The Berry Bothers (1948) | Great Hoofers and Flash Acts

The Berry Brothers were an African-American "exotic, acrobatic soft shoe dance" trio, active in the entertainment business for over 30 years. The trio was composed of Ananias (Nyas, "King of the Strut"), James and Warren Berry.
In 1938, at the Cotton Club there was a face-off dance competition between the Nicholas Brothers and the Berry Brothers. It has become a legendary confrontation, a sort of dance-fight for supremacy. By some accounts the Berry Brothers were more athletic but the Nicholas Brothers were better overall performers - better at pleasing the crowd.[5]
At the peak of their success, in the 1940s, the Berry Brothers also performed their routines in some Hollywood movies.
The experience of the Berry Brothers came to a sudden end when Nyas died in 1951 of heart failure.[6] James and Warren continued to perform together or individually for a few more years. James died in 1969, and Warren in 1996 after working for over 15 years as a film editor.
From the A Cinema Apart/Larry Richards Collection. Shared for historical references.
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[@homebusinessdad]

woooow!! The standard of acrobatics and combinations with their jazz moves with the walking stick tricks is SO HIGH, that this is STILL AMAZING NOW in 2023....timeless, as these moves are STILL NOT EASY!

[@zesty9815]

Even in this poorly-preserved footage, that's just an amazing performance! Singing, acrobatics, juggling, comedy, _and_ incredible dancing, all at once.

[@kevinwoodard9698]

Thank you so very much!!! I've never seen these brothers. But am I the only the only one that noticed the acrobatic duo move; when he jumped up and literally smacked his brother square in the face with his sack! That takes mental toughness. How did they practice that shit!!!

[@FUNNYMANERICWHITE]

😆

[@knickster2955]

Very classy! Vintage just like in the golden age. Me and my grandparents used to watch old classic movie musicals all the time when I was a kid. I was unique by the style and profound artform of tap, broadway tap and classical tap. Tappers like the nicholas brothers, bill Robinson, fred astaire, gene kelly, arthur Duncan, vera ellen, eleanor powell and so on. Somehow, you must have that kind of mindset when I express these kinda things! 👞🎩🎩🎼

[@MOA0831]

Y2KTapFan 27 Lisa LeftEye uncle one of them, not sure which.

[@e37a]

INCREDIBLE!!!!

[@N2LADIES55]

I enjoyed watching those talented brothers dance. Could you imagine if they were breakdancers in the 1980s-90s how they would have amazed us with their dancing?

[@wandawilliams3110]

As a dancer, not trained.. just basic really.. I know. the stamina, poise, and movements required to complete those dances.. Now, that I've said that.. Let me say this.. EQUISITE

[@knickster2955]

Thanks for the upload. Just wish I could hear the Tap, Click sounds....but its all good. Thanks for sending me love!

[@patmauney5728]

Michael Jackson, wasn't that the Moon Walk you took credit for????? 1930s and 1940s...WOW!

[@jkdortch2308]

NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

[@MOA0831]

Pat Mauney One of the Hoofer's is Lisa LeftEye uncle, which explains why she can step light on her feet.

[@MOA0831]

pre-break dancing too, just look.

[@qtallenandrews3715]

Moonwalk "48...sorry Jeffrey Daniels.lol

[@mupirate]

Those guys were doing luchador moves too! TIME TRAVELERS??????????

[@jkdortch2308]

THERES ONE FORM OF MUSIC YOU HAVENT COVERED YET AND ITS THE ONLY MUSIC THAT THE INDUSTRY CANT COPY

[@steviearmstrong7412]

This I Lengendary

[@markr.devereux3385]

Wheres the 3rd brother ?

[@sls554]

Berry Brothers are amazing. They are dancing Jazz, some B-Boys dancing, and some Break dancing to in 1948.

[@angels_in_velvet]

Wow. They did the moonwalk and breakdancing plus sing and acrobatics. Absolutely Awesome! So talented.

[@sls554]

That was some B-Boys dancing acrobatics.

[@heathertea2704]

That RUNNING SLIDE SPLIT BETWEEN BRUH'S LEGS?👀 HOT DAMN!!! 🔥🔥🔥👏👏👏

[@savannah58]

Absolutely loving this channel

[@profesae]

Wow 71 years ago and as a 16 year old I’m shocked how dances evolved over the years

[@dr.leestonepsychotherapist]

2:42!!! WOW!

[@ttrung0101]

Das getting epic although this is old-fashioned.

[@kyraocity]

Hmmm. There’s no hoofing article on Wikipedia. Hmm. Why not? Dancing while black don’t matter? It deserves its own article. Hoofing and tap dancing are as different as night and day.

[@nicolebutler2860]

Do the research and submit an article.

[@sls554]

African Americans have to pay for Wikipedia, Television, books to get our history in these media.

[@sls554]

​@@nicolebutler2860 Submit but it is going to cost.

[@kyraocity]

@@sls554 no we don’t. I’m a Wikipedia editor. Anyone can edit and create articles. There’s rules but the whole thing is not for profit

[@koastalpeach4535]

Enjoyed this clip👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@anekehyacinth1049]

Tv

[@60_percenTT]

A Yo! This shit was bugged out.

[@60_percenTT]

I love your page. It's so strong & powerful. However, I believe ; that this could still , all be a trick by Central. I am aware of the programming of blacks.

[@gallyun1]

Timeless skill

[@amenra412]

The ending was amazing when he jumped on his neck though and twirled him ...doing it before dancing with the stars

[@gailjackson8187]

To much bull in our heads 🤯 still great to see.! 💯💃 Thanks Mike

[@eatallnowsavenone4later342]

Before Les Twins!!😂