Whom ever produced this segment could have skipped giving the singer and dancers the credit. I think doing so makes this piece as much an interesting historical moment as well as some excellent entertainment. Even the Marx Bros. blackface, normally an archaic eye roller was set within an appropriate context.
“All God’s children got rhythm. All God’s children got swing. Maybe haven’t got money. Maybe haven’t got shoes. All God’s children got rhythm. For them to push away that blues!” What a beautiful message! This is what I like about this era. Everyone dressed nice, even if they were poor. It wasn’t about being extra, showing off, being bougie. It was about an external affirmation of the internal affirmation, that yes I am a person of value. And I value myself. Value doesn’t need to be attached to monetary factors. Value is more than that, as Bob Marley once said: “Some people are so poor, that all they have is money.”
Thank GOD these moments have been preserved for posterity;to bring joys to future young viewers! These are the dancing teachers for todays(2020) youth,and beyond! I hope Michael Jackson's estate supports kids who want to achieve a better life than their forebearers.........shalom & peace!
It's an added pleasure to finally learn the names of some of the talented people seen in this number. Having loved this moment in this movie for many years I've sometimes thought I'd give anything to know what become of all the people who appeared in it - right down to the youngest kids.
@@themaggattack Frankie Manning passed away in 2009 almost at the age of 95. Norma Miller another dancer in the video died in 2019. Al Minns in 1985. Al taught Swedish dancers the Lindy Hop starting a revival of the dance in 1982. Frankie Manning taught a great many dancers in many Swing Dance Camps, in the U.S, Sweden, Canada, Spain and other countries starting in 1987. Both he and Norma told stories of the day at Lindy Hop events, Frankie's stories were such as how he came up with the first Swing dance Aerial were hilarious.
I’ve always thought Ivie Anderson was a stunner ever since I first saw her in this movie, and of course what a beautiful voice she has. There doesn’t appear to be much recorded about her life apart from her stint with Duke Ellington and other bands. Just one beautiful lady.
My father was born in 1922. He would always joke that the reason his back was bad is because he used to throw my mother around doing the Lindy Hop. He died in 2011, but would have loved to have seen this. Thank you!
It was all great until the ending. Just remind me how we were viewed during those times, and even now with certain not everyone but certain people.🤦🏾♀️
Don't think about that. Screw how "we were viewed", but rather indulge in WHAT WE WERE!!! Clips like this fill me with such pride when some may have intended some of it for bad. I just think when we can see the beauty of what we were during these times, what it can do is put more personal responsibility on who we have to be today....because the moment more of us see "what WE OWE" those who came before us as oppose to saying what we think people owe us?....we will become more powerful and successful than even we can imagine.
I suppose you all know that these scenes were usually cut out of the movie when it was being shown in certain parts of the country - mostly in the South.
Ironically, cutting it makes it worse because it ignores the amazing performance and that not all performers were racist. All three of the brothers pressured MGM into including this scene so that African Americans could show off their talents.
@RobertKincaid-vq3hnI just came upon this video clip and it was spectacular. I'm always looking for classic history especially from talented black actors.
How fun. Her performance was great. I love those old singers, dancers and horns. Thinking I was born in the wrong era. I'm definitely an old soul. Look how nice everyone looked. From hair, dresses, skirts, dress shirts and ties. So classic. Thanks for sharing.
I feel the same way. But I keep in mind there was segregation in the states back on the days. Living in America for a person of color wasn't pleasant. :-(
This is more how Whitey's Lindy Hoppers would dance in competitions or for performances. The documentary "When the spirit moves" some clips of which can be seen on TH-cam has Lindy Hoppers and partner Charleston of dancers just having fun.
THANK YOU so much for naming Ivie Anderson and the dancers! I've known this movie for years and this scene is amazing and also brings tears to my eyes, that these great artists had to act out these demeaning roles. Whitey's Lindy Hoppers were an exhibition group based in the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, and the routine they're doing here is sort of a standard one they would do in various live performances. Apparently when they returned to the Savoy after the film had been released, the dancers there teased Leon James (who came back from Hollywood putting on a lot of airs) about all the mugging he did, rolling his eyes and waggling his finger such. Leon was the king at the Savoy, though.
Ivie Anderson was amazing. This is the first time I've heard of her. Fantastic performance! And John Bunch doing the splits... what a LEGEND! Thank you so much for sharing this, and adding the names.
Though if you’ve seen the movie, it’s because they were trying to hide from the cops. Also, this movie was made in the 30s and black people during that time did not consider blackface to be racist. It would not be until the 60s that blackface would be rightfully seen as racist.
Outstanding dancers and talents. Although the dancers and singers were poorly paid and experienced segregation back in the days, they kept doing what they loved. :-(
The Marx Brothers experienced discrimination too due to their Jewish beliefs. As a result, they were pretty close with the black community. They were even the ones who made sure the scene made it into the movie since the producers wanted to cut it.
@@Powerranger-le4up In the 50's during Groucho's gameshow when a black couple was competing, he joked with them but never about race and was quick to offer the woman a chair when hearing she was pregnant. They got to sing with their children on the show too, and did ensure they went home with some prize money. Their kids later became famous as the Sylvers. The Marx Brothers weren't really actively practicing the Jewish faith but did indeed face some discrimination growing up Jewish. Harpo also mentions in his book something about starting a club to play cards where everyone was welcome, specifically mentioning black people among others. To them segregation was bullshit. People where people. Only people they couldn't stand where those taking themselves too seriously, it was not just in their movies that they liked to take people like that down a peg.
Enjoyed the great talent of the day. However it was interesting to note the the blackface at 3:48 was just part of an ordinary comedy routing. How things have changed.
The fact that the black young guy that they passed after putting oil on they face for black face noticed them and how his whole mood changed from happy to sadly confused just is sad I forget how bluntly racism was back then this brought me back to reality once again our ppl always has had the talents for showing off different skills in show business I’m just glad they put their credit on the end respect to them for the days they used to live in loved to see black ppl showing just how excellent we are❤️❤️❤️
Just want to let you know that while blackface is in fact racist, it was not considered racist by African Americans until the 1960s. This movie was made in 1937 back when African Americans didn’t consider it to be racist. The studio wanted to cut it, but the Marx Brothers pressured the studio to keep the scene in because they had endured discrimination themselves since they were Jewish.
This is the first time I have ever seen individual credits given to the dancers, and I love it. I have long been a fan of the Marx Brothers' films, and A Day At The Races is my favorite. Of all the musical scenes in their films, this one is the very best. It showcases talent that white audiences were not seeing in 1937. This really is wonderful. Thanks.
You would have to be African American to understand the racism during that time. You are correct about the talented performers in this piece. They are wonderful.
thebes50 AS Whoopi Goldberg once said... “ No such thing as an afrikan american”... And one does not NEED to be black to understand racism... just once it would be nice to see and enjoy yesteryears entertainment as that... Entertainment... without the sad sob crap re: blacks.
Because black actors, dancers and singers rarely got any screen credit. The dancing is marvelous, yes, but to have names to those long ago faces is along the lines of righting a long ago wrong. And yes, enjoy the entertainment from yesteryear, but also understand the history that goes with it. And just so you know, Miss Goldberg collects slaves sales receipts and other slave related documents. Why bring that up? Because there ARE such things as Black Americans who come from, or have history that goes back to, Africa. This isn't a sob story, it is history. Too bad you can't see or understand that.
@@thebes50 I disagree that you have to be black to understand racism. Living it from the side of a person of colour is very different from living it from the side of a white person, yes. But anyone can understand racism of any era. If they choose to open their eyes to it.
I also agree.... it's wonderful to finally learn the names of these marvelous, talented people. I've loved the Marx Brothers since I was little... but the musical numbers in the movie were the best parts. The stereotypical behavior and the blackface attempt to dodge the police were more than cringey. Black people are still not treated as equals.... but actors like Nichelle Nichols, and Tyler Perry are trying to bridge the gap at least. Remember the controversy over the Black Panther movie and the 95% black voice cast of the Lion King remake ... anyway.... very much loved seeing this dance number ... thank you for posting it 😁❤
The Marx Bros pushed the studio to include some black performers in their films which the studio (MGM) did for the musical slots. As for cringey, the Marx Bros whole act was built on stereotypes (they portrayed stereotypes) and anti-social behavior so black face would just be the order of the day for them.
@IyaEarthseeds ease up there pally. that guy didn't even remotely suggest that black-face was OK, much less funny. what he did say was the truth; that black-face was the order of the day back then.
I watched Amos & Andy reruns on early morning TV (back when TV signed off air at midnight).Then all blacks were portrayed as servants, buffoons, or innocent children who loved to play. But the black community in those days came together, we were there for each other. Now it seems we kill and destroy each other. Yes black lives do matter, a mind is a terrible thing to waste: An American who happens to be black.
@Mikayla Pryor I am not going to hot dog the argument. The fact the Marx Bros pushed the studio to take on black performers showed a consideration towards others. The fact it may not measure up to your standards ignores the fact the Marx Bros weren't the studio owners and the studio accepting their request means these performers did get some camera time, more than many other kind of performers that didn't have any chance to be seen in the movies at all.
This was my favorite scene in the whole movie (barring the end, which is unfortunate). I loved these performers and I'm so glad to see them get credit here.
@@russellthompson9271 Hi. I'm not sure why my comment got taken down, as I was simply explaining why the ending was "unfortunate", as I described it. But if you read it, you get the general gist. It was a decision made, I believe, outside the brothers' control, and it was insulting to the black performers in the film.
Context is everything. The blackface here wasn't intended to mock Black people and the Marx Bros' gleeful mugging is just because they're pretending to be in the dance group. I'm not Black but I'm a POC and personally I don't see anything wrong with this scene.
Ivie Anderson gives a sterling performance: come what may, the film camera's HAD to keep rolling - there was simply not enough roll available for more than ONE take !! and she was told waddevvayadoo KEEP PERFORMING !!
Damn, that was FANTASTIC!!! My parents used to tell me how they used to dance back then. RIP!!! At the end, as you can see EVERYBODY wants to be Blaque, they just DON'T want to BE Blaque!!!! Peace Family and stay SAFE!!!!! #B1
To the people complaining about the use of blackface at the end of the clip, here is some context that you should know. The Marx Brothers were four actual brothers and the children of European Jewish immigrants. They were brought up in a community of Greek, Spanish, Italian, Polish, and Russian immigrants. Chico would modify his accent to avoid getting beaten up by the boys from whichever community. That amalgam grew into his stage accent. They never showed any malice or contempt for ethnic minorities. As you can see, in this scene you can see them having fun with the rest of the crowd. Them painting their faces Black was just an attempt to blend in further. A similar musical number in “A Night at the Opera” has Chico and Harpo preforming for a ship full of European immigrants. It is clear that they feel sympathy with these people. Their most biting and mean-spirited comedy was reserved for the wealthy, effete society types. Margaret Dumont would appear regularly in their films to serve as a verbal punching bag for Groucho Marx. She was exactly the type of bourgeois, upper-crust person that the jokes of the Marx Brothers were aimed at. It was of good sport of her to make herself the butt of the joke so frequently. Which is not to say that their films are not completely free of dated and racist caricatures. The last film they made together, The Big Store. The ratio of musical numbers to comic set pieces makes it seem like it was made to fulfill a contractual obligation. It contains a brief musical number where three black men sing about picking cotton. Thankfully the scene is brief. There is also a comic bit where Groucho messes around with a fat ugly Italian couple and their brood of twelve children. Though the course of comic high jinx they loose six children. Upon realizing this the Italian stereotype complains, “When Iya coma in here! I hava twelve kids!” And Groucho attempts to convince him that it is more economically sound to have six kids instead of twelve. Being Italian myself I can’t help but laugh at this scene as a relic of the attitudes of the past. It is a reminder of how attitudes about certain groups change and seemingly shifting onto other people. If that bit were done today the family would probably be Mexican.
Fi allg someone who knows what a marx brother is. I think people were less soft ass mfer's back then. I mean look how they danced, obviously. People probably put an eye out but that didnt stop them.
I very much like the fact that these marvelous performers are identified at the end of the video. Most black talent seen in this time period are anonymous. Thanks!!!
Extraordinary talent marinated in grievous stereotypes. American show business developed, relied on, and refined the stereotypes to maximize its profits for over a century. Popular culture was and is a pillar of the system of segregation and inequality we are still trying to get out from under, perhaps more a cause than an outcome. May we all find better myths and a better way.
I’ve seen the whole movie. It was actually done to evade cops. You are right about blackface being racist, but during the 1930s, African Americans didn’t see it as racist. It wouldn’t be correctly seen as racist until the 1960s. It may not look like much, but it was progressive for its time.
@@Powerranger-le4up I can see what it was done for. You're wrong on your second point though lol. Blackface was definitely always racist, it's just that black people at the time did not have the space to voice their grievances about it.
@@ButchBirdie Well, we will have to agree to disagree on the second point, but considering that the Brothers were close to the black community, we can cut them a little slack.
@@Powerranger-le4up ....Disagree about what exactly? That blackface is bad? I don't think I can agree to disagree on that point. I don't think we have to cut anybody slack here. What do they care? They are dead and rich. They will not be hurt by our criticism of them.
Aside from the great singing and dancing, it’s worth noting the wonderful playing and the amazing extent to which everything is in tune - with such old recording technology too.
I showed this to my 92 year old mother and in that moment she became young again. This was her dancing, thank you for posting this.
🙋🏽♀️👉🏽awesome🖤more ppl should do that how cute sweet 🖤🙊
Luv that u shared this and luv that ur mom reacted to it too. Jump and jive.
That's amazing. Which dancer? I might cry...I want this played as people leave my funeral. I have loved it all my life.
Wait, your mother was a whiteys Lindy hopper and she's alive??
@@dogperson432 Dance keeps ya young!
These people were not only great dancers, they were incredible athletes.
Oh Yes
Most definitely. This is the type of dancing that required athleticism and talent as well.
And then some!!
I agree with some others. It is so gratifying to see the credits. Those performers waited long enough.
I saw the movie. They are mentioned in the credits.
Powerranger6342 Yes, they were. Its sad how some Too many been trained today to think they were not.
Whom ever produced this segment could have skipped giving the singer and dancers the credit. I think doing so makes this piece as much an interesting historical moment as well as some excellent entertainment. Even the Marx Bros. blackface, normally an archaic eye roller was set within an appropriate context.
@@willnevada1 apparently that’s not true
@@Berryations No...... It is true. The media has programmed most of the population to behave like children.
“All God’s children got rhythm. All God’s children got swing. Maybe haven’t got money. Maybe haven’t got shoes. All God’s children got rhythm. For them to push away that blues!”
What a beautiful message!
This is what I like about this era. Everyone dressed nice, even if they were poor.
It wasn’t about being extra, showing off, being bougie.
It was about an external affirmation of the internal affirmation, that yes I am a person of value. And I value myself.
Value doesn’t need to be attached to monetary factors. Value is more than that, as Bob Marley once said: “Some people are so poor, that all they have is money.”
Thank GOD these moments have been preserved for posterity;to bring joys to future young viewers! These are the dancing teachers for todays(2020) youth,and beyond! I hope Michael Jackson's estate supports kids who want to achieve a better life than their forebearers.........shalom & peace!
Well said!
💯💯💯💯
Say ...I ain't got rhythm...I can't dance not even by accident, I've got two left feet.
@@lucky5853 How about just moving your hip left and right?
Thank you to whoever put the dancers' names at the end.
I'm actually visiting Norma Miller's grave tomorrow and wanted to see a clip of her.
It's an added pleasure to finally learn the names of some of the talented people seen in this number. Having loved this moment in this movie for many years I've sometimes thought I'd give anything to know what become of all the people who appeared in it - right down to the youngest kids.
The kids were members of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers from Harlem.
Some of those kids might still be alive. They'd be in their 80's or 90's now, wouldn't they?
You get a glimpse of a teenage Dorothy Dandridge, her sister Vivian and friend Etta Jones who were billed as the Dandridge Sisters at the time.
@@themaggattack Frankie Manning passed away in 2009 almost at the age of 95. Norma Miller another dancer in the video died in 2019. Al Minns in 1985. Al taught Swedish dancers the Lindy Hop starting a revival of the dance in 1982. Frankie Manning taught a great many dancers in many Swing Dance Camps, in the U.S, Sweden, Canada, Spain and other countries starting in 1987. Both he and Norma told stories of the day at Lindy Hop events, Frankie's stories were such as how he came up with the first Swing dance Aerial were hilarious.
Giving name credit to the singer and dancers at the end was a rightful and wonderful thing to do. Thank you.
I’ve always thought Ivie Anderson was a stunner ever since I first saw her in this movie, and of course what a beautiful voice she has. There doesn’t appear to be much recorded about her life apart from her stint with Duke Ellington and other bands. Just one beautiful lady.
My first time hearing Ivie Anderson!! Now I want to listen to that voice forever, just singular and extraordinary.
Agreed! I never knew her name but I always appreciated her. She was a treasure!
Her voice is amazing!
Not only her voice, but the way she moves! She was a gem.
Sadly she died very young 45 I think
So the young black America of 1941 was doing rock and roll dancing almost 15 years before the "official" craze!!!!
It was swing dance, but yes.
@@themaggattack It's lindy hop
that's where it comes from
Jump Blues in the late 40s is straight up rock no roll with out the title
We created rock n roll
My father was born in 1922. He would always joke that the reason his back was bad is because he used to throw my mother around doing the Lindy Hop. He died in 2011, but would have loved to have seen this. Thank you!
Relieved to see that Harpo didn't take anyone's eye out with that pitchfork.
I GOT SO NERVOUS
When the big guy starts dancing you know it's about to get good.
THANK YOU FOR CREDITING THE DANCE TROUPE BY NAME ! It's so good to see their names and know who they are; theyre just so incredible
At 1:11 in upper right are Vivian and Dorothy Dandridge as uncredited extras.
Thank you for spotting!
I thought they looked familiar, but had not ever noticed them over 20+ years of watching the grayscale version. Thank you so much!
wow your right! holy Dorothy was so young!
Nice catch!
It was all great until the ending. Just remind me how we were viewed during those times, and even now with certain not everyone but certain people.🤦🏾♀️
I think in this day, we all should be viewed as individuals and not generalize one another. Generalizing happens alot, even amongst our black selves.
The blackface and the sterotypical black mugging for the camera makes me shudder. The dancing makes my heart sing.
@Zsavage1 it was written 3500 years ago.
Don't think about that. Screw how "we were viewed", but rather indulge in WHAT WE WERE!!! Clips like this fill me with such pride when some may have intended some of it for bad.
I just think when we can see the beauty of what we were during these times, what it can do is put more personal responsibility on who we have to be today....because the moment more of us see "what WE OWE" those who came before us as oppose to saying what we think people owe us?....we will become more powerful and successful than even we can imagine.
I totally agree.
The dancers are outstanding!
I suppose you all know that these scenes were usually cut out of the movie when it was being shown in certain parts of the country - mostly in the South.
Their loss!
Ironically, cutting it makes it worse because it ignores the amazing performance and that not all performers were racist. All three of the brothers pressured MGM into including this scene so that African Americans could show off their talents.
Anyone who did not appreciate this talent showcase was most definitely undeserving of it.
I think the southern states of America have to rank in the top league in the most evil places in history
Mr Irrepressible sadly even with lynchings and the like it wouldn’t come close.
Thank you for crediting the individual dancers! This was fun!
The Marx Brothers insisted that these great black talents be included in the film...
i totally agree also the scene were the Brothers black up their faces up is absolutely hilarious here we are watching this in 2024
@RobertKincaid-vq3hnI just came upon this video clip and it was spectacular. I'm always looking for classic history especially from talented black actors.
How fun. Her performance was great. I love those old singers, dancers and horns. Thinking I was born in the wrong era. I'm definitely an old soul. Look how nice everyone looked. From hair, dresses, skirts, dress shirts and ties. So classic. Thanks for sharing.
I feel the same way. But I keep in mind there was segregation in the states back on the days. Living in America for a person of color wasn't pleasant. :-(
I wouldn’t want to live in the 30s.
Thank you for showing the world Black American Musical/Theatrical History!
These dancers deserve top billing. Awesome!
I see why my grandmother was a wallflower at dances 🤣😂 I’d be scared to dance like this as well
This is more how Whitey's Lindy Hoppers would dance in competitions or for performances. The documentary "When the spirit moves" some clips of which can be seen on TH-cam has Lindy Hoppers and partner Charleston of dancers just having fun.
Thanks for the names - should never be forgotten
THANK YOU so much for naming Ivie Anderson and the dancers! I've known this movie for years and this scene is amazing and also brings tears to my eyes, that these great artists had to act out these demeaning roles. Whitey's Lindy Hoppers were an exhibition group based in the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, and the routine they're doing here is sort of a standard one they would do in various live performances. Apparently when they returned to the Savoy after the film had been released, the dancers there teased Leon James (who came back from Hollywood putting on a lot of airs) about all the mugging he did, rolling his eyes and waggling his finger such. Leon was the king at the Savoy, though.
At 1:06 the young girl in light jumper at right behind the singer is Dorothy Dandridge.
Next time you see your grandparents and think they're boring, just think, this was 'their' scene.
That big man can dance. This is awesome.
ReRun father..
Thank you so much for posting this; especially the credits. The amount of energy in the dancing is just amazing. I'm exhausted watching it.
John Bunch what an absolute legend.
I just wrote a whole paper on this song, and I just watched the ending. the way my jaw DROPPED.
I’ve never seen lindyhopping like this in my whole life😮
This is beyond talented and a whole other level.
Check out Hellzapoppin Lindy hopping scene!
An you thought you could dance , Yea ok . No , this is dancing. Ok, ok , yea it was before my time but I know skill when I see it.
Ivie Anderson was amazing. This is the first time I've heard of her. Fantastic performance! And John Bunch doing the splits... what a LEGEND! Thank you so much for sharing this, and adding the names.
Wonderful Ivy Anderson!!
Guess who took this dance style as their own, and still dances Lindy Hop in today's 2024
"Pull that up Jamie."
My favorite is 01:40 - where my man does the splits. I-95 should be that smooth.
Seeing the black face was sad- but the voice of Ivie made me give it a thumbs up. Just wow. Your channel is a treasure- ty.
Though if you’ve seen the movie, it’s because they were trying to hide from the cops. Also, this movie was made in the 30s and black people during that time did not consider blackface to be racist. It would not be until the 60s that blackface would be rightfully seen as racist.
Please explain why it was sad, I don't get it given the scene and situation?
@@maccagrabme Black face as had an ugly history in the US.
@@maccagrabme Maybe because blackface is an incredibly racist relic of minstrel shows?
@@slevemcdichael5274 Why is it incredibly racist? I don't find it a problem and I'm half Jamaican.
Thank you Black Pepper for your videos. Whenever I feel down, I come to your channel, smile!
Beautiful, uplifting, true art.
And thanks for the after credits, these great talents deserve to be recognized
Outstanding dancers and talents.
Although the dancers and singers were poorly paid and experienced segregation back in the days, they kept doing what they loved. :-(
Wasn't just blacks, a lot of whites did not get their dues either, that was the nature of things , but I agree , they were not treated right.
The Marx Brothers experienced discrimination too due to their Jewish beliefs. As a result, they were pretty close with the black community. They were even the ones who made sure the scene made it into the movie since the producers wanted to cut it.
@@Powerranger-le4up In the 50's during Groucho's gameshow when a black couple was competing, he joked with them but never about race and was quick to offer the woman a chair when hearing she was pregnant.
They got to sing with their children on the show too, and did ensure they went home with some prize money. Their kids later became famous as the Sylvers.
The Marx Brothers weren't really actively practicing the Jewish faith but did indeed face some discrimination growing up Jewish.
Harpo also mentions in his book something about starting a club to play cards where everyone was welcome, specifically mentioning black people among others. To them segregation was bullshit. People where people. Only people they couldn't stand where those taking themselves too seriously, it was not just in their movies that they liked to take people like that down a peg.
Enjoyed the great talent of the day. However it was interesting to note the the blackface at 3:48 was just part of an ordinary comedy routing. How things have changed.
Now this is absolute talent!!!
It’s fantastic to have the names of the dancers. Thanks for this and hour other videos. So much fun to watch!!
Our pleasure!
The fact that the black young guy that they passed after putting oil on they face for black face noticed them and how his whole mood changed from happy to sadly confused just is sad I forget how bluntly racism was back then this brought me back to reality once again our ppl always has had the talents for showing off different skills in show business I’m just glad they put their credit on the end respect to them for the days they used to live in loved to see black ppl showing just how excellent we are❤️❤️❤️
Just want to let you know that while blackface is in fact racist, it was not considered racist by African Americans until the 1960s. This movie was made in 1937 back when African Americans didn’t consider it to be racist. The studio wanted to cut it, but the Marx Brothers pressured the studio to keep the scene in because they had endured discrimination themselves since they were Jewish.
Thank you for those valuable credits at the end👍
LOVE IT!!! The 'Lindy Hop' was evidently the love-child of the Jitterbug, and Swing! ☺
rock band Queen titled one of their albums after watching this movie, "A Day At The Races"
The Marx Brothers made both “A Night at the Opera” and “A Day at the Races.”
This music and dance puts a big old smile on my face. Love it. Thank you!
Popped on this by accident.
Wonderful!
Now this is my grandma lindy hop!
Omg they were so youngggg this is beautiful to watch .
This is the first time I have ever seen individual credits given to the dancers, and I love it. I have long been a fan of the Marx Brothers' films, and A Day At The Races is my favorite. Of all the musical scenes in their films, this one is the very best. It showcases talent that white audiences were not seeing in 1937. This really is wonderful. Thanks.
DeOldify technology got my people lookin' like zombies.
No it didn't. Looked normal.
Why is everyone going about everything else BUT the intense of the dancing itself? Talk about the energy, what a way to lose weight AND stay tight!
You would have to be African American to understand the racism during that time. You are correct about the talented performers in this piece. They are wonderful.
thebes50 AS Whoopi Goldberg once said... “ No such thing as an afrikan american”... And one does not NEED to be black to understand racism... just once it would be nice to see and enjoy yesteryears entertainment as that... Entertainment... without the sad sob crap re: blacks.
Even the fat one could move!
Because black actors, dancers and singers rarely got any screen credit. The dancing is marvelous, yes, but to have names to those long ago faces is along the lines of righting a long ago wrong. And yes, enjoy the entertainment from yesteryear, but also understand the history that goes with it. And just so you know, Miss Goldberg collects slaves sales receipts and other slave related documents. Why bring that up? Because there ARE such things as Black Americans who come from, or have history that goes back to, Africa. This isn't a sob story, it is history. Too bad you can't see or understand that.
@@thebes50 I disagree that you have to be black to understand racism. Living it from the side of a person of colour is very different from living it from the side of a white person, yes. But anyone can understand racism of any era. If they choose to open their eyes to it.
I enjoyed that, thank you.
DeOldify did a great job.
At 4:45 a teenage Dorothy Dandridge and her sister, Vivian are behind Ivie Anderson 💜💜
Yes!! Also at 1:06 they were already outstanding!!
If I tried that I would end up in ICU.
I was like well they are fit young people. Then the fat guy started doing it, and well, people just arent made that way anymore I guess.
But what a story to tell
OMG THANK YOUUU FOR THIS!!!! “Who Dat Man”
Holy Hippopotamus!!!!!!!
This takes asses and kicks names in color!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many thanks to those who made this happen!!!!!!!
i can barely keep up watching, this is terrific! Vufcup mentioned this in their song Barnyard Shuffle so down the rabbit hole i went!
The best musical number that the Marx Brothers ever did
The only Oscar nomination any of their films ever got was for the dance direction of this scene.
I also agree.... it's wonderful to finally learn the names of these marvelous, talented people. I've loved the Marx Brothers since I was little... but the musical numbers in the movie were the best parts. The stereotypical behavior and the blackface attempt to dodge the police were more than cringey. Black people are still not treated as equals.... but actors like Nichelle Nichols, and Tyler Perry are trying to bridge the gap at least. Remember the controversy over the Black Panther movie and the 95% black voice cast of the Lion King remake ... anyway.... very much loved seeing this dance number ... thank you for posting it 😁❤
The Marx Bros pushed the studio to include some black performers in their films
which the studio (MGM) did for the musical slots.
As for cringey, the Marx Bros whole act was built on stereotypes (they portrayed
stereotypes) and anti-social behavior so black face would just be the order of the
day for them.
@IyaEarthseeds ease up there pally. that guy didn't even remotely suggest that black-face was OK, much less funny. what he did say was the truth; that black-face was the order of the day back then.
I watched Amos & Andy reruns on early morning TV (back when TV signed off air at midnight).Then all blacks were portrayed as servants, buffoons, or innocent children who loved to play.
But the black community in those days came together, we were there for each other. Now it seems we kill and destroy each other. Yes black lives do matter, a mind is a terrible thing to waste: An American who happens to be black.
@Mikayla Pryor I am not going to hot dog the argument. The fact the Marx Bros pushed the
studio to take on black performers showed a consideration towards others.
The fact it may not measure up to your standards ignores the fact the Marx Bros weren't the
studio owners and the studio accepting their request means these performers did get some
camera time, more than many other kind of performers that didn't have any chance to be seen
in the movies at all.
Tyler Perry?? are u crazy, disgraces himself every time he dresses up as a woman
Yay, credits! Finally, good talent is getting some recognition!
This was my favorite scene in the whole movie (barring the end, which is unfortunate). I loved these performers and I'm so glad to see them get credit here.
What is wrong with the end?!
@@russellthompson9271 Hi. I'm not sure why my comment got taken down, as I was simply explaining why the ending was "unfortunate", as I described it. But if you read it, you get the general gist. It was a decision made, I believe, outside the brothers' control, and it was insulting to the black performers in the film.
@@picklesthewise No it wasn't insulting!
@@russellthompson9271 Blackface isn't insulting? Is that the argument you're making?
@@picklesthewise Yes. It wasn't meant to be insulting back in the day, when everyone was happier.
Spettacolari!
Context is everything. The blackface here wasn't intended to mock Black people and the Marx Bros' gleeful mugging is just because they're pretending to be in the dance group. I'm not Black but I'm a POC and personally I don't see anything wrong with this scene.
dancing was incredibly brilliant
Totally Awesome! Thanks for posting!.
Wow!! Crazy seeing this in colour! Thanks for posting!
Ivie Anderson gives a sterling performance: come what may, the film camera's HAD to keep rolling - there was simply not enough roll available for more than ONE take !! and she was told waddevvayadoo KEEP PERFORMING !!
Wow! Talent and creativity! Thanks for sharing and the very best of luck!
Damn, that was FANTASTIC!!! My parents used to tell me how they used to dance back then. RIP!!! At the end, as you can see EVERYBODY wants to be Blaque, they just DON'T want to BE Blaque!!!! Peace Family and stay SAFE!!!!! #B1
I want to be green
I recently learned that Lindy Hop is Swing + Aerials. Makes sense.
Our grandmothers to great great grandchildren can move! Keep dancing in Heaven!
The Black Face thooo 😭
Love it!!! So exciting, fun and inspiring!
Omogosh!! I love this ! Thank you for sharing!
To the people complaining about the use of blackface at the end of the clip, here is some context that you should know. The Marx Brothers were four actual brothers and the children of European Jewish immigrants. They were brought up in a community of Greek, Spanish, Italian, Polish, and Russian immigrants. Chico would modify his accent to avoid getting beaten up by the boys from whichever community. That amalgam grew into his stage accent.
They never showed any malice or contempt for ethnic minorities. As you can see, in this scene you can see them having fun with the rest of the crowd. Them painting their faces Black was just an attempt to blend in further. A similar musical number in “A Night at the Opera” has Chico and Harpo preforming for a ship full of European immigrants. It is clear that they feel sympathy with these people.
Their most biting and mean-spirited comedy was reserved for the wealthy, effete society types. Margaret Dumont would appear regularly in their films to serve as a verbal punching bag for Groucho Marx. She was exactly the type of bourgeois, upper-crust person that the jokes of the Marx Brothers were aimed at. It was of good sport of her to make herself the butt of the joke so frequently.
Which is not to say that their films are not completely free of dated and racist caricatures. The last film they made together, The Big Store. The ratio of musical numbers to comic set pieces makes it seem like it was made to fulfill a contractual obligation. It contains a brief musical number where three black men sing about picking cotton. Thankfully the scene is brief. There is also a comic bit where Groucho messes around with a fat ugly Italian couple and their brood of twelve children. Though the course of comic high jinx they loose six children. Upon realizing this the Italian stereotype complains, “When Iya coma in here! I hava twelve kids!” And Groucho attempts to convince him that it is more economically sound to have six kids instead of twelve.
Being Italian myself I can’t help but laugh at this scene as a relic of the attitudes of the past. It is a reminder of how attitudes about certain groups change and seemingly shifting onto other people. If that bit were done today the family would probably be Mexican.
A NICE RESPONSE !
Fi allg someone who knows what a marx brother is. I think people were less soft ass mfer's back then. I mean look how they danced, obviously. People probably put an eye out but that didnt stop them.
big bro with the splits and the moving while split, thats wild
I very much like the fact that these marvelous performers are identified at the end of the video. Most black talent seen in this time period are anonymous. Thanks!!!
MERCI ❤️
LOVE YOUR VIDEO💗
GRATITUDE de nous remontrer le talent de tous ces ARTISTES💜et MERCI d avoir cité leur NOM🌹FORMIDABLE💗💗💗
3:29 a little too close to the kids there feller.
I wish I had half this much energy. I'm making a dance mashup to "Brand New Day" from the Wiz and I'll add a clip from this.
Add Jumpin Jive as well.
Took me a long time to find out who the lead singer in this segment was...
merci d'avoir fait renaître ces artistes et les nommer pour la postérité : ils sont fantastiques et me font rêver.
Wow is all I can say. Now THATS dancing, thanks for sharing.
Extraordinary talent marinated in grievous stereotypes. American show business developed, relied on, and refined the stereotypes to maximize its profits for over a century. Popular culture was and is a pillar of the system of segregation and inequality we are still trying to get out from under, perhaps more a cause than an outcome. May we all find better myths and a better way.
Absolutely amazing on the dancers' part, but that ending...sad to remember how even extremely talented people like this were viewed back then.
I’ve seen the whole movie. It was actually done to evade cops. You are right about blackface being racist, but during the 1930s, African Americans didn’t see it as racist. It wouldn’t be correctly seen as racist until the 1960s. It may not look like much, but it was progressive for its time.
@@Powerranger-le4up I can see what it was done for. You're wrong on your second point though lol. Blackface was definitely always racist, it's just that black people at the time did not have the space to voice their grievances about it.
@@ButchBirdie Well, we will have to agree to disagree on the second point, but considering that the Brothers were close to the black community, we can cut them a little slack.
@@Powerranger-le4up ....Disagree about what exactly? That blackface is bad? I don't think I can agree to disagree on that point. I don't think we have to cut anybody slack here. What do they care? They are dead and rich. They will not be hurt by our criticism of them.
The blackface scene here is actually funny. It's not making fun at the expense of black people, they were just trying to escape lol
Reason!
1:23 - 1:51 Keenan Thompson had moves and now I know he old AF 😂
Aside from the great singing and dancing, it’s worth noting the wonderful playing and the amazing extent to which everything is in tune - with such old recording technology too.
Wow, love the dancing!
To Me, The Best Dance I Have Ever Seen. Awesome!
This is amazing.
3:30 OMFG HARPO!!! THAT LITTLE BOY!! WTFFF.
Yeah that always freaks me out.
SHOULD TEACH IT NOOW! DANCE BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER AND GREAT EXCERSIZE!
The heavy set dancer is not John Tiny Bunch as posted. He is character actor Troy Brown Sr.