The Band Wagon (1953) - The Girl Hunt Ballet - Fred Astaire - Cyd Charisse - Classic Musical Comedy

Michael Kidd choreography, setting designed by Oliver Smith, Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse generating gangster heat in Vincente Minnelli's THE BAND WAGON ('53).
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[@kendrabrevard1976]

I Can see Smooth Criminal and you rock my world

[@JamesJones-zq7pc]

And Beyonce naughty girl

[@filsdejeannoir1776]

And Dangerous.

[@glenthomas2396]

3:40 he even says it

[@bryanwiedemann6925]

And billie jean too

[@Elena-er7zp]

yup. don’t forget “Dangerous”

[@JETZcorp]

The cycle of nostalgia is fascinating. 80s nostalgia is hot right now, which is what brought some of us to Smooth Criminal. In the 80s, the hot deal was 50s nostalgia (think Happy Days, Back to the Future, and SMOOTH CRIMINAL). Now we're here, the 50s. But look closely. This video is a nostalgic love letter to the 1920s with speakeasies, prohibition gangsters and hardboiled noir detectives.

[@wandertree]

Interesting observation :)

[@rodmunch69]

Wow, amazing comment. No one would have known this is supposed to be about the 20s unless you told us - everyone thought this is what the 50s were like. You have such amazing observation skills. Maybe next you can explain that grass is green, and the sky is blue, and they're not the same thing.

[@JETZcorp]

@@rodmunch69 The "look closely" was obviously sarcastic. But the real point wasn't the 20s, it was about the 25-year nostalgia cycle.

[@rodmunch69]

@@JETZcorp yeah, that's what I was saying. Thanks.

[@amandah.1468]

@@rodmunch69 Dick. 112 people gained from something his comment and all you could produce was this shit. Go be useless somewhere else.

[@tommoncrieff1154]

This is a masterpiece at every level. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone alive today who could dance like the background cast in this sequence let alone like Astaire and Charisse. The dialogue, music, art direction, costuming, and performances are all breathtaking. Charisse has pure animal magnetism combined with utter class, she is sensual and erotic in the artistic sense, not the commercial sense. She charges Astaire’s performance with sexuality and glamour on a nuclear scale.

[@ChristopherJones-qm2nw]

Mr Astaire was the greatest dancer - An utter perfectionist who would only dance with the best, and all of his wonderful partners qualified. However, I think Ms Charisse was the only one who was his equal, not only in talent, but in sheer magnetism. Either together, or as individuals, they were the definition of class and elegance, just pure magic.

[@davebarclay4429]

Think what the world would have lost if the six year old Cyd Charisse hadn't caught polio. She started dancing lessons as part of her recovery process.

[@sylviecharlois1165]

He also had a very good chemistry with Rita Hayworth, who was a phenomenal dancer too. But I agree, his partnering with Cyd Charisse was entrancing... Such a gorgeous dancer, Cyd...

[@neeshespieces]

“She was bad. She was dangerous.” Two of Michael’s album names right there

[@richardtriance5207]

she was a Thriller, too.

[@praapje]

@@richardtriance5207 Ah, you Beat me to It.

[@javiercastro077]

And part of the lyrics of Dangerous itself

[@PeekaBooo24]

@@praapjeshe could have been the Lady in My Life

[@eimensaleem280]

😂😂😂😂

[@natashafawzi8405]

Fred: “She came to me in sections... she was bad, she was dangerous” MJ: “she came to me in sections... the girl was bad, the girl was dangerous” Love them both

[@richin2123]

"More curves than a scenic railway" God, how I love that line!

[@xXShizukanaXx]

oh my god

[@gemssanga4059]

Michael Jackson did with his Dangerous song

[@HarryGzi]

I saw in genius lyrics 😅

[@thewayuwearurhat1751]

Mj fans should watch a 60 70s movie called "the little prince" the "snake's" dance with Bob Fosse. Mj copied that dance almost step by step.

[@tootsie5052]

One of the best scenes in a musical, ever! So ahead of it's time and maybe that's why I always thought it was really distinct from the rest of the movie.

[@bigred9428]

And I'm so glad the whole thing is here.

[@cawdor007]

Cyd Charisse in my opinion was one of Hollywoods most under rated dancer/actress. I never get tired of watching her movies.

[@ZephaniahL]

Dancer yes, and I think she gets a lot of credit, but she was not much as an actress.

[@BillGarner-os9dw]

Yessgreat

[@BillGarner-os9dw]

ahL

[@salvadorsempere1701]

Under rated? As a dancer. she was on top of the top. You don´t get Fred and Gene as partners if you are not considered the best or one of the bests. As an Actress...well, that s another story. She was mediocre, if you feel generous.

[@gulmerton2758]

It shows that MJ had great taste, loved the classics and borrowed (with genius) from the very best of the best: Fred Astaire. When I see MJ in Smooth Criminal, I see Fred Astaire and vice versa. What more can be said?

[@MrBrutal33]

Stealing isn't borrowing..

[@joanmitjans735]

@@MrBrutal33 Picasso used to say that 'good artists copy, great artists steal'

[@PrincessBunhead]

@@MrBrutal33 There are enough photos of MJ and Fred Astaire together, starting when MJ was in the Jackson 5. He was obviously paying tribute to Fred Astaire.

[@thecollector4332]

@@MrBrutal33 Astaire was friends with Michael and before he passed, he explicitly mentioned Jackson as his successor.

[@OGStarlightKY]

@@MrBrutal33 Well it’s clear to me that you have no talents in the arts. Because if you did, you would know that taking from others helps the creative process. And ‘stealing’ is not actually stealing if you can turn it around and make it yours.

[@vioricaneagu2251]

Smooth Criminal..."old" version 😄😜🔥 for Michael, Astaire was a "source of inspiration" in his musical career 💙

[@kennethwayne6857]

I heard or read somewhere that Fred felt he was falling into a rut, so he said to Michael Kidd, 'make me move in ways I never have before, and do things people don't associate with Astaire'. Then quickly came to regret it.

[@kennethwayne6857]

@Randy White A favorite of mine too, definitely.

[@kateking3953]

Not so much 'old' as original!

[@treseancann1261]

Shortly before Fred Astaire passed away in 1987, he said, "I didn't want to leave this world without knowing who my descendant was. Thank you, Michael."

[@tgreening]

That look on her face when she's sitting at the bar. Like a Lioness contemplating what's about to become her next meal. He never stood a chance.

[@naamahdarling]

She unveils that dress and it's game over. Nothing else exists. Onstage with arguably the best in his field, some say the best maybe ever, and he doesn't even exist except as a thing for her to interact with. Absolutely incredible.

[@paulmaes6054]

When Hollywood was truly Magic!

[@BeBeXGen]

She came at me in sections; more curves than the scenic railway. She was bad, she was dangerous. I wouldn’t trust her any farther than I could throw her. She was selling hard, but I wasn’t buying.❤️❤️❤️

[@siddaye]

@Bernardine Knorr michael jackson used some of these lyrics for his song dangerous and the theme for his smooth criminal video

[@BeBeXGen]

@@siddaye and Billie Jean ...

[@siddaye]

@@BeBeXGen oh where in billie jean?

[@BeBeXGen]

@@siddaye OMG I'm so sorry I didn't see your reply till now! Billie Jean just the streetscape and the tenement apartment but I also think he was influenced by this segment from Singin In The Rain.kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKGmfauki9WamNE start at 1:55

[@siddaye]

@@BeBeXGen well I just watched the clip what parts of the clip did michael emulate in billie jean i dont really see any similarities

[@chrisa5522]

Pure class. But hey... We always have the Kardashians these days. *Sobs uncontrollably*

[@WillScarlet16]

We'll always have Paris. Hilton.

[@jazzyjaz9108]

@@WillScarlet16 damn now you've made this situation more depressing

[@MynaahHvorostovsky]

@@jazzyjaz9108 E o Brasil, que tem ANITTA e PABLO VITTAR?! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@donttouchmabeans4750]

Agreed but ….. Kardashians have nothing to do with music so

[@darapaquette]

Same.

[@SceneByScott]

I was today years old when I realized Catherine Zeta Jones in Chicago was doing Cyd Charisse in The Band Wagon. Not that anyone cares, but Astaire was 54 in this movie.

[@wandertree]

I care!! Astaire was a legend!

[@rayejohn79rj11]

I care..you jus taught me something..about CZJ I didnt know ..I've seen Chicago billions of times...still my favorite part was with Richard and Renne' in They Both Reach For The Gun...at 54 he moved better then most young cats now...He was and still is a Legend

[@SwiftFoxProductions]

Beyonce is, also, doing Cyd Charisse in The Band Wagon in her "Naughty Girl" music video (the scene with the red dress).

[@peterspering3709]

Yeah, only middle-aged. What’s actually impressive is that he was still able to do it in his 70s, as he did at the Oscars.

[@alissanegron7720]

I bought this movie a few days ago and I freaking LOVE this entire ballet sequence. Musicals just aren’t classy and cool like this anymore.

[@richin2123]

This is one of three old-school Hollywood ballets - the other two being from "An American In Paris" and Broadway Rhythm ballet from "Singing In The Rain", all from MGM...and all genius.

[@kennethwayne6857]

@@richin2123 I also love Gene's ballets in 'The Pirate' and the 'Slaughter on Tenth Avenue' from 'Words and Music'. Perhaps not as lavish as the other three but true classics.

[@JacquelineSoulchick]

I hope y'all mean " ballet" as in a piece of choreography because the dance style is jazz not ballet

[@cinnomix]

@@JacquelineSoulchick the official term for this type of dance sequence in a musical is called a dream ballet, because it advances the plot without the use of dialogue or singing. just look up the noun definition of ballet, not the verb. you're right that this dance style is not ballet but a lot of the old ones actually did have ballet and/or pointe :)

[@rejmons1]

Cyd Charisse is phenomenal!

[@globalcitizenn]

Cyd Charisse is the best dancer to have walked the planet

[@dannyhustle2599]

Oh my good another overreacting kid

[@sandiegan3788]

Formerly a ballet dancer.

[@jckonstanz]

@@dannyhustle2599 Beats being a grumpy pensioner.

[@dianariverjackson5123]

Eleanor Powell is pretty amazing too

[@NaveDelAmor]

The whole package of perfection!

[@erictrujillo5903]

Fred Astire an iconic musical genius! Michael Jackson was heavily influenced by him. MJ got the idea for "Smooth Crimial" from this musical skit. But also for "Billie Jean", "Rock My World" and the chorus to "Dangerous". Fred Astire was one of MJ's biggest influences as well as Charlie Chapman, James Brown and Jackie Wilson all incredible talents and staples in music history!

[@stephenmiles8424]

i thought the same awesome

[@vixendreamer]

I just remembered that MJ was a major inspiration for Beyonce so it's no surprise that she borrowed from the same source as him in her music video "Naughty Girl" with Usher.

[@treseancann1261]

And Michael Jackson was there to preserve their legacies.

[@treseancann1261]

@@kathleenmaclachlan1541 No one is getting silly over it.

[@treseancann1261]

@@kathleenmaclachlan1541 Actually, we were all talking about how Fred Astaire was an influence on Michael Jackson, a fact which you obviously missed.

[@JaniaSanders]

8:02 is where Michael Jackson got that dance move from and did it in Rock My World in 2001

[@dazzlingdeb8427]

Michael Kidd was innovative.

[@trickydick6152]

That reminds me of Karloff as Frankenstein's monster.

[@paulinanegrete1601]

I knew it! Lol ❤️

[@violet-gaming]

And Beyonce with " naughty girl"

[@noisette82kapo49]

Fred Astaire was one of Michael Jackson's idols, this is said to have been an inspiration for smooth criminal... "study the greats and become greater".

[@alexanderwells4402]

The Girl Hunt Ballet is probably my favorite dance number

[@BeBeXGen]

Alexander Wells Agreed, this is one of the most beautifully conceived musical numbers ever. The satirical nod to film noir, the beauty of Cyd Charisse, the genius of Fed Astaire, the choreography, the humour and the fabulous jazz score. Not to mention the huge influence this number had on Michael Jackson.

[@alexanderwells4402]

@@BeBeXGen Jazz is my kind of music

[@BeBeXGen]

And so is this one for me kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKGmfauki9WamNE

[@secondsightcinema3957]

@Alexander Wells: Commented when I posted this just now that it’s among my very favorite musical numbers, ever. And it still delights me after seeing the movie dozens of times over decades. Visually fantastic, wonderful script, and Astaire has exactly the right tone for Rod Riley. Charisse looks like she’s having fun, too.

[@kennethwayne6857]

I absolutely love it. But my choice for No.1 would have to be 'Limehouse Blues' from 'Ziegfeld Follies'. (Probably wouldn't cut it in today's PC climate.)

[@abevillanueva1974]

Cyd as a blonde! Damn, what a beauty as a blonde, brunette, whatever! And, that splits she does at 6:00 and taking off her jacket at 8:30! Most beautiful, athletic, and talented dancer!

[@mikegike7273]

Yup.

[@riverwildcat1]

Such fabulous dancing coupled with parody is rare, and this is done with incomparable heart and art! Masterful, funny, and dazzling. Nothing in this world can surpass Astaire & Charisse!

[@roxannemiller6961]

Pure perfection, by two brilliantly talented dancers.

[@americanitalianisrael4008]

You will never see this Exquisite Superb Talent on every level in anything Today. Never.

[@angelainyt]

I love the Old Hollywood musicals, in color, they are fun to watch, those gowns are so beautiful

[@rama-annawallace2823]

Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire : perfection ! ❤❤❤ Those legs ... Wow !!! ❤❤❤

[@luisastetecanal3599]

Simplemente FABULOSO este breve Ballet Americano de aquellos tiempos !!!! El PODER de un pais o Cultura no solo es economico...sino; su GRANDIOSO ARTE. Es gracias a este medio (youytbe), que uno conoce esta MARAVILLA, aunque sea algo tarde....Ojala difundan el Arte de estos dias amigos de USA. saludos de Peru.

[@QuicknStraight]

Cyd Charisse at her absolute best and most gorgeous.

[@ladyarthuria]

Sooo my friend asked me, "Why don't you like La La Land?.That movie so popular and good." Hm..I can't watch La La Land anymore after watch Fred Astaire dancing.Real legend, real artist, fantastic.

[@jerome2022]

Still can

[@wandertree]

He was the best!

[@tadimaggio]

I've seen this marvelous gem of a movie in big-screen revivals several times; and EVERY time, when Cyd Charisse takes that coat off at 8:37 to reveal that jaw-dropping red dress, there are GASPS throughout the theater. "The Girl Hunt Ballet", and the "Broadway Melody" sequence from "Singin' In The Rain" would be my choices for "The Two Film Sequences I Would Choose To Have With Me On A Desert Island".

[@juliebrehove6817]

I have the same feeling. I know it's coming. It's on the movie poster. It's the iconic costume from the movie. And I ALWAYS get chills. She knows she looks impeccable. Oh to be Cyd Charisse!

[@kennethwayne6857]

What impeccable taste you have. I first saw this on a theater screen at age 11 in 1977 at the Regency (remember it like yesterday) and several times since, last time in the late '90's sitting right next to Betty Comden and Adolph Green!

[@badgrand]

Absolutely marvelous, a true climax, gasp inducing indeed. Thoroughly impressed. every single time.

[@valerijamezhybovska2836]

always!

[@tadimaggio]

@@kennethwayne6857 GOD, how I envy you! Even if you didn't get a chance to talk with them, just being that close to two of the maestri of the great MGM musicals would be unforgettable.

[@karenrhjackson1331]

FABULOUS ❤❤❤

[@laura_kb]

The director of Smooth Criminal had shown Michael Jackson this clip.The Smooth Criminal video borrows heavily from this. The choreographer for Girl Hunt is Michael Kidd.I liked how Michael Jackson could incorporate some of these moves and some of the lyrics and make them modern. Fred and Michael were both admirers of each others work.

[@floscramble1545]

Also the dance moves for dangerous the song and the lyrics, obviously

[@YesterdaysMoose]

Annie, are you okay? So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay? So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay?

[@tanapatyangkaew4649]

SO ANNIE ARE YOU OKAY ARE YOU OKAY ANNIE Annie are you okay would you tell us that u okay

[@astrocat2330]

@@tanapatyangkaew4649 He came into your apartment he left the bloodstains on the carpet 😔😫

[@hadassah179]

Annie: do i look like i'm okay to you ? just take the ring.

[@EthalaRide]

5:02 that slide lives in my brain rent-free, I swear.

[@bigred9428]

I always think, "Her poor knees."

[@LC-sc3en]

I keep wondering what they put on the floor to make that possible at all.

[@najat5779]

Guess I'm a bit curmudgeonly today, but if I have to read one more, "Oh, my gosh, this is like, SO Michael Jackson and _his_ genius" or the even more witless, "how many are here because of MJ?" I'm going to lose it. Yup, the man was excellent at what he did and his mark and contribution are unforgettable. But no, this is NOT about him (or Beyoncé... n.b. Cyd was sexy because she kept most of her clothing ON). This is the genius of, and a tribute to, the one-of-a-kind Minelli, Kidd, Smith, Astaire and Charisse.

[@andrewmiller4885]

Cyd Charisse she was so underrated as an actress and as a dancer. Cyd was an incredible talent. So much of the focus in dance scenes is put on Gene Kelly and Fred Astair when they have danced with Cyd. Kind of annoys me really because all eyes on Cyd Charisse. I can tell you for a fact when my family have watched the dance scenes in many of her films, the guys and the girls are commenting on, and watching Cyd not her male dance partners in the scenes. She was beautiful, talented, she had a great figure, and boy oh boy what a set of legs she had on her. Rest in Peace Miss Cyd Charisse, you were beyond fantastic. Thank you for this video clip.

[@barbarakaufman5384]

cyd's legs are the most beautiful ever

[@joed.1547]

She is unbelievable in that red dress...Dang

[@copyrightcharacter1166]

For those smarties in the comment, no Michael did not steal this, it was in tribute to Fred Astaire who had died in 1987, when this was made. It was not stealing, he literally dedicated it to Fred Astaire - the book Moonwalk literally starts with a dedicated tribute to Fred Astaire lol... Michael did this because Fred Astaire was his idol and because Fred Astaire literally called him up after the Motown 25 performance when Michael was crying because he thought it was awful. Fred said he could die happy knowing Michael Jackson lived, he said Michael was the best dancer he had ever seen. Michael was no thief, this was a tribute.

[@bigred9428]

In the arts they call it "influenced by".

[@treseancann1261]

Shortly before he passed away in 1987, Fred Astaire said, "I didn't want to leave this world without knowing who my descendant was. Thank you, Michael."

[@johnwright1447]

The bit about the rag, the bone, and the hank of hair being the clue is priceless -- it is a quote from a Kipling poem about a woman unworthy of her lover's true devotion. In other words, the "guy was trying to tell me something" was a warning about the femme fatale (both blonde and brunette) portrayed by Cyd Charisse.

[@louiscortez1028]

Cyd Charisse once called my place of business and I surprised myself by recognizing her voice so I asked, "Excuse me but might you be Cyd Charisse? In her most old Hollywood voice she answered, "Why yes!"

[@bigred9428]

Good job! All I would have gotten out was, "Homina, homina, homina.."

[@Miss-Placed.1]

The happiness I feel when I watch this is sublime

[@Tube4mj]

Michael always said he was influenced by the greats :)

[@justanotherti4790]

Lord..how many hours of practice went in to this? 🔥 The backup dancers were 🔥 pure fire! Cyd Charisse let everybody it and nobody could handle it. Her dance flow in this sequence is breathtaking.

[@RowantheHearingAssistDog]

Julie Newmar is in the dress shop scene.

[@HelenA-fd8vl]

Fantastic …

[@dazzlingdeb8427]

My favorite movie dance number. It’s funny, too, as it spoofs Mikey Spillane novels and those great Dick Powell film noir movies, such as when he played Philip Marlowe in Murder, My Sweet. See if you can spot a particular use of the camera that was utilized in Murder My Sweet. I love watching Michael Kidd’s signature moves. Fred was probably 52 or 53 years old when he performed this dance. Amazing, really.

[@marciadiehl5733]

Fred was 54 years old when he made this movie. Incredible that he had this much control and strength in his dancing at this age.

[@debrathompson4319]

54

[@annranhem3417]

This ballet made movie history.

[@PresidentialHP]

That french horn at 10:50 ..... just wow. Hats off to Conrad Salinger.

[@patricemoran7469]

Fred made 31 musicsl films ( 10 of which were with Ginger Rogers) with usually 3 or 4 dance routines in each. He is widely considered the greatest film dancer of the 20th Century. His last big.movie musical was 'Silk Stockings' with Cyd Charrise in 1958....Fred was an unbelievable 59. His autobiography written in 1958 is a good read for those interested in learning more about his phenominal career and how it all began. As Gene Kelly once said "there will never be another Fred Astaire".

[@patricemoran7469]

I stand corrected!

[@roxannemiller6961]

No never,amazing artistic talent.

[@kendrabrevard1976]

and you can see BAD the subway scene

[@Elena-gd5qu]

Michael Kidd is a brilliant choreographer!

[@micheladerry5681]

she was a great dancer.

[@danmar007]

They don't make them like they used to.

[@chigal0926]

Wow!!! I can see how Michael Jackson was influenced by this. This shows MJ’s artistic genius. Looking to the greats of dance and cinema.

[@intothewoods_dave]

Dawn French does a hilarious parody of this...a must see

[@ducter2001]

This was 11:58 mins of PURE entertainment. I can't believe it (thought I read it here) that Astaire was 54 making this movie.LOVED the shotguns cracking! I'm always amazed how they got everything spot-on in these movies?

[@chriscarson7384]

Love this movie and especially this dance routine. Thanks so much for posting this!

[@caryt59]

"CATWOMAN" at 3:01, 3:05 and 3:17! (Julie Newmar)

[@filmescolecoesdoclaudio7024]

One of The best movies ever made!!

[@randolphwhite3406]

and the best musical.

[@filmescolecoesdoclaudio7024]

Alongside with Singin' In The Rain (my favorite movie)

[@vintagesubliminals3398]

Masterpiece, masterpiece, masterpieceeeee.

[@jamesbarbour8400]

No arguement there - the whole thing is simply breath taking ! Kudos too, to those backing dancers - the sheer agility, timing and poise - utter perfection ! As for Astaire and Charise, no words.....

[@justsaybobby]

Wow. I never knew just how much MJ “borrowed” from Astaire.

[@paulinanegrete1601]

I was just thinking the same thing 😂. Literally copied

[@globalcitizenn]

This piece inspired many artists.. it’s in Beyoncé’s naughty girl video too

[@globalcitizenn]

This piece was one of MJ’s favourites.. you’ll find tribute in Smooth Criminal, Dangerous, You rock my world and even the way he had planned to walk off the stage with the girl after TWYMMF in This is it.

[@globalcitizenn]

@Randy White He was inspired by many people. Studied the greats and made it his own. Astaire, James Brown, Sammy Davis, Jackie Wilson, Bob Fosse, Martha Graham, West side story, Grease, Indian Classical Dance, Native American Dancing, African dancing, street dancing all came together in him

[@filsdejeannoir1776]

I would have called it modernisation rather than 'borrowing'.

[@alanrowekelly11359]

Check out Julie Newmar as the red-headed salon model at 2:56!

[@wandertree]

I noticed that too! And in Seven Brides.

[@kalicat9492]

😮 that's her! 🤩

[@jpdemer5]

They don't make movies like they used to. Heck, they don't even make legs like they used to!

[@sailorqvlogs]

@8:05 definitely one of Michaels favorite dance moves

[@naomiyokoi9248]

5:04 dat slide do

[@jazzyjaz9108]

When my mom makes my favorite meal I slide to her just like this

[@wandertree]

@@jazzyjaz9108 LOL

[@angel10123]

Michael learnt from the greats and became the greatest ❤💯

[@Zoro-go1mc]

11:33 "The girl was bad. The girl was dangerous."

[@esmeephillips5888]

Bob Fosse was getting credit for slithering around on his knees in 'Kiss Me Kate' (same year). but check out Cyd at 5:04. Michael Kidd was at his peak. As an ex-ballet dancer he knew how to bring out Cyd's best, here and in 'Dancing in the Dark'. Soon afterwards he choreographed the barn-raising in 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'.

[@jennab.6723]

ICONIC

[@lovelydaniel8083]

Beyonce, Naughty Girl choreography was inspired as well !!!

[@michaelfox5376]

The Girl Hunt Ballet's narration was written by Alan Jay Lerner.

[@kennethwayne6857]

Yes, was about to mention the same thing. You beat me to it. Wonder how many people recognize Julie Newmar?

[@thierrybortolotto4181]

Same here.

[@PetePeterkin]

Ben Mankiewicz said Eleanor Powell was better than Fred Astaire.REALLY??? Cyd in my opinion was his BEST partner. Eleanor was great...but could you imagine her pulling off this routine ???

[@abevillanueva1974]

Cyd for me any day!

[@wandertree]

I think Eleanor was the most technically proficient - but I agree with you that nobody but Cyd could've pulled this one off!

[@juliebrehove6817]

To me, their signature styles were too different. Eleanor Powell was all about precision tapping and athleticism and syncopation. Paired with Astaire, she complemented that area of his skillset. Here, Cyd's ballet technique brings out Astaire's gracefulness. Eleanor Powell was very girl next door and up-tempo, while Cyd was more sultry.

[@patricemoran7469]

No...Eleanor Powell mostly danced solo except in Broadway Melody of 1940 with George Murphy and Fred. Eleanor had a very athletic style. She was wonderful. Her 'Begin the Beguine' number with Fred in that film is fabulous. It's right here on You Tube Tube.

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@wandertree Eleanor could not have played a baaaad girl; her sensuality was considerable but self-contained. Cyd could not tap and lacked syncopation capability. Her forte, as with Leslie Caron, was sinuous, silky ballet motion, but Powell and Vera-Ellen were the most versatile. Ellie stands apart from the rest as the auteur and choreographer of her entire body of work. Astaire told Roddy McDowall after he retired that 'she was the greatest woman dancer probably in history' and that he had been terrified of her. But that is not necessarily the ideal basis for a partnership.

[@sarahpeacock5583]

need to see everything michael kidd has choregraphed - anyone help me?

[@dianariverjackson5123]

3:28 Divinity in motion

[@troynov1965]

Cyd Charisse had one banging body.

[@JuanCruz-jq9md]

Shut up

[@cabrerapriscila]

Fred Astaire the choreography worshipper! My biggest inspiration.

[@Chamsk]

Moonwalker vibe Fred was mj inspiration

[@TransformersFan1991]

8:31 Here's what you're looking for

[@ScottMcDonaldScottytodd]

Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal, Bad, Dangerous, You Rock My World soo many references! Pure genius

[@KelvinMartinez]

It also has the Billie Jean music video reference in there too.

[@Stacy55ish]

Incredible production.

[@welpiguess]

ahh so THIS is what inspired Smooth Criminal. Wow, "inspire" is a serious understatement who am i kiddin i mean Michael studied this pictures

[@allthingsauz]

Not only smooth criminal, but you rock my world

[@aaronboyd1850]

I've been looking for this since that one scene in Shall We Dance. 6 years since i first saw that movie.

[@rejmons1]

Detective Fred Marlowe? Musical movie as the noir movie? WHY NOT! The entourage is as it should be in a bad quarter of a bad city. Bad guys are as bad as they should be! The private detective is as he should be - an embittered man at a crossroads in life. And the femme fatal is beautiful, mysterious, and dangerous as she should be! But everything at first looked like pure entertainment. Nothing serious, everything is contractual and tongue-in-cheek. BRILLIANT!

[@jomo9862]

This whole scene is smooth criminal the beginning, even the fights.

[@MrBrutal33]

No, smooth criminal ripped this off not the other way around!

[@ImaPizzaK]

@@MrBrutal33 lol

[@ImaPizzaK]

@@MrBrutal33 he didn't rip it off and that's not what the comment means

[@tedbragg74]

Cyd Charisse make ya wanna gnaw on the furniture…

[@johnhaug9612]

@2:03 Fred Astaire is Hugh Laurie.

[@wandertree]

Oh wow, you're right!!

[@alissanegron7720]

"Another page in the case book of Rod Riley was finished. The city was asleep, the joints were closed, the rats and the hoods and the killers were in their holes. I felt good, but something was missing. She was bad, she was dangerous. I wouldn’t trust her any farther than I could throw her, but she was my kind of woman."❤️🔥

[@najat5779]

Gotta love it.

[@brunohenrique1915]

A base de Smooth Criminal

[@user7204]

Also the base of the live perfomance of Dangerous.

[@bronxdada]

Grave ! She was bad, she was dangerous...

[@lipe2t4z52]

KKKKKKKKKKKK

[@jessicajean6148]

E de Dangerous também que foi gravado algum tempo depois This girls is bad This girls is danguerous Na verdade Michael aprendeu muito com Fred Asteire

[@Quimlh]

Fred Astaire y Cyd Charisse son bailarines magníficos.

[@najat5779]

So glad to find this marvelous clip here, but the two "suggestions" for follow-up vids quite a few seconds before the end plastered over Astaire and Charisse kinda kill it. That could have waited for the credits or at least until they walk off-stage.

[@esmeephillips5888]

All the WB clips are blighted by this bad habit.

[@fiercemakeup31]

Michael Jackson worshipped Gene Kelly ♥️

[@aaronmehaffey6251]

10:21 That’s an objectively good move!

[@sahilkhan2470]

@02:50 looks like Billie Jean video clip where MJ walks and also the cloth he would find while walking

[@gerdamaria3333]

What a persiflage, what humorous wit, what choreography, what dancing, what perfection! Thank you!

[@WesleyGathage]

"She came at me in sections with the eyes of desire" "The girl was bad, the girl was dangerous" ~ Michael Jackson (Dangerous)

[@charlie-obrien]

The Girl Hunt Ballet ranks right up there with the Broadway Melody scene from "Singing in the Rain" with Gene Kelly. Cyd Charrise was the femme fatale in both numbers! Ladies and Gentlemen, it never got any better than that!

[@avasaadyi8400]

Who else came here because of Michael Jackson ?😁😉

[@Robert-ri7mt]

Annie are u ok.

[@wandertree]

LOL

[@emerybayblues]

That slide by Cyd Charisse at 5:05!

[@esmeephillips5888]

Impossible not to see this as a riposte from Astaire, the old master, to Gene Kelly, the young challenger. In 'Broadway Melody', from 'Singin' in the Rain', Kelly had played a wimpy greenhorn who is fascinated by Cyd but loses her to a gangster. In 'Girl Hunt', released the following year, Fred is a hardened tough who kills one Cyd and triumphantly exits with the other. This assertion of superiority was prophetic. Cyd was not at her best with Kelly in 'Brigadoon' and did not partner him at all in 'It's Always Fair Weather'; whereas Astaire's intended farewell to movies, 'Silk Stockings', features her best all-round performance. Their duet in 'Fated to be Mated' is one underrated gem by Fred and Hermes Pan.