dramatized but reflects the great contrast of feelings and moods that were those years

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Irving had so many great songs, he provided many great songs that put Fred on top of the Billboard Top 100, AND others! Amazing songwriter. Thanks.

[@mynameisworld]

Fred Astaire makes me want to scream "Don't just stand there! DO something! MOVE!" I love old movies. I love tap--dancing. Fred Astaire ranks #1 in boredom.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Well, you are pretty alone in your viewpoint.

[@telbon8869]

@mynameisworld You should change your name to: @mynameisworldclassmoron😂

[@Janney3791]

Who else noticed that the furniture back then already looked modern 😮

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

In all deign things, architecture, clothing, interior decor, there are only so many ways to do it, and it is a constant cycle so if you look to the past you will see it is not really new, just revivied

[@浜田隆政TakamasaHamada]

👏Marvelous. By the way, I thought about the roots of tap dance. The dance of the Côte d'Ivoire came to Egypt. From Egypt to Spain via the Roma people. From Spanish flamenco to Irish dance in Ireland. Through Irish immigrants to American tap dance. ▽ 🏆The fifteenth world song ・Ireland：Part 1-№3 August 4 ～August 11：[2024]： First Venue⑤-2 August 12 ～August 30：[2024]： Third Venue⑤-2

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Interesting, thanks...

[@ArtsDecoratifs]

The title is actually Puttin' on the Ritz, not Putting on the Ritz.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Yes, there are several mistakes in this video. It was one of my first. But it is also my most viewed video, by far, and the way KZbin works if I fix the spelling, the video has to start all over again. You cannot make even the slightest change.

[@bmw3842]

Now this is why The Golden Age of Hollywood is the best.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

sure is....

[@Raktasdelespacio]

It says Fred Astaire and Ensemble, but it really is just Fred Astaire, he performed the choreography several times so it would look natural, then they pasted them together for that surreal feel.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Yes, you are correct, in time I realized, after viewerws comments, that they are all Fred. AND someone else pointed out you can see the rod come out of the floor to kick the cane back up in the air. AND I misspelled the dance, it's Puttin', not Putting. But this is by far my #1 viewed video, and if I replace it, it starts off back at zero, and I do not want to do that. I wish KZbin did not do that.

[@AfricanRoots-gz9qt]

This is cool, but I like the way Taco sings it😂❤

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I have yet to hear that. We usually like the first version of a song we hear, and then even the great original might not be as good to us. A generational thing, I heard this first, might like the Taco version but my heart will stay with this first one. Rare is the song where you can love multiple versions, but it does happen. Thanks

[@maryvalentine9090]

It would’ve been nice if you played the whole Fred Astaire clip without any cuts. Very jarring.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I cannot, nobody can. KZbin employs a copyright check robot system, and this dance has to be the most restricted I have ever worked with. It took FOREVER to cut it until it would post. The best I can do is show the best parts in tiny little sections

[@TeresaCarazo-ih9xd]

super buenísimo

[@renitafluellen1591]

I will dance like that in heaven nice and clean

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Nice thought

[@silviofernandes3217]

FRED ASTAIRE , O MELHOR !

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Si!!!!

[@kurtjohnson4426]

Too many cut outs.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

KZbin will not allow more of this dance to be posted. They employ a Copyright Check robot, and I worked on this forever until I finally cut enough to post it. Until then, it was fully blocked.

[@Cosmonauta8]

Best dancer ever...

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I agree, but I think perhaps he was even a better choreographer than he was a dancer.

[@Cosmonauta8]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 You're absolutely right, and I agree with you. A complete and talented artist.

[@1333eliz]

When any performer, song writer, or others connected to a performance complain about not receiving royalties---I completely understand and agree with "editing". I supported JD Salinger's "obsession" with protecting his art. But when services ( like this one ) blanketly block or enforce editing, it's just laziness. YOU MAKE ENOUGH MONEY---EARN IT !!!!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Oh, I understand why they do this, and I do not think it is so wrong as wrong headed. I do these because I love these movies and scenes. The vast majority of my videos could never be "monetized", the advertising money will go to the copyright holder... so, then, why not let me show more so they make more?

[@1333eliz]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 I do appreciate your upload but I think you'll agree that this is one dance routine that demands continuety. Several years ago, it had been uploaded as the complete scene and had I the money at present, I would buy it ( Amazon available) just for that few minutes of dance. No CGI effects in the 1940s. 😁

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

When I first started, that is exactly what I intended to do. Then I discovered I could not. Some dance scenes could use judicious editing, they go on as long as 17 minutes. Currently I am editing a review of the movie "Stage Door", and as I add scenes, the restrictions become tighter and I am blocked till I curt more and more. It's a shame, well done someone could be interested in purchasing the movie.. I have been at ti for hours.

[@bradleycotton3237]

I thought the dancers behind him were different men. I didn’t know they were all clones of Fred.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Wow, I never noticed that. I also thought they were different men. The video is not that clear, I will go to the movie original and look closer. Thanks

[@terryv]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 - Yikes! How could you not know?!? Still, you did capture the best highlights of Astaire’s dance performance, unlike other channels that have butchered it altogether. Nicely done (although you should delete the completely irrelevant "Young Frankenstein" portion).

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

LOL, perhaps the name is pretentious... I do know a lot abut movie history, yet it is a huge subject and I learn tons of new facts every day.... as to Young Frankenstien, I assumed some are familiar with the later work but had no idea what it was honoring, or that theIr was an actual earlier dance at all...

[@barbaraleary8300]

Never knew that either. Very interesting fact

[@Fantomas4616]

I would say the guys in the background are all FRED ASTAIR himself. sometime I thought they were animated Fred-Astaire version and this a real/animation combo. - Well... in few months there will a restored version be released on bluray and I'll take a closer look.

[@heatherknopp3723]

It was also covered in the 80s by an artist called "Taco" which was a very fun rendition! And it's *Puttin', not "Putting". Spelled and pronounced w/o the "g" on the end.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Yeah, I know I misspelled, but to fix that I have to replace this video, and it is my #1 watched, so I live with the mispelling

[@julianmarsh8384]

Fred wasn't this to be his finale to Hollywood musicals...he retired after this movie, being coaxed out of retirement by Kelly....it is Fred at his best.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Correct, Fred had seriously considered retiring in 1938, did retire after this movie in 1946, but when Gene Kelly broke his leg he talked Fred into taking his place in "Easter Parade" with Judy Garland in 1948, which was a gerat movie and big success. Fred retired again, from doing song and dance scenes, after "Silk Stockings" in 1957, but did come back to dance in 1968's "Finian's Rainbow", a very nice movie.

[@LungsOutJem]

If you're going to talk about this song, you need to mention the fact that Fred Astaire had "the great" Irving Berlin rewrite the song to remove the racist commentary from it, and how Fred Astaire's more inclusive version has become the far more famous recording.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I did not know that.. I am still studying Fred and Ginger, their careers were so long, so many movies and plays and TV appearances, I did not realize what I was getting in to. Also, I have qouted statements I have seen or read, only to find out they were incorrect. I am re-working my Fred and Ginger documentary, and you have added another detail to look in to, Thank you.

[@LungsOutJem]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 history can be like that, very hard to confirm at times. I can't even recall where I first heard that story, but supposedly Fred was a very progressive man and didn't care for how the song was making fun of poor black people, and instead had it switched up to make fun of the rich. Whoever made that decision, I'm glad they did, because this is an old favorite of mine.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Well, I am stubborn, and I have found videos of many of the actual original quotes by Fred and Ginger, or someone else who was there like Hermes Pan. I will get there.

[@tony_2024]

Did i forget to mention that in the 80s a singer by the name of Taco (born Taco Ockverse) did a cover of this and it was a big hit? True fact tho.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I have seen his videos, interesting style. The first time soneone just commented "Taco" on this, and I was confused, what does a food wrap have to do with this song, LOL.

[@fabrizioasperti558]

Straordinario!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Thanks (I am pretty sure, LOL )

[@JV-tu6nm]

is there a chance to get this masterpiece in hd-quality or better legal - can't find it in google, amazon and so on... a best of fred astaire would be great

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I recently purchased a DVD version, that is what you see I put up, it is not remastered. While the dance is popular, otherwise the movie is unremarkable, never earned any awards. I would not expect it to be high on the list of those remastering old movies...

[@l.e.6263]

That’s Entertainment films 1-4 hosted by Gene Kelly would showcase entire clips of Hollywood’s studio golden yrs. I remember seeing this full clip in theaters & regularly on TV anniversaries , specials, Oscars, when TV was free. Bing has great voice , & made a good comedic partner with B Hope, & had great TV show too with same era of guest stars like Fred,but none are remastered nor streamed anymore.

[@hl9246]

Its so disappointed but its lucky to view full of Putting on the ritz another platform

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I know, I have to cut it otherwise it is copyright protected. Sorry, that is the best I am allowed to load right now. I love watching it in full myself.

[@gfitz6001]

I wish you hadn’t edited it.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I wish I didn't have to.. with copyright restrictions showing any piece of it longer that I do gets the entire video blocked.

[@nhmooytis7058]

I love the song but cannot watch it now without seeing Gene Wlder and Peter Boyle 😂😂😂

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Funny, I saw the Young Frankenstien version first, so it is ALWAYS in my head. All the spoofs on Golden Era actors I had to recognize later when I finally saw them.

[@nhmooytis7058]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 FrankenSHTEEEN!! 😂

[@PabloPerez-ed9gp]

Excelente 🙂

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

thanks

[@AlmegaMedia]

why did you chop up the Fred performance? Very disappointing!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

KZbin has enacted copyright restrictions that are very stringent. I am not allowed to post the entire dance, of even more than 30 seconds of a dance, or it is blocked. It would be so much easier to just put the dance up, this editing trying to keep the best takes forever. But it is edited like this, or not at all....... or I talk over the entire thing or put text all over it, etc. I chose this method, regretfully many do not understand why and get upset with me.

[@mikedonovan8501]

I think one can say he wasn’t a bad dancer

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

LOL That's an understatement

[@gfitz6001]

🤣

[@dkoz8321]

Blue Skys. Lt.Cdr. Data favorite song to cover.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

LOL, that it was......

[@bh5606]

Loved the dancing. Could have done without the narration and scene cuts.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I cannot help the cuts.. KZbin has enacted copyright controls so stringent this is the most I can show witout being blocked. As to the narration, I am building a movie history website, so I add factual details. Honestly, I am getting away from these straight dance videos anyway, too much work, and too many complaints because people do not understand the new restrictions. I would have LOVED to post the entire masterpeice of a dance, without interruption

[@teijaflink2226]

It's a shame we still can't put the full dance scene on youtube, I remember seeing the full scene first years of youtube, I was totally mindblown I had never seen anything like it before, one day I wanted to see it again and it was gone. Ridiculous this is 80 years old and imo part of our cultural history and should be exist for everyone to enjoy on a platform like youtube without any cuts.

[@teijaflink2226]

I mean you did mean that youtube just removes it or do you mean that you didn't want to post it because you don't make money out of it (which I don't think people should be able to if they didn't create something)? It's crazy if you can't post clips from almost 100 year old movies.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Sorry, just saw this was unanswered. Videos are blocked by a copyright robot, it comes back blocked and they detail 1 offending point. To make this, I had to cut and cut until they allowed it to be posted. Sometimes, months later, they then yank it down anyway. Each movie, sometimes scenes, are restricted at different levels by the copyright holder. "Puttin' On The Ritz" is the most restricted I have come across. Copyright law is 96 years, so right now all movies 1927 and before can be posted.

[@terryv]

You keep typing & saying "Putting On the Ritz". It’s not by accident that the song was entitled (and pronounced) "Puttin’ On the Ritz". Sheesh!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

You are absolutely correct. There was an earlier movie called "Putting On the Ritz", and I kept on criss-crossing the spelling in my head. I will fix when I get the chance

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I just looked, and it was "Puttin' On the Ritz" in 1930 movie also... so no excuse, just carelessness. Believe it or not, to fix that one letter I have to delete and reload the video, and lose all the history of my most watched clip. Do you think perhaps it gets so many hits because of the misspelling? I then go to the top over all the correctly spelled ones, LOL.

[@terryv]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 - No harm, no foul.

[@d.gazinelli8785]

Do you know the name of the movie in which Fred Astaire danced on top a giant piano keyboard? It was a great technological cinematic advancement. Thanks.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

You have me stumped here. He does dance on a pinao in "Let's Dance" 1950, but it is not a giant keyboard. Tom Hanks danced on a giant keyboard in "Big". I do not yuet have all of Fred's movies, I have almost compelted the Ginger Rogers collection, so there are still a few of Fred's movies I have not seen. Sorry

[@Foneitguy]

2:39 me when in the pool

[@TheDJMysterE]

I couldve done without all the cuts...

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I have stoped making these because You Tube's stringent copyright rules will not allow me to show more than 25 seconds. I do not know how others exist, some, I assume, are grandfathered in, others have licenses. I have researched, and give up. I am making only documentaries now.

[@car5car5]

Are pieces of the song missing?

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Yes. This videa is so heavily restricted any attempt to put it up in its entirety or even in large sections is blocked by the KZbin Copyright Check robot. This took FOREVER to snip and snip until what you see finally got past the blockage. Sorry, this is the best I could do, it was this or nothing.

[@teresafarrell6457]

Have you done a review/breakdown of The Nicholas Brothers w/Cab Calloway? AMAZING stuff! I just found your channel; great stuff. Thanks. 👍

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I started off attempting to do a "History of Dance" in movies. As part of that I did include The Nicholas Brothers in "Jumpin' Jive" (1943), the scene with Cab Calloway. It is in just about everybodies top 10 greatest scenes. But I got so bogged down with Fred and Ginger, their work is so excellent and enormous, the "History of Dance" was becoming "The History of Fred and Ginger"... so I made that series instead. It ends up over half the best dances would be Fred, Ginger and/or Gene Kelly. I will do the greats separately, so I can reference the specific series for those interested and be much briefer in the overall history. BTW... if you loved "Jumpin' Jive", check out The Berry Brothers doing "Berry Me Not" in "Panama Hattie" (1942). They do an stunning leap I, and just about every guy, cringe at every time. Amazing!

[@rogerjorge2002]

HE REMIND ME HUGH LORRY WITH THE STICK

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

LOL, to me it would always be the other way around. I do see the resemblance.

[@Beaguins]

Couldn't you show the whole thing? I haven't been able to find a video with the whole dance.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

No, I cannot, nobody can. KZbin has a copyright check system, and it reviews and rates posts, from no copyright issues to blocked. I found this dance one of the most restricted videos I have ever done. It took forever as I cut and cut until finally I couild post it.

[@Beaguins]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 Ouch! Sorry, I didn't know.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Hye, you asked nicely, and I thank you for that. I agree it is a shame I have to cut it up to show it, it is a masterpeice, I rated it the 3rd greatest dance scene in movie history. You should see the nasty way others criticize what I cannot avoid.....

[@sylviohaas4803]

Bárbaro!

[@Aminarouichi-ow4yp]

aberkane you werent born yet at this time , stop pretending

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I do not understand the reference. Is aberkane someone who posted a comment on here?

[@sarahe451]

Wish you hadn't cut it so much.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I do, also, but then it cannot be posted on KZbin because of copyright restrictions.

[@dblioness2000]

who was the choreographer, btw? FA?

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Yes, Fred (as well as Eleanor Powell and Gene Kelly, maybe others) did all their own choreography. Fred took over that chore very young, while partnering with his sister Adele on Broadway, at around 14 or 15 years old. As good of a dancer as Fred is, I think what makes him so special is his great choreography skills (with his frequent partner Hermes Pan).

[@rogerjorge2002]

IMAGING DR HOUSE DANCING LIKE THIS

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Sorry, I am not familiar with that show....

[@purpleyeti705]

Lol right after the ketamine treatment right?

[@DonWalley]

Not sure why this classic had to be chopped up...

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Sorry, I am weary of responding to this. You Tube used to auto-assign copyright up to a few years ago. Then they changed it to an automated extremely stringent check system that blocks not only full clips, but sometimes down to 15 seconds only in combination clips. I am so tired of it I am making a website to avoid the corproations demanding they get every penny instead of sharing with creator. Right now I am not monetized, this is a labor of love, but I would not mind making a little for my presentation efforts. I should enhance sales of their movies. Yet I see others posting longer clips. I have been all over KZbin trying to get past this obstacle, with no luck. I think some are doing the arduos work to get approval from each copyright holder. I reached out, no reply.

[@mstricky1]

Wow

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

That's for sure. His masterpiece, he had been working on variations of this since his time on Broadway. The great "Top Hat, White Tie and Tales" from "Top Hat" was the 2nd version. Every movement carefully choreographed and performed exactly. Too bad I cannot just show the entire thing, but this has to be the MOST copyright restricted 3 minutes in all of movie history.

[@PopExtra]

How does that cane not break 😂

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

They did sometimes. This dance scene went through 3 versions, the 2nd being "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" from "Top Hat". Fred went through 13 canes and finally finished the scene with the last one. Mostly, though, he would break them over his knee in a temper tantrum, LOL.

[@jamesryan6008]

Why was it necessary to cut out more than half of the vocal. You even edited the dance!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I think I have explained myself to you about htis before. There is no movie scene I have ever come across that is as tightly restricted by the KZbin Copyright robot than this dance. I start out seeing if a scene is restricted at all. MOst are. Then I try to cut it to show the very best parts, in full. Still blocked. So I snip away a little at a time. This takes forever. I was actually about to give up totally on this one when it finally passed. I agree with you, its a shame, they don't show it, and they do not allow you to show it. This is the very best I could do with what I consider one of the true materpieces of dance in movie history.

[@peterbako5739]

2:41 how do you do that?

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Do what?? I need some context.

[@peterbako5739]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 Wow, thanks a lot for this answer. 😒

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I am sorry, I am trying to answer. I do not understand the question. How do I do WHAT?? I take the question 2 different ways. Are you asking a tenchincal question, how do I cut it like that at 2:41, OR are you asking how could I decide to cut it like that? I will answer as soon as I understand, I answer ALL comments.

[@peterbako5739]

Well, it's very difficult for me as a Hungarian to describe myself as if I were talking to a non-native Hungarian, because our speech is simple and catchy, which we don't explain more than you English people. he stretched out his hand and already had it in his hand. Ever since I was a child, I have been interested in how he did this. There are 2 options: first, a magnet is attached to the stick, as is the case with his fingers, or this part is played backwards, although this is repeated twice at the end when he crouches down and then rises up, so you must know how he did it? I want an answer to that.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Your English is far batter than my (non-existent) Hungarian. It is very quick, but at 2:40 keep your eye on the cane on the floor, in the middle of the cane. You will see a long skinny rod shoot up from the floor, and that is what throws the cane into the air. It is shot up by compressed air. Too bad you cannot slow it down to see it. The next time I work on this viedo I will zoom in and slow it down so people ca see. I could never figure it out until a year ago when a commentator explained it to me.

[@hectorheath9742]

Mel Brooks didn't like the Young Frankenstein scene but Wilder insisted on including it. Mel was right.🙄

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Really? I always loved that scene

[@pexobestia]

At 2:40 you can see on the floor a little bolt launching the cane...

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

but Fred says it was compressed air thart shot it up

[@pexobestia]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 A compressed air bolt, surely...

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I will have to take a look. LOL, this is like the Fred and Ginger feather dress issue, or the beads slamming Fred in the head doing "Let's Face The Music And Dance".. some have found video proof, barely recognizable, of feathers still floating arounf on the final take, and in the other case Fred might have been dazed but he was such a pro you see no reaction from him as he contined to dance. Thanks,

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I see it!! Finally!! Thanks!!

[@RYAN799]

Taco....

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

LOL, after all this time I now understand you are referencing someone who covered this song

[@firstimeshooter6590]

He had the force?! lol

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

LOL. The used compressed air to shoot the cane back up to his hand. Took a bunch of tries before they got it right.

[@firstimeshooter6590]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 sick!!! I love older practical effects.

[@peterlee6745]

The Best of The BEST Was Fred

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

That he surely was

[@chrisarseneault5617]

You skipped parts of everything in the video

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Yes, because of KZbin enforced copyright restrictions. Dealing with a robot. Took forevere to satisfy it, curtting and cutting, and that is what you see.

[@ewazielinska3146]

😳😯😃

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Glad you liked it

[@MrMackievelli]

Jump cuts ruin this.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I am sorry, if you post a video on KZbin now it is slammed with Copyright restrictions that must not have existed in the past, as some older videos seem to not have suffered under these restrictions. When I started, I intended on posting full scenes except for some of the really long dance scenes (up to 17 minutes) in some movies. After struggling, this is the best I can do. It is also a great deal of work, trying to keep the best while never exceeding 30 seconds in any clip, far less then that when you combine clips. Maybe I wil figure out a way around this at some point.

[@alanbates9073]

the edit is like super duper bad....... why?

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I am new to all this, and I just cannot understand how I see full unedited clips from movies, but when I try to post them they are blocked by copyright. I googles this and there were a lot of explanations and suggestions as how to post it anyway. Some of it makes no sense, it seems each movie and scene has its own rules. It takes FOREVER to try to capture the best w/o getting blocked. I have paused the process because recently I noticed full copies with an attribution, and I am going to give that another try. Sorry.....

[@alanbates9073]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 no problem, live and learn... thanks for the work you put in to it.

[@NowPleaseReadThis]

Fred Astaire's dancing does not appear to have a center of gravity. He is so light and quick on his feet and has freedom to put himself anywhere he likes. When he has a dance partner he can afford to find the partners shared center of gravity that best suits her, that will make her look as good as she can. That makes him number one. In contrast Gene Kelly gets around by muscle mass and strength to overcome his weight. Don O'connor tends to stay close to his center of gravity tap dancing, likewise Ann Miller dances around her central point of gravity. Now it's time to move my center of gravity for another high gravity beer.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

That is a very interesting take. Thanks. Enjoy the beer,

[@charlessaggio8412]

Pay the entire vid.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Cannot because of copyrigth restrictions. I tried making a longer version and had to keep on cutting till this point.

[@oldngood190]

Sorry, not worth watching when it's so cut up .

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

I understand. Cannot do any more, it is this or nothing.

[@maybeebuzzy2265]

Sorry, but you cannibalized this song with your editorialization. Heck, it's so bad that you made me write long words☹

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

It is either cut like this, or nothing. The KZbin Copyright Robot blocked it on me over and over as I slwoly cut a little bit at a time. It took HOURS. I was about to give up when it finally allowed me to post this.

[@maybeebuzzy2265]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 OK. Tis a shame.

[@epiphoney]

What black magic is this?

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

The cane flying inthe air? Pneumatic air pressure throws it back up into his hand.

[@lauralutz4538]

Hacked up

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Best I can do, KZbin Copyright robot will not allow an more... it is this, or nothing. Maybe some will be interested enough to watch the movie, and see it in full.

[@foobar6194]

Not interested in your narration. Put it in the comments, not in the video.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

Then don't watch it... I find it amazing how some feel they can demand changes. This is one of my first videos, my approach has improved. But my channel is calld "History", and I include historical facts in what I create.

[@foobar6194]

@@thedriveinmoviehistory5327 I didn't. I'm telling you why. You might want to know what people like and dislike about your work. But, apparently not.

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

OK, fair enough. Sorry, while my positive comments outnumber the negative by a wide margin, the negatives can get tiring. I am usually not so snippy. I see what is out there, I know the different approaches. I know even my intro's are too long for some. I am filling a niche that matches my passion, my love of movies and movie history. It is not for all.

[@golfnerd3107]

What is with the horrible edits?

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

KZbin puts rediculous copyright restrictions on many videos I post. If I put up the entire thing, which is much easier, it would be blocked. It is worse than that, anything over 30 seconds, and when combined with multiple cuts, sometimes as little as 10 seconds, is allowed. I am moving to my own website to avoid these restrictions... and the endless harsh comments from those who do not understand.

[@RayArias]

Too much cutting!

[@thedriveinmoviehistory5327]

There is not other way, this is possbily one of the tightest copyright controlled scenes in movies. I shiow one tiny little bit more, and it is totally blocked. It took forever to cut it to the point I could show this much.