Debbie Reynolds said his legs were like pistons, and that he was unbelievably strong! I always like him, too!
I think that both Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly were among the greatest American dancers. Both were similar in many ways but I always thought Astaire was also so "elegant" & "refined", and in addition to everything else Kelly was actually a sort of athlete.
That's the impression I got from Debbie Reynold's book, too! While she was rehearsing for Singing in the Rain, Fred Astaire came over to her rehearsal hall and helped her, encouraged her. He was a wonderful gentleman!
In the entertainment world those days a lot of courtesy & respect towards other human beings was more common-- a lot of "class". But now in so many cases that sort of thing seems so old-fashioned, & so "politically incorrect".
Film stars & the big names in music can be roles models for kids...which probably explains some of the bizarre behaviours we are seeing today on college campuses and on social media.
Just think-- she did everything he did, backwards and in heels!
I must've seen that scene a dozen times, but I couldn't remember what movie it was from.. (Was going to ask Buzz but he can't watch videos). But I found it.
1. Here is the original (same as the seeded version but with the original soundtrack music):
In this Swing Time clip, Lucky, Astaire, saves Penny's, Rogers, job by showing how much she has taught him.
The first true dance number with the two, the other being with Fred fumbling and pretending to be a terrible dancer. Both scenes, however, go to the same song, Pick Yourself Up, this scene without lyrics and much more lively with the other more calm, with lyrics, between the two.
Music by Jerome Kern and Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
The one seeded here(on top of this page) was the same scene, but someone posted it on Youtube with totally different music-- "Country Boogie-Woogie" (or maybe its called "Rockabilly Boogie-Woogie"?). Piano music, Micke Muster. That type of music certainly wouldn't seem to go well with the dancing of Astaire & Rogers-- but the guy who posted the video on YouTube somehow made it work.
2. Here's a typical example of Micke Muster playing piano:
His style of playing has been compared to Jerry Lee Lewis (of course no one can compare to Jerry Lee Lewis).
I think it was escapist. I mean at the time Swing Time and many of the Astaire/Rogers films came out it was during the depression. Yet in many of the films many of the people were quite well off. It didn't reflect reality and I think it was more to show how people wish it was, then how it really was.
Krish, a group of the old really good singers and piano players grew up in and around Faraday LA. The Killer, Gilley, Jimmy Swaggart and a number of other, including Little Richard. Most all were Gospel singers before and during their careers in Rock, Bogie etc.
Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again-- I grew up with that song and my wonderful grandparents "tap dancing" in the kitchen... I loved that movie and that dance routine!
One of the "good 'ole boys"...yep, Freddy can really shake that thang!
Just think-- she did everything he did, backwards and in heels!
That always impressed me Dower. High heels and dancing backward...Very cool
I can't wear heels any more, thanks to arthritis, but they were sometimes difficult to navigate in... I'm always impressed that she can!
I've always wondered how women could dance in heels-- it seems like it would be difficult to even walk in them!
But I've seen women doing amazing dancing in high heels. (With many different styles of music).
of course both Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire were really special...
And of course Gene Kelly.
Debbie Reynolds said his legs were like pistons, and that he was unbelievably strong! I always like him, too!
Debbie Reynolds said his legs were like pistons, and that he was unbelievably strong! I always like him, too!
I think that both Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly were among the greatest American dancers. Both were similar in many ways but I always thought Astaire was also so "elegant" & "refined", and in addition to everything else Kelly was actually a sort of athlete.
That's the impression I got from Debbie Reynold's book, too! While she was rehearsing for Singing in the Rain, Fred Astaire came over to her rehearsal hall and helped her, encouraged her. He was a wonderful gentleman!
In the entertainment world those days a lot of courtesy & respect towards other human beings was more common-- a lot of "class". But now in so many cases that sort of thing seems so old-fashioned, & so "politically incorrect".
Film stars & the big names in music can be roles models for kids...which probably explains some of the bizarre behaviours we are seeing today on college campuses and on social media.
I've always thought that Cyd Charrisse was pure class. Cyd and Fred together.
Just think-- she did everything he did, backwards and in heels!
I must've seen that scene a dozen times, but I couldn't remember what movie it was from.. (Was going to ask Buzz but he can't watch videos). But I found it.
1. Here is the original (same as the seeded version but with the original soundtrack music):
In this Swing Time clip, Lucky, Astaire, saves Penny's, Rogers, job by showing how much she has taught him.
The first true dance number with the two, the other being with Fred fumbling and pretending to be a terrible dancer. Both scenes, however, go to the same song, Pick Yourself Up, this scene without lyrics and much more lively with the other more calm, with lyrics, between the two.
Music by Jerome Kern and Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
The one seeded here(on top of this page) was the same scene, but someone posted it on Youtube with totally different music-- "Country Boogie-Woogie" (or maybe its called "Rockabilly Boogie-Woogie"?). Piano music, Micke Muster. That type of music certainly wouldn't seem to go well with the dancing of Astaire & Rogers-- but the guy who posted the video on YouTube somehow made it work.
2. Here's a typical example of Micke Muster playing piano:
His style of playing has been compared to Jerry Lee Lewis (of course no one can compare to Jerry Lee Lewis).
Swing Time was hands down and without a doubt my favorite Astaire/Rogers film.
Love the spats he's wearing too!
Swing Time was hands down and without a doubt my favorite Astaire /Rogers film.
Love the spats he's wearing too!
There was something refined-- and elegant about them. In fact there was an appreciation of that sort of thing.
But now-a-days it seems to be fading-- the more vulgar and banal something it it seems the more people today like it!
I think it was escapist. I mean at the time Swing Time and many of the Astaire/Rogers films came out it was during the depression. Yet in many of the films many of the people were quite well off. It didn't reflect reality and I think it was more to show how people wish it was, then how it really was.
The Killer is the best. Here is a duet with Mickey Gilley, a damn good piano player as well...A little Gospel music.
That is so . . . amazing!
I don't think I've ever seem him do gospel. I've heard Elvis doing a lot of gospel singing (IMO he's very good). But never 'The Killer.
Krish, a group of the old really good singers and piano players grew up in and around Faraday LA. The Killer, Gilley, Jimmy Swaggart and a number of other, including Little Richard. Most all were Gospel singers before and during their careers in Rock, Bogie etc.
The Killer did quite well but I prefer this version : [It's hard to beat Alison Krauss]
Jerry Lee Lewis is right! He does a great job!
Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again-- I grew up with that song and my wonderful grandparents "tap dancing" in the kitchen... I loved that movie and that dance routine!
The Ladies could sing the Bogie Wogie. The Andrews Sisters.
Wow-- that was great!
Some of the music of that era was really excellent.
I've always liked Glenn Miller as well.
And, now that we're going back in time-- the Ink Spots were pretty good as well (mellow!):
Oh man, the Ink Spots were wonderful. Mellow as could be, love hearing them.
Love the era of the Big Bands, Swing and Bogie Wogie.
Two of the greatest drummers of all time. Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, Battle of the Drums.
Excellent!