This performance came from the 1943 movie "Stormy Weather" starring Lena Horne and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. The Big Band is Cab Calloway and His Cotton Club Orchestra and the song is "Jumpin Jive." The Nicholas Brothers' career spanned 60 years and they are widely acknowledged to be among the best dancers of all time. Fred Astaire reportedly told the brothers that the dance number in this clip was the greatest movie musical sequence he had ever seen. A 1992 documentary about the Nicholas Brothers is here: th-cam.com/video/67K5-9xcKwg/w-d-xo.html
The Nicholas Brothers in my humble opinion were the best dancers of that era. Maybe best ever. I love this movie. My Grandmother saw Bill Bojangles Robinson in Portsmouth, VA in the 30s. She said 2 white men carried him on their shoulders to the stage. ( IT was at a baseball stadium) So his shoes would not get dirty. Imagine white men carrying a black man in the South in the 30s. That is how much respect he was given.
She does read the comments because I suggested she watch this dance sequence about 2 or so weeks ago. Good movie, GREAT dance number. If not THEE greatest ever.
Mr. Bojangles was a native of my home town, Richmond, VA. If you're traveling up/down the east coast on I-95, you pass within a few blocks of the statue erected in his honor. www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60893-d108514-Reviews-Bill_Bojangles_Robinson_Monument-Richmond_Virginia.html
I met Fayard Nicholas, a sweet, kind man, at an appearance shortly before his death, and as I gushed about one of their numbers, he broke out a huge smile, and laughed like a little kid. I realized as much as he loved dance, he obviously loved knowing his work was still being loved by new generations. Your reactions are exactly what we all feel as we watch in awe. I imagine Fayard looking down, seeing this, and being thrilled again at blowing the minds of another generation.
I had seen this clip several times before I noticed an amazing thing: if you pay close attention, you'll see that it was shot mostly in long takes--there are actually very few cuts. Which means that these guys didn't dance for a few minutes, then take a rest, then dance for a few more minutes, then take a rest, etc., then it was edited afterwards to make it look as seamless as it was, which is often what happens in movie musicals. Not with these guys, though. It's not inconceivable that there could have been two or more cameras shooting this routine, so it's possible that, as unbelievable as it may sound, they actually could have done this routine in one long take, and the cuts that you do see were just different angles taken from different cameras. That's sure what it looks like. Mind-blowing . . .
No. The Pirate with Gene Kelly. Kelly went out on a limb and insisted on performing with them which was not allowed for white performers. That sequence was left out for southerner audiences. Kelly broke that wall down for these incredible young men.
U missed the opening of Cab Callaway. See the whole movie! Historically important! I’m so glad u found them. A lot more of them n others! Watch a bio of them. Arguably that time was a real peak of African American culture! (Don’t overlook how each musician was a master at his instrument n were vital for the whole number! N note how much DEVOTION everyone had to their craft!)
Actually there is a scene with Bill Robinson ( Mr. Bojangles) followed by a dance sequence of a bunch of guys in Zoot suits, then Cab does his routine which is followed by this sequence. The whole sequence is spectacular.
YES! When you look at how many different ways you had to be talented back then in order to be successful, it makes our current day actors look pathetic.
I watched a documentary on them... Gregory Hines said that if u wanted to recreate this dance routine today that u would need to use a computer because there isn't anyone that could duplicate them...
I've watched this a million times and have to TOTALLY agree with Hines. The fact that they were COMPLETELY in sync with each others movements is beyond amazing. If not you would hear that their "taps" were not in rhythm. A timeless performance. R.I.H...to these two kings.
India kept saying "Wow" and I kept saying to my monitor, "Just wait, it will get even more amazing". Nobody could do what the Nicholas Brothers did, especially those drop dance splits.
In an interview, Harold Nicholas said he and his brother discussed the dance with the film's director and then went off to do it -- with no real rehearsal.
Ah! So you finally discovered “The Nicholas Brothers”...? 👍🏻😀👍🏻 BRILLIANT! Along with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, the Nicholas Brothers inspired me to take up tap-dancing. In the 1980s when all my friends were watching glam-rock etc., I was studying this stuff by watching all the old musicals... tap-dancing, Lindy Hop etc. The Nicholas Brothers (Fayard and Harold) appeared doing similar routines to this one in many 1940s musicals. Apparently they were really nice guys as well as excellent tap dancers. Check out their routine in “Sun Valley Serenade” in which they sing and tap-dance to “Chattanooga Choo-Choo”... BRILLIANT! You should also check out Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers in the 1942 musical “Hellzapoppin”.
chattanooga choo choo from sun valley seranade is one of my absolute favorites!! the glen miller band the amazing singers and of course the nicholas brothers!
i hear ya about how they inspired you..they did me too, although Fred Astaire not so much..My Idols were Sammy Davis Jr.. Teddy Hale, Baby Laurence, and Honi Coles..am old now, but i still love this..Love the expression on the young lady here, as she had the same reaction EVERYONE has had watching this the first time..
I grew up watching musicals and song and dance acts. The first time I saw this (years ago) my jaw dropped, and I still have the same reaction to it to this day. Probably the most astounding dance sequence ever caught on film.
I love that you are going out and listening and watching anything old school before the 1950's.. Some of the greatest dancer's came from the 1920's - 1950's................ My hats off to you girl ... please do more .......
They started dancing as children in the 1930s. This is from the 1942 movie, Stormy Weather. This dance was done in one take, no editing, done all the way through the first time. The director yelled, "Cut and print!" This is what you have. They still danced way into their senior years. Look them up on TH-cam!
They also do a great number with Gene Kelly in "The Pirate" - the "Be a Clown" number. Gene always talked about the grief he got from the studio about doing the number with them. But he fought the studio and won.
YES! I *DARE* somebody to *TRY* that now a days. Nobody called nobody by the N word, nobody sagged they pants they were cool this right here is original OG !
From "Stormy Weather", it's probably the best dance scene in movie history. The 'barn raising' scene in "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" is a great dance sequence too.
The Nicholas Brothers even passed all the other dancers in Hollwood but NEVER GOT THE RECOGNITION THAT THEY DESERVED. So bad race had to play into it all.
Yes!! My mom was a music teacher and loved all those old musicals, so we all grew up hearing about them...and getting to watch them maybe once a year on PBS, lol.
I'm old. The Nicholas Brothers were the best between my Grand Parents day and My parents day, The 1930s about 90 years ago. Film with sound had just been perfected. You will never see better hoofers than these.
Philly proud here! These guys grew up in my hometown of Philadelphia! This is the movie called Stormy Weather. TCM shows it from time to time. I seen this a young kid and never forgot them. Glad you liked them India.
Keep watching as much of the older movies as possible. The Nicholas Brothers, and all tap dancers inspired me to take tap dancing in college for P.E. It was more fun than volleyball, y'all.
When I was seven I saw a movie of the Nicholas Brothers. I'm over sixty now, and honestly they are still in the top five dance acts I've ever seen. Simply amazing.
When I was younger, they showed movies on tv with fantastic entertainers like the Nicholas brothers every Friday night and weekends. It's a shame that for the past few decades, a whole generation has been deprived of the richness that made us all thrill and smile back then. The Nicholas brothers were around 20 years before I was even born but they are still part of my fondest memories. Sometimes I think it was an orchestrated program to remove these movies with so many iconic performers from general viewing and I believe we are poorer for it. I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong.
To a degree you're not. Back in the '30s and '40s, many studios would cut black performers out of musicals they made, because many theaters in the South would not show the films if there were blacks in them, especially if they were shown as anything other than maids, field hands, "mammies", etc.
I said the same thing. I recall watching older movies with black people in them early on Sunday mornings when I was younger and loved watching them even back then!
I'm 62, so I grew up watching talented dancers in films, but this is my first time seeing the Nicholas Brothers. They were awesome! Also, I'm a relatively new subscriber to your channel and I'm enjoying your videos! This one especially made me smile. 😊 A nice break from doing my taxes. Keep up the great work! 😇
After all these decades, nobody has come close to them. Simply the Greatest Of All Time. This was done in one, unrehearsed take. You should see the rest of the movie, with Bill Robinson and Lena Horne.
No, it was not "one unrehearsed take" - this thing is full of complex camera moves and jump edits that you simply could not capture in "one take" or "unrehearsed". That's a great piece of cinematic urban mythology, but it's not true.
@@seanmartin9686 Upon watching the interview with Fayard again, it seems he might only be talking about one part of the scene being unrehearsed and in one take.. th-cam.com/video/dwYK8DEHl9U/w-d-xo.html
Just like anyone who’s a master craftsman, they make it look EASY. And all with smiles on their faces. Sure do wish I could tap. What a combination of style and athleticism.
Black artists are and always have been absolutely incredible!!! The Nicolas Brothers were TOPS and admired by all! They were featured in many fine motion pictures and are beloved still today!!!
Ahhh...Gregory Hines was excellent and I loved to watch him! He did TAP and brought some of the old crew into the movie! It was a pleasure to watch them!
When I saw "Nicholas Brothers," I HAD to see your reaction. Btw, I love your channel. I like that I get to see your reaction without you pausing to interject commentary. It's awesome. Now you need to check out Shirley Temple and Mr. Bojangles. Her youngest I think she is 4, and at her oldest I think she was 9 dancing with him.
I've seen this before, but not only did my mouth fall open, but I began to laugh with joy. They were so amazing. I can't even imagine how strong their legs were.
I've always known who the Nicholas brothers were. But I'm a fan of classic films; especially musicals. You have to remember these folks started before there was television. So they were stage performers. If people wanted entertainment, they would go to movies or live shows called vaudeville. That's why so many performers from the olden days are so polished and amazing. They performed every day on stages all across America. the Nicholas Brothers started in vaudeville when they were just kids in the 1920s. They traveled the United States and Europe performing. Sammy Davis also started in vaudeville as a kid. Glad you discovered them
Amazing dancers back then. Professionalism of a high degree. The Scarecrow in the "Wizard of Oz" - Ray Bolger - was an amazing dancers as well. He would go into a split, start up slowly, stop, go back down, and come up again, slowly as before. Amazing stuff.
They were big back during The War. My Dad (who was in the Navy at that time) really enjoyed them..fantastic. You’d never see pure talent like this today...
That was so wild. When you posted it, I really didn't think I would care for it. I was wrong! Watching their Shadows dance and all those splits off the stairs. Oh my God, this was really cool!
The Nicholas Brothers were an amazing dance team in the 40’s. I’ve seen clips of their routines (this is a classic), and they were phenomenal! I have to admit that as I get older and watch them, it’s hard not to wince at the thought of how hard it must have been on their hips as they got older!
Love the Nicholas Brothers and your reaction to their phenomenal tap dancing. How did they have the stamina to do that lengthy routine? Mind blowing. 🌺
They were just incredible, fabulous beyond anything. Actors and singers too. I can't watch where they do all the splits. I just get the feeling the studio wanted more and more dangerous stunts with no protections from a union. These guys were sooooooo fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I kept thinking with each of your reactions. ‘Kiddo, you ain’t seen nothing yet’ I love the Nicholas Brothers and the Berry Brothers. Google them and watch all their stuff.
Check out "I Got A Girl In Kalamazoo" and "Chattanooga Choo-Choo." which features Dorothy Dandridge. Also, I think you're able to enjoy the Brothers because of the long takes and being filmed head to toe. There's something to be said for fast edits and close-ups, but I this way of filming dance really conveys their talents and spirit.
You had the same reaction I did the first time I saw them. Just mind-boggling. At first I thought, "This has o be animation, because no human being could possibly do this". These guys are, for lack of a better word, superhuman---these "Marvel" characters in the movies can't hold a candle to them. Fortunately, there are a good number of clips of their mind-blowing routines out there. If you think this one was incredible--and it was--wait until you see the others. There has never been another act like them.
I was lucky enough to get to meet Fayard a couple of times when he was rather old. He was tiny. You can't really tell this in the film but I bet he wasn't 5'4"
The brothers had enormous strength, needed it to make it looks effortless, and managed strict choreography without it EVER becoming stiff, it feels 'free' and felt and enjoyed. Wonderful performances from masters of the old craft.
When I was a kid, my tap dance teacher had my class watch this, because kids were complaining during class. He told them, "When you dance like these men, you can complain." Never heard another complaint for those kids after that.🤣 The Nicholas Brothers were amazing.
The Nicholas Brothers were amazing. Old hollywood was the best.
I love the "white tie and tails" look.
This performance came from the 1943 movie "Stormy Weather" starring Lena Horne and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. The Big Band is Cab Calloway and His Cotton Club Orchestra and the song is "Jumpin Jive." The Nicholas Brothers' career spanned 60 years and they are widely acknowledged to be among the best dancers of all time. Fred Astaire reportedly told the brothers that the dance number in this clip was the greatest movie musical sequence he had ever seen. A 1992 documentary about the Nicholas Brothers is here: th-cam.com/video/67K5-9xcKwg/w-d-xo.html
The Nicholas Brothers in my humble opinion were the best dancers of that era. Maybe best ever. I love this movie. My Grandmother saw Bill Bojangles Robinson in Portsmouth, VA in the 30s. She said 2 white men carried him on their shoulders to the stage. ( IT was at a baseball stadium) So his shoes would not get dirty. Imagine white men carrying a black man in the South in the 30s. That is how much respect he was given.
WOW
Yeah, I know.
She does read the comments because I suggested she watch this dance sequence about 2 or so weeks ago. Good movie, GREAT dance number. If not THEE greatest ever.
Mr. Bojangles was a native of my home town, Richmond, VA. If you're traveling up/down the east coast on I-95, you pass within a few blocks of the statue erected in his honor. www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60893-d108514-Reviews-Bill_Bojangles_Robinson_Monument-Richmond_Virginia.html
I met Fayard Nicholas, a sweet, kind man, at an appearance shortly before his death, and as I gushed about one of their numbers, he broke out a huge smile, and laughed like a little kid. I realized as much as he loved dance, he obviously loved knowing his work was still being loved by new generations. Your reactions are exactly what we all feel as we watch in awe. I imagine Fayard looking down, seeing this, and being thrilled again at blowing the minds of another generation.
Fred Astaire said that the Nicholas Brothers were the best duo EVER! Who would argue with that?
I had seen this clip several times before I noticed an amazing thing: if you pay close attention, you'll see that it was shot mostly in long takes--there are actually very few cuts. Which means that these guys didn't dance for a few minutes, then take a rest, then dance for a few more minutes, then take a rest, etc., then it was edited afterwards to make it look as seamless as it was, which is often what happens in movie musicals. Not with these guys, though. It's not inconceivable that there could have been two or more cameras shooting this routine, so it's possible that, as unbelievable as it may sound, they actually could have done this routine in one long take, and the cuts that you do see were just different angles taken from different cameras. That's sure what it looks like.
Mind-blowing . . .
toy man can’t argue with he knew the best cause he was the best ! Fred knew real talent when he saw it !
No. The Pirate with Gene Kelly. Kelly went out on a limb and insisted on performing with them which was not allowed for white performers. That sequence was left out for southerner audiences. Kelly broke that wall down for these incredible young men.
rick davis it’s true, it is one take.
An interview with one of them(I think, it’s been awhile) happened and they said that it was all in one take
Two things, they did do that in one take, and Fred Astaire said that was the best movie dance scene ever.
U missed the opening of Cab Callaway. See the whole movie! Historically important!
I’m so glad u found them. A lot more of them n others! Watch a bio of them.
Arguably that time was a real peak of African American culture! (Don’t overlook how each musician was a master at his instrument n were vital for the whole number! N note how much DEVOTION everyone had to their craft!)
Actually there is a scene with Bill Robinson ( Mr. Bojangles) followed by a dance sequence of a bunch of guys in Zoot suits, then Cab does his routine which is followed by this sequence. The whole sequence is spectacular.
I thought that was Cab Calloway
Jeff Galus it was. But the clip truncated his intro
@@perrymalcolm3802 That's a damn shame
@@jeffgalus8454 so you thought 2 people had 1 name...ok
Back when they actually had to have talent to be in movies.
YES! When you look at how many different ways you had to be talented back then in order to be successful, it makes our current day actors look pathetic.
Cab Calloway doing Minnie the Moocher : another great performance .
Damn dude I understand your point but you’re sleeping on a ton of actors and celebrities
As well as the ability to sing.
Old school.. they guys are on sun valley serenade too awesome dancers
The Nicholas Brothers with Cab Calloway. The best! Jumpin Jive!
As Fred Sanford used to say, Cab Calloway had his hair "fried, dyed, and laid to the side".
Yeah I love to dance 😃 this would kill me amazy.
@@Mycroftsbrother
😂🤣
I watched a documentary on them... Gregory Hines said that if u wanted to recreate this dance routine today that u would need to use a computer because there isn't anyone that could duplicate them...
Especially synchronized
It was done in one take! Talent!!!!!
I've watched this a million times and have to TOTALLY agree with Hines. The fact that they were COMPLETELY in sync with each others movements is beyond amazing. If not you would hear that their "taps" were not in rhythm. A timeless performance. R.I.H...to these two kings.
India kept saying "Wow" and I kept saying to my monitor, "Just wait, it will get even more amazing". Nobody could do what the Nicholas Brothers did, especially those drop dance splits.
And besides being beyond outstanding, they were self taught!
The Brothers were incredible. I’ve never seen anyone who appeared so light on their feet. Absolutely amazing.
"Hellzapoppin'" is another movie with great dance scenes.
That one scene is crazy!
Best Lindy Hoppers in the world
@@michaelandrew4488, I learned Lindy Hop from Frankie Manning, who choreographed that one.
Father made me watch it (long dead) I flami' LOVE it, showed it to the daughter. She learned Lindy hop.
In an interview, Harold Nicholas said he and his brother discussed the dance with the film's director and then went off to do it -- with no real rehearsal.
Ah! So you finally discovered “The Nicholas Brothers”...? 👍🏻😀👍🏻 BRILLIANT!
Along with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, the Nicholas Brothers inspired me to take up tap-dancing.
In the 1980s when all my friends were watching glam-rock etc., I was studying this stuff by watching all the old musicals... tap-dancing, Lindy Hop etc.
The Nicholas Brothers (Fayard and Harold) appeared doing similar routines to this one in many 1940s musicals. Apparently they were really nice guys as well as excellent tap dancers.
Check out their routine in “Sun Valley Serenade” in which they sing and tap-dance to “Chattanooga Choo-Choo”... BRILLIANT!
You should also check out Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers in the 1942 musical “Hellzapoppin”.
Daniele Iannarelli YES!!
+1 for Hellzapoppin! Try to find the longer clip where the musicians wander in one by one. Starts slow, builds and builds ...
I saw those Lindy Hoppers in "Hellzapoppin" years ago. I'm still recovering . . .
chattanooga choo choo from sun valley seranade is one of my absolute favorites!! the glen miller band the amazing singers and of course the nicholas brothers!
i hear ya about how they inspired you..they did me too, although Fred Astaire not so much..My Idols were Sammy Davis Jr.. Teddy Hale, Baby Laurence, and Honi Coles..am old now, but i still love this..Love the expression on the young lady here, as she had the same reaction EVERYONE has had watching this the first time..
I've loved the Nicholas Brothers for decades.
I grew up watching musicals and song and dance acts. The first time I saw this (years ago) my jaw dropped, and I still have the same reaction to it to this day. Probably the most astounding dance sequence ever caught on film.
I love that you are going out and listening and watching anything old school before the 1950's.. Some of the greatest dancer's came from the 1920's - 1950's................ My hats off to you girl ... please do more .......
I've never heard of them or seen this so it's my first time. My mind is blown, wow.
This type of entertainment was expected by movie goers in musicals in the 30's and 40's, the Golden Age of Hollywood.
John Andrews No one entertained like the Nicholas brothers
I am already a huge fan of the Nicholas Brothers, so part of the joy I felt from watching this was watching your reaction. Thank you!
Spare a thought for the musicians with feet flying at light speed inches from their heads and the band played on!
LOL! Good point.
IKR
They started dancing as children in the 1930s. This is from the 1942 movie, Stormy Weather. This dance was done in one take, no editing, done all the way through the first time. The director yelled, "Cut and print!" This is what you have. They still danced way into their senior years. Look them up on TH-cam!
They also do a great number with Gene Kelly in "The Pirate" - the "Be a Clown" number. Gene always talked about the grief he got from the studio about doing the number with them. But he fought the studio and won.
And Gene Kelly is no slouch when it comes to dancing but you can see in that scene that he is struggling to keep up with them.
This is what today's generation will never understand, true entertainment.
YES! I *DARE* somebody to *TRY* that now a days. Nobody called nobody by the N word, nobody sagged they pants they were cool this right here is original OG !
These are True Artist. Not like Beyonce who is just an entertainer..
I just love the looks on these young'uns faces when they watch all this old stuff and see what real, great song and dance was.
At least not until they see this stuff that rocks their world.
The sets!
Huge stairs, fantasy lights, the gorgeous music and oh, the dancing!
Almost a dream.
You have now been introduced to the best tap dancing performane ever! Glad you discovered it!
Check out the "Uptown Funk" mashup of dance scenes from old movies. Fabulous, and contains part of this sequence.
That video is what I call, my recipe for "Instant Happy"! Makes me smile every single time!
th-cam.com/video/M1F0lBnsnkE/w-d-xo.html
I watch it every time I need a pick me up! Makes me feel happy and smiling
I love this one. These are the old musical movies we used to watch all the time back in the 50's and 60's. We had some amazing movies.
They are LEGENDARY!! And they didn’t get enough recognition!
Love the Nicholas Brothers. This is the best dance performance ever on film as far as I am concerned. Never gets old...never!
Yes, black men can dance. They moon walked long before MJ.
You are right. They were in Janet Jackson's music video.
Didn't Fred Astaire invent the moonwalk?
th-cam.com/video/y71njpDH3co/w-d-xo.html
Moon walk in 1955
I read that they did this in one take. Truly amazing!
From "Stormy Weather", it's probably the best dance scene in movie history. The 'barn raising' scene in "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" is a great dance sequence too.
The Nicholas Brothers even passed all the other dancers in Hollwood but NEVER GOT THE RECOGNITION THAT THEY DESERVED. So bad race had to play into it all.
Yes!! My mom was a music teacher and loved all those old musicals, so we all grew up hearing about them...and getting to watch them maybe once a year on PBS, lol.
What you just watched was real unapologetic talent.
I'm old. The Nicholas Brothers were the best between my Grand Parents day and My parents day, The 1930s about 90 years ago. Film with sound had just been perfected. You will never see better hoofers than these.
Nicholas Brothers-GOAT
Philly proud here! These guys grew up in my hometown of Philadelphia! This is the movie called Stormy Weather. TCM shows it from time to time. I seen this a young kid and never forgot them. Glad you liked them India.
Probably the best dance duo ever. And introduced by Cab Calloway. Classic!
When actual talent was applauded and appreciated....now a tight rubber suit that fits to the correct %, is what makes a star.
I saw this a long time ago.....These guys were amazing!
The Nicholas brothers always blow me away. Their dancing deserves to be seen and shouted about! Great! Great! Great!
Keep watching as much of the older movies as possible. The Nicholas Brothers, and all tap dancers inspired me to take tap dancing in college for P.E. It was more fun than volleyball, y'all.
Oh, YEAH!!! We have no idea what we missed out on the movies/era of the 30s and 40s!!! Listen to that beat and watch them jive!!! Just EXCELLENT!!!
I love tap and have already seen how wonderful the Nicholas Brothers were but it's so refreshing to see them through new eyes. Thank you.
And another thing to add, they did this in one take from what I read. That itself was truly amazing. 🤩
When I was seven I saw a movie of the Nicholas Brothers. I'm over sixty now, and honestly they are still in the top five dance acts I've ever seen. Simply amazing.
When I was younger, they showed movies on tv with fantastic entertainers like the Nicholas brothers every Friday night and weekends. It's a shame that for the past few decades, a whole generation has been deprived of the richness that made us all thrill and smile back then.
The Nicholas brothers were around 20 years before I was even born but they are still part of my fondest memories.
Sometimes I think it was an orchestrated program to remove these movies with so many iconic performers from general viewing and I believe we are poorer for it. I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong.
To a degree you're not. Back in the '30s and '40s, many studios would cut black performers out of musicals they made, because many theaters in the South would not show the films if there were blacks in them, especially if they were shown as anything other than maids, field hands, "mammies", etc.
I said the same thing. I recall watching older movies with black people in them early on Sunday mornings when I was younger and loved watching them even back then!
Back when there was actual talent in Hollywood.
I'm 62, so I grew up watching talented dancers in films, but this is my first time seeing the Nicholas Brothers. They were awesome! Also, I'm a relatively new subscriber to your channel and I'm enjoying your videos! This one especially made me smile. 😊 A nice break from doing my taxes. Keep up the great work! 😇
After all these decades, nobody has come close to them. Simply the Greatest Of All Time. This was done in one, unrehearsed take. You should see the rest of the movie, with Bill Robinson and Lena Horne.
Yes
No, it was not "one unrehearsed take" - this thing is full of complex camera moves and jump edits that you simply could not capture in "one take" or "unrehearsed". That's a great piece of cinematic urban mythology, but it's not true.
@@seanmartin9686 Upon watching the interview with Fayard again, it seems he might only be talking about one part of the scene being unrehearsed and in one take..
th-cam.com/video/dwYK8DEHl9U/w-d-xo.html
I've watched this video dozens of times...I've watched their footwork...their hands and just their faces...they were incredible...
I had the pleasure to meet and talk with Fayard. He was a pleasure to be around, he just excluded joy. Always had a smile on his face.
This is beyond dancing. This is poetry for the eyes, as well as the ears.
They were amazing. I love watching your reaction. It was pure joy watching them and you.
My reaction when I first saw them was much the same. The energy and athleticism back then puts us all to shame. Especially me!
Just like anyone who’s a master craftsman, they make it look EASY. And all with smiles on their faces. Sure do wish I could tap. What a combination of style and athleticism.
Black artists are and always have been absolutely incredible!!! The Nicolas Brothers were TOPS and admired by all! They were featured in many fine motion pictures and are beloved still today!!!
I'm most impressed by the Nicholas Bros by how easily they get up from a split, the amount of strength shown is off the charts.
Greatest reaction for the greatest dance pair ever !!!!!! .. thanks so much India !!!!!
One of them doing that would be amazing. Two of them doing all of that IN UNISON is absolutely incredible!
Yes, they are the best. Can anyone imagine what a better performance would be like? You can't top heaven.
The great dancer Fred Astaire called this the greatest dance performance ever put on film.
He got that right.
if Fred said its legit, its legit!
💯% Without question: THIS, IS THE GREATEST dance performance, EVER put ON film💯!
this was dancing at it finest and i love them. you should check out Gregory Hines.
Ahhh...Gregory Hines was excellent and I loved to watch him! He did TAP and brought some of the old crew into the movie! It was a pleasure to watch them!
Also check out Hines, Hines and Dad.
Love these guys & you will too India ❤️ Over 70 yrs of this!!! More than enough to look into & worth it BIGLY!
Such a wonderful reaction. Americans discovering our best.
Can watch this several times, a day, and never get tired of watching it! Awesome!
When I saw "Nicholas Brothers," I HAD to see your reaction. Btw, I love your channel. I like that I get to see your reaction without you pausing to interject commentary. It's awesome.
Now you need to check out Shirley Temple and Mr. Bojangles. Her youngest I think she is 4, and at her oldest I think she was 9 dancing with him.
I've seen this before, but not only did my mouth fall open, but I began to laugh with joy. They were so amazing. I can't even imagine how strong their legs were.
I've always known who the Nicholas brothers were. But I'm a fan of classic films; especially musicals. You have to remember these folks started before there was television. So they were stage performers. If people wanted entertainment, they would go to movies or live shows called vaudeville. That's why so many performers from the olden days are so polished and amazing. They performed every day on stages all across America. the Nicholas Brothers started in vaudeville when they were just kids in the 1920s. They traveled the United States and Europe performing. Sammy Davis also started in vaudeville as a kid. Glad you discovered them
Lorinda Cox I saw this on AMC a long time ago but Cab Calloway is the bomb. And who needs percussion when you have the Nicholas Brothers?
@@ruthjohnson4380 agreed!!
Another dance sequence just as good. BEGIN THE BEGUINE . FRED ASTIRE + ELEANOR POWELL ,what a dance
Give me a break
The brothers were underappreciated. This is an example of the unbelievable talent of the Nicholas Brothers. Great reaction.
Amazing dancers back then. Professionalism of a high degree. The Scarecrow in the "Wizard of Oz" - Ray Bolger - was an amazing dancers as well. He would go into a split, start up slowly, stop, go back down, and come up again, slowly as before. Amazing stuff.
You don't see performances like that anymore! Truly a class of their own!
They danced their asses off! I've seen this before, it never gets old.
Cab Calloway, "Minnie the Moocher! "
Just imagine the leg strength that it takes to pull yourself up from a split like that four or five times in a 4 minute period.
They were big back during The War. My Dad (who was in the Navy at that time) really enjoyed them..fantastic. You’d never see pure talent like this today...
That was so wild. When you posted it, I really didn't think I would care for it. I was wrong! Watching their Shadows dance and all those splits off the stairs. Oh my God, this was really cool!
These guys were super amazing performers. Outstanding American talent. Respect from Ireland. X🍀💕🌟👍
The Nicholas Brothers were an amazing dance team in the 40’s. I’ve seen clips of their routines (this is a classic), and they were phenomenal! I have to admit that as I get older and watch them, it’s hard not to wince at the thought of how hard it must have been on their hips as they got older!
Love the Nicholas Brothers and your reaction to their phenomenal tap dancing. How did they have the stamina to do that lengthy routine? Mind blowing. 🌺
Absolutely, my favorite dancers ever!!!
Should have watched all of Cab Calloway's performance too.
They were just incredible, fabulous beyond anything. Actors and singers too. I can't watch where they do all the splits. I just get the feeling the studio wanted more and more dangerous stunts with no protections from a union.
These guys were sooooooo fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I kept thinking with each of your reactions. ‘Kiddo, you ain’t seen nothing yet’ I love the Nicholas Brothers and the Berry Brothers. Google them and watch all their stuff.
Check out "I Got A Girl In Kalamazoo" and "Chattanooga Choo-Choo." which features Dorothy Dandridge. Also, I think you're able to enjoy the Brothers because of the long takes and being filmed head to toe. There's something to be said for fast edits and close-ups, but I this way of filming dance really conveys their talents and spirit.
WOW! I’m so mad I’ve never seen this! Craziest talent I’ve almost ever witnessed.
The Nicholas brothers were AWESOME! My Dad LOVED to watch the Nicholas brothers dance.
You had the same reaction I did the first time I saw them. Just mind-boggling. At first I thought, "This has o be animation, because no human being could possibly do this". These guys are, for lack of a better word, superhuman---these "Marvel" characters in the movies can't hold a candle to them.
Fortunately, there are a good number of clips of their mind-blowing routines out there. If you think this one was incredible--and it was--wait until you see the others. There has never been another act like them.
Mind blown! Pure genius, skill and artistry
They were amazing, I love watching them perform so much. Those jump splits were something they were famous for.
That kicked ass. As a drummer, I love listening to tap. With two guys pulling off the foot phrasing together, it's so much more impressive.
Thanks India. I am so glad you reacted to the Nicolas Brothers. Two of the best dancers I have ever seen.
This is why finding the past can be so exciting: there's amazing sights like these men dancing!
This is truly one of the most virtuoso physical dance routines out there. Astounding.
Harold Nichols was married to Dorothy Dandridge they had a daughter who was named after her dad.
KCBHorrorFan
Oh, I didn’t know that. Lucky guy, Dandridge was a sexy honey!!!
@@BlueShadow777 he was Dorothy's first husband.
I was lucky enough to get to meet Fayard a couple of times when he was rather old. He was tiny. You can't really tell this in the film but I bet he wasn't 5'4"
@@tialori5815 agreed very lucky
Which weirdo names their daughter Harold?
This is the kind of talent that should have been featured during this year's half time show.
The Nicholas Brothers were the best of the best!
Have always loved them. The are magic. Thanks for having this. Also love your Alice poster!
The brothers had enormous strength, needed it to make it looks effortless, and managed strict choreography without it EVER becoming stiff, it feels 'free' and felt and enjoyed. Wonderful performances from masters of the old craft.
When I was a kid, my tap dance teacher had my class watch this, because kids were complaining during class. He told them, "When you dance like these men, you can complain." Never heard another complaint for those kids after that.🤣 The Nicholas Brothers were amazing.
They were Great athletes! So happy to see another generation enjoy their incredible talent!