Top 20 Tap Dance Scenes in Movies

[@carolinegoss856]

Donald O’Connor was so overlooked as a dancer. He was fabulous!

[@elizabethpowers7540]

The first great crush of my life when I was 4 I was madly in love with both him and Danny Kaye (what can I say, even at 4 we girls are allowed to be fickle). Still love them both and have regularly argued to my mother that he was a better dancer than Gene Kelly. The Moses supposes number they showed in this video is my evidence look at it, he's better.

[@reikun86]

And he was smoking four packs a day during Singing in the Rain. The guy was a beast.

[@elizabethpowers7540]

@@reikun86 Excellent point. He really was incredible; make 'em laugh was a much harder number than the more talked about singin' in the rain. If you look at some of his other work, he really was a phenomenal athlete. There was a reason he was chosen to play Buster Keaon - which if you haven't seen you really should.

[@elizabethpowers7540]

@Lisa Mathis You've gotten confused - Hans Christian Anderson was Danny Kaye

[@marymarysmarket3508]

Yep....he’s more exciting to watch than Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly

[@RhaegarTargaryen1st]

Thank you for showing love to the glorious and criminally underappreciated Ann Miller!

[@CarolinaGirl6919]

Absolutely! And as a woman, I would call her lovely, shapely legs as "-goals!"

[@leeanneyoungman8028]

Yeah I’m ashamed of myself for not being into her.. but now wow she is one of my favourites.. love her,

[@colleenross8752]

Not only an amazing dancer, but a good singer too

[@bozotheclown935]

These people were not just dancers they were spectacular athlete's. The strength to make it look so effortless and easy. Beats the crap of today by miles..

[@fitzfitzgerald3187]

tappers are still doing this stuff today, just not in big movies any more. the art form itself is thriving and in the middle of a renaissance- go to any tap meetup or festival and you'll see people rivaling the talent here.

[@silky0439]

What makes the Nicholas Brothers so Amazing (besides the fact that Fred Astaire was wowed by them) is the fact that they were completely self taught.

[@marydalton8083]

The greatest dancers ever!

[@silky0439]

@@marydalton8083 agreed!

[@steveclapper5424]

and they came from a wealthy family.

[@maipe6917]

I love watching the Nicholas brothers dance. Always fast, athletic, artistic and still so suave!

[@pamelamccall5653]

The very best!

[@LaurieSwenson]

I was disappointed that the name of Donald O'Connor, my favorite tap dancer, was not mentioned in the "Singin' in the Rain" dance with Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. Only his character's name was mentioned.

[@leeanneyoungman8028]

And he was absolutely brilliant in I lone Melvin.. in roller skates no less what an incredible man.. love love love him.. cheers..

[@cgaskill13]

A totally underrated performer

[@leeanneyoungman8028]

@@cgaskill13 yeah.. agreed! And it was love not lone opps 😂

[@valley5617]

Agree. Best hoofer ever

[@louishershfang2735]

@@leeanneyoungman8028 see s.

[@cindystrachan8566]

I can’t believe you left out the athletic and incomparable dancing in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers! Russ Tamblyn, Jacques D’Amboise and the others turn every number into jaw-dropping spectacle.

[@michguy1019]

Because the title is: Tap Dance Scenes in Movies - the brothers didn't tap

[@jonnarobinson7541]

I do not consider seven brides for seven Brothers to be a tap routine. I don’t believe there was any tapping in it at all. But yes it was one of the best dances and movie history.

[@elizabethpowers7540]

I still say Gideon jumping the axe was the most impressive dance move ever. Think about it; he did it forward AND BACKWARD without ever letting go of the axe and standing on a log. I dare you to try that; if you can do it without busting your face you are more talented than most professional dancers. But in defense of the video, this one was about TAP dancing and 7B4SB wasn't really a tap movie.

[@waterlily6543]

Yes that was Michael kiddschoreography Russ was the best

[@flakeyjake4177]

When I was a kid, my folks couldn't afford both piano and dance lessons, and chose to keep the piano lessons. I'm a senior now and still play the piano well, but I sure wish I could have kept both and learned how to tap dance. What a joyful and fascinating form of dance, I never get tired of watching it. Thanks!

[@mary5827]

I love watching the Nicholas Brothers! Wow! And I also love Gregory Hines and that scene with all the veteran tappers. So much talent in one room!!!! Amazing!

[@dayrever1010]

The Nicholas Brothers routine was so amazing. I've watched it so many times.

[@amberjohnson4820]

All of these are so legendary! Gregory Heinz was a true class act. I truly love all the dancers here. Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly will always make my heart happy. Anne Miller is absolutely divine in every performance. And Bojangles Robinson dancing with Shirley Temple is what made the movies so much fun to watch in the Golden Age of Film. Thank you so much for a terrific list!!!!! 💖

[@AvalonMorley]

I agree with you, but want to note the spelling of that gorgeous man’s name is Gregory Hines. Such a wonderful talent and human being!

[@dianeridley9804]

@@AvalonMorley I'm 100% convinced autocorrect is the problem here

[@italiangirl2789]

@Lisa Mathis I want to see the commercial! 😀

[@MamaPinks]

Mr. Bojangles and Shirley Temple are my favorite duo. It has always warmed my heart.

[@jonnarobinson7541]

I am a high school dance teacher. We do a tap unit. We discuss different styles of tap. I thought your video was outstanding. So glad you included vera Ellen. And other leading black tap artist. I enjoyed every minute!

[@servraghgiorsal7382]

Aside from Vera Ellen's dancing skillsw, have you ever seen a smaller waist ??? Ann millers energy was off the charts, cyd Charisse was pure elegance and Jane Powell was the quintessential amarican girl!. Judy Garland worked herself to death to develop her talent, but think what she could have done if they hadnt been so damned determined to make her into a sellable commodity. I'd like to know the after stories of their lives.

[@jeffreylindahl5895]

Dancing is one of the most beautiful art forms in the world and sadly underappreciated.

[@emitch9213]

12. James Cagney's scene coming down the staircase was not of the original scripted scene. When the director was rolling the camera for Cagney to step down the staircase, Cagney suddenly went into a improvising tap sequence as he descended. Much to the lot and director's surprise! Gagney was an old vaudeville dancer before he was in the films and contracted. What a gem moment of Gagney that made for a wonderful film clip. I can only imagine that this was the director's unimagined dream come true with the camera rolling in ONE TAKE! Thank you! And the other clips are all gems, too!

[@trinaq]

I loved the Billy Elliot angry dance to "Town Called Malice", it's so epic, and the best way for Billy to let out his pent up rage!

[@sourpatchkids5489]

Yea same

[@laylapuertomorelos]

Jamie Bell did such a marvelous job ! What an inspired dancer....at that tender age !

[@suzannecooke2055]

So, why are there tap sounds when Billy's shoes are rubber soled?

[@carolecarr5210]

Yeah, that made the movie a success.

[@alcook8339]

I showed my nephews the dance sequence ‘make them laugh’ and I had never heard them squeal with joy before or since. Over and over again they watched it, thinks it was the greatest thing they’ve ever seen. I think it’s time to show them some more tap dancing scenes

[@philippschwartzerdt3431]

In the movie Tap the “old” guys were apart from Samy Davis Jr. (64 in 1989), Sandman Sims, Bunny Briggs, Steve Condos, Jimmy Slyde, Pat Rico, Arthur Duncan and Harold Nicholas. And Harold Nicolas was the oldest of them, born in 1914 (passed in 2006) and he was already about 75 when the movie was shown in 1989. I love that scene!❤ So it is kind of nice that you mention them to be in their late 50’s and 60’s when in fact they were a decade older. It is therefore even the more impressive how these guys performed.

[@NiKiMa023]

To this day, I constantly ‘challenge’ folk like Sandman. Throwing fake sand, moving about and then screaming “CHALLANGEEEE!” Few know wtf I’m talking about

[@joycefears2046]

Donald O’Connor’s solo dance in Dancing in the Rain. Always laugh out loud when he dances with the dummy.

[@rubyhay450]

I too laugh out loud at his dance number with that headless dummy he treated as a girl!

[@susansurles3776]

I love his balloon busting dance in call me madam

[@virginiaschaefer9693]

I agree, but this was only tap dancing.

[@kazza6078]

My favorite part of Abraham is that it feels so smooth and easy while being so high energy. The way they just walk and turn casually into the start gets me every time. The essence of cool

[@cathyperson7451]

I always wonder how Abraham would have been with Donald O'Connor who was originally cast as the 2nd lead before having to drop out because of illness

[@w.m.515]

Have always been a big fan of Ann Miller and the Nicholas Brothers. So glad to see them featured so prominently in this countdown.

[@judycyg6912]

Loved this collection. Still think that "Moses Supposes" with Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor should be identified by itself, and high on the list!!

[@jinakaye]

Gene Kelly, Gregory Hines, Eleanor Powell, and the Nicholas Brothers are definitely in my top 5. They were all such amazing showstoppers!

[@colleenross8752]

Anne Miller too

[@znachkiznachki5352]

Hard disagree that 'Good Morning' is a better choice than 'Moses Supposes'. Moses is one of the greatest pure tap numbers ever filmed. Loved that you've included the 'Tap Masters' number. It was such a joy to see. At the time the movie came out it really gave all of these fine dancers the wide showcase they never had in the prime of their careers. I really think that the movie Tap, which featured these gentlemen, and a very young Savion Glover, had a lot to do with the resurgence of the art of tap dancing.

[@cindychandler20]

I used to sing Good Morning as I woke him after nights he gave me a hard time about going to bed. At about 8 yes old, I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Ms. Reynolds. I introduced my son to her. He didn't know what to say so he started singing the song to her. She smiled and sang it with him!! I wish I had a video camera! But I'll NEVER forget it!!! She was an amazing lady.

[@susanoconnor971]

Unbelievable. What enormously talented dancers. WOW 😯 ! Thank God we have them on film. God Rest Their Souls.

[@catherinedeiuliis6992]

I am so thankful for happening upon this video. I was born in 57 when everything I watched were considered repeats.Every cell in my body was tingling in an old familiar pleasure of my youth. Greatly loved and missed…ALL OF THEM….GREAT INFLUENCES…

[@BlueSaphire70]

Debbie Reynolds was such a talented artist! I can't believe that she danced so beautifully in "Singing in the Rain" without the benefit of any formal training. Amazing! This collection of scenes is spot on!

[@christinebutler7630]

Gene Kelly had to teach her.

[@noelledenault9257]

She was trained, but only 18 at the time...

[@maryannangros8834]

She said that her feet were bleeding after "Good Morning."

[@kelly_kpb]

So thrilled to see the masters in Tap at #2. Such a little known film, and it has so many greats in it.

[@jcsinca3387]

I'm really glad people take the time to put these videos together. I really appreciate it. As a kid I thought these shows were just way too corny but I still respected them and watched them mesmerized by the skills of these talented actors and actresses on my old black and white TV. The older I get the more I appreciate how extraordinarily talented these actors and actresses were and how they worked so hard to bring a few moments of joy and happiness into our lives. A lot of these movie clips were used recently showing them as dancing to Bruno Mars Uptown Funk which is just totally cool and shows how timeless they are. The song may change but the rhythms of life remain constant.

[@diamondstuddedpunchingbag4718]

"The Little Colonel"....the directors kept trying to keep Shirley from holding Bojangles hand as that wasn't "allowed" at the time. In her innocence of the times, she insisted...racism is taught not inherent.

[@AvalonMorley]

Just don’t let Ted Cruz hear you say that.

[@CarolinaGirl6919]

I agree completely. One of my proudest realizations as a mother happened during a conversation with my (then) 10 or 11 yr old daughter. I was describing some despicable instance I had read or heard somewhere wherein--and I quote myself-- "the N-word was used" (probably talking about a song, actually) My little girl said, Mommy, I don't know that word. What are you talkin' about?" I gave her a hug and told her not to "worry about it, you don't need to know that word." I still think about that ten years later, reminding me that that crap IS taught, and can be completely avoided. One huge help in that is that you don't associate with in any way, or expose your kids to, people who spout hate.

[@cuttwice3905]

"Carefully Taught" from South Pacific (1949) was the first musical song to point out that racism is taught.

[@Wandervenn]

Tapdancing is at the same level as puppetry for me. It's this skill that's often given the "weird" kids in shows and movies, but when it's done well people are just blown away every time. The dissonance between people's preconceptions and how it actually makes them feel when they see it is awesome.

[@petravh4711]

Not for me. Just disjointed, inelegant, jerky, dissonant, ugly puppets. Only one worth watching for me in this whole thing is Baryshnikov in White Nights, because he can dance brilliantly. Why the best of his generation? It's glaringly obvious. Watch his control of the proportions of his body, always aligned, perfectly contained, versus the flapping of Gregory Hines (although I liked his acting in the movie). Baryshnikov could out-tap a tap dancer, could the others even manage any of the rest of that man's repertoire, leave alone ballet? JMO

[@kittyowlblu]

Lulaby of Broadway is like Riverdance to Irish Dancing. I adore Happy Feet 'Boogie Wonderland', tapdancing penguins, what could be more perfect!

[@kathrynshaw192]

I'm 77 now in '22 and loved growing up watching most of these tap dancers. A few years ago, I tried to get a copy of the movie with Bojangles and Shirley Temple singing "Mr. Blue Birds on my shoulder. It's the truth. It's actual." I found that it was one of those things that had been "banned" in the foolishness of the early 1950s. If I wanted a copy I would have to order one from France. With the recent loose talk of book banning, this seems like a good time to remind people that they can lose a great deal with these frivolous bans.

[@jcsinca3387]

Yes, I remember that too, Zip A Dee Do Da. I think it was in Song of the South by Walt Disney and that was banned because apparently it made it appear as if they were glorifying plantation life, and that blacks were never happier than when on the plantation - which they probably were since Disney was a racist. But I still remember that song and that great show and I don't remember anything about racism when I think of it. I just remember happy people singing and dancing so they can't take that away from us. That song Zip A Dee Do Da is still stuck in my head 50 years later. I only saw it the one time so it must have been great to stay with me.

[@kathrynshaw192]

@@jcsinca3387 - As a 6 year old white girl from Wisconsin, I remember being terrified of the nonsense that they forced us little children to go through in the name of "racism". I had to walk all alone for 2 blocks, get on a city bus, travel down into Washington DC, cross a busy street all alone in order to get to the "white" school. I always seemed to fall asleep on the bus returning home and was terrified that I would never see my parents or family again. I confronted my father, a lawyer, after I saw "negro" children playing ball in front of the "colored" school a few blocks from our home. Even though we lived in "public housing" made necessary by the shortages after the War, we were not allowed to initiate friendships with "colored kids" in front of the row houses even though they lived just a couple of homes away from us.. My Dad got down on his knees to explain that I had to respect their privacy. If they initiated a friendship behind the homes, that was okay. It never happened. I always figured that we had black and white cows in Wisconsin that gave good milk. Deciding how a person would be treated based on the color of their skin was just foolish.

[@hazelholmshaw9415]

I have got the Song of the South c.d. It's a beaut.

[@justanothergoogler6436]

Gene Kelly's bod deserved an Oscar - that rear end!

[@rabidfollower]

There needs to be a modern version of That's Entertainment that includes the many great dance scenes in films of recent decades.

[@countmein33]

I decided to learn tap in my early twenties. I was amazed that I learned to walk, because my feet were so clumsy trying to do tap. Watching this brought tears to my eyes.

[@michaeltutty1540]

What a fantastic selection. It was super to see George Burns and Gracie Allen, if only for such a short time. Before Vaudeville, Gracie had been an award winning Irish dancer. In his early career, George had been a dancer, but even they were in awe of the talent they were trying to match step for step. I can only image how difficult to dance on a moving turntable. There is one dance scene I was disappointed not to see with an honourable mention. "Whenever I'm Away From You" from Xanadu is the incomparable Gene Kelly with Olivia Newton-John is worthy of that much, at least.

[@AdamqK]

Thanks for this -- it's a delightful and eclectic mix, and a good introduction to some things I've never seen before. It's absolutely lovely to see Gregory Hines in this list -- he was a wonderfully talented dancer and actor, gone too soon. That clip from "White Nights", while not strictly tap, is inspired. Regarding James Cagney's "stair dance": I'm a huge Cagney fan, but it's worth mentioning that in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" he modelled his dancing style closely on that of George M. Cohen's. I never realised how closely until I saw a clip from Cohen's "The Phantom President" in which he struts, stiff-legged and rhythmically across the stage and recognised it instantly from Cagney's portrayal of him. And..oh, yeah. My mother was a dancer with the Bluebell troupe and worked with the Nicholas Brothers in Paris after the war. She said they used to tap dance across the tops of cars in joy at being treated as artists in France, rather than second-class citizens as they were in the States.

[@AvalonMorley]

Wish I could hear some of your mom’s stories. I’ve met a couple of Bluebells over the years. Might be fun seeing a movie about the adventures of those dancers through the ages.

[@carolecarr5210]

Wow, such interesting comment I made. Thanks.

[@92Mayah]

It's wonderful how closer we get by sharing stories through internet. I live in Paris and I hope she had a happy life here.

[@kconway8672]

'Ann Taps' was on Ms. Miller's car license plate in the community where she lived in later years (and I was living as well). I'll never forget attending the movie 'Mother' at the local theatre, sitting in the row just in front of Ann, her friend Debbie Reynolds, who was visiting with her daughter Carrie Fisher and her friend Beverly D'Angelo. As a tap dancer since age 9, performer and teacher, I have referred to this fabulous form of dance as 'Happy Feet' after watching the joy of penguins in rhythm.

[@nicolefournel-hartery8187]

White Nights was my absolute favourite, the dancing, the movie, everything was great.

[@hazelholmshaw9415]

You can't beat a musical I have got 160 of them ,and still watch them I go through them about one a month,it keeps me feeling young although I'm 82. But still feel as though I could do the dances.

[@figmo397]

I'm in total agreement with your #1. I'm glad you highlighted so many of the wonderful dance teams of color who literally didn't get the credits they deserved.

[@MsMojo]

Exactly!!

[@edwardofgreene]

Wish I could have seen more of the Nicholas Brothers scene. I first came to that looking to hear Cab Calloway, and as good as he was I was left with my jaw on the floor by the brothers!!! Greatest dance scene I have ever witnessed bar none!!

[@kazza6078]

Me at the beginning of this video: oh, it's all tap numbers? I don't really like tap much but I'll watch it Me at the end of this video: and the RHYTHM, and the TALENT, and the JOY, I am bowing at your fast feet

[@melindabouwman6109]

That Ann Miller scene in Small Town Girl vies with Bobby Van’s hopping through the neighborhood as one of my favorites.

[@wendyodell356]

Amazing skills 👏👏👏👏👏 All of the dancers were spectacular. I remember watching Sammy Davis Jr. as a kid in awe, and I'm still dumbstruck. I always enjoyed watching the reruns of the old movies. This makes me want to hunt a bunch of them down to watch. There's nothing better to me than a musical! Thanks Ms. Mojo for this great video. ❤

[@nancythompson4763]

tap is a lost art. I admire anyone who can do it. I loved it when mickail Baryshnikov did tap it white nights even though that was not his style of dance. he did tap the right way. he was a little stiff but considering he is a ballet dancer, that was understandable.

[@doxienestewart7193]

Couldn't agree more!!!! I loved that routine with Gregory Hines.

[@KatarinaS.]

It's not lost, it waxes and wanes, but it's never been lost.

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

All the years I spent waiting in a studio ...up to 20 hours or more a week this brings back memories. By 1980 whenever and TAP was made I watched it loving the memories..

[@LucienSabre]

An age of Hollywood that will sadly never come back - there’s nobody in the showbiz today who can dance _even remotely_ close to Astaire, Miller, Kelly and their contemporaries tap dancers.

[@jeffreylindahl5895]

Exactly. There have been some exceptions over the years but nobody as great as these stars.

[@henrikechers9995]

I think there might be, but it is not in fashion, so to speak. They might be out there, but they are not used.

[@LucienSabre]

@@henrikechers9995 Yeah, you're right....and it's a pity - that they're not used.

[@dianeridley9804]

There is no dance genre so remarkably unique as tap-- have you ever stayed upset or sad or angry or in ANY type of negative mood while watching a tap routine? It's impossible.

[@LucienSabre]

@@dianeridley9804 Absolutely 1000% agreed. 👍👍👍

[@valeriealvis7740]

Thank You for this!!!! Such a bummer it’s a lost art just about. I was waiting for The Nicholas brothers. They’re the best dancers in the world in my book and my favorite ones along with the fantastic Mr. BoJangles, Bill Robinson!!!

[@saradodson7840]

No woman can tap like Anne Miller. Loved her in On The Town!!

[@tubedude54]

Eleanor Powell: Am I a joke to you!? Even Fred hated to dance with me!

[@kathleenfeilbach9224]

@Rat H

[@DDumbrille]

@@tubedude54 Miller was a better dancer than Powell, simply because she could tap fast AND spin at the same time. Powell could not, but was still amazing.

[@georgemartin4963]

Ann Miller had amazing legs!!!

[@roxismith6122]

In Yankee Doodle Dandy, the dancing down the stairs was unscripted and entirely improvised. It's a classic!

[@doxienestewart7193]

I thought that routine of dancing down the stairs was brilliant and was I surprised that he could really, really dance!!

[@chiefsurveyor3877]

James Cagney , a brilliant hoofer, but more known for his acting. Angel with Dirty Faces and White Heat , simply some of the best movies ever .

[@ltyler01]

@@chiefsurveyor3877 Few actors displayed the vast and varied talents of James Cagney.

[@dawn5221]

​@@doxienestewart7193Most people aren't aware he was quite a dancer since he was known more for his gangster films. He reprised this role in the film The Seven Little Foys. He and Bob Hope performed a dance number atop a table that was pretty outstanding.

[@lj5801]

I'm certainly not going to argue with Gene Kelly. The Nicholas Brothers were at the top of their game for Jumpin Jive, and it's the best there is.

[@Sunny-pr1qw]

this is just delightful Ms Mojo, you have done a marvelous job shining a light on all these wonderful talents. Thank you!

[@kskollections2142]

What a great list! Some of my favorite ones were included! Gene Kelly and company performed to my favorite song in the movie! It’s my all time favorite movie! I loved Shirley Temple and Mr. Bojangles routines as well. Nice to see that Vera Ellen was included as she was a fantastic dancer, especially in White Christmas and often gets overlooked. White Nights showcased my favorite ballet dancer of all! No one makes movies like these anymore! What a shame!

[@Elizabeththegreatest]

All of the dancers are amazing!

[@AuntieMamie]

You nailed it as always Miss Mojo! Wish every young person and old could view these American treasures! Bravo!! Keep it coming… please.

[@msrocker2121]

Really fantastic compilation of amazing tappers. Thank you for this! Should show this video to every tap class!

[@ZiggyWalsh]

I thoroughly enjoyed this list. I have one more to add, although I’m not sure it’s in league with those mentioned. I’ve always enjoyed Richard Gere’s tap routine in “Chicago.” The man was new to tap and really pulled it off.

[@amyhull754]

"Begin the Beguine" From "A Broadway Melody of 1940" remains my FAVORITE routine in all of film.

[@heidigomes1552]

These are really amazing dance numbers some of these movies are hardly on tv anymore thank you for sharing

[@SamanthaN92]

The Lullaby of Broadway!!!! Easily my favorite! It gives you goose bumps! ❤️ Busby Berkeley was a genius! ✨

[@cesrelawrence-towner9453]

I was not surprised much by this list. I knew it would be heavy on Astaire and Miller

[@finderkeeperrrs]

I am so glad the Nicholas brothers are number 1. they should be known a lot more

[@karenking5357]

I love tap dancing...thank you...THIS WAS INCREDIBLE ‼️😁💜

[@nadirmachadogoncalves7066]

Seven brindes for seven brothers. There was a dance scene in the film that was outstanding. Unforgetable!

[@p-lin3721]

All of them were marvellous, most of scenes were incredible and some of them were even impossible😍 I admire the tap dancing period of Hollywood, I've watched most of them. Thank you for the list😊 Every dancer was gifted but with all my respect to those masters; only one was 11 years old. Billie Elliot was/is a poweful movie and Jamie Bell was unbelievable...

[@crockkett]

My fav & i've always had a thing for vera ellen (seen here dancing in white christmas ) she danced & matched with the best of them ,love the dance scene from my fav movie on the town " when you walk down main street with me" but i love donald O'connor in the moses supposes number like a lot of ppl saying on here he was such an under rated dancer. but that number with cab callaway ,performed by the nicholas bros takes the biscuit absolutely incredible dancers

[@ShelleyWantiez-bq3fh]

I'm in complete agreement with what most people commented on this video. Donald O'Connor was flawless, very smoothe, and had much more finesse and abilities than the others. He was able to incorporate everything into his expressive dance. Mitzi Gaynor once said, he could dance on top of a needle, the harder it was, the better he liked it. It's actually criminal that he isn't regarded as one of the very best. Multi-talented and simply adorable. He took a back seat to no one. Eyes only on him in every dance. Watching him is pure bliss!

[@jaylayson69]

Excellent choice for number one. And White Knights is one of my favorite dance scenes ever.

[@renaenolen8461]

Gregory Hines in Cotton Club was awesome! There is one scene where he is doing a tap duet with another character(can't remember who it was other than another tap legend) their feet were a perfectly timed blur of movement, that is #1 tap scene in my book!

[@sandracunningham2689]

A lot of work goes into your videos. Enjoyed seeing these movies again. Thank you...

[@beckyscott4026]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You could do a whole Top Ten on just Ann Miller!

[@travcat66]

I loved Donald O’Connor’s dancing and I think Fred Astaire’s putting on the Ritz deserves a mention. So hard to pare it down to twenty

[@AvalonMorley]

One I really enjoy that’s not here is The Shorty George, from YOU WERE NEVER LOVELIER, with Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. At least it’s been well represented on KZbin for some time, if not always with its original music.

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

What's so good about White Christmas' "Abraham" is that they fixed the way "Abraham" was handled in the prequel "Holiday Inn". That version even used black face! YUCH. Nice to know that Irving Berlin evolved over time. Abraham is a better song without lyrics. Thanks Vera Ellen!

[@sinclairjg]

So many of these acts appear in that Funk You Up dance remix, which I watch whenever I can.

[@esmeephillips5888]

Any ranking which relegates 'Fascinating Rhythm' to an honorable mention is preposterous. This is the greatest solo dance ever filmed- a miracle of sustained performance with a supreme choreographic intelligence behind it, encapsulating every development in jazz syncopation from the soft shoe shuffle in CU at the beginning to the prodigies of 'flash' at the climax. By combining the 'Astaire principle' of one human figure commanding the stage with Busby Berkeley's taste for crowded spectacle and cutting in the second part, it also unites the two major aesthetics in the first decade of musical cinema. 'Stormy Weather' is a wince-making tour de force of elegance and acrobatics, but it means nothing beyond showtime. Remember Fayard Nicholas's own judgment on Ellie, his close friend: 'she's better than everybody'. With 'Fascinating Rhythm' you get food for thought as well as visceral excitement.

[@madnss69]

switch Tap and Stormy Weather. Those old times in Tap were in their 60s (Sammy was 64) and they moved like 20 year olds out doing Hines, and Hines was the best of his generation. My absolute favorite Hines Movie.

[@marshatolbert154]

My favorites, other than most of those already named, would be "Moses Supposes" from "Singing in the Rain," and any tap routine Eleanor Powell ever did on film.

[@CarolinaGirl6919]

I would agree. Let's not forget "Make them Laugh" with Donald O'connor. Love it every time! Basically friends: go watch Singin' in the Rain and Happy Feet. You cannot walk away from these movies without the nearly insurmountable desire to tap your feet!

[@lindamckenzie6500]

Thank you the snippet from Billy Elliot , fantastic!

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

Loved all of them but ohhhh my knees! Yikes! Just watching was painful! Grew up watching some of these. They were the greatest!

[@lindseyaverkamp9138]

This list was WONDERFUL! However, I still would've found a place for Christopher Walken's famous tap dance in Pennies From Heaven. Just my opinion

[@alix5514]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Christopher Walken 😀

[@TheSharron]

Absolutely!

[@michelemiller5527]

An underrated, unappreciated film that came at the wrong time.

[@spoiltdiva]

I had three thoughts coming into this... Happy Feet (well Savion Glover), anything from Tap and No1 better be The Nicholas Brothers! Needless to say, I was extremely happy with the selection on this one. And The Berry Brothers ending WOW!

[@ts-eu6mp]

Absolutely Donald O'Connor. Was it he that did the continuous high-hopping through small town-all in a single take-no breaks. It seemed as though he had springs on top of a trampoline the height he got and the ease he made it look-an incredible feat-no pun intended. There were also a pair of brother's, black and a black man on hi own. I bet there is a lot more of that that were completely overlooked because they could only perform in front of black audience-most are live performances but I have seen very old footage-still/pun; that we should all be privy to. Dynamic and inventive and made it look so easy and how entertaining their talent was. Thank you. TS

[@markreeder2780]

Very surprised Gregory Hines' final number from Tap wasn't included. He took tap to whole new level.

[@doraowens6059]

I loved his opening number (in the cell) from that film!

[@germainegoodson]

I Love All of these Tap Videos! I am BLESSED to have Worked w/Cab Calloway/The Nicolas Brothers/Gregory Hines/Savion Glover & Many of the Hoofers in the Movie, Tap! 89' They are My HEROS! I MISS & LOVE Them FOREVER!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Our Tap Act, The Rhythm Queens, also Performed in a Show that Featured Ann Miller, in the Production of Tap Extravaganza! in the mid 1980's! At that time, Te Rhythm Queens were: Germaine Goodson and Deborah Mitchell. We are Still Performing Together Today, in 2022. ❤❤❤😇😇

[@marlenalinne6100]

Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell in "Begin the Beguine" is the all-time greatest and it was done in one take. What was shown here is only a tiny part of the routine, which took over three minutes.

[@allansbullet]

There's some great stuff here, but the first time I saw the Nicholas Brothers clip I was absolutely staggered!! Nothing else I've ever seen comes close!!

[@anitahaviland3036]

We never see the tap dance duels any more as well as tap dancing, production numbers, fun stuff!!!

[@carolecarr5210]

Cagney & Bob Hope dancing on the tables.

[@deloresclark8788]

Just fabulous! Thank you Ms. Mojo!

[@marthabixler1606]

My favorite dance from singing in the rain was make them laugh with Donald O Connor.

[@karinamiddlebrooks2167]

Saame I love that one.

[@elainechubb971]

That and the "Singin' in the Rain" number for just lifting the heart and making the world seem brighter. I think neither made this list because they weren't pure tap numbers.

[@carol1544]

Yes! Love that energy!!

[@ritakwasnick7622]

Those are all great dance scenes. My favorite is Gene Kelly in It's Always Fair Weather, "I Like Myself" He does a dance on roller skates. Really Great! That should be included.

[@cazia9]

No one ever looked as genuinely joyful about dancing as Vera Ellen

[@adelinesantodonato7955]

I agree with you the Nickolas brothers in stormy weather was awesome

[@janicepolley7518]

Billy Elliott this is one of the best ever, film and stage ever , and I've seen some

[@Shanyetta23]

Notice the thing most of these have in common… Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and Anne Miller. They were the best of the best back then.

[@jws1948ja]

I was so moved by Hines and Barishnikoff.

[@jamiethal1319]

My favorite as well.