Vera-Ellen performs in "Naughty But Nice"

Vera-Ellen performs in the musical number "Naughty But Nice" from the 1952 movie "The Belle of New York".

[@shelleywantiez7964]

Vera Ellen was the best of the best. Like Donald O'Connor, she never received the recognition she deserved. Both of them were undoubtedly the greatest.

[@terrywright7470]

You`ve got good taste Shelley. Thank God there are still some discerning viewers.

[@randallsword519]

What a tremendous talent she was! I was fortunate enough to acquire this gorgeous gown she wore in this scene (and the rest of the movie) many years ago when Debbie Reynolds auctioned off much of the costumes she accumulated over 4 decades. It is the highlight of my Vera Ellen collection.

[@joanabraga5818]

Oh my God you have THIS dress?? Vera makes me cry with her talent. What an artist!

[@MsMtheory]

WAAAT! You have LITERALLY this dress!? I hope so, so lucky!

[@dirtbby111]

what i would give to wear this dress

[@54321Judith]

Oh you are a lucky person🥰 let me guess. Was it a 22 inch waist?

[@yana1955]

What was the waist measurement?

[@terrywright7470]

Another example of sheer out`n`out class. I am an 88 year old man, sadly I cannot do most of the things I did when I was younger, but watching these films takes me back in time ,to enjoy some of the most fantastic stars, singing dancing and looking so beautiful. The so called stars of today are not fit to be mentioned in the same breath as these stars.

[@hannaha9060]

Well they carried themselves with more of an air of dignity and reverence. More like figureheads / idols / gods. They were.

[@terrywright7470]

@@hannaha9060 Too true, and Vera Ellen was so talented, not to mention how beautiful she was. I have watched her films since I was a callow 15 year old boy (and I still watch them on my PC, am now 88 bye the way). We used to have queues round the cinema block in those days to see these wonderful artistes, and invariably we came away after seeing their films, in a really happy mood .Back in those days they had CLASS, and were not CRASS like most of today`s so called "Stars".

[@cj222100]

She is my favorite actress that did lots of dance numbers from this era, & I feel that she's often overlooked & underrated.

[@deniaridley]

Mine too and I feel the same! So many concentrating and commenting on her physique is truly sad. Fact is, she was a stellar dancer, period.

[@scottherdliska372]

She's the best dancer. Unfortunately, she was only in 15 pictures

[@stevesheartone2998]

Vera-Ellen was one of the greatest dancers ever and also one of the cutest & most beautiful too.

[@maribelrodriguez2121]

I love Vera Ellen!!! I watch White Christmas every year just to see her dance.. Amazing

[@terrywright7470]

Me too Maribel, and lots of times when it is not Christmas too....along with LOTS of her other super movies.

[@LenHummelChannel]

Vera Ellen will ALWAYS REMAIN in the top five list of Hollywood's greatest dancers. she was an amazing talent. and stunningly beautiful in her prime.

[@pokemontas8025]

who the other 4

[@bbcisrubbish]

Vera is, and sadly was, the most beautiful and feminine dancer in the world. She was so graceful, her looks and mannerisms are out of this world

[@positivelysimful1283]

Hands down, Vera Ellen is my favorite female dancer to ever grace the silver screen.

[@infoinfo4661]

I feel in love with Vera when I was 14 years old when I first watched White Christmas. I'm now 58 and I still love her. Sadly in her later years she with drew from acting and dancing when she lost her only child due to SIDS in 1963. Victoria Ellen was only three months old. Sadly again, we lost this amazing woman at an early age of 60. Every year since i first watched White Christmas, I've continued to watch her still during the holidays. You will always be in our hearts Vera as we watch you sing and dance. Rest in peace always with your daughter.

[@jackjules7552]

After she withdrew from dancing and acting, she continued to live alone after her daughter died in 1963 upon which her husband left her. After that the only thing she did during the day was drive her car down the hill to her daily ballet class on Hollywood Blvd. and then afterwards would drive her car back up the hill and sit silently in her fading Hollywood Hills home. She had disconnected herself from everyone and virtually no one heard anything about her until she died in 1980.

[@lorriemcgee5562]

A style of class that we will never see again. 💝

[@DD-hy1nl]

That gown is gorgeous!..And her shoes are so pretty too!..Vera-Ellen was so beautiful, great pair of legs for a small lady.

[@lidge1994]

First saw her in White Christmas, instantly fell in love, wish I hadn't been born 13 years after she passed away :(

[@jackanthony976]

Yes. I agree that her gown and shoes contributed much to the number. One thing I noticed is that MGM finally got her out of those flat shoes that she wore in most of all her movies preceding this one. Dancing in heels rather than flats makes the number so much more classy.

[@lanamedcalf1561]

She had a small amount more of flesh on her legs in this than in White Christmas.... stunning in this....more anoresic in WC. Stunning woman.

[@terrywright7470]

@@jackanthony976 Some of those dances she did in flat shoes would have been almost impossible to do in High Heels, having said that, I agree that IN high heels she brought a lot of style and class to our screens.

[@D1it4FN]

One of my Boyhood crushes. She was so beautiful for this seven-year-old back in the day.

[@bychrischannel]

Excellent taste!

[@youyong28]

Most beautiful and graceful for sure, but never underrated. She was considered one of the best, perhaps the best, dancers of her time. However, she is pretty much forgotten, but then again, almost all the great performers of her time are being forgotten.

[@lynnashe7797]

As long as film exist she will not be forgotten

[@lilac749]

Her dress is absolutely stunning!!! And she is such a beautiful and amazing dancer!

[@elissaschornstein9399]

She was a super sweet person. But tragically lost her baby girl of 3months to a SIDS death. This tragedy ruined her life and she was never the same. It was such a shame she passed at 60 from cancer. RIP Vera-Ellen you are very much missed.

[@louferrao2044]

She was so beautiful and talented. RIP to Vera-Ellen.

[@elissaschornstein9399]

Beautiful lady and wonderful dancer. Not enough is written or known about Vera-Ellen she was one of the most talented stars of old Hollywood.

[@jimr4319]

Vera Ellen at her most beautiful. One of the greatest dance talents in Hollywood history.

[@areareare9953]

The way she's trying to be all dainty and then rips that match under the end table was hilarious.

[@elissaschornstein9399]

Those legs! So beautiful! She was an amazing dancer and a nice actress. Pretty woman as well. Shame she had such a sad life. Loosi okng her baby to SIDS. And dealing with an eating disorder, arthritis and then cancer. And passing at only 60 years of age. Doesn't seem fair. RIp lovely Vera-Ellen. ♥️

[@angelabluebird609]

She did not have an eating disorder. That rumor has been dispelled by close friends.

[@lillianmcnabb1428]

@@angelabluebird609 It always upsets me when people perpetrate this harmful rumor. It all started because she wore a dress that covered her neck, and people jumped to conclusions. Why are we saying she had a sad life. Sure, some of the things she lived through were quite rough, but should we really be defining a person by their struggles? Why can't we just say she was a brilliant and talented woman who loved her work and did it well? Why do we have to define her by all the things that went wrong? It just annoys me sometimes.

[@angelabluebird609]

@@lillianmcnabb1428 Agreed! It is true that we all face difficulties. Much depends on how we navigate them, and our ability to look beyond them, keep our hope, etc. A life with challenges, even serious ones, can still be a wonderful life. She is astounding, and I'll love her always.

[@deniaridley]

@@lillianmcnabb1428 This woman was phenomenal and it all gets overshadowed by this rumor that has been dispelled and disproven many times over. Plus, as a naturally thin person I'm insulted. Why some folks just NEED for her to have had an eating disorder is beyond me. Especially since she obviously had to be in tip-top shape to do any of this. An anorexic dancing like this? It's ridiculously comical.

[@alwaysblake148]

A beautiful brilliant dancer in her prime. She makes a simple scene magical.

[@deniaridley]

Wow, those kicks. Easy to see she was a Rockette in her youth. Just love her!

[@bikerguy5944]

Astaire said she was the best all around dancer and she was. Just great!

[@frankscivier4874]

The best pure tap dancer from Hollywood’s golden age was definitely Eleanor Powell but, for me, the best all-rounder was Vera-Ellen. What a beautiful pair of legs Vera-Ellen had, too, shown off to their very best in this dance routine.

[@frankscivier4874]

@Laura Streeter I have never seen that particular clip of Vera-Ellen dancing before, Laura, and it was great. A very sexy piece of dance, too. Thank you.

[@LenHummelChannel]

She was simply exquisite in this clip. truly great at what she did best.

[@lizzyvance]

She is one of the most talented dancers.

[@jtodora]

She is the best female dancer of all time! And gorgeous. I do wonder if she was actually singing in the scene. I read somewhere that she could not hold a tune and that she used a background vocalist, at least that was the case in film White Christmas. But I don't care if she can sing or not. I can't stop watching her dance! I love you Vera!

[@wachamcaulid]

yea she got dubbed by Anita Ellis for this one but still very wonderful performance

[@SteveLittleLivesHere]

Whoever arranged the vocal part of this song should have won an award. It's virtually perfect. As is the dancing AND the dress. Image someone turning up at an awards night dressed like that. the dress would sell a million.

[@martinstephenpowell]

Beautiful and highly talented. Women don’t look like that anymore. Wonderful. ❤

[@brianfuller757]

She was really an amazing talent

[@simonapanoskova6982]

Stunning dancer and beautiful robe.

[@FanOfJanis]

My wife told me about your channel. You have the best Vera-Ellen videos on KZbin, and we thank you for them. She is our favorite dancer, and these videos are marvelous both in picture and sound quality. God bless you for posting them. Thank you very much. Peace.

[@bunnierivera3754]

She was at a healthier weight here. Looks much better.

[@SusieLaLonde]

I remember watching this film with my Daddy way back when I was around 10 years old. He used to love watching these sort of movies. Nice memory, thanks for posting.

[@ianedwards4400]

There's no doubt that she was the best dancer Hollywood ever had; Cydia Charisse was a close second.

[@auntjanet2346]

Cyd Charisse.

[@smarqua2]

Absolute bombshell

[@ShikiraPressley]

Allen had a knowing of her own glamerous beauty, but did not flaunt it off-stage, and a very withdrawn person on the whole. It is unclear of who sang this slightly raunchy number in the day, but Vera only mimed it - as was often a customary thing in paramount musicals, even if actors could sing brilliantly themsleves - Allen was no singer, yet a very talented mover, who always criticised herself for never being quite good enough. This is not our opinion - we all think that she is just so superb!

[@jimrick6632]

ANITA ELLIS DID VERA ELLEN'S (NOT ALLEN) SINGING IN MOST OF HER MGM FILMS....

[@johnlorenzen4633]

She wss incredible. Cant fault a diamond twists cuz theres no emerald there!!!

[@christinesmithduffy3372]

Check out "Slaughter on 10th Avenue" with Gene Kelly, 1948. She's fabulous!

[@wareidav]

Elen is just stunning and what a dancer.

[@youyong28]

Anita Ellis. MGM released the songs from the movie as singles, and her name appears as the singer.

[@shannonroylance5480]

I Love Her!!

[@mikestoneking4992]

never stop

[@garylynch9809]

Regarding her dubbed voice, I have the recordings from the cast album of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, which she appeared in on Broadway before she came to Hollywood. I understand why he voice was dubbed.

[@nkul12345]

do anybody make this kind of dress? love this piece!

[@plestj]

Costumes are by Helen Rose, who usually worked at MGM.

[@artgallery7376]

I LOVE IT

[@johnlorenzen4633]

Shes amazing. Wished I danced

[@aemiliacarolphonetube9749]

Such elegants.

[@krissygirl333]

She is gorgeous! and feminine, look at her waistline! geez. I always thought she was cool. Thanks for posting. Merry Christmas!

[@not2tees]

Very much in the Doris Day, Mitzi Gaynor line. Another world we look at through time, even more entertaining but more subtly so now, than when it first appeared.

[@JoanneJaworski]

It amazes me that she was so tiny & thin and had such gorgeous and shapely legs! What a talented dancer!

[@mrblowhard2u]

She was 5' 4"" tall and absolutely gorgeous.

[@LenHummelChannel]

In her prime, Vera was "right up there" with Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner. looks that were a gift from God. amazing talent too.

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@mrblowhard2u Exact heights are always hard to get, but if so she was only an inch shorter than Eleanor Powell, whom nobody thought of as petite.

[@deniaridley]

Sorry just have to say this: You can be thin and have shapely legs, people! She's a dancer after all.

[@LewdCustomer]

She's a rocketship!

[@robertlear2735]

Vera-Ellen had some serious legs!!!

[@sint0xicateme]

I'm convinced she was the inspiration for the original Barbie.

[@laurah6845]

Actually, the Barbie concept was based on a German cartoon character and doll named Bild Lilli.

[@kellygraham4451]

You may be right.

[@HoracioLaresdivito]

Pienso que algunos rápidos de la Warner con la cantidad de mujeres que pasaron con la esperanza de ser estrellas la pásaron bárbaro,que envidia!!😂❤😂❤😂😅😅

[@lunarebony6122]

THE DRESSSS

[@gjswilson]

What a beautiful woman! They don't make em' like they use too

[@FoxyStealth]

They did dub her voice, but that doesn't mean she couldn't sing. She was used to singing because she was in musicals. It's just that some directors chose to use a different voice. Just because someone chooses another voice over someone elses, doesn't mean they can't sing.

[@johnjurkewicz9925]

⭐⭐💓⭐💓⭐💓⭐💓I love it gorgeous 💓⭐💓⭐💓⭐💓⭐⭐

[@mcbeezee2120]

Hands down, nicest legs ever. Oh yes, and of course her dance talents unparalleled.😁

[@leocadiacanchogarcia9402]

BEAUTIFUL WOMAN

[@user-bk2fd7wp8s]

OHQUE CEST EBIEN BRAVO LECLEC BRAVO

[@Cre8tvMG]

Was Tinkerbelle modeled after Vera Ellen in the start of this scene?

[@bunnyboo755]

where can i get this dress...lol

[@susananderson5683]

This is one of the rare occasions where I have seen Vera with an open neckline. In most movies she wore high collars which disguised damage to her neck from bulimia. In this movie she looks very attractive. Her legs are quite well proportioned. I recently saw White Christmas where her legs were almost skeletal and her waist could not have been more than 20 inches.

[@taxsaversteve]

+Susan Anderson ...there is no way she had bulimia or anorexia...or any eating disorder as of this filming. Muscle tone like that is reserved for just the highest end athletes. It means her diet was impeccable and her workouts were epic. If she ever had disorders, then it must have come AFTER this film. My guess is that those who wrote about her just didn't understand what a great diet was so they threw out some garbage about this eating disorder. Truth is that if you work out like her, eat like her, then you have a chance to have the physique she had. Again. Muscle tone to the degree she had it is reserved for the few and far between.

[@CherylSimser]

+Susan Anderson I noticed the same thing. She sure was one sexy lady in this clip.

[@suzannesadiiqa]

Even given her petite frame she doesn't look as of she has a 10 inch waist, maybe just under 20......

[@taxsaversteve]

I don't know why anyone would claim she had a 10" waist. That's ridiculous

[@jmason3904]

💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💉💊💉💊💉💊💊💊💊💢💨💀👻💨💔

[@beckypooo9253]

That dress, oh my gosh

[@sylviofuel2339]

Dih schönste Frau der Welt ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💋💋💋💋💋💋💋👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@darthnatas953]

Wow, what a physique, and she can really move.

[@amanda1271]

Anyone know what type of dress this is?

[@michelboudot2882]

The belle of new yorks thefilm

[@velveetaslingshot]

She looks so much better in this! Gorgeous legs. She was way too skinny in white christmas.

[@davidj.thompson]

I heard she was dubbed often. Is that her voice in this number?

[@SopranoOfTheNight]

I love how it cuts for her to zip up the dress.

[@mikestoneking4992]

my babies can stop it if i say shes mine i feel i get in trouble

[@user-bk2fd7wp8s]

qyelle robe superbe puis je en avoir le patron svp car je vas aubalmairie saintgeniezomerle ilfautfairesensation voilatout effets secondairediabete jecouds

[@TonyfromBham]

She looks amazing and dances even better, but she couldn't sing a note. All of her vocal parts (including the ones in White Christmas) were dubbed in by another singer.

[@AmyB.]

Tony Lombardo i was going to say, that has to be someone else singing. lol

[@walt1896]

Tony Lombardo She did sing on Broadway going back to "Panama Hattie" in 1940, which she was also in with Betsy Blair - Gene Kelly's fiancé and where Kelly (starring in Broadway's Pal Joey) first encountered Ellen and her dancing ability. She sings and dances with Ray Bolger in a 1957 television number "Ten Minutes From Here" that's on KZbin. *Something of a reunion as she and Bolger were both in Rodger and Harts "By Jupiter" on Broadway 15 years before

[@jackanthony976]

I heard Vera Ellen sing with her own voice in a couple of TV shows. True, she was not a professionally trained singer, but she was adequate. If MGM allowed dancer Ann Miller to use her own voice I don't see why Vera Ellen could not. Neither one was a professional singer.

[@BBBYpsi]

Who cares if she cannot sing. Look at those legs!!!

[@ariaseymour9634]

I wanna hear her real voice so bad

[@meganm8527]

I LOVE Vera, but know that she never sang any of her songs; she always had a pro dub in for her. No big deal, but I wonder who dubbed for her in this song?? :)

[@Bandomeme]

Megan M Anita Ellis

[@EuroForUkraine]

Now there is a woman! A BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS woman. Pretty face, curvy body..and those legs! Today's kardashians etc are NOTHING compared to this beauty. And pretty much every woman of that era. Oh how i wish i could travel back in time...

[@StereoSpace]

God, what a talented and sexy woman.

[@christyplatt8861]

She doesn't sing so I believe someone else's voice was dubbed in. Still love her, though!

[@harryballs5080]

Wouldn’t you like to go back in time and give her one?

[@sschimel]

To be fair, and give credit where it's due, but the numb er is danced by Vera-Ellen and sung by Anita Ellis

[@mikestoneking4992]

you can read my mind don't need to be nice

[@nightangel972000]

I love the dress, except the inner lining. I wish the mad it a little less yellow-green.

[@drmantistobboggangonzodr3961]

Vera Ellen= such a lot of talent in a rather petite package.

[@robertmcgowan4312]

She was all legs

[@jochenstossberg5427]

She was a fabulous dancer an I adored her - but there was something held back with her, always. She was wasn't warm. She looks great here, so the demented diet fads her and her mother were enthusiastic about hadn't kicked in yet. She had the talent to be another Gwen Verdon. It's all in place - but it never happened sadly, and she vanished.

[@elaineshiffer6929]

anyone now who is singing? sounds like Lena Horne

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

Ladies, take notes.

[@h.calvert3165]

jasminne mcdonald You're right, utter femininity! 💃

[@alazjaw.8968]

rest.

[@hebneh]

This is interesting because her costume here reveals her back and shoulders, which rarely happened. I caught a brief glimpse in - I think - "Call Me Madam" of her backbone showing, and it really looked gaunt and disturbingly prominent. People dispute it, but I believe she was anorexic

[@jaynesharp5584]

Vera-Ellen was a fabulous all round dancer and she really showed off her high extensions in this dance. I don't see how she could have been anorexic. She is too energetic in her dances and her muscles are too toned. She was a good weight for a dancer. Cyd Charisse looked very thin also, back in the mid forties. Daily ballet excercise does that.

[@deliadeitz]

I thought she was Mitzi Gaynor. Oops!

[@jackjules7552]

Please!! Bite your tongue.

[@elainebmack]

She looks rather thin here compared to her earlier films. It is said that Vera Ellen had anorexia. I can imagine that life in Hollywood was not too much fun for an attractive, talented woman like her; so much pressure to work and be this and that, not to mention pressure from male associates and power brokers.

[@lordeden2732]

E Mack More than said!It was anorexia that killed her!

[@arialjanny]

Lord Eden Actually ovarian cancer killed her.

[@nightangel972000]

I'm sure the cigarettes weren't helping, either.

[@taxsaversteve]

+E Mack doubt she was anorexic. You don't get legs like that from malnutrition.

[@elainebmack]

She was anorexic. This is well known. Check out her legs in earlier clips from the 1940s. They were far more muscular and beautiful.

[@chelseamercer3825]

she was beautiful but waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too thin, honestly 76 pounds and 5'4? Did she collapse?

[@robinnelson9428]

anorexic

[@angelabluebird609]

@@robinnelson9428 No, she was not anorexic. Her close friends dispelled this rumor. She was naturally of a slight build, and her dancing made her all muscle and sinew. So very fit and strong.

[@mikestoneking4992]

an there not even here

[@lidiaarancio2189]

Anoressica? Esageratamente magra, sicuramente. Era una ballerina, e certo mantengono la linea, devono, sono costrette/ i. Una brava artista, ma sostituibile con altre brave quanto lei. Forse era magra naturalmente, meglio per lei. Sarà stata brava, ma non ha sexappeal, anche se non è brutta.Ecco perché non sentiamo parlare più di lei, o di altri, anche se molto bravi. Sembra una sciocchezza, ma funziona più della bellezza e della bravura. Se poi oltre a questa dote, si hanno anche altre...beh, fortunate queste persone. In certi filmati mettono molta trina nel costume di questa artista, dalla parte inferiore, per riempire, qualcosa che ai suoi tempi, andava di moda più abbondante. Oggi la moda impone corpi più magri, spesso emaciati, al limite della malattia. Ogni epoca storica ha avuto i suoi modelli. Però ci sono persone che sarebbero belle in ogni epoca, e allora queste persone si possono definire belle, sia maschi che femmine. I film di una volta, davano più spazio a tutto ciò che era artistico, ed nei musical era certamente un bene. Perché si esprimevano talenti vari, senza il bisogno di andare a teatro, sia per gli artisti, sia per il pubblico,che spesso si trovava in posti dove già era tanto, avere una TV o un cinema. Lavoravano molti ballerini, e cantanti, anche se non etoiles, e il loro lavoro di anni, veniva in qualche modo ripagato, lavorando, e dando il loro contributo. Oggi non ci sono più corpi di ballo veramente bravi, tranne la danza classica, il resto, ha perso negli anni. La medesima cosa avviene connla musica. Troppi cantanti, niente di eccezionale. In Italia chiunque pure senza avere studiato musica o canto, può arrivare a I livelli di gente, che calca il palco di Sanremo, che dovrebbe essere il tempio della musica leggera italiana. Per dire... !

[@amparovaldivia3059]

She would have been a beautiful Mercedes in Don Quixote.

[@bellablow4287]

Old people always go on about how skimpy stars are these days....ummmmmm really? 🤣

[@idcraw]

Vera didn't sing so who gets the credit didn't sing a note in White Christmas either !

[@jimrick6632]

ANITA ELLIS DID MOST OF VERA ELLEN'S SINGING.....ANITA DID A LOT OF RITA HAYWORTH'S SINGING ALSO....BUT COULD THESE LADIES EVER DANCE....VERA ELLEN DIED FROM STARVING HERSELF AT A YOUNG AGE...TOO BAD...ANOREXIC...GARLAND ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM....

[@ohger1]

Hey Jim, instead of making up shit, try posting facts or simply refrain from posting at all. Thanks.

[@Bandomeme]

JIM RICK she died of ovarian cancer, nothing to do with anorexia. Check out her biography.

[@jimrick6632]

@The Unknown SO WHAT DID I SAY THAT WAS NOT TRUE????? NEVER HEARD THE WORD "BULLOCKS"...IF YOU MEANT BULL SHIT...SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE THE ONE GIVING OUT WITH THAT STUFF??? GET A LIFE....