Athleticism? The Nicholas brothers did that dance routine in one take!! No stopping camera to redo a scene. No CGI to enhance. Just pure, unadulterated talent!
Sorry...but no. There are multiple camera angles that only come from multiple takes. Each SEGMENT in one take I could say yes...but there were no multiple camera shots for feature films...multiple camera didn't come in until I Love Lucy on TV. Proof of not all in one take? 9:03...Fayard has clearly passed the center line of the stage and is in front of the right ramp.... but when the shot switches to a center shot at 9:04, he's JUST crossing center. Nothing takes anything away from the MASSIVE skills the brothers had, but this was not a single-take dance.
@@samsignorelli - Take a look at the ORIGINAL video. Multiple camera, yes. But what you are forgetting is that the side view camera distorts depth perception, whereas the centered camera clearly shows where they are in proportion to the rest of the stage. (th-cam.com/video/_8yGGtVKrD8/w-d-xo.html) On the original video (see link) at 4:16, the camera is about 45 degrees left of center. Look at their feet. Take a good not where they are positioned. If the camera was CENTERED, the Nicholas Brothers would be left side of the stage. But because the footage was shot from the left - they appear closer to the center. At 4:17, the camera clearly has moved slightly left and zoomed in - further distorting your perception of exactly where they are on the stage. At 4:18 - where you claim is a 2nd take, the footage is taken from the CENTERED camera, and shot from further back, providing a wider view. However, if you follow frame by frame, you can see fluid movement. It's not a second take. Just switching from Camera 1 (left side, zoomed in) to Camera 2 (centered, wider view). Your depth perception was influenced by the camera angle.
@@billsager5634 Ok....here's another one to look at. Original vid...3:29 as they hit the bottom in the splits sequence....Fayard's left hand is in contact with the stage. 3:30 the shot switches to one from the same angle, but a little closer...his left hand is now way over his head....in the space of one frame. That's too fast to have bee done in one take, Additionally, film cameras were huge in 1943. They had large cables to provide power...you don't just run over those when moving another camera around. The resources just weren't there for multiple cameras....we WERE at war at the time, remember. As to your point about Fayard near the end....original vid...4:18...sorry, but that's not a trick of the camera angle...he IS in front of the right ramp...look at his feet if you can stop it right before the camera shot changes. I would accept "one take" if you meant every individual sequence was done in one take and then spliced together....but it's not a single continuous shot. I don't know that a single can of film in the 40s would be ABLE to record almost 5 continuous minutes to begin with. The average take at the time was less than 20 seconds. The longest sequence without a camera shot change in Jumpin' Jive was the first one with Calloway at 38 seconds long The longest one in the actual dance was the bit on the bandstands at around 30 seconds. A COLLECTION of single takes yes...what modern actors call a "oner" no.
The single greatest dance routine ever put to film. Gregory Hines -- a skilled dancer himself -- once said that if the life story of the NIcholas Brothers was ever set to film, they'd have to use CGI during their dance sequences, because there is no one left alive who could perform them.
The video is a clip from “Stormy Weather” a 1943 all black Hollywood gala production. It is a must see for you young novices. Your enthusiasm is infectious.
@S Ragsdale It was done by rotating the "room" he was dancing in. He was always on the bottom with the walls & ceiling rotating under him. When played back, the room was shown as if it was stationary, making it look like he was moving around the walls & ceiling.
The Nicholas brother's were phenomenal!! Their dancing style and athleticism was unmatched. They were almost stuntman in their style, fearless. Still unmatched today. Find more from these guys, yes Amber they were "Incredible"! Their heydays were primarily in the '30s and 40's. I understand that later they instructed others in the art. Truly great American treasures 😏👍
They became Instructors in Residence at Harvard University teaching Master Classes for a while. There are video clips of when they were in their very early teens on TH-cam...check them out for more of the AMAZING Nicholas Brothers!
OK, quick history lesson from one who is from that era (I have been playing and singing for 72 years and counting). Back in the day before TV, people would dress up and go to clubs like this for entertainment. I am surprised that no mention was made about the instrumentalists skills. Yes he (Mr. Calloway) was holding a baton because he was the leader of the band. Tap dancers were, indeed, considered members of the percussion section of the band. P.S. I once played for the Count Basie band. Look up some of his work sometime, you will be pleasantly surprised.
The skill you showed in those days was without the technological safety nets musicians have today, a level of work most people today can barely understand. Add to that the unpredictability of the clubs and the patrons, and you have the musical equivalent of a meticulously rehearsed yet flexible and improvisational skill you see in the best Broadway theater. You are a hero, whether younger people know it or not. You didn't find the path for them, you built it.
This isn't a specially made music video but a clip from the 1943 movie "Stormy Weather," in which Calloway performed this 1939 song of his. In the thirties and forties, this was maybe the most prominent kind of music, big band swing or big band jazz, which grew out of the New Orleans jazz of the 1910s and 1920s. The sound of this song would have been very familiar to people since it was already so popular.
I'm German. My parents and my grandparents liked and even loved that music. Hence I grew up with it. Maybe it's a bit over the top but I think it's a bit like a soundtrack of the rebuilding of Europe after WWII.
This is 1943 y’all. Big band Cab Calloway and His Orchestra. Top notch shajizzle! Cab rocks. His band ROCKS!! The Nicholas Brothers bring the heat every time they dance. So glad you did this. 🤙🔥
And you also have to imagine that they did this all in 1 take with all those movies back in the day. There was no let's do it again. All these dance moves in movies!
Cab is holding a conductor wand, usually you will see heads of symphonies or choirs holding them! It’s to keep everyone on the same tempo! Cab Calloway is considered Big Band/Swing music! My dad LOVED this music! This was from the 30s& 40s! The Nicholas Brothers are freaking amazing! You need to check out Chattanooga Choo-Choo from the Glenn Miller Orchestra the Nicholas Brothers & Dorothy Dandridge are on that! Just fantastic!
I second the recommendation for Chattanooga Choo-Choo. It features the Glenn Miller band, the Modernaires, and the Nicholas Brothers with a young, very cute Dorothy Dandridge. I think this is the best song and dance number in any movie. From the 1941 movie Sun Valley Serenade. Here it is: th-cam.com/users/results?search_query=glenn+miller+chattanooga+choo+choo
Note just how perfect this whole production was - no autotune, no lip syncing - just pure talent. Everything - the band, Cab, the Nicholas Brothers - all were heads and tail above what we get to see and hear now.
He is one of the many big big stars I mentioned the other day in The Blues Brothers movie. Honestly, there is so very much great music in that totally classic movie that you really could not go wrong doing a movie reaction. Pure comedic genius and fantastic music! Separately, watch Cab Calloway do Minnie The Moocher. BTW, Cab was able to dance almost that well into his 70’s!
And when he did Minnie for Blues Brothers, he’d been reinventing that song continuously since the 20s. He was a bit upset with John Landis for insisting on the old-school version, while Cab himself wanted to do the disco version he’d been working on. I have no idea how that would have sounded… Cab’s a bloody legend.
I did see people recommend the blues brothers in the comments the other day. I would love it if they did the songs from that do you think we could get them out of their seats to try shaking their tail feather😁
This is from the movie "Stormy Weather" back in 1943. The dancers are Fayard (1914-2006) and Harold (1921-2000) This was actually not rehearsed at all and was done in one take. The brothers were definitely in tune with one another to pull this off so flawlessly with no rehearsal whatsoever and done perfectly the first time. As always great reaction. Stay safe all.
Almost every time I see an amazing performance, people claim it wasn’t rehearsed. That’s a nice thought, but it’s a myth. This clip reflects endless hours of rehearsal. They could have done it in one take, since they performed in supper clubs and nightclubs and theaters all the time, but it’s most likely that the director insisted on multiple takes in order to choose the best one. This isn’t magic, it just looks like magic because of their skill and dedication and back-breaking hard work!
@@wampatan9 Agreed. Film is expensive and even today major studios hate wasted film. That’s one of the major reasons everyone shoots digital now. Nothing goes into a major motion picture that hasn’t been rehearsed. In fact for a Christopher Guest movie like say Best in Show that has improvised dialogue there’s usually MORE rehearsal than in a scripted film.
@@wampatan9 you’re right. Fayard said in an interview (its on TH-cam somewhere) said they rehearsed it. They only part that wasn’t reheated was the stair scene. They discusses it but didn’t practice it til that day but it was done in one take
The Nicholas Brothers were the greatest dancers of all time IMO. There are some films of them when they were kids and it's truly amazing how great they were even then. This is absolute perfection!
The history of the Nicholas Brothers is incredible, performing as kids until their 70's. They received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1991. They were "tap dancer teachers in residence" at both Harvard and Radcliffe. And are you ready for this? Among their students: Debbie Allen, Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson.
Cab Calloway has been a musical icon for years. He was in the movie "The Blues Brothers", who you saw in their video "Soul Man". Check out the movie, where Cab does his song "Minnie the Moocher" with the Blues Brothers band. Fantastic!
This was the big band era and he was the orchestra conductor. That was his Baton, Everytime I get a chance to watch a clip of the Nicholas Bros. I always watch, I never pass it up! I read that the stair scene was done in one take!!!!! The talent and strength involved is so incredible!!!! That is so much talent on the stage with the Brothers and Cab Calloway!
Now that you've cracked the 40's you need to check out more of the Big Bands. Blenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, the Dorsey brothers. That's how Sinatra and other crooners got started, singing with the big bands.
Relax, Rob! As you mentioned, with their athleticism coupled with years and years of dancing, they could pull off those splits without hurting themselves. What amazed me even more was they could come up out of the splits, almost like someone was pulling them up with strings. So smooth...brilliant dancers!
Cab Calloway was born in New York. He was Harlem Royalty, he eventually made it into film, with a career that lasted 65 years. A true legend, he’s an absolute original and the true definition of the term GOAT.
The item in his hand is called a conductor's baton. You can see him using it at the very beginning of the video when his back is turned towards the camera.
One of the most fun videos that I think you'll ever see is "Old Movie Stars Dance To Uptown Funk" from Nerd Fest UK channel! This guy is a master editor and IMO the video should have received some kind of editing award!! Sooo much fun!!! 💃😍🤩 edit: p.s. The Nicholas Brothers are featured in it, too. 👏
What I love the most about this clip is that every time you think they are doing their finale - no, it's just a pause before the NEXT incredible level of dancing, and they keep doing more and more incredible things.
Welcome to the world of thirties and forties musicals. Huge production numbers. This particular bit was filmed in ONE continuous take. Cab Calloway and His Orchestra was one of the popular big bands of the era. He was instrumental in introducing scat to white audiences. Coach, don't you wish you had some kids that could do those consecutive splits? I took my linemen to a local dance teacher to work on flexibility. NO ONE is in better shape than a dancer. She'd made believers out of my linemen in pretty short order and we still use those stretches to this day (40 years later).
They also did it without rehearsal according to one of the brothers. (I forgot which one, but it’s in an interview with him). He said they just discussed it and went out and performed. For my money, it’s the greatest bit of dancing I’ve seen. Fred Astaire also stated the same sentiments.
one take or more than one take. The point is the talent that these men had was great. I think sometimes we get too involved in the little things and over look or take away from the big thing like these. My favorite line in a movie was "Look Who's Coming To Dinner" when the great actor S.P said you look at yourself as a black man I look at myself as a man. I think if we could all get to that point of looking at ourselves as men and women maybe we could stop the ugliness. Sorry did not mean to stand on my "box". The main thing weather it 1 take or 50 these men had great talent and so much of it was lost. How sad for that fact but how great that some of it was put on film. lets just hope the film is kept or transferred. it would be a shame it this was lost to time.
So when you see an example like this, you can really see how us older folks talk with real passion about how great our entertainment was back then compared to a lot of the stuff today. With the level of skill, artistry, showmanship and all the while doing it with a wholesome family value to it all. The music, dancing, acting, and presentation compared to how things are today is like night and day. Cab Calloway was one of my dads favorites and I loved to watch it with him. I was born in the late 60's so he was still a bit before my time but it was still so much fun to watch. If you like this dancing you should also watch some Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers, or Gene Kelley. So good.
Tap is such an under-appreciated American art form. It is as skillful as ballet & takes years to learn properly. It’s surprising you don’t see more tap to hip hop or rap as they complement each other rhythmically so well.
The Nicholas Brothers were two of the best tap dancers of their era. They were know for their flash which is what got them into mainstream movies in a time when there was a definite color barrier in show business and America. I had the pleasure of meeting Fayard Nicholas the older and taller brother late in his life - such a gracious man. Many say that if it weren't for the color barrier in Hollywood Harold Nicholas could have been as big a star as Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly. There is a bad rumor that this number was filmed in one take, but it was only the section with the white stairs that was take. There is a great interview with Fayard in which he discusses creating this dance - along with Begin The Beguine (Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell) and Moses Suppose (Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor) is considered one of, if not the best tap dance duet in the movies. Another of my favorites of the Nicholas Brothers is Chattanooga Choo Choo with Dorothy Dandridge. Look them up and enjoy!
I didn't know who Cab Calloway was until I saw him performing with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in the Blues Brothers. After that, I discovered how legendary he was.
same here. it was after seeing that my grandmother clued me in to who he was. she had see him perform live. i was in awe. that movie introduced a who generation to some of the best music.
I have been telling my 93 year old dad about your videos and how much I'm enjoying them. I have been doing the same thing for him, in reverse! He is learning my music now too! I call it music class. So far, his favorites are Freddy Mercury, Pink Floyd, Celine Dion and The Beatles, of course! 😁 Wow! I can't wait to show him this video! HIS music!! He's going to love, love, love it! I can hear it now, "Now THAT'S music!!". 😂 Thank you both!!
Black and white was MAGIC. Play it again, and look at the shadows. This was all done very artistically. GREAT talent when there were virtually no electronics.
Cab Calloway was one of the all time greats of the big band era. The Nicholas Brothers are also all time greats and they do what great dancers do and that is interpreting the music with their tap and dance moves. One word really describes the Nicholas Brothers especially in this performance and that is LIMBER!
I have seen this literally dozens of times and the way they stand up from being in a splits position ! How? How? Someone, anyone, how?!! Let's not forget, Cab Callow, total legend.
The only thing I can think it could be was the sheer power of the adrenaline coursing through their bodies. I was in total awe and look forward to sharing the magic of this performance with others.
This was filmed in one take! The shorter of the two brothers has been in several films you might know. He’s an excellent actor. Tap, A Soldier’s Story, The Five Heartbeats. Check them out!
GOATs indeed. Fred Astaire said that this is the greatest dance routine ever committed to film. Gregory Hines, a famous African-American actor and tap danger of the 1980s and 1990s, was once told that he and his brother Maurice were 'the new Nicholas Brothers', looked up film of their routines, saw what they were capable of and publicly stated that there could never be another Nicholas Brothers - he also said that if a biopic was ever going to be made about the Nicholas Brothers the dance scenes would have to be file footage or CGI. Mikhail Baryshnikov, the famous Russian ballet dancer, met and spoke with the Nicholas Brothers with Gregory Hines (with whom he starred in the movie 'White Nights' ) described the Nicholas Brothers as absolute gentlemen and the finest dancers he had ever met. And they were almost entirely self-taught. Greatest Of All Time indeed.
I was waiting for you two to do this one, the expressions on your faces were priceless. I’ve seen this clip dozens of times and it always amazes me, one of the best dance sequences ever filmed.
The dancing scene was done in one take. The Nicholas Brothers were extraordinarily talented and the ultimate professionals. I've watched this clip at least 20 times and it still blows my mind! So glad you enjoyed it! Great reactions!!
This is a level of professionalism and skill you hardly see now a days. It's crazy talent all over the place that blows your mind. This is decades old and still blows you away, i love it. Glad you both enjoyed it.
Listen to Cab's song "Minnie the Moocher" a classic with scat you can join in with. The stick he is holding is called a 'Baton'. You most commonly see it used by the conductor in front of an orchestra. In this generation of music Cab was the 'Band Leader' and he kept the band working together like a conductor. As for the Nicholas Brothers , They did that whole routine wearing a Tuxedo!! Now that's pure Class!
It’s definitely becoming a lost art. I absolutely love to watch a good tapper! You should check out the movie tap with Gregory Hines, and the movie white nights, with Gregory Hines and Mikal Baryshnikov!
I LOVE the dance scenes in that movie! The difference in styles while performing the same moves is incredible. Hines' style that make his routines LOOK like he's just taking it easy, and Baryshnikov's measured, precise style together is nothing short of magical.
Since they did The Blues Brothers video the other day and were so impressed, they might even check out Cab's cameo doing "Minnie the Moocher" in "The Blues Brothers" movie. He still had it goin' on in the 80s ☺.
Love to see Amber's face when they do (Minnie the Moocher). A Mel Tillis interview and a song of his. Boots Randolph,-(Yakety Sax) Duane Eddy,-(Rebel Rouser). So many legends and songs.
@@chriso6719 Fred Astaire is not human 🔥. They would love to see cloggers on (Hee Haw) along with Roy Clark skills. I'm waiting for them to hear Eddie Murphy,-(Party All the time) or Bruce Willis a.k.a Bruno,-(Under the Boardwalk).😎
Cab Calloway and His Orchestra made records from the 1930s to the 1950s. Cab Calloway even came back in the 1970s to do a disco version of his 30s hit "Minnie the Moocher." He was in a Blues Brothers movie and could still move like a young man.
I've loved Cab Calloway ever since watching Blues Brothers as a kid. Now the musicality and musicianship really draws me back! It's just so good.. Those guys REALLY could perform. 7:41 Rob, they're doing it in a safe way 😄😄
Cab Calloway was an enormously influential showman. He almost invented swag. He was one of the earliest and best scat singers. And he had the first million-selling single by a black man in America, "Minnie the Moocher."
Glad that you finally reacted to the guys - the Nicholas Brothers were flat out unbelievable! If you watch closely, you can see that they stop from crushing their nuts in the full splits by stopping their body motion with one hand. Man, talk about needing perfect timing! :) This was from the 1943 movie "Stormy Weather".
The Nicholas Brothers performed this dance in one take without a prior rehearsal! Choreographer Nick Castle urged them to just do it. It was from the movie Stormy Weather starring Lena Horne. Awesome!
It's older than 1950's, it's the 1940's. I believe this is from the movie "stormy weather" in 1943, look it up. Very important movie/music in the history of music. This was big band era. This is fire.
A modern version of this is The Brian Setzer Orchestra, "Jump, Jive, and Wail" is first to come to mind. Brian started in the 80s with The Stray Cats, they did Rockabilly and did songs like "Stray Cat Strut." The orchestra is 1940s style Swing, Rockabilly is from the 1950s. Brian brings these older genres to life for a new audience. Hope you give these a try.
I love watching the Nicholas Brothers! I discovered them by accident about 15 years ago, while researching my family tree. My maiden name is Nicholas, and while looking for ancestors in the United States, I kept finding news clips and videos of their performances. Unfortunately, we are not related... however, what a duo! I can watch them all day!!!
it's so much fun to watch your faces and eyes light up as you experience the very best entertainment, skill and innovation in our history...it's timeless
I wish I was alive when going out meant you could go to a place like this, have dinner and drinks, listen to an orchestra, watch a show, and dance too, all in one place!!! Wow!!
You've been electrified. I adore Cab Calloway. The original rocker in my book. Cab made the "zoot suit," popular. Another great video from that era you're sure to enjoy is the Andrew Sisters, Bougie Woogie Bugle Boy.
Cab Calloway was in the "Blues Brothers Movie" you guys watched. He was a huge artist back in the day. And the Nicholas Brothers were just........ absolutely amazing.
Saw this clip before, and after you paused the first time, and was so amazed at Cab, I’m just snickering like ‘they ain’t ready, heheh’ and you guys didn’t disappoint. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you guys so speechless that you just sit and stare at a clip like that, I loved it. 😂
I understand the granddaughters of the Nicholas Brothers are carrying on the family tradition. Introducing classic tap to young people their own age. More power to them, I say!
"Make someone smile"? I've watched this video for years now and it always amazes and gives me the biggest smile ever! Recently I re-watched another Nicolas Brothers video from 1941 - "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" with Glenn Miller's orchestra and the beautiful, talented Dorothy Dandridge. So worth checking out!
Came across something on You Tube that might interest both of you. There is a six minute video with Dean Martin & Sammy Davis Jr. singing together. It is fantastic. FYI-Cab Calloway was using a baton & yes he was conducting the musicians. Mr. Calloway was a multi-talented individual. The Nicholas Brothers were exceptional dancers.
I recommend Gene Kelly preforming Singing in the rain, Haled as best the song and dance man ever! This is his best performance and he had a temp of 100 deg.
Singing in the Rain is one of my favorite classic musicals. I was introduced to musicals as a kid by my mom and I still love them to this day. My favorite though has to be 1956 The King and I with Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr. I loved the Shall We Dance as I thought it was so beautiful
I am so glad you reacted to jumpin jive Nicholas brothers didn't the credit they so much deserve. No one could match them. Girl in Kalamazoo with Nicholas brothers great they sing and dance in this one
Cab calloway and the brothers were the best. Everyone loved them no matter their race, creed or color. Cab's holding the conductor's baton since it's his orchestra. It's so fun seeing you pause the video and talk about the athleticism involved and how hard it is...knowing what's coming and knowing your jaws are about to hit the floor.
I've seen this clip about 90 times because it makes me so happy, I love watching dance performances, and this music is crazy, my dad had me listen to music from the 20s forward so that I could appreciate all music of today. I must say, I prefer old music. 🤗
Wonderful! Cab Calloway & his orchestra were the house band at the Cotton Club in Harlem during the 30s. If you enjoyed this, you'd probably really enjoy Fats Waller, or Duke Ellington & his orchestra (Calloway's orchestra took over from Ellington's at the Cotton Club), especially Ellington with Ella Fitzgerald for more scatting. Or Willie 'The Lion' Smith who had a huge influence on Fats & the Duke & was a monster character himself.
This might just be my favorite reaction by you two! You were having so much fun when Cab Calloway and his band were playing. As the Nicholas brothers got going you both looked stunned, that is until they started doing the splits going down the stairs and J lost it! Priceless reaction!!!
In addition to the huge amount of talent needed just to do the steps, the fact that they'd land the jumps exactly on the beat meant that they had to know exactly how high they had to jump because once they left the ground, gravity took over.
Cab Calloway was the epitome of cool. There was NOTHING uncool about him, not in public, at least. Always wore the best suits, always had the coolest lingo, always had the best song and one of the greatest bands of the era. He was just SO smooth. And apparently, father of the woman who played Wilona on the TV shot Good Times, if you're old enough to remember that one. That is NOT a well known thing, because he was not married to her mother and it was kept pretty quiet until just a few years ago. The Nicholas brothers are simply THE best, hands down. There is NO ONE like them, not before, not since. Never WILL be. This particular routine was filmed in ONE take, there are NO cuts, there was NO time when anyone said CUT and they took it again. This is unheard of, not only at the time, but even today. These two came in and NAILED it, never rehearsing it with the band before the director yelled "Action". Again, absolutely unheard of. But these two were the absolute best, hands down. Gregory Hines said in an interview that when he and his brother Maurice were young, people kept telling them they were great and would be the next Nicholas brothers. Then they SAW the Nicholas brothers and said "nope, that's NOT going to be us. No way". These guys were and just plain still are the best. Fred Astaire said hands down, there was no one like these two guys. Anyone who actually dances will say the same thing.
I have never busted out laughing at any reaction video until this one when J was agonizing over those splits! That was truly tremendous dancing. Awesome video.
I laugh at my husband every time we watch the Nicholas Bros. dance because he cringes just like Jordan did. The two men were the best at their craft...very athletic, never missed a step and so flexible. Amazing to watch them perform.
Hopefully it was my recommendation that had you pick this. I was thrilled to see Cab Calloway and his band at the Strand in Boston / Roxbury in the 1980’s. His daughter was leading the band by then but his performance was as energetic as in his youth. For me, it was a special evening because he was my father’s all time favourite. (He had several all time favourites and they were all great.) I must say that my father had great taste in music!!🤣🤣🤣👍
Athleticism? The Nicholas brothers did that dance routine in one take!! No stopping camera to redo a scene. No CGI to enhance. Just pure, unadulterated talent!
Sorry...but no. There are multiple camera angles that only come from multiple takes. Each SEGMENT in one take I could say yes...but there were no multiple camera shots for feature films...multiple camera didn't come in until I Love Lucy on TV.
Proof of not all in one take? 9:03...Fayard has clearly passed the center line of the stage and is in front of the right ramp.... but when the shot switches to a center shot at 9:04, he's JUST crossing center.
Nothing takes anything away from the MASSIVE skills the brothers had, but this was not a single-take dance.
@@samsignorelli - Take a look at the ORIGINAL video. Multiple camera, yes. But what you are forgetting is that the side view camera distorts depth perception, whereas the centered camera clearly shows where they are in proportion to the rest of the stage. (th-cam.com/video/_8yGGtVKrD8/w-d-xo.html) On the original video (see link) at 4:16, the camera is about 45 degrees left of center. Look at their feet. Take a good not where they are positioned. If the camera was CENTERED, the Nicholas Brothers would be left side of the stage. But because the footage was shot from the left - they appear closer to the center.
At 4:17, the camera clearly has moved slightly left and zoomed in - further distorting your perception of exactly where they are on the stage. At 4:18 - where you claim is a 2nd take, the footage is taken from the CENTERED camera, and shot from further back, providing a wider view. However, if you follow frame by frame, you can see fluid movement.
It's not a second take. Just switching from Camera 1 (left side, zoomed in) to Camera 2 (centered, wider view). Your depth perception was influenced by the camera angle.
@@billsager5634 Ok....here's another one to look at. Original vid...3:29 as they hit the bottom in the splits sequence....Fayard's left hand is in contact with the stage.
3:30 the shot switches to one from the same angle, but a little closer...his left hand is now way over his head....in the space of one frame. That's too fast to have bee done in one take,
Additionally, film cameras were huge in 1943. They had large cables to provide power...you don't just run over those when moving another camera around. The resources just weren't there for multiple cameras....we WERE at war at the time, remember.
As to your point about Fayard near the end....original vid...4:18...sorry, but that's not a trick of the camera angle...he IS in front of the right ramp...look at his feet if you can stop it right before the camera shot changes.
I would accept "one take" if you meant every individual sequence was done in one take and then spliced together....but it's not a single continuous shot. I don't know that a single can of film in the 40s would be ABLE to record almost 5 continuous minutes to begin with. The average take at the time was less than 20 seconds.
The longest sequence without a camera shot change in Jumpin' Jive was the first one with Calloway at 38 seconds long The longest one in the actual dance was the bit on the bandstands at around 30 seconds.
A COLLECTION of single takes yes...what modern actors call a "oner" no.
@@samsignorelli it was 1 take. Look it up.
Hey,
I was going to text u guys,
That incredible dance routine,
By the Berry bros .
I knew u would enjoy!!
Spectacular!!
The single greatest dance routine ever put to film.
Gregory Hines -- a skilled dancer himself -- once said that if the life story of the NIcholas Brothers was ever set to film, they'd have to use CGI during their dance sequences, because there is no one left alive who could perform them.
Exactly! Thank you.
no one can come close to this --Im happy young people are getting to see this and I'm hoping it will inspire big band and tap again
I believe that…
I miss Gregory Hines. His dance sequence with Mikail Baryshnikov in "White Nights" was stunning.
@@jillwklausen it was a great movie
The fact that when two of them are tapping, you don't hear TWO people, it sounds like one.
That is stunning talent and timing.
The video is a clip from “Stormy Weather” a 1943 all black Hollywood gala production. It is a must see for you young novices. Your enthusiasm is infectious.
From memory it was also done in one take with no rehearsal so unbelievable skill
@@bline5891 No rehearsal?!?!
@@bline5891 I'm pretty sure it was rehearsed!
And Cab originally recorded the song in 1939.
And the single white trombone player!!
(Second from the left, middle row!) 🤣
Fred Astaire said this was the greatest dance routine ever recorded! These boys absolutely KILLED IT!
@S Ragsdale It was done by rotating the "room" he was dancing in. He was always on the bottom with the walls & ceiling rotating under him. When played back, the room was shown as if it was stationary, making it look like he was moving around the walls & ceiling.
So so true
The Nicholas brother's were phenomenal!! Their dancing style and athleticism was unmatched. They were almost stuntman in their style, fearless. Still unmatched today. Find more from these guys, yes Amber they were "Incredible"! Their heydays were primarily in the '30s and 40's. I understand that later they instructed others in the art. Truly great American treasures 😏👍
People think Michael Jackson was a great dancer. He could not hold a candle to these incredibly talented men.
@@MizCriz46, Absolutely. Jackson was definitely talented, but as for dance? Couldn't hold a candle to these two! Nor to Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly.
Yes, they should have starred in their own musical. It's a shame the culture of the day prevented this.
They became Instructors in Residence at Harvard University teaching Master Classes for a while. There are video clips of when they were in their very early teens on TH-cam...check them out for more of the AMAZING Nicholas Brothers!
@@MizCriz46 One of the Nicholas brothers taught him moon walking etc... just saying!
OK, quick history lesson from one who is from that era (I have been playing and singing for 72 years and counting). Back in the day before TV, people would dress up and go to clubs like this for entertainment. I am surprised that no mention was made about the instrumentalists skills. Yes he (Mr. Calloway) was holding a baton because he was the leader of the band. Tap dancers were, indeed, considered members of the percussion section of the band. P.S. I once played for the Count Basie band. Look up some of his work sometime, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Yer awesome,!
RESPECT!!!
Amazing! 👏
The skill you showed in those days was without the technological safety nets musicians have today, a level of work most people today can barely understand. Add to that the unpredictability of the clubs and the patrons, and you have the musical equivalent of a meticulously rehearsed yet flexible and improvisational skill you see in the best Broadway theater. You are a hero, whether younger people know it or not. You didn't find the path for them, you built it.
It’s a real treat to have you post here.
This isn't a specially made music video but a clip from the 1943 movie "Stormy Weather," in which Calloway performed this 1939 song of his. In the thirties and forties, this was maybe the most prominent kind of music, big band swing or big band jazz, which grew out of the New Orleans jazz of the 1910s and 1920s. The sound of this song would have been very familiar to people since it was already so popular.
i loved the style as a kid. made me want to play in high school band
Thank you! I knew I could come to the comments for the answers. 👍
This was filmed for showing in movie theaters, so the quality was excellent.
I'm German. My parents and my grandparents liked and even loved that music. Hence I grew up with it. Maybe it's a bit over the top but I think it's a bit like a soundtrack of the rebuilding of Europe after WWII.
Cab Calloway doing Minnie The Moocher in The Blues Brothers was classic. The Nicholas Brothers were insanely talented.
This is 1943 y’all. Big band Cab Calloway and His Orchestra. Top notch shajizzle! Cab rocks. His band ROCKS!! The Nicholas Brothers bring the heat every time they dance. So glad you did this. 🤙🔥
And you also have to imagine that they did this all in 1 take with all those movies back in the day. There was no let's do it again. All these dance moves in movies!
Legendary
I have seen where the Nicholas family name is still alive in the dancing world. I believe it is great grandkids now.
Thanks for pointing out the year. When Amber said that it was maybe from the 50s, I thought, "oh no, it's much earlier than that!"
Cab kind of puts rappers to shame!
Cab is holding a conductor wand, usually you will see heads of symphonies or choirs holding them! It’s to keep everyone on the same tempo! Cab Calloway is considered Big Band/Swing music! My dad LOVED this music! This was from the 30s& 40s! The Nicholas Brothers are freaking amazing! You need to check out Chattanooga Choo-Choo from the Glenn Miller Orchestra the Nicholas Brothers & Dorothy Dandridge are on that! Just fantastic!
It's called a baton
@@garyking6519 I knew that but couldn’t for the life of me remember! Thanks! 🤦🏻♀️🤣
@@redchick5278 :)
I second the recommendation for Chattanooga Choo-Choo. It features the Glenn Miller band, the Modernaires, and the Nicholas Brothers with a young, very cute Dorothy Dandridge. I think this is the best song and dance number in any movie. From the 1941 movie Sun Valley Serenade.
Here it is: th-cam.com/users/results?search_query=glenn+miller+chattanooga+choo+choo
If they had noticed he was using the baton at the very beginning conducting before he broke out.
Note just how perfect this whole production was - no autotune, no lip syncing - just pure talent. Everything - the band, Cab, the Nicholas Brothers - all were heads and tail above what we get to see and hear now.
He is one of the many big big stars I mentioned the other day in The Blues Brothers movie. Honestly, there is so very much great music in that totally classic movie that you really could not go wrong doing a movie reaction. Pure comedic genius and fantastic music!
Separately, watch Cab Calloway do Minnie The Moocher. BTW, Cab was able to dance almost that well into his 70’s!
“St. James Infirmary Blues” is another great one by Cab!
And when he did Minnie for Blues Brothers, he’d been reinventing that song continuously since the 20s. He was a bit upset with John Landis for insisting on the old-school version, while Cab himself wanted to do the disco version he’d been working on. I have no idea how that would have sounded…
Cab’s a bloody legend.
@@awmperry Landis had it right, the version in the movie fits way better than a disco version would.
I did see people recommend the blues brothers in the comments the other day. I would love it if they did the songs from that do you think we could get them out of their seats to try shaking their tail feather😁
@@sarablack2547 That would be awesome!
This is from the movie "Stormy Weather" back in 1943. The dancers are Fayard (1914-2006) and Harold (1921-2000) This was actually not rehearsed at all and was done in one take. The brothers were definitely in tune with one another to pull this off so flawlessly with no rehearsal whatsoever and done perfectly the first time. As always great reaction. Stay safe all.
Almost every time I see an amazing performance, people claim it wasn’t rehearsed. That’s a nice thought, but it’s a myth. This clip reflects endless hours of rehearsal. They could have done it in one take, since they performed in supper clubs and nightclubs and theaters all the time, but it’s most likely that the director insisted on multiple takes in order to choose the best one.
This isn’t magic, it just looks like magic because of their skill and dedication and back-breaking hard work!
I'm gonna have to call you out on "not rehearsed at all". The performance is amazing but that statement can't be true.
@@wampatan9 Agreed. Film is expensive and even today major studios hate wasted film. That’s one of the major reasons everyone shoots digital now.
Nothing goes into a major motion picture that hasn’t been rehearsed.
In fact for a Christopher Guest movie like say Best in Show that has improvised dialogue there’s usually MORE rehearsal than in a scripted film.
@@wampatan9 you’re right. Fayard said in an interview (its on TH-cam somewhere) said they rehearsed it. They only part that wasn’t reheated was the stair scene. They discusses it but didn’t practice it til that day but it was done in one take
I seriously doubt that is not rehearsed. One take maybe, but that is most definitely rehearsed.
The Nicholas Brothers were the greatest dancers of all time IMO. There are some films of them when they were kids and it's truly amazing how great they were even then. This is absolute perfection!
Fred Astaire was okay, but the Nicholas Brothers were the GOAT! They should have been all over in the movies.
The history of the Nicholas Brothers is incredible, performing as kids until their 70's. They received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1991. They were "tap dancer teachers in residence" at both Harvard and Radcliffe. And are you ready for this? Among their students: Debbie Allen, Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson.
Cab Calloway has been a musical icon for years. He was in the movie "The Blues Brothers", who you saw in their video "Soul Man". Check out the movie, where Cab does his song "Minnie the Moocher" with the Blues Brothers band. Fantastic!
I 2nd this suggestion! Please watch the Blues Brothers movie!! 💙
There are videos on youtube of Cab doing those songs when he was young. Nothing beats a performer doing his thing in his prime.
This is the story about Minnie the Moocher, She was a low down hoochie coocher........
Yeess! Minnie The Moocher, awesome stuff!
Cab Calloway performing "Minnie the Moocher" (and all of the Blues Brothers movie) is a blast. A definite MUST SEE!
This was the big band era and he was the orchestra conductor. That was his Baton, Everytime I get a chance to watch a clip of the Nicholas Bros. I always watch, I never pass it up! I read that the stair scene was done in one take!!!!! The talent and strength involved is so incredible!!!! That is so much talent on the stage with the Brothers and Cab Calloway!
Now that you've cracked the 40's you need to check out more of the Big Bands. Blenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, the Dorsey brothers. That's how Sinatra and other crooners got started, singing with the big bands.
That's Glenn Miller (not Blenn), for anyone who doesn't know.
Glenn Miller
Don't forget the Andrew Sisters
I have been trying for weeks to get them to listen to Sing, Sing, Sing by Tommy Dorsey, maybe we are getting closer.
And don't forget Artie Shaw, Jimmie Lunceford and Chick Webb and Lionel Hampton.
He’s carrying a conductor’s baton. And he’s wearing white tie & tails, the most elegant evening clothes that a man could wear!
Relax, Rob! As you mentioned, with their athleticism coupled with years and years of dancing, they could pull off those splits without hurting themselves. What amazed me even more was they could come up out of the splits, almost like someone was pulling them up with strings. So smooth...brilliant dancers!
Me too!!!!
That is one of the things they did not mention. Instead of strings, I saw it as levitating themselves back up.
The best dancers, ever. Fred Astaire said this was the best dance routine ever put on film. This era of music is still my favorite.
If Fred said it, it was the gospel
This is my favourite dance number! Amazing!
He danced with the 2 brothers when they were boys th-cam.com/video/tOfPJ28BxIk/w-d-xo.html, their mother was the one who was recording it
Affair and Kelly would be happy to hold these guys beer.
@@sinenominecc There is a routine on You Tube with the brothers and Gene Kelly from the movie "The Pirate".
Cab Calloway was born in New York. He was Harlem Royalty, he eventually made it into film, with a career that lasted 65 years. A true legend, he’s an absolute original and the true definition of the term GOAT.
The Nicholas brothers have always made me happy that I was alive to see their incredible dancing. They blow me away on every viewing.
The item in his hand is called a conductor's baton. You can see him using it at the very beginning of the video when his back is turned towards the camera.
One of the most fun videos that I think you'll ever see is "Old Movie Stars Dance To Uptown Funk" from Nerd Fest UK channel! This guy is a master editor and IMO the video should have received some kind of editing award!! Sooo much fun!!! 💃😍🤩 edit: p.s. The Nicholas Brothers are featured in it, too. 👏
It would be so much fun to see them reaction to the dancing in that video
Their girls would probably love it too! Seems like back in the day, dancing was second to breathing!!
YES!
They definitely need to see that video, it's great. I've rewatched it many times. In fact, I'm going to go watch it again right now.
@@ordinarynocturne Up Town Funk is FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I love the most about this clip is that every time you think they are doing their finale - no, it's just a pause before the NEXT incredible level of dancing, and they keep doing more and more incredible things.
Welcome to the world of thirties and forties musicals. Huge production numbers. This particular bit was filmed in ONE continuous take. Cab Calloway and His Orchestra was one of the popular big bands of the era. He was instrumental in introducing scat to white audiences. Coach, don't you wish you had some kids that could do those consecutive splits? I took my linemen to a local dance teacher to work on flexibility. NO ONE is in better shape than a dancer. She'd made believers out of my linemen in pretty short order and we still use those stretches to this day (40 years later).
Truly mind blowing
j'ai des doutes...a 7.10 y'a une belle coupure...
They also did it without rehearsal according to one of the brothers. (I forgot which one, but it’s in an interview with him). He said they just discussed it and went out and performed. For my money, it’s the greatest bit of dancing I’ve seen. Fred Astaire also stated the same sentiments.
one take or more than one take. The point is the talent that these men had was great. I think sometimes we get too involved in the little things and over look or take away from the big thing like these. My favorite line in a movie was "Look Who's Coming To Dinner" when the great actor S.P said you look at yourself as a black man I look at myself as a man. I think if we could all get to that point of looking at ourselves as men and women maybe we could stop the ugliness. Sorry did not mean to stand on my "box". The main thing weather it 1 take or 50 these men had great talent and so much of it was lost. How sad for that fact but how great that some of it was put on film. lets just hope the film is kept or transferred. it would be a shame it this was lost to time.
Wrong. Fayard said they did 8 bars at a time. The end hopping was one take.
So when you see an example like this, you can really see how us older folks talk with real passion about how great our entertainment was back then compared to a lot of the stuff today. With the level of skill, artistry, showmanship and all the while doing it with a wholesome family value to it all. The music, dancing, acting, and presentation compared to how things are today is like night and day. Cab Calloway was one of my dads favorites and I loved to watch it with him. I was born in the late 60's so he was still a bit before my time but it was still so much fun to watch. If you like this dancing you should also watch some Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers, or Gene Kelley. So good.
Cab was in the first Blues Brothers movie did Minnie the Moocher awesome preformance.
Another great dancer of the era- Ray Bolger- the Scarecrow in "Wizard of Oz."
The Berry Brothers were like the Nicholas Brothers on steroids. They were the best of the lot.
fred was kinda like a stick figure. gene was grace in motion
I'm 27 but was raised on this stuff, so even though I'm young I completely understand.
Tap is such an under-appreciated American art form. It is as skillful as ballet & takes years to learn properly. It’s surprising you don’t see more tap to hip hop or rap as they complement each other rhythmically so well.
Bring In Da Noise Bring In Da Funk was a great hip hop tap show on Broadway starring Savion Glover.
Movie: White Nights
Watch Barysnikov and Gregory Hines dance.
James Cagney had some moves, but these guys blew everybody away.
The Nicholas Brothers were two of the best tap dancers of their era. They were know for their flash which is what got them into mainstream movies in a time when there was a definite color barrier in show business and America. I had the pleasure of meeting Fayard Nicholas the older and taller brother late in his life - such a gracious man. Many say that if it weren't for the color barrier in Hollywood Harold Nicholas could have been as big a star as Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly. There is a bad rumor that this number was filmed in one take, but it was only the section with the white stairs that was take. There is a great interview with Fayard in which he discusses creating this dance - along with Begin The Beguine (Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell) and Moses Suppose (Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor) is considered one of, if not the best tap dance duet in the movies. Another of my favorites of the Nicholas Brothers is Chattanooga Choo Choo with Dorothy Dandridge. Look them up and enjoy!
Fayard, not Faust
Autocorrect strikes again.
Fred Astaire said this was "'the greatest dancing he had ever seen on film". Yep!
There are several documentaries on their life on TH-cam. Interesting!
two of the best in any era.
The Nicholas Brothers did this in one take. Amazing!!!
One take, no CGI, no autotune, and barely made a living half the time despite the skill.
This was when things were down in 1 take. Not spliced together or enhanced. Pure talent
The pain in your face with the splits. I died 😂😂😂
The Nicholas Brothers were some Bad boys. Raw talent. Wow
I didn't know who Cab Calloway was until I saw him performing with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in the Blues Brothers. After that, I discovered how legendary he was.
same here. it was after seeing that my grandmother clued me in to who he was. she had see him perform live. i was in awe. that movie introduced a who generation to some of the best music.
Me too
Have you heard of his sister Blanche Calloway?
Please do a reaction to either the entire “Blues Brothers” movie (1980) or Cab Calloway performing “Minnie the Moocher” from that movie.
Hy Dee hy dee hy dee hy!
I have been telling my 93 year old dad about your videos and how much I'm enjoying them. I have been doing the same thing for him, in reverse! He is learning my music now too! I call it music class. So far, his favorites are Freddy Mercury, Pink Floyd, Celine Dion and The Beatles, of course! 😁 Wow! I can't wait to show him this video! HIS music!! He's going to love, love, love it! I can hear it now, "Now THAT'S music!!". 😂 Thank you both!!
You should record his reactions! I'd LOVE to see him react to modern music!
What a beautiful fortieth to share with your father.
I’m so glad you guys watched this. You’ve just experienced some of the most talented Americans ever.
Black and white was MAGIC. Play it again, and look at the shadows. This was all done very artistically. GREAT talent when there were virtually no electronics.
Being a Tap dancer myself since a child, Could not have done better than the Nicholas Brothers! Yes! It is a conductors baton.
Cab Calloway was one of the all time greats of the big band era. The Nicholas Brothers are also all time greats and they do what great dancers do and that is interpreting the music with their tap and dance moves. One word really describes the Nicholas Brothers especially in this performance and that is LIMBER!
I have seen this literally dozens of times and the way they stand up from being in a splits position ! How? How? Someone, anyone, how?!!
Let's not forget, Cab Callow, total legend.
They never skipped leg day
The only thing I can think it could be was the sheer power of the adrenaline coursing through their bodies. I was in total awe and look forward to sharing the magic of this performance with others.
Cab Calloway was a band leader (hence the baton) - actually, this was more New York, Harlem, Cotten Club type music - GREAT STUFF.
This was one of the most athletic performances I've ever seen.
This was filmed in one take! The shorter of the two brothers has been in several films you might know. He’s an excellent actor. Tap, A Soldier’s Story, The Five Heartbeats. Check them out!
You HAVE to research the Nicholas Brothers. As a dancer who studied tap dance they are the GOATS. Such inspirations.
GOATs indeed. Fred Astaire said that this is the greatest dance routine ever committed to film. Gregory Hines, a famous African-American actor and tap danger of the 1980s and 1990s, was once told that he and his brother Maurice were 'the new Nicholas Brothers', looked up film of their routines, saw what they were capable of and publicly stated that there could never be another Nicholas Brothers - he also said that if a biopic was ever going to be made about the Nicholas Brothers the dance scenes would have to be file footage or CGI. Mikhail Baryshnikov, the famous Russian ballet dancer, met and spoke with the Nicholas Brothers with Gregory Hines (with whom he starred in the movie 'White Nights' ) described the Nicholas Brothers as absolute gentlemen and the finest dancers he had ever met.
And they were almost entirely self-taught.
Greatest Of All Time indeed.
I was waiting for you two to do this one, the expressions on your faces were priceless. I’ve seen this clip dozens of times and it always amazes me, one of the best dance sequences ever filmed.
Per Fred Astaire, it was THE best dance sequence ever filmed; and that man ought to know.
Every time I see this I am amazed! I’m so glad you guys finally got to see it!! Sammy Davis, Jr. started as a dancer too!
I agree love their reactions.
Me too. I have suggested to them twice to these guys & so glad that they're reacting to them.
Nicholas brothers were the absolute best of the best!!’
The dancing scene was done in one take. The Nicholas Brothers were extraordinarily talented and the ultimate professionals. I've watched this clip at least 20 times and it still blows my mind! So glad you enjoyed it! Great reactions!!
This is a level of professionalism and skill you hardly see now a days. It's crazy talent all over the place that blows your mind. This is decades old and still blows you away, i love it. Glad you both enjoyed it.
Talent like this is timeless.
3:20 Cab Calloway was the leader of the band, he was holding what is simply called a" baton" used by the conductor of the band.
Listen to Cab's song "Minnie the Moocher" a classic with scat you can join in with. The stick he is holding is called a 'Baton'. You most commonly see it used by the conductor in front of an orchestra. In this generation of music Cab was the 'Band Leader' and he kept the band working together like a conductor. As for the Nicholas Brothers , They did that whole routine wearing a Tuxedo!! Now that's pure Class!
I was dyin, waiting for Jordans reaction to the stairs jump/split part....😂
Imagine if you had some players with those skills Coach!
I was too!!! I kept saying “wait for it wait for it!”
@@tinakeith5822 😂right?!😂
The Nicholas Brothers were AMAZING! Nobody then or since can match them.
It’s definitely becoming a lost art. I absolutely love to watch a good tapper! You should check out the movie tap with Gregory Hines, and the movie white nights, with Gregory Hines and Mikal Baryshnikov!
I LOVE the dance scenes in that movie! The difference in styles while performing the same moves is incredible. Hines' style that make his routines LOOK like he's just taking it easy, and Baryshnikov's measured, precise style together is nothing short of magical.
Gregory Hines was fantastic!
One of my favorite movies! Excellent suggestion! White Nights...
You should check out Cab Calloway doing Minnie the Moocher.
If you want old, check out 30's blues man Robert Johnson.
Since they did The Blues Brothers video the other day and were so impressed, they might even check out Cab's cameo doing "Minnie the Moocher" in "The Blues Brothers" movie. He still had it goin' on in the 80s ☺.
Love to see Amber's face when they do (Minnie the Moocher). A Mel Tillis interview and a song of his. Boots Randolph,-(Yakety Sax) Duane Eddy,-(Rebel Rouser). So many legends and songs.
@@joshsmith302 They loved the tap dancing, can you see their faces if they watched Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and/or Ginger Rogers.
@@chriso6719 Fred Astaire is not human 🔥. They would love to see cloggers on (Hee Haw) along with Roy Clark skills. I'm waiting for them to hear Eddie Murphy,-(Party All the time) or Bruce Willis a.k.a Bruno,-(Under the Boardwalk).😎
I can’t love this couple more. Sooooo lovely in their reactions. Total delight to watch. x
That's a conductor's baton, because this was an orchestra. I'm so glad you watched this one; there are so many more, but this is one of my favorites.
Cab Calloway and His Orchestra made records from the 1930s to the 1950s. Cab Calloway even came back in the 1970s to do a disco version of his 30s hit "Minnie the Moocher." He was in a Blues Brothers movie and could still move like a young man.
I've loved Cab Calloway ever since watching Blues Brothers as a kid. Now the musicality and musicianship really draws me back! It's just so good.. Those guys REALLY could perform. 7:41 Rob, they're doing it in a safe way 😄😄
Lots of love for the dancing of course but let’s not fail to acknowledge Cab’s amazing voice and charisma.
Cab Calloway was an enormously influential showman. He almost invented swag. He was one of the earliest and best scat singers. And he had the first million-selling single by a black man in America, "Minnie the Moocher."
Glad that you finally reacted to the guys - the Nicholas Brothers were flat out unbelievable!
If you watch closely, you can see that they stop from crushing their nuts in the full splits by stopping their body motion with one hand. Man, talk about needing perfect timing! :)
This was from the 1943 movie "Stormy Weather".
The Nicholas Brothers performed this dance in one take without a prior rehearsal! Choreographer Nick Castle urged them to just do it. It was from the movie Stormy Weather starring Lena Horne. Awesome!
It's older than 1950's, it's the 1940's. I believe this is from the movie "stormy weather" in 1943, look it up. Very important movie/music in the history of music. This was big band era. This is fire.
A modern version of this is The Brian Setzer Orchestra, "Jump, Jive, and Wail" is first to come to mind. Brian started in the 80s with The Stray Cats, they did Rockabilly and did songs like "Stray Cat Strut." The orchestra is 1940s style Swing, Rockabilly is from the 1950s. Brian brings these older genres to life for a new audience. Hope you give these a try.
Jump Jive and Wail was originally a hit witten and performed by Louis Prima in 1956.
Great suggestion. Love Brian Stetzer and The Stray Cats.
Joe Jackson does this and great!th-cam.com/video/eGcJfSXLg-g/w-d-xo.html
Hack band.
I love watching the Nicholas Brothers! I discovered them by accident about 15 years ago, while researching my family tree. My maiden name is Nicholas, and while looking for ancestors in the United States, I kept finding news clips and videos of their performances. Unfortunately, we are not related... however, what a duo! I can watch them all day!!!
The look of astonishment on your face during the dance routine….just brilliant 😂
The look of pain on his when they did the splits... PRICELESS
Cab is holding a conductors baton. It's used to conduct large orchestra's.
it's so much fun to watch your faces and eyes light up as you experience the very best entertainment, skill and innovation in our history...it's timeless
I wish I was alive when going out meant you could go to a place like this, have dinner and drinks, listen to an orchestra, watch a show, and dance too, all in one place!!! Wow!!
You've been electrified. I adore Cab Calloway. The original rocker in my book. Cab made the "zoot suit," popular. Another great video from that era you're sure to enjoy is the Andrew Sisters, Bougie Woogie Bugle Boy.
did Janet Jackson paid homage to Calloway in one of her videos?
Cab Calloway was in the "Blues Brothers Movie" you guys watched. He was a huge artist back in the day. And the Nicholas Brothers were just........ absolutely amazing.
I'm smiling ear to ear at 7:01 knowing what's coming up with the double staircase...These dude were VIcious!
Saw this clip before, and after you paused the first time, and was so amazed at Cab, I’m just snickering like ‘they ain’t ready, heheh’ and you guys didn’t disappoint. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you guys so speechless that you just sit and stare at a clip like that, I loved it. 😂
I understand the granddaughters of the Nicholas Brothers are carrying on the family tradition. Introducing classic tap to young people their own age. More power to them, I say!
"Make someone smile"? I've watched this video for years now and it always amazes and gives me the biggest smile ever! Recently I re-watched another Nicolas Brothers video from 1941 - "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" with Glenn Miller's orchestra and the beautiful, talented Dorothy Dandridge. So worth checking out!
God Dorothy! So good
Thank you both for appreciating this great music and history
In your face, Dancing with the stars.
Came across something on You Tube that might interest both of you. There is a six minute video with Dean Martin & Sammy Davis Jr. singing together. It is fantastic. FYI-Cab Calloway was using a baton & yes he was conducting the musicians. Mr. Calloway was a multi-talented individual. The Nicholas Brothers were exceptional dancers.
You should listen (and watch) Cab's signature piece, Minnie the Moocher. Mr. Calloway shines.
I recommend Gene Kelly preforming Singing in the rain, Haled as best the song and dance man ever! This is his best performance and he had a temp of 100 deg.
Singing in the Rain is one of my favorite classic musicals. I was introduced to musicals as a kid by my mom and I still love them to this day. My favorite though has to be 1956 The King and I with Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr. I loved the Shall We Dance as I thought it was so beautiful
I am so glad you reacted to jumpin jive Nicholas brothers didn't the credit they so much deserve. No one could match them. Girl in Kalamazoo with Nicholas brothers great they sing and dance in this one
Cab calloway and the brothers were the best. Everyone loved them no matter their race, creed or color. Cab's holding the conductor's baton since it's his orchestra. It's so fun seeing you pause the video and talk about the athleticism involved and how hard it is...knowing what's coming and knowing your jaws are about to hit the floor.
I've seen this clip about 90 times because it makes me so happy, I love watching dance performances, and this music is crazy, my dad had me listen to music from the 20s forward so that I could appreciate all music of today. I must say, I prefer old music. 🤗
This is when there was talent. Original talent. No one today could perform like that. Not even with practice.
They loved the tap, they should watch Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers.
The Nicholas Brothers' dancing was an Art Form pure and simple ART!😊😊😊😊
Wonderful! Cab Calloway & his orchestra were the house band at the Cotton Club in Harlem during the 30s. If you enjoyed this, you'd probably really enjoy Fats Waller, or Duke Ellington & his orchestra (Calloway's orchestra took over from Ellington's at the Cotton Club), especially Ellington with Ella Fitzgerald for more scatting. Or Willie 'The Lion' Smith who had a huge influence on Fats & the Duke & was a monster character himself.
Cab was the trend setter in NYC, bands, singing, lingo and zoom suit style!
BILL “BOJANGLES” ROBINSON’S stair routine is also amazing!!! Fred Astaire and the Nicholas Brothers cited him as their inspirations.
This might just be my favorite reaction by you two! You were having so much fun when Cab Calloway and his band were playing. As the Nicholas brothers got going you both looked stunned, that is until they started doing the splits going down the stairs and J lost it! Priceless reaction!!!
In addition to the huge amount of talent needed just to do the steps, the fact that they'd land the jumps exactly on the beat meant that they had to know exactly how high they had to jump because once they left the ground, gravity took over.
This is music in the raw Duke Ellington played at the cotton club owned by cab Calloway. Try some Benny Goodman sing sing sing
two of the greatest dancers ever, the Nicholas brothers, The orchestra is CAB'S
They did this number in ONE TAKE-!!!!!
Such talent, musicality, and straight up joy. Today's music doesn't hold a candle.
This blows my mind every time I watch. I’ve seen many times before now, and it’s still amazing.
Cab Calloway was the epitome of cool. There was NOTHING uncool about him, not in public, at least. Always wore the best suits, always had the coolest lingo, always had the best song and one of the greatest bands of the era. He was just SO smooth. And apparently, father of the woman who played Wilona on the TV shot Good Times, if you're old enough to remember that one. That is NOT a well known thing, because he was not married to her mother and it was kept pretty quiet until just a few years ago.
The Nicholas brothers are simply THE best, hands down. There is NO ONE like them, not before, not since. Never WILL be. This particular routine was filmed in ONE take, there are NO cuts, there was NO time when anyone said CUT and they took it again. This is unheard of, not only at the time, but even today. These two came in and NAILED it, never rehearsing it with the band before the director yelled "Action". Again, absolutely unheard of. But these two were the absolute best, hands down. Gregory Hines said in an interview that when he and his brother Maurice were young, people kept telling them they were great and would be the next Nicholas brothers. Then they SAW the Nicholas brothers and said "nope, that's NOT going to be us. No way". These guys were and just plain still are the best. Fred Astaire said hands down, there was no one like these two guys. Anyone who actually dances will say the same thing.
I have never busted out laughing at any reaction video until this one when J was agonizing over those splits! That was truly tremendous dancing. Awesome video.
The Nicholas Brothers were the BEST specialty act that ever worked in Hollywood. This was filmed in one take. No editing. Astonishing!
This is such a huge iconic number that remains exciting over the years. Nothing like Cab Calloway and the Nivholas Brothers.
I laugh at my husband every time we watch the Nicholas Bros. dance because he cringes just like Jordan did. The two men were the best at their craft...very athletic, never missed a step and so flexible. Amazing to watch them perform.
Ouch! My balls!
I always figured they were wearing a steel jock strap and I always wondered how their knees held up in their old age. Oomph!
Love that big band era. Cab Calloway and the Nicholas brothers. Can’t get any better than that
Hopefully it was my recommendation that had you pick this. I was thrilled to see Cab Calloway and his band at the Strand in Boston / Roxbury in the 1980’s. His daughter was leading the band by then but his performance was as energetic as in his youth. For me, it was a special evening because he was my father’s all time favourite. (He had several all time favourites and they were all great.) I must say that my father had great taste in music!!🤣🤣🤣👍
There were a few of us lobbying hard for this one. I think we made them smile!
@@alantidwell7889 Yup. I asked for this a few times. It’s great that we all had the same request. ✨🤪