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giovedì 7 luglio 2011

Ziegfeld Follies(MGM,1946)

Nice movie directed by Vincente Minnelli with a cool three memorable musical numbers and other good numbers.

"This Heart of Mine".
Superb modern dance number performed by Astaire with Lucille Bremer. Music by Harry Warren.



"The Babbitt and the Bromide".
Essentially, the only work of Fred Astaire with Gene Kelly. A masterpiece danced in two styles to the tune of Gershwin song.



"Limehouse Blues".
Another sublime modern dance number created by Eugene Loring and Fred Astaire and performed by Fred and Lucille Bremer. Music by Philip Braham.


"A Great Lady Has an Interview".
Nice song number performed by Judy Garland and boys. Music and lyrics by Roger Edens and Kay Thompson.

An American in Paris(MGM,1951)

One of the greatest musicals ever. The final ballet is probably the best ballet or musical number in the movie history. But the film contains other three memorable musical numbers. The choreography is by Kelly, of course, the direction is by Vincente Minnelli, music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin.

"I Got Rhythm".
Great Tap solo by Gene Kelly.



"An American in Paris".
Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron and chorus in this masterpiece incredibly danced in four different styles (Jazz,Modern,Tap,Ballet!!) those kind of things that only these artists in the world can do.



"Our Love Is Here To Stay".
Beautiful modern pas de deux danced by Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron.



"Tra-La-La".
The other memorable Tap solo by Gene Kelly.


Top Hat (RKO,1935)

Great Astaire-Rogers musical. Choreography by Fred Astaire himself and Hermes Pan, music by Irving Berlin.

"Isn't This a Lovely Day".
Wonderful Tap duet.


"Top Hat,White Tie and Tails".
Amazing Tap number performed by Fred Astaire and chorus.


"The Piccolino".
The other beautiful Tap duet.

lunedì 4 luglio 2011

The Continental

In my opinion the first memorable dance number of the movies, performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in "The Gay Divorcee" (RKO,1934). Choreography by Astaire himself and Hermes Pan.

It's Always Fair Weather(MGM,1955)

A top seven in my opinion. Direction by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, choreography by Kelly himself and music by André Previn.

"Thanks a Lot But No Thanks".
Nice song number performed by Dolores Gray.



"The Binge/Trash Can Dance".
The Tap and modern dance number by Gene Kelly, Michael Kidd and Dan Dailey through the streets of New York. One of the top in the art of dance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1InfoCfipM

"Baby You Knock Me Out".
The memorable dance number performed by Cyd Charisse with the boxers.



"I Like Myself".
Delightful Tap number on the skates(!) by Gene Kelly. Very original.



"Love Is Nothin' But a Racket".
Beautiful "cut number" by Kelly and Charisse.


Gipsy Dance

Thrilling modern dance number created by Hermes Pan and performed by Cyd Charisse in "Sombrero" (MGM,1953).

Kiss Me Kate(MGM,1953)

Great musical. Direction (by George Sidney) and script are good, sets, costumes and colors are beautiful, and the song numbers are nice, but above all, the dance numbers are masterpieces. Music by Cole Porter.

"Tom,Dick or Harry".
Superb Tap Jazz dance performed by Tommy Rall, Ann Miller, Bob Fosse and Bobby Van. Choreography by Hermes Pan.



"From This Moment On".
Incomparable dance number in three styles (Jazz,modern,Tap!) created by Hermes Pan and Bob Fosse and performed by Fosse himself and Carol Haney, Tommy Rall and Ann Miller, Bobby Van and Jeanne Coyne.



"Why Can't You Behave".
The beautiful dance number performed by Tommy Rall and Ann Miller. Choreography by Hermes Pan.


"Brush Up Your Shakespeare".
Amusing musical number performed by Keenan Wynn and James Whitmore.

Singin' in the Rain (MGM,1952)

Simply the number one. Incomparable musical numbers (choreography by Gene Kelly), great direction by Kelly himself and Stanley Donen, nice story and script, good colors. The best.

"Moses Supposes".
Unmatchable Tap number performed by Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor. Music by Roger Edens, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.



"Good Morning".
Delightful dance number performed by Kelly, O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds. Music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed.



"Singin' in the Rain".
Sublime Tap solo by Gene Kelly. Music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed.



"Broadway Rhythm".
Human heritage! Unforgettable ballet in four styles (Jazz,Tap,modern,Ballet!!) danced by Gene, Cyd Charisse and chorus. Music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed again.
Gene Kelly is the most all-around artist ever: supreme dancer and choreographer, great actor and director, good singer. The only one of its kind in the history.


"Make 'em Laugh".
Funny musical number by Donald O'Connor.

Waiting for the Robert E.Lee

Amazing Texas Tommy danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Music by Lewis F.Muir. From "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" (RKO,1939).

http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/459018/Story-Of-Vernon-And-Irene-Castle

You'll Never Get Rich(Columbia,1941)

Great musical starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. Extraordinary choreography by Astaire himself and Robert Alton. Music by Cole Porter.

"Boogie Barcarolle".
Wonderful dance scene with Fred Astaire and chorus (featuring Rita Hayworth).



"March Milastaire".
Magic Tap solo by Astaire.



"So Near and Yet So Far".
Superb dance number performed by Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth.

On the Town (MGM,1949)

One of the three greatest musicals ever. Choreography by Gene Kelly to music by Leonard Bernstein and Roger Edens, direction by Kelly and Stanley Donen, screenplay and lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden.

"Miss Turnstiles".
Beautiful modern dance number performed by Vera-Ellen and chorus. Music by Leonard Bernstein.



"Prehistoric Man".
Amazing Tap number performed by Ann Miller. Music by Roger Edens.



"A Day in New York".
One of the top in the art of dance. Incomparable modern ballet set to music by Bernstein danced by Gene Kelly, Vera-Ellen, Carol Haney, Alex Romero, Marie Grosscup and Lee Scott.


"Main Street".
Delightful Tap duet performed by Genius and Vera Ellen. Music by Roger Edens.



"New York New York".
Good song sequence with Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin. Music by Bernstein.



"On the Town".
Another nice song number, performed by the entire cast. Music by Roger Edens.

Les Girls

From the homonymous movie (MGM-1957) the fantastic Jazz dance created by Jack Cole and performed by Gene Kelly, Mitzi Gaynor, Taina Elg and Kay Kendall. Music by Cole Porter.

domenica 3 luglio 2011

You Excite Me

The exotic dance number created by Jack Cole and performed by Rita Hayworth and chorus in "Tonight and Every Night" (Columbia,1945). Music by Jule Styne.

Someone To Watch Over Me

Wonderful modern dance number by Marge and Gower Champion in "Three for the Show" (Columbia,1955). Music by Gershwin.

The Rumble

Thrilling modern and Jazz dance number created by Eugene Loring and performed by Matt Mattox (red jumper) Michael Callan and Shirley Jones. From the movie "Pepe" (Columbia,1960). Music by André Previn.

http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/669247/Pepe-Movie-Clip