They weren't wearing taps on their shoes in the original take so they had to played back the scene and the brothers tapped to the music and their individual moves. Which is even more remarkable when you think of it..
Harri. You just watched some of the greatest geniuses in entertainment history. Cab was a master bandleader and king of Scat. The Nicolas Brothers were acclaimed as the greatest tap dancers of all time. Baryshnikov called them the most amazing dancers he had ever seen. That Jumpin Jive scene was filmed in one take and unrehearsed as confirmed by Nic Castle. Astaire himself remarked that it was the greatest movie sequence he had ever seen. Other dancers have remarked that if ever their biography were filmed, the numbers would be impossible to recreate and would have to be done by CGI. The brothers later taught dance and their students became some of the most noteworthy modern entertainers, including Michael Jackson and Debbie Allen. Do yourself an immense favor and watch another one of their dance sequences as part of the amazing Glenn Miller band's interpretation of "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo" from the 1942 movie "Orchestra Wives". It features Miller's Orchestra, the fantastic Tex Beneke backed by Marion Hutton and the Modernaires and ending with the Nicolas Brothers. Sublime!!
*Maybe* they did it in one take, but the number of angles and edits suggest that's probably not the case. The idea that it was done in one take and unrehearsed is impossible. It's already an astounding display of talent without the additional god-level tales added on decades later.
I believe Cab was the very last Apprentice of scat that made his way up to Master. He learnt from only the best. I am not sure of anyone that still sings scat professionally anymore, although I can think of a couple modern people with the ability
I’m an American who thought he new music history I was 61 years old before I saw this for the first time. I guarantee you 99.9% of Americans have not seen this performance. It is true artistry that is never shown or taught in school. Why? Historically, only negative stereotypes of African American culture are emphasized. This performance, the music and dance is beautiful art.
It's been colorized here. The original was in black-and-white, which looked better because it showed off the shadow contrasts of the performers against the white walls.
One thing I marvel at every time I watch this is that they don't seem to be breathing hard at all - like, they're dancing & jumping around like they were strolling through the park. No sense of exertion at all.
I am impressed with the Sax players calm an professionalism. They just leaned left or right to allow the Brothers to do their routine. All 4 were great performers.
Everything you said about Cab Calloway was spot spot on. Absolutely so much presence. Yum. Unfortunately you do not want to have lived then. Cab Callaway and the Nicholas Brothers had to enter the studios every day thru the back door. Criminal.
How many lifetimes would you need to do this today? My glutes hurt just watching this. The Brothers often come up from the splits not using their hands. I can’t even sit on my carpet without pain. Cab + Nicholas Brothers = pure showmanship & TALENT. Astonishing.
My mother was a chorus Ine tap dancer. She me my dad at one of the great ballrooms. They married the day before Pearl Harbor was bombed. They never had a honeymoon. As a child, I can remember Mom tap dancing thru the house while listening to her favorite old records. Cooking, cleaning, singing and all the while, keeping those happy feet tapping along. The big bands transcended all racial barriers. Music was great, precise and the voice of the soul. The talent was pure. No computers, no CGI, no profanity, no politically correct hogwash, just folks having a good time.
I’ve watched this video clip a hundred times. This the first time I’ve seen the colorized version. I think I prefer the original. What an amazing talent each of these men were.
The stamina and athleticism of the Nicholas Brothers is amazing. Jumping up on a table, doing the splits is impressive but even more impressive is coming back up from the splits with no hands. Wow!
The old Hollywood movie musicals were incredible. Cab Calloway and The Nicholas Brothers. Cab Calloway is known for his song Minnie the Moocher. There were places that you would go to dinner and they had bands and singers that played. You ate dinner and stayed had drinks and watched the show and danced. We had one of these clubs when I was growing up and would go with my parents and drink Shirley Temples and dance. It was a fun evening. It closed in the early 70s. I wish this type of club was still around.
Nicholas Brothers. Say no more. Won’t find finer or classier dancers anywhere. Top shelf and then some. Cab Calloway… what an entertainer. How do you go wrong with a ticket to this show???!
That was no joke! I think that the difficulty of that part alone is lost on a lot of reviewers. They focus mostly on the step scene, which is certainly understandable, but standing up with no hands after doing a split is nothing to scoff at either.
My goodness…..I am in my fifties. Grandmother died twenty years ago. She was in her eighties. She loved the big bands, Glenn Miller and she loved Cab. Grandmother was white as snow and that was before the civil rights. She never thought about their or her color. My grandfather took her to see him and the band as a surprise. He did not have much money. He said, rosemary laughed the entire concert. Smile from ear to ear and cried going home because she felt blessed. She got to shake Cabs hand. For me to watch this now? Amazing. What a show
You just don't see talent, and entertainment like this! Ther class, dedication, and talent speaks for itself!!! I'm talking about Cab, Fayard, and Harold. They did this after one rehearsal!!! They say Cab started "Swag". wowzer!!
I only started seeing this clip from the movie this year. I saw a video about the Nicholas Brothers' lives. They started dancing as children, and the younger one was quite a ladies' man. I saw a video of them when they were older. One of the brothers said they would perform the dance again, but he wouldn't do the splits. When asked why not, he said, "It hurts."
The taller one get something from arthritis when he got older and the shorter one did most of the energetic work when they danced. But thank you so much Harry for bringing us death incredible performers it was great seeing them again and I hope you can get it out to more and more people and show them what it was like. Thank you again.
Now this is what we call talent!! Oh my. I've seen this before but still, so damn impressive. I'd like to see someone try this today. Not possible, no talent like this anymore.
And Gene Kelly. He was the only dancer who could dance with the Brothers and keep up. Watch the "Be a Clown' sequence from 'the Pirate'. Kelly held enough clout at MGM to integrate that movie as much as was done including that dance # with the Nicholas Brothers. It was so integral that it wasn't possible to cut it for Southern audiences in the movie houses.
This blew my mind completely when i saw it! I had to see the entire movie after that and it is a movie worth watching. Class, talent, elegance. Love the time period.
There are few performers with the talent level of Cab Calloway to ever grace a stage. You should watch Blues Brothers and see him and many other rhythm and blues legends toward the end of their careers. It’s an all time great movie.
Hi Mr. Harri, It was great.. Hines, Hines & Dad was a pretty good brothers dancing act.. It is a good thing that there Black couples in the audience when he asked them to get up and dance.. ♠W.G.
I saw the Nicholas Brothers interviewed in the 1980's. You had to like these guys! Very outgoing. One of them had had hip replacement surgery (who would have guessed). That rising from a split without using their hands was their thing. Nobody else could do it.
Loved the splits...and consummate dancers that they were they knew how to do it without damage!!! What fascinated me was the way they came out of the splits. Like someone was pulling a string somewhere above their heads. So smooth. Like Fred Astaire, I'm certain they rehearsed and did it over and over, again and again, until they knew it couldn't get better. That performance is what you get when you combine brilliance and the strongest work ethic and desire to excel. Sadly missing these days.
Before the last brother died, he danced on a televised show without the splits. He had been asked why he didn't do them and said "Because it hurts". But his dancing even without them was great -- even in old age.
They Nicholas Brothers were amazing. It doesn't bother me at all about them doing the splits. The getting up with just their legs is what amazes me. You need extra super strong legs to do that.
Hari...I seen you we're wrapped in this one but this was when times real and classy my friend.If you look it up they say it was a one time take dance scene.This was unreal dance,music and entertainment.Thanks and keep it up my friend.R.D.W.! !!
The best dance ever! It's famous. Even Fred Astaire so. Janet Jackson did a song "Alright" w video that was a tribute to Cab Calloway, Nicolas Bros, etc. My daughter's dance teacher showed this video when she was in HS. I'm sure most dance teacher's show it.
This is what's missing from today's music. Actual talent. These 'singers' haven't had REAL talent since the 90s in my opinion. You can't Fake talent. Case in point, these brothers are SELF TAUGHT DANCERS.
Gene Kelly a great dancer in his own right and Fred Astaire both said that the Nicholas brothers act in this movie clip is the best live performance in human history.
Brother, if you ever get the chance to watch this whole movie, don't hesitate. Some fantastic performances from Lena Horne, Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson, Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers. Even after almost 80 years, it still stands out as a testament to how truly talented these performers really were. The story isn't much to speak of, but who cares with such incredible music and dancing? Lena Horne's gorgeous voice singing the title song is a definite must hear. Do yourself a favour, though, Harri. Watch it in it's true glorious black and white. It was filmed and lit that way and colourisation takes away from the mood. Peace, Brother. Take care and stay safe
You're right about the extensive rehearsals. Even the saxophone player rehearsed getting jumped over. He was aware of the foot but he was confident that Harold Nicholas would clear him, so he just leaned the way they rehearsed. Absolutely nothing was left to chance. This is what your grandparents listened to and danced to in the clubs.
Truly one of my favorite performances ever. I never tire of watching and listening to it. I found the comment you made about wishing you had been born in that era interesting. I can see the appeal of the music and cultural attractions. But living in that time as a POC? No thanks!
My uncle used to deliver milk to Cab Calloway's house on his milk route. And since it was early in the morning Calloway would always invite him in for coffee and they became best friends. One other thing, go back and watch it again and pay attention to the camera work. Any one of those jumps over the band could have resulted in a broken leg or someone's brass horn mashed flatter than a pancake. If they did that routine these days, they'd be wearing helmets!
1940s. Those brothers were awesome, they did that whole scene in one take. Cab was one of a kind. That was the norm for dress, you should watch the movie this clip is from. Stormy Weather
Great performance. Probably never be replicated. I've seen the black and white version many times. First time I've seen the colorized version. Great reaction Harri. 👍😉
They did the dance in one shot. They didn’t do a retake. They said play the music, we got it. Our grandparents had to be talented back in this days.
They did each half in one shot, but there are two different sets used.
They weren't wearing taps on their shoes in the original take so they had to played back the scene and the brothers tapped to the music and their individual moves. Which is even more remarkable when you think of it..
What gets easily lost in this video is how great the band is! They are tight!
That was then...this is now...Sad...
Those Nicholas Brothers were elite athletes. Unbelievably talented flexibility and jumping ability.
Harri. You just watched some of the greatest geniuses in entertainment history. Cab was a master bandleader and king of Scat. The Nicolas Brothers were acclaimed as the greatest tap dancers of all time. Baryshnikov called them the most amazing dancers he had ever seen. That Jumpin Jive scene was filmed in one take and unrehearsed as confirmed by Nic Castle. Astaire himself remarked that it was the greatest movie sequence he had ever seen. Other dancers have remarked that if ever their biography were filmed, the numbers would be impossible to recreate and would have to be done by CGI. The brothers later taught dance and their students became some of the most noteworthy modern entertainers, including Michael Jackson and Debbie Allen. Do yourself an immense favor and watch another one of their dance sequences as part of the amazing Glenn Miller band's interpretation of "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo" from the 1942 movie "Orchestra Wives". It features Miller's Orchestra, the fantastic Tex Beneke backed by Marion Hutton and the Modernaires and ending with the Nicolas Brothers. Sublime!!
Don't forget Dorothy Dandridge. She was a knock out as well in Sun Valley Serenade with the Nicholas Brothers with Chattanooga Choo Choo.
@@webbtrekker534 She was married to Harold for quite a few years. It ended rather acrimoniously.
*Maybe* they did it in one take, but the number of angles and edits suggest that's probably not the case. The idea that it was done in one take and unrehearsed is impossible. It's already an astounding display of talent without the additional god-level tales added on decades later.
I believe Cab was the very last Apprentice of scat that made his way up to Master. He learnt from only the best. I am not sure of anyone that still sings scat professionally anymore, although I can think of a couple modern people with the ability
not cool to delete a comment.
The Nicholas Brothers continued dancing until their seventies. Nothing fazed them.
It was the Age of Jazz, the Age of Art Deco, the Age of Elegance. We won't see it again.
That dance couldn't be replicated without cgi. Facts!!
I’m an American who thought he new music history I was 61 years old before I saw this for the first time. I guarantee you 99.9% of Americans have not seen this performance. It is true artistry that is never shown or taught in school. Why? Historically, only negative stereotypes of African American culture are emphasized.
This performance, the music and dance is beautiful art.
It's been colorized here. The original was in black-and-white, which looked better because it showed off the shadow contrasts of the performers against the white walls.
Definitely. This color version kinda sucks cuz it’s pretty sloppy and lots of frames are off and that’s super distracting.
One thing I marvel at every time I watch this is that they don't seem to be breathing hard at all - like, they're dancing & jumping around like they were strolling through the park. No sense of exertion at all.
This gentleman's eloquent description is my favorite of them all.
I am impressed with the Sax players calm an professionalism. They just leaned left or right to allow the Brothers to do their routine. All 4 were great performers.
The Nicholas Brothers were the BEST.
Everything you said about Cab Calloway was spot spot on. Absolutely so much presence. Yum.
Unfortunately you do not want to have lived then. Cab Callaway and the Nicholas Brothers had to enter the studios every day thru the back door. Criminal.
How many lifetimes would you need to do this today? My glutes hurt just watching this. The Brothers often come up from the splits not using their hands. I can’t even sit on my carpet without pain. Cab + Nicholas Brothers = pure showmanship & TALENT. Astonishing.
A lot of legends are shown in one movie. It shows what you can do if you have extremely talented people who work hard and are persistent.
My mother was a chorus Ine tap dancer. She me my dad at one of the great ballrooms. They married the day before Pearl Harbor was bombed. They never had a honeymoon.
As a child, I can remember Mom tap dancing thru the house while listening to her favorite old records. Cooking, cleaning, singing and all the while, keeping those happy feet tapping along.
The big bands transcended all racial barriers. Music was great, precise and the voice of the soul. The talent was pure. No computers, no CGI, no profanity, no politically correct hogwash, just folks having a good time.
Cab was genius. Pure class.
I’ve watched this video clip a hundred times. This the first time I’ve seen the colorized version. I think I prefer the original. What an amazing talent each of these men were.
The stamina and athleticism of the Nicholas Brothers is amazing. Jumping up on a table, doing the splits is impressive but even more impressive is coming back up from the splits with no hands. Wow!
The old Hollywood movie musicals were incredible. Cab Calloway and The Nicholas Brothers. Cab Calloway is known for his song Minnie the Moocher. There were places that you would go to dinner and they had bands and singers that played. You ate dinner and stayed had drinks and watched the show and danced. We had one of these clubs when I was growing up and would go with my parents and drink Shirley Temples and dance. It was a fun evening. It closed in the early 70s. I wish this type of club was still around.
And they did it in one take!! And one of the Nicholas brothers was the coach in the movie five heartbeats
It was on the FIRST TAKE. Cab was born to do what he did.
Nicholas Brothers.
Say no more.
Won’t find finer or classier dancers anywhere.
Top shelf and then some.
Cab Calloway… what an entertainer.
How do you go wrong with a ticket to this show???!
Cab had the best strut ever!
Have seen this performance many times, and am always full of amazement.
Luv Cab's skat and enthusiasm. Then we added Nicholas brother. I strained something watching this. ❤️
They did that scene in 1 - ONE take.😮
I love Cab in THE BLUES BROTHERS... MInnie the Moocher!
I enjoyed your reaction and yes Cab Calloway had some very graceful moves too.
Cab Calloway is great. And he is out done in this!
Fred Astaire himself said this was the greatest dance routine ever filmed. Pure class
It amazes me the way they get back up on their feet after doing a split, and how fast they could do it.
Yep, leg muscles and balance to an amazing degree!
That was no joke! I think that the difficulty of that part alone is lost on a lot of reviewers. They focus mostly on the step scene, which is certainly understandable, but standing up with no hands after doing a split is nothing to scoff at either.
The Nicholas Brothers- there are no words! -
Hari , your reaction- priceless.
My goodness…..I am in my fifties. Grandmother died twenty years ago. She was in her eighties. She loved the big bands, Glenn Miller and she loved Cab. Grandmother was white as snow and that was before the civil rights. She never thought about their or her color. My grandfather took her to see him and the band as a surprise. He did not have much money. He said, rosemary laughed the entire concert. Smile from ear to ear and cried going home because she felt blessed. She got to shake Cabs hand. For me to watch this now? Amazing. What a show
I have always been a great fan of the Nicholas Brothers.
World-class athletes as well as best tap dancers ever.
Nothing today even comes close to this unedited, one take, masterpiece!
Black American talent...THERE IS NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT
You just don't see talent, and entertainment like this! Ther class, dedication, and talent speaks for itself!!! I'm talking about Cab, Fayard, and Harold. They did this after one rehearsal!!! They say Cab started "Swag". wowzer!!
Great dancing &. Musicians back in the. 40s. &. 50s👍👍🤩🤩
I only started seeing this clip from the movie this year. I saw a video about the Nicholas Brothers' lives. They started dancing as children, and the younger one was quite a ladies' man. I saw a video of them when they were older. One of the brothers said they would perform the dance again, but he wouldn't do the splits. When asked why not, he said, "It hurts."
It’s amazing they did it without rehearsal ❤️
The taller one get something from arthritis when he got older and the shorter one did most of the energetic work when they danced. But thank you so much Harry for bringing us death incredible performers it was great seeing them again and I hope you can get it out to more and more people and show them what it was like. Thank you again.
Their Will NEVER EVER
Be Any Other Dancers
As Great As These
Two Brothers👏👏👍🇺🇸
You may be right. But wouldn't it be great if someone came along who was even better? Or at least just as good?
Ah, now we're talking! One of my favorite movies, and probably best sequences.
Talent-wise.......they ain't hidin' nuthin' !
Sensational, never to be repeated.
Massive talent and so much fun to watch. My favorite era in America.
Racism segregation KKK not my favorite era
An amazing performance by all. Elegant, captivating. and entertaining.
The BEST!! Fayard Nicholas had hip replacement when he got older.
Now this is what we call talent!! Oh my. I've seen this before but still, so damn impressive. I'd like to see someone try this today.
Not possible, no talent like this anymore.
Every time I see this I am in pain...........
The great Fred Astair said the Nicholas Brothers were the best dancers in the world. This is a phenomenal experience. Thank you Harri!
And Gene Kelly. He was the only dancer who could dance with the Brothers and keep up. Watch the "Be a Clown' sequence from 'the Pirate'. Kelly held enough clout at MGM to integrate that movie as much as was done including that dance # with the Nicholas Brothers. It was so integral that it wasn't possible to cut it for Southern audiences in the movie houses.
@@johnj2763 lies. the brothers slowed down to let gene stay up with them
And Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, who was the star of this movie with Lena Horne, is acknowledged as the G.O.A. T. dancer.
They performed this scene in ONE take for the movie Stormy Weather. UTTERLY ASTONISHING!
I love this old stuff!
Fayard and Harold Nicholas are the best at what they do
This blew my mind completely when i saw it! I had to see the entire movie after that and it is a movie worth watching. Class, talent, elegance. Love the time period.
Can Calloway, the ultimate showman. Love the way he rocked that tuxedo! A true legend.
Man alive!!! Those two are unbelievable dancing machines. I've never seen anything to top that!!!!!!
There are few performers with the talent level of Cab Calloway to ever grace a stage. You should watch Blues Brothers and see him and many other rhythm and blues legends toward the end of their careers. It’s an all time great movie.
Hi Mr. Harri, It was great.. Hines, Hines & Dad was a pretty good brothers dancing act.. It is a good thing that there
Black couples in the audience when he asked them to get up and dance.. ♠W.G.
I saw the Nicholas Brothers interviewed in the 1980's. You had to like these guys! Very outgoing. One of them had had hip replacement surgery (who would have guessed). That rising from a split without using their hands was their thing. Nobody else could do it.
Loved the splits...and consummate dancers that they were they knew how to do it without damage!!! What fascinated me was the way they came out of the splits. Like someone was pulling a string somewhere above their heads. So smooth. Like Fred Astaire, I'm certain they rehearsed and did it over and over, again and again, until they knew it couldn't get better. That performance is what you get when you combine brilliance and the strongest work ethic and desire to excel. Sadly missing these days.
Yes, class is something that definitely need to reintroduce back into a majority of performing.
Before the last brother died, he danced on a televised show without the splits. He had been asked why he didn't do them and said "Because it hurts". But his dancing even without them was great -- even in old age.
I’m happy Harry that you’re getting a peek of what civilization looks like--
One take, band, Cab & The Immortal Nicholas Brothers.
Can’t get much better than Cab Calloway And the Nicholas brothers together.
This was released in 1943. Loooong before my time and I love it.
They Nicholas Brothers were amazing. It doesn't bother me at all about them doing the splits. The getting up with just their legs is what amazes me. You need extra super strong legs to do that.
Hari...I seen you we're wrapped in this one but this was when times real and classy my friend.If you look it up they say it was a one time take dance scene.This was unreal dance,music and entertainment.Thanks and keep it up my friend.R.D.W.! !!
The best! I feel at home in his times. Wish I had been born in that Era too.
I love to watch people react to this. It's still amazing, even the tenth time you've seen it.
The best dance ever! It's famous. Even Fred Astaire so. Janet Jackson did a song "Alright" w video that was a tribute to Cab Calloway, Nicolas Bros, etc. My daughter's dance teacher showed this video when she was in HS. I'm sure most dance teacher's show it.
Harri, what a pleasure it was to hear your honest, candid response. You, sir, are a refreshing change to the profanity-laced comments made by others.
Only one take per this routine
Fred Astaire said this was the best routine ever choreographed and put to film.
This is what's missing from today's music. Actual talent. These 'singers' haven't had REAL talent since the 90s in my opinion. You can't Fake talent. Case in point, these brothers are SELF TAUGHT DANCERS.
They must have had brass b---, to do those stairs, then get up like nothing happened and keep dancing.
I’ve watched this clip a lot. My mother got me to watch them. Fayard and Harold. They were self taught.
I think Cab Calloway is the father of Rock n Roll
Gene Kelly a great dancer in his own right and Fred Astaire both said that the Nicholas brothers act in this movie clip is the best live performance in human history.
Brother, if you ever get the chance to watch this whole movie, don't hesitate. Some fantastic performances from Lena Horne, Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson, Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers. Even after almost 80 years, it still stands out as a testament to how truly talented these performers really were. The story isn't much to speak of, but who cares with such incredible music and dancing? Lena Horne's gorgeous voice singing the title song is a definite must hear. Do yourself a favour, though, Harri. Watch it in it's true glorious black and white. It was filmed and lit that way and colourisation takes away from the mood.
Peace, Brother. Take care and stay safe
You're right about the extensive rehearsals. Even the saxophone player rehearsed getting jumped over. He was aware of the foot but he was confident that Harold Nicholas would clear him, so he just leaned the way they rehearsed. Absolutely nothing was left to chance. This is what your grandparents listened to and danced to in the clubs.
Could literally watch these guys all day!!! Thanks for this!
No rehearsal ..they were that in sync xx And,as Gerald says, one take ..fabulous!
FABULOUS!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Cab was singing "scat" a vocalization of the sounds of musical instruments. Popular in 30's and 40's jazz.
Truly one of my favorite performances ever. I never tire of watching and listening to it. I found the comment you made about wishing you had been born in that era interesting. I can see the appeal of the music and cultural attractions. But living in that time as a POC? No thanks!
My uncle used to deliver milk to Cab Calloway's house on his milk route. And since it was early in the morning Calloway would always invite him in for coffee and they became best friends. One other thing, go back and watch it again and pay attention to the camera work. Any one of those jumps over the band could have resulted in a broken leg or someone's brass horn mashed flatter than a pancake. If they did that routine these days, they'd be wearing helmets!
The Hines Brothers were another great pair of tap dancers
One take NO rehearsal.
Pure dancing GENIUS.
They did this in ONE TAKE !!!!!!!!
That was fabulous! Energy as Elegance!
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and Lena Horne were in the movie as well.
1940s.
Those brothers were awesome, they did that whole scene in one take. Cab was one of a kind.
That was the norm for dress, you should watch the movie this clip is from. Stormy Weather
What is amazing is this was filmed 81 years ago in 1943!
Great performance. Probably never be replicated. I've seen the black and white version many times. First time
I've seen the colorized version. Great reaction Harri. 👍😉
I was around 10 or younger when I first watched this movie with my Dad.
Thank you very much for your reaction and your thoughts. I love your videos.