The late great Gregory Hines (an A+++ dancer in his own right) said that a bio pic about the Nicholas Brothers could never be made because there was nobody who could come close to emulating their dancing. The more I watch this clip, the more I agree with him.
I've seen several of their clips and trust me they were special. Thank God ( I mean that sincerely) for film, TH-cam, and other means to allow newer generations to see and appreciate their skills
They did ok in the Cotton Club movie, but finding not one, but two guys who can dance, act, look like them, and be believed as brothers would be like catching lightning in a bottle.
@@backgroundmusik The Nicholas Brothers weren't just dancers, they were trained acrobats as part of their performing repertoire. That greatly contributed to their astonishing moves. Finding two people with those skills who can also dance at their level is practically impossible.
So. I’m a 74 year old American white woman who was utterly captivated by this movie when I saw it on our black and white TV in the late 1950’s. Our parents grew up in the 1930’s Depression. My mother’s profound wish was to become a tap dancer like these dancers she saw on “the big screen” in those years. Coming from a poor farmer family, her yearning was impossible. BUT. Damn how well she could dance! And partnered with our father, also an accomplished dancer, the two of them made poetry on the dance floor! In my late 30’s I was privileged to watch them dance a waltz. They were so effortlessly elegant that I was moved to tears.
❤️❤️❤️ I know so well what you mean. My mom and stepdad also danced so well together. He was a Korean War era air force fighter pilot, and Arthur Murray dance instructor. His parents were immigrants from Palermo, Sicily. My mom was blond haired and blue eyed and looked a lot like Lauren Bacall. Both he and my mom were depression era babies. When they hit the dance floor it was poetry in motion. So beautiful to watch. My mom taught me about music and dance from the twenties and on. I am so grateful for their influence and what they taught me about music, dance, and living in our wonderful country. So glad you could experience your parents poetry in motion as well! 😊 ❤️
Take a look at the open piano early and then the closed piano when they jumped on it. Had to be several 'takes' here. I did hear one of the brothers say that the stair jumping bit was done in one take.
They said they did that routine in one take. It was a different time. There was usually only one take on music numbers. Editing wasn’t done like it is today. If you messed up, you had to start all over and you had better get it right the next time. No auto tune so if you claimed to be a singer, you had better be able to sing. The Nicholas Brothers were self taught. Either you had talent or you didn’t. Remember the time frame as well. African Americans didn’t have the same opportunities as in today. Lessons weren’t available to everyone. Even if you could afford it, there were still so many obstacles that made it difficult to be successful in the industry. People in general had simpler yet often more difficult lives. This was a major production. Seeing all of the Black servicemen in this movie in this era was unheard of. This is before my time but even as a child, we would stare at a person in the background of a movie to see if they were Black because it was just not a thing. Eventually we would see that they weren’t. Usually maids, butlers, slaves or prisoners and the occasional entertainer parts were available. Things have improved no matter what people today may think. The struggle is real, but without struggle, success wouldn’t be gratifying. Didn’t mean to get all racial with this, but that’s where this one took me. I’m just thankful that this piece of artistry is here and able to be seen and shared for generations. I really enjoyed your reaction to this. 😊
When Cab was in retirement before his second career (after the Blues Brothers movie reminded the world about him) he had a bar in Amsterdam. My wife had a friend from England over for a visit, she remembered she was a jazz head so she took her down to his bar. It was a filthy cold rainy night and there were four other customers. Cab came out to do some songs, he saw how few people there were so got them to sit round the piano and chatted with them like friends, told them stories about the old days and sang a few songs. She said he was an absolute star- full of charisma and very funny. Her friend was talking about it 30 years later.
You asked, so here goes. The first time I performed in public was 1949. I was a trombonist, guitarist and singer. It those days, before television, you had two choices for entertainment, the movies or a dinner club as portrayed here. You and your spouse dressed up, went to a club like this, had a meal, and were entertained by a band like this. I am STILL performing in local community theatre just for laughs. In 1961 I played an engagement at the Howard theatre with the Count Basie band when one of his musicians got ill. I later played in the band for two of Bob Hopes Christmas tours of military bases, a grueling stint of one or two performances a day, hop on a military transport and perform again at another base, or on an aircraft carrier to entertain the troops.
Love this message! I feel like I’m from a bygone era. My hubby and I go to Jazz clubs for big band shows we are always the youngest or some of the youngest in the crowd but it is such an amazing time!
Holy smokes, Manuel deTerra, you really do have the legit epaulets of experience on your shoulders! Would love to hear about more of your adventures as a musician. Thank you for your service to our servicemen. It meant a lot to them.
My parents were entertainers in the late 30’s and 40’s. Mom was a dancer, both modern and tap. Dad had his own trio from the late 30’s until he retired in the late 70’s. Us kids saw some of these acts in person.
@@Sunny-jz3dy I must admit, it was a great way to grow up. I’m nearly 78 now and those were fun times with mom and dad. Old films like this are some of my favorites.
Fred Astaire said this was the greatest dance routine ever. My dad made sure I was educated on old Hollywood song and dance masters. The Nicholas Brothers appeared in several movies including with Gene Kelly, another preeminent tap dancer. They were simply amazing.
This reaction basically consisted of eight minutes of: “That’s awesome” Me: You have no idea. “Oh wow!” Me: You have no idea. “That’s insane!” Me: You have no idea. … and I loved it.
Those are my thoughts exactly. He didn't mention that Jive is the precursor of rap/hip-hop. Stormy weather was off the chain. I first saw it in college on VHS because of my girlfriend.
There was an undeniable “elegance” to artistic culture that Black America produced at this time in America’s history. That elegance would permeate everything Black America touched: from fashion, to art, to music. That same “elegance” would even present itself to the protest movements of the 60’s-where working class men and women would put on their Sunday best to show their disgust and anger with American society. We presented ourselves (to the world!!) at our very best, because we “expected” the very best America had to offer in return. Not only from “our” country; but also from ourselves. Anything less than our “best” was unacceptable to us. But…that was then. Regarding both America and Black America? Both past and present: …how low we have fallen.
LBJ and the welfare state killed ambition, and broke the black families up. It was a requirement for the women to get the money, there had to be no man in the home.
LBJ and the welfare state killed ambition, and broke the black families up. It was a requirement for the women to get the money for there to be no man in the home..
The great Fred Astaire said that this is the greatest dance scene on film. The Nicholas Brothers started dancing together when they were young. Check out the video “Lucky Numbers” from 1936 to see them much younger and how brilliant they were then . Video is here: th-cam.com/video/7IBteauWsHA/w-d-xo.html
I just watched it. I never saw this one before. Thanks for the link. Harold was so little then and both were right in sync!!! I love the old dancers, movies and the whole era!.
I don't know if anyone already mentioned this, but one of the million things that made their dancing so unique was that they both danced a little differently. Other dancers of the time would try and do the dance exactly the same when dancing with someone else. They were in perfect sync but were always doing it their own way.
Tap dance is alive and well, but nobody could ever match the Nicholas Brothers! This was done in one take. I'm a tap dancer and back in the day had the pleasure of meeting them.
I've watched this scene many times. Simply amazing! People used to have to have talent to be famous. Now you just have to be willing to compromise your morals.
I've watched this number countless times over the decades, and it STILL blows me away every time. The Nicholas Brothers were absolutely incredible, and Calloway is an absolute legend.
Cab Calloway was a legend of the era and he was also in the modern movie "The Blues Brothers" where he sang his famous song "Minnie The Moocher" - thats one you oughta check out its his signature number
That specific recording might also be the best because it had the experience of Calloway with the technology of the late 70s. His voice lost none of its power even that far ahead.
Also made a cameo in Janet Jackson's "Alright" video in his late years. The Nicholas Brothers and Cyd Charisse also made cameos in it. There was another version that featured Heavy D.
Wrong. Theirs were in vaudeville. They were vaudeville babies. Performing since age 6. 8-12 shows a week. Plus rehearsals. Imagine, you have 1000 hours of performing the same routine, you will get good. Then learning from others in the theater too. So, these guys had been pros for 20 years by the time you see them here. Vaudeville was the Juilliard of the ay. So many many entertainers were vaudevillians. Then when they transition to the MGM machine, they were top notch. Kids today do not want this type of practice time. They want results with minimal input.
This is a generation of entertainers where their brilliance is due to pure skill and massive amounts of hard work. They, in some places, would be performing that dance routine seven days a week sometimes twice on some days. Check out more of Cab Calloway. The song he’s probably best known for is ‘Minnie the Moocher’. A song where the Scat calling becomes ‘Call and Response’. Listen to the lyrics as the song tells a story.
You can actually still do this. A lady friend of mine has been taking ballroom dance lessons at a local branch of the famous Arthur Murray Dance Studios and it turns out there's a whole community of people of all ages (20s to 70s) who are into this. The studio also puts on dance events (Think watching the TV show, "Dancing with the Stars") where all the students and their dance instructors demonstrate their routines. Unlike "Dancing with the Stars", however, it's not a contest and there are no judges. It's just everyday folks with a common desire and interest getting together to have a good time.... old school!
Better yet, google "Lindy Hop" in your local area. You will find people from 18 to 80 doing the original dances from this era. Many of the instructors out there have actually studied with some of the folks that were in these old movies, just to be more authentic. The classes are usually considerably less expensive than ballroom dance classes.
Pure art. They will be famous forever, just like Mozart, Beethoven, Prince, MJ, Beatles. That is when you know it is actually ART. Stand the test of time for hundreds of years.
I am not that old but when I lived in Denver about 20yrs ago my friends and I would go swing dancing at a local club. Find a place that teaches ballroom dancing there are quite a few out there. Its tons of fun and you meet folks from all walks of life and yes, it's really nostalgic.
I just love watching the younger generation enjoying the talent and beauty of the music of past generations. If enough of you really want to enjoy this sort of thing now, maybe you can make some great music of your own. Then you can take your wife out one night to a nice club and dance the night away to some classy music!
This music was my parents’ music. They were big enough fans of it to enrich my life with it. Swing bands like Cab Calloway’s, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey’s, and Glenn Miller filled my young ears in early fifties. I go back to them even now, and I’ll be 75 before the year is out.
This takes me back to my childhood also. One set of grandparents constantly exposed me to big band music and the Lawrence Welk show and the other set exposed me to old time gospel music and Hee Haw. My mom was classic rock and dad was classic country. I grew up to love and appreciate all music, even opera.
And young blacks should know there's more than just hip hop and rap to their rich culture and legacies. Their world is actually getting poisoned by spotify, tik tok etc etc with flash of a moment entertainment which meant to be consumed and spat out and nobody remembers in 5 year time.
I know so well what you mean. My mom and stepdad also danced so well together. He was a Korean War era Air Force fighter pilot, and Arthur Murray dance instructor. His parents were immigrants from Palermo, Sicily. My mom was blond haired and blue eyed and looked a lot like Lauren Bacall. Both he and my mom were depression era babies. When they hit the dance floor it was poetry in motion. So beautiful to watch. My mom taught me about music and dance from the twenties and on. I am so grateful for their influence and what they taught me about music, dance, and living in our wonderful country. So glad you could experience your parents poetry in motion as well! 😊
You asked so I will tell you what I did. I'm 77 years old, (78 in a few months), at age 60 I started taking dance lessons. Not your typical "dance"; foxtrot, 2 step, ballroom; but zydeco, (check it out) and that fell into Cajun dance too as the two are related. That brought in waltz as it is a big part of both cultures. In my area, (Pacific Northwest) this is huge dance community. I started going to dances and it turned my life around. It is vibrant community with dances several times a week I discovered. This led into learning more dance styles. Now I can go almost anywhere and not be afraid to just ask someone to dance and have a great time. People are amazed that are all just standing around bouncing where as I am gliding around the floor with a partner in my arms. Go take some dance lessons!!! Don't worry about how bad you may be to start. I'm the guy with 3 left feet and I could do it! Go do it!
Absolutely! One of the best skills people could learn especially in that feeling lonely epidemic. What better way to meet people in an easy going way than dancing! Unfortunally my ex didn't wanna go and by the time I wouldn't have cared and after dicorce I fell chronically ill with a disease robbin all my energy and I'm a lot bedbound now. I miss dancing sooooo much. No way in which form, alone, in formation, with a partner, always a good time
I'm 60 so these movies were before my time but as a teenager I loved watching musicals that had great dance scenes, Singing In The Rain, 7 Brides For 7 Brothers, King And I etc. People think they're corny but I love em.
My friends thought I was weird watching musicals and listening to Big Band music back when I was a teen. Now I'm in my mid 60's and they still think I am nuts. But, Howard Keel was so much cuter than the Bee Bees to me.
I'm 67 years old and grew up watching the musicals from the 1940's and 1950's! They were the best entertainment, ever! This is where we would hear and learn about so many different singers, musicians and dancers. Just look for musicals on youtube during those years. So wonderful to see you react to this.
Americans were less educated back then (many never graduated high school) and yet those movies for the masses included classical music, show tunes, pop and jazz. People were exposed to different forms and they opened our minds and creative instincts.
I'm 2 years older than you and it was the same for me. After Saturday morning cartoons, they would show old movies from the 30s and 40s and some 50s: my introduction to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Deanna Durbin, Carole Lombard (whom I was named for), Jane Powell, Doris Day and the list goes on. And, of course, Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz every year at Easter.
I'm 65 and I had the same Saturdays as you. My dad loved Deanna Durbin. When my mother was younger she'd go see Ginger Rogers movies and sketch the outfits. She would make patterns and sew the dresses. She made me a Kitty Foyle dress. Thanks for reminding me of wonderful tv watching with my late parents. Gosh, I miss them.
I did not grow up in this era BUT I did grow up watching these guys on Saturday afternoon movies. The Nicholas Brothers we dance since they were kids and there are old movies with them as kids. Cab Calloway also played a part in the original movie THE BLUES BROTHERS
I have seen this a few times & it always amazes me. These brothers were extremely talented. It always gets me when they do the split jumps. You would think they would hurt themselves. Glad this film clip has been preserved for the younger generation to see.
I wasn't there, but I remember seeing it on TV as a kid in black and white. I'm 76 now, and grew up with an alcoholic racist father, but I learned early that I didn't know any white people cooler than this! Thanks for bringing this back. Gotta say it's really fun to see people from my children's and grandchildren's generations getting off on this great music. Thanks again!
My mother, born 1920 saw all these old movies at the picture theatre. Then as a teenager mum & I watched every musical on tv we could find. I’ve watched this one at least 10 times. Happy memories of mum & I watching so many old American movies on TV together. 10:26 The remedy for your nostalgia is to keep on watching them. I’m 70 now and still thoroughly enjoying so many old brilliant musicals.
In jazz it's called scatting when he mixes sounds or phrases that are not really words/ verse. So nice to see wider audience experience these old school numbers. You can see Cab in the Movie Blues Brothers. This was considered a classic when I was growing up in the 70-80's. I would say the first steps for you and your wife would be to consider dance classes and then look for local jazz clubs in your area. There are far less clubs but jazz never goes out of style.
Firstly, filmed in ONE TAKE! Secondly the Nicholas Brothers were the BEST. In the 80s Gregory Hines made a film called "Tap" and in it appeared the last remaining older black tap dancers ( about 8 of them), including the last Nicholas Brother, all the men in their 70s and 80s. Their dancing was STILL exceptional and they could give ANY present day dancer a run for their money!! These black performers were embraced by Hollywood but often couldn't walk through theatres and clubs to appear and had to come in by the kitchens to go on stage to entertain people. And STILL they could do THIS!!❤❤❤❤😊
Cab was a brilliant musician and king of scat singing. And the Nicholas Brothers - incredible dancing. This is from Stormy Weather - a great movie with an all black cast. Lena Horne, Cab, the Nicholas Bros...
It doesn't matter how many times I have seen the Nicholas brothers do this scene.....it still stuns and amazes me!!! We have never seen the likes of anyone like them since!!! Learning how to dance used to be kind of mandatory for boys and girls up until.... I wanna say like the 60s and 70s when everybody stopped dancing together! Sadly
Love both Cab Calloway and the Nicolas brothers. I think I originally discovered Cab Calloway in the 70s as a small child watching reruns of the old Betty Boop cartoons. I’m so happy to see more people discovering and enjoying their talent. Also, the fact that they can pop up so gracefully from those splits has always blown my mind. Also depending on where you live there are places in big cities, I know in LA and Denver there are clubs and balls where they dress up and do swing dancing etc. I took swing classes at one time and it was so much fun. Find the vintage clothing shops and swing dance classes and you will find the people who know.
This was the finale of "Stormy Weather" To me the greatest Black Musical ever. Lena Horne & Bill Robertson are also in it. My father who was WW2 era unknowingly educated me by playing the music and watching every old movie of his childhood..
At 65 I am too young to have seen these gentlemen perform but my Mother always spoke highly of them. I have been a fan since I was a kid after my Mom took me to see this movie in a theatre that showed old movies. My Mother was English and when my Air Force father married her and brought her to America, one of the first things he did was take her to a dinner show where these Brothers performed. Mom had never seen segregation before and was shocked that even though the entertainers were black, blacks could not sit with the whites. Mom got to sit right up front and never forgot how embarrassed she was that the black audience was in the back. I loved your reaction because that is how I feel every time I watch them dance. Pure magic!
I'm not quite old enough to have seen this stuff in person. In the 80's I had Turner Classic Movies and American Movie Classics to watch these films. What I can tell you is that those routines, they practiced every day for 3 hours a day at least. It builds stamina and the moves become second nature.
They used to show the old musicals like these back when TBS was still station WTCG...almost every day they had musicals on at 1:pm...I would walk down to the Church's Chicken and purchase a 2 piece with a roll , then go watch the movie...good stuff!
The Nicholas Brothers deserve some type of special award for their continution to dance. When you can flawlessly do something that no one else has ever done, you are at the zenith of your career. Even Fred Astaire was in awe of these fabulously talented men. Thank God we can see this today!
You said "Homies can move" and I said "You ain't seen nothing' yet!" I'm not that old, but I've seen this many times! Try taking your wife for ballroom dance lessons. And good luck finding a club that plays the music that you want to dance to. Maybe on a cruise ship? Loved this reaction!
The athleticism of the Nicholas Brothers is mind boggling. The musicians, the leader, Cab Calloway. There are no words. This was the time of my parents, but these movies played on our black & white TV when I was a kid. During the summer, they’d play every day for a week. Stormy Weather, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Singing in the Rain. The musicals were fire. Loved it then, love it now.
I saw Cab Calloway in his later years in the Blues Brothers movie. I later found old movies with him and the two dancers on tv. I love the classic dancing. It’s just got something more.
You should consider taking up swing dancing. I didn’t realize it had made a “come back” until our kids started going to swing dances back in the early 2010’s. It was almost entirely the home school community doing this. But now there are swing dances clubs (an actual club/restaurant.) Our married kids go (there are some here in St Louis.)
Back in the 80s, I had a friend that was into Big Band dancing. She took us to see the Count Basie Orchestra. Big Auditorium, huge dance floor, NO speakers or mikes. We were hit with a wall of sound, best night spent dancing ever.
I’m so glad to see you fall in love with the musical performances my Mother and Dad loved. Their love for it shaped my own. I’m 75 now, and I can still feel it. Best always, Guy
Back in the day, people got dressed to go out to eat, to go to the club, to go to church even to ride on an airplane, it is just how it was done. Big Band and Jazz from the 1920-40's is awesome music and its purpose was to get you up and dance, these people were really talented and if you look at the NAMES of these people from that era, it is just replete with star after star. The first time I saw this film of the Nicholas Brothers was in the 70-80's and my reaction was the same as yours each time they did the splits.... OOUCH! How incredibly athletic and stretched out were they to be able to do that over and over again, usually 2 or 3 shows per night, day after day after day!!! Then did the upslide into standing position and kept dancing, wow, just awesome. I could do one of the jump split moves... and then the ambulance would have to come bring me to the hospital! LOL Technology really ended this because it allowed the sounds of a small band to make the same sounds as the entire orchestra in the 50's and now you have one singer on autotune playing all of the sounds of an entire band and fixing her awful singing. If you want to see more awesome dancing from way back when you can check out the movie Hellzapoppin' (1941) featuring Whitey's Lindy Hoppers w/ Dancers' Names - Harlem Congaroos. www.imdb.com/title/tt0033704/ Some great music and lindy hop dancing from some of the best ever. I actually danced with both Frankie Manning and Norma Miller in the '90;s.
Great reaction! I think you would also enjoy "Nicholas Brothers - I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo." Not only do they dance, but sing too. "Minnie the Moocher" by Cab Calloway is another amazing performance to watch.
The Nicholas Brothers were absolutely fantastic dancers. Their style was called flash dancing. They danced with another great artist Gene Kelly in the movie The Pirate. Even Gene had trouble keeping up with them. They actually started their routine when they were youths and worked in Vaudeville until they broke into movies. Cab Calloway was an amazing band leader and singer in his own right. I think one of his last movie appearances was The Blues Brothers. His music was called Swing which was very popular during WWII. Great to see young people discover all 3 of these wonderful artists ❤
Tap dancing is such a lost art, I feel like today we hardly have any tap dancers anymore. The Nicholas Brothers did such an amazing job on this routine.
Thank you for wishing to bring back "class"! Not only is it very rare now,, it's not even appreciated when people see it. This movie also starred Lena Horne (singer) and Bill Robinson (dancer). Talk about class!!
I absolutely love the old Hollywood musicals 🥰 I've always been fascinated with the tap dancing of the Nicholas Brothers 🥰 No one else could dance like them and do the drop down and pop back up 😱😘🥰
Hubs and I (married 46 years, together 48 years)..were disco ducks in the 70's. We still dressed well back then (heck, we dressed up to get on a plane! ). Stylish but well. My advice is dress as if you were going to church or a funeral when you take your sweety out to dance. You will show them all up....and how they should be dressed...it will be epic! (Slacks, a nice button down shirt, dress shoes (no sneaks). A pretty dress, and heels.) See the movie Saturday Night Fever with John Travolta.
I watch the reactions whenever I see this song and dance shown because it is so amazing. This is the first time I have seen the colorized version. I think I still prefer the original black and white for the authenticity, but this was interesting. I am also a fan of the song, Stormy Weather, sung by Lena Horne, and would sing it around the house as a young girl. I believe this movie was made when movies were still segregated, for the most part, so I feel blessed that even those of us who are melanin-challenged can enjoy this treasure filled with so much talent. I have to be honest; part of the reason I enjoy watching these reactions is seeing the male reactors' faces and hearing what they say during the dance splits (I am not a dancer, so am unsure of the correct term). 😆
The Nicholas Brothers were amazing. On another note: if you want to have a chuckle check out Danny Kaye in 'White Christmas' where he has a routine bemoaning the fact that 'real' dancing was being replaced by choreography. The scene has Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen, and John Brascia. It's both funny and has great dancing.
It's so fun watching people doing reactions to things that I have seen before, like this video. Just waiting to see the reaction to the big move or note or what have you. It never gets old.. lol
You asked about having a feeling of nostalgia for a time and experience you never had (because of your age and era). Speaking as someone around your age (I think? I’m an older millennial myself), the best remedy is to find your local swing dance scene and take some lessons like I did. I’ve been dancing Lindy Hop Swing (the granddaddy of swing dances ) for over 20 years now, and it’s kept me young and healthy and fit all through my 30/ and into my 40s. Every major US city should have a Lindy Hop or East Coast Swing (danced to jazz/big band music) scene, and if for some reason it doesn’t, there’s bound to be a West Coast Swing (Funk, R&B, Soul), Blues Dance (Blues and Country), or Salsa/Latin (Guess, hehe) scene. Fun partner/ballroom dancing is everywhere! You also spoke of nostalgia vs “the now”, and how things of the past could be relevant today. With that, I give you this, the Montreal Swing Riot Invitational Dance Battle 2015. A crew of “vintage” dancers (dancing Lindy Hop, Charleston, and other jazz styles) vs modern street dancers (pop n lock, break, crunk, whacking, liquid) in a exhibition dance-off. Part 1 (Team Introductions) th-cam.com/video/HPeLLa3kfOk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=nUK3d0HLCmH2qfud Part 2 (Own Style) th-cam.com/video/-qn0DmTkpHQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=sbikrJexZjEneOF8 Part 3 (Crossover style, and Finale) th-cam.com/video/7O6kPEPOoaE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=dembVDphaOBvPW7Q When compared side by side, you can clearly see, despite how different the styles are, how much they are alike, and how jazz steps from 100 years ago are still the foundation of modern hip hop dance. Just like how hip hop owes its existence to funk and R&B, which owes its existence to soul and rock n roll, which owes its existence to jazz and blues, the the dance is a thread of history weaving back through time. I hope you will enjoy!
A couple details to catch in their dance. They go from full splits to standing upright with "no hands" as an assist. Also, the height of stair risers are well above "normal" stairs. The two brothers dancing together *At The Same Time* atop a grand piano.
My parents were married the day before Pearl Harbor was bombed. They never had a honeymoon. They met at one of the great ballrooms where my mother was a chorus line dancer. I can remember her playing the big band 78's on the record player and tap dancing all thru the house. The talent of that age was pure. There were no sound effects, no CGI, no second takes, everything was spontaneous. Everyone dressed to the nines and celebrated life at that moment because shore leave was short, and anything could happen at any time. No computers, no foul language, no hate and discontent. I always wanted a zuit suit with wide lapels, a vest and 6-pleated pants, a Panama hat and saddle oxford shoes. Although they're both gone, the memories never fade.
Cindy's Dad here. I am a white 70 year old man and anytime I hear people talk about Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly I refer them to the Nicholas Brothers. Fred and Gene were great dancers but Fayard and Harold were dance gods. Michael Flatley may be Lord of the Dance, but these gentlemen would make him weep, and rightly so. There is another clip with the brothers from Orchestra Wives and they perform with the Glen Miller Orchestra. Look it up. When you take your wife dancing, learn the Lindy Hop. I think you will like it. Pax.
This is the kind of thing I was raised on. I'm 60 years young and when my parents, aunts, uncles; that whole generation, said they were going to dinner and a show, this is what they were talking about! Imho, the Nicholas Brothers were world class athletes. They had to be in order to perform the way they did, especially with their body control. Those older folks who saw them swore they had grease on the soles of their shoes in order to pull off those phenomenal moves! Also, imho, Cab Calloway laid the groundwork for rapping with those rhymes he'd throw. This was first class entertainment!! It makes my heart feel so good to see some of the younger generation such as yourself looking up and appreciating what our forebears put down. As for the question you asked at the end of the video, my remedy is simple. Immerse yourself in the music, especially the big band era. Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey; all of it! Dial up videos featuring the jitterbug and other dances, then maybe try them out with your wife. Absorb as much of that culture as you can. You won't regret it! My forebears always were neat and stylish. Give a look to how they dressed, even if it was just to go to the supermarket or movies. Nowadays, far too many people dress like they literally just rolled out of bed. You were right about class and style. The older generation had that in abundance! Thank you for this video. I was as much entertained by you as I was Cab Calloway and The Nicholas Brothers, which btw, I've seen this at least a couple dozen times. I was laughing with you as they were doing their routine all the time thinking, my man, you ain't seen nothing yet! Much appreciated.
I'm 62 so I didn't grow up with this stuff, but the Los Angeles Conservancy has for many decades taken over the theaters in Downtown Los Angeles and put on shows each week in June. I was a tour guide in those theaters so I worked those events. This was in the 80's so about 40 years after this kind of show ended. We were in Mary Pickford's United Artist Theater (it is now called the Theater at the Ace Hotel). This theater is magnificent. You know how in some old theaters there is an Organ that can be raised up out of the orchestra pit up to stage level for performances? That is called an organ lift and they were quite common in the silent theaters. Well this theater had an organ lift but it also has an Orchestra Lift! The entire orchestra sat in the pit on a moveable floor that could be raised and lowered while the orchestra was playing. We had the orchestra lift in the down positiion. We lowerred the lights and started the music, then everyone could hear a large group of tap dancers dancing but nobody could see them. Then we started the orchestra lift up and slowly raised up a troup of dancing girls who were all original dancers from the 1940''s and earlier. These women were 70 to 95 years old and they looked fantastic. They were wearing matching costumes and did a whole routine for us. They were a professional troup ccalled the "Ginger Snaps". I bet they are all gone by now. We did vaudeville type shows with a live orchestra, some shorts, some cartoons, then a feature film. They are the best.
I fell in love with the Nicholas brothers back in 1969, I was 5 at the time . Watching, Flying Down to Rio, with my mom. When they started dancing I was enchanted! I sought them out my whole life. I've seen every movie every newsreel TV clip they've ever done. I've never fallen out of love with them. It was wonderful to see your expression as you watch them. I had no idea someone of your age could appreciate them much less Cab Calloway . The King of that funky swing! Stay cool
Growing up in the 1950s, I loved watching old black and white classics. Those which featured dancing were particular favorites. Some stared or featured Cab Calloway so I know of his many talents from watching them. Note that *_Stormy Weather_* also featured Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, Fats Waller, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ellie Anderson - all greats in their own right. Imagine my thrill when I found myself touring with a theatrical production whose cast included Cab's now deceased daughter, Chris Calloway. She spoke often about her father many times telling stories from her childhood and the folks who frequented her home. Truly cherish my memories of her and her amazingly talented father.
As you were freaking out over all the little jumps, I was thinking, wait until the end. I'd be in the hospital for weeks. They must have synthetic legs. Amazing
I'm an old white lady and remember the first time I saw the Nicholas Brothers. I saw this movie as a kid, and I was truly shocked that young people in the arts were unfamiliar with this famous routine that Fred Astaire said was the greatest he'd ever seen (and done in one take). I watch it on youtube to cheer myself up. I absolutely love your reaction. It was really the best. (Many of the greats from that era were children in vaudeville).
He's scatting! I love this stuff. I was born in 1963 and these movies were on tv on Sundays and I love watching them! Big Band music is amazing. There are so many very talented performers involved. These dance routines were so great you couldn't stop watching.
There is a clip of MJ dancing with them back when he was a kid and they had the family TV show from Vegas. I think you can find it here on YT but it's really cool. you can see the beginning of what was to become 🙂
WOW Thanks for this video! I am 72 years old and a retired History Professor! My music history spans from the 50's to today! So great to see you enjoy this we can't let this tradition die! God Bless ! #LYBM
Old school real talent! Fantastic!! I can't imagine working that hard putting in that much cardio & smiling the whole time!! Our grandparents & Great grandparents were made of sterner stuff than we.
Old movies are things i've introduced to my children from the get go. These movies were old when i was a kid. I loved this stuff! The Nicholas brothers were amazing! Anyone who actually remembers these things at the time they were made are probably around 90yrs old. My youngest son, 26yrs, watches old films on his own these days. He doesn't need prompting, he loves them!
Got the chills, too, my friend. I saw Cab Calloway when I was in school. The movie The Blues Brothers had just been filmed, and people got more interested again, so he showed up one year, and I went to see him. The Ellington Orchestra was touring around that time, and I also got to see Count Basie. Those days were great. The shows were affordable, and the performers were great.
The Nicholas Brothers started dancing/tap dancing as young children. Every Hollywood star and dancer ALL agreed they were phenomenal, black AND white alike. Especially today. Many well known dance stars (Gregory Hines, & Sammy Davis Jr, to name 2) this century have said NO one could compare with the Nicholas Brothers dancing abilities today.
Your comment about "Magnificent art" is right on. The musicals of the 30's and 40's were loaded with great singers and dancers. Though he was not as athletic as the Nicholas Brothers, Fred Astaire was poetry in motion. Keep watching these old musical movies!!
This was an era where STYLE was important. Just look at the musicians - the way the pianist’s hands moved, the brass players with their movements, etc., before you even get to Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers. Their movement is gorgeous. This is also an era when music had melody and was upbeat, optimistic. You can’t help but feel happy listening to it. I recommend Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” and anything by Benny Goodman. I don’t know if there are visuals to go along with it, but the music is great! I’m so glad to see younger folks like you rediscovering and appreciating these fantastic artists. It makes me teary eyed!
This was done in 1943. That was 81 years ago. Most likely people today never saw this. They would need to be around 100 years old. But some of us had grandparents who talked about that time period. Yes, everyone dressed up. Top notch entertainers. Vaudeville has a grind. The Nicolas brothers stated performing professionally at age 6. Their parents were also performers. they had 8-12 shows a week. So, lots and lots of practice. By early teens they were stars at the Cotton Club. There is a documentary on the Nicholas Brothers somewhere. But by the time this film was made, they were 20 year veterans of performing. No, this was not a single shot. One of the brothers said they filmed 8 bars at a time. Good editing though. Glad you could enjoy this performance.
The late great Gregory Hines (an A+++ dancer in his own right) said that a bio pic about the Nicholas Brothers could never be made because there was nobody who could come close to emulating their dancing. The more I watch this clip, the more I agree with him.
Coming from one of the greatest dancers I've ever seen, that's saying something.
I've seen several of their clips and trust me they were special. Thank God ( I mean that sincerely) for film, TH-cam, and other means to allow newer generations to see and appreciate their skills
They did ok in the Cotton Club movie, but finding not one, but two guys who can dance, act, look like them, and be believed as brothers would be like catching lightning in a bottle.
@@backgroundmusik The Nicholas Brothers weren't just dancers, they were trained acrobats as part of their performing repertoire. That greatly contributed to their astonishing moves. Finding two people with those skills who can also dance at their level is practically impossible.
I had no idea Gregory Hines died. He was only 57 when he died. What a great dancer.
So. I’m a 74 year old American white woman who was utterly captivated by this movie when I saw it on our black and white TV in the late 1950’s. Our parents grew up in the 1930’s Depression. My mother’s profound wish was to become a tap dancer like these dancers she saw on “the big screen” in those years. Coming from a poor farmer family, her yearning was impossible. BUT. Damn how well she could dance! And partnered with our father, also an accomplished dancer, the two of them made poetry on the dance floor! In my late 30’s I was privileged to watch them dance a waltz. They were so effortlessly elegant that I was moved to tears.
❤️❤️❤️ I know so well what you mean. My mom and stepdad also danced so well together. He was a Korean War era air force fighter pilot, and Arthur Murray dance instructor. His parents were immigrants from Palermo, Sicily. My mom was blond haired and blue eyed and looked a lot like Lauren Bacall. Both he and my mom were depression era babies. When they hit the dance floor it was poetry in motion. So beautiful to watch. My mom taught me about music and dance from the twenties and on. I am so grateful for their influence and what they taught me about music, dance, and living in our wonderful country. So glad you could experience your parents poetry in motion as well! 😊 ❤️
I hope you inherited their talent.
The Nicholas brothers did their tap routine in just one take; it is considered one of the greatest routines ever performed.
Right? That, more than anything, blew my mind.
Take a look at the open piano early and then the closed piano when they jumped on it. Had to be several 'takes' here. I did hear one of the brothers say that the stair jumping bit was done in one take.
@@jerrygoldman4484 The dance routine was done in one take; any discrepencies in continuity were the result of editing.
Greatest I've ever seen.
They said they did that routine in one take. It was a different time. There was usually only one take on music numbers. Editing wasn’t done like it is today. If you messed up, you had to start all over and you had better get it right the next time. No auto tune so if you claimed to be a singer, you had better be able to sing. The Nicholas Brothers were self taught. Either you had talent or you didn’t. Remember the time frame as well. African Americans didn’t have the same opportunities as in today. Lessons weren’t available to everyone. Even if you could afford it, there were still so many obstacles that made it difficult to be successful in the industry. People in general had simpler yet often more difficult lives. This was a major production. Seeing all of the Black servicemen in this movie in this era was unheard of. This is before my time but even as a child, we would stare at a person in the background of a movie to see if they were Black because it was just not a thing. Eventually we would see that they weren’t. Usually maids, butlers, slaves or prisoners and the occasional entertainer parts were available. Things have improved no matter what people today may think. The struggle is real, but without struggle, success wouldn’t be gratifying. Didn’t mean to get all racial with this, but that’s where this one took me. I’m just thankful that this piece of artistry is here and able to be seen and shared for generations. I really enjoyed your reaction to this. 😊
I grew up with this, these guys put modern dancers and musicians to shame.
I always like to point out that the Nicholas Brothers were nothing less than world class athletes as well as artists of music and dance.
Can you imagine the leg muscles you need to do those repeated splits! (Especially the getting back up part.)
Yes!!!
That fact gets completely unacknowledged by people witnessing this.
People are acknowledging this; Whimpering in imagined pain IS acknowledgement.😱
@@curtispeer68
Lol! 😂🤣
This is so true!
Just doing that as a work out would kill most people. They did it in sync with each other, in sync with music and a smile.
When Cab was in retirement before his second career (after the Blues Brothers movie reminded the world about him) he had a bar in Amsterdam. My wife had a friend from England over for a visit, she remembered she was a jazz head so she took her down to his bar. It was a filthy cold rainy night and there were four other customers. Cab came out to do some songs, he saw how few people there were so got them to sit round the piano and chatted with them like friends, told them stories about the old days and sang a few songs. She said he was an absolute star- full of charisma and very funny. Her friend was talking about it 30 years later.
❤
Great story, thanks!
Oh man, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, right there. How awesome! I'd be talking about it 30 yrs later, too!
You asked, so here goes. The first time I performed in public was 1949. I was a trombonist, guitarist and singer. It those days, before television, you had two choices for entertainment, the movies or a dinner club as portrayed here. You and your spouse dressed up, went to a club like this, had a meal, and were entertained by a band like this. I am STILL performing in local community theatre just for laughs. In 1961 I played an engagement at the Howard theatre with the Count Basie band when one of his musicians got ill. I later played in the band for two of Bob Hopes Christmas tours of military bases, a grueling stint of one or two performances a day, hop on a military transport and perform again at another base, or on an aircraft carrier to entertain the troops.
Love this message! I feel like I’m from a bygone era. My hubby and I go to Jazz clubs for big band shows we are always the youngest or some of the youngest in the crowd but it is such an amazing time!
Holy smokes, Manuel deTerra, you really do have the legit epaulets of experience on your shoulders! Would love to hear about more of your adventures as a musician. Thank you for your service to our servicemen. It meant a lot to them.
Thank you for entertaining our troops.
Thank you for your service
PLEASE write a memoir.
My dad died 20 years ago. He was a black parachutist in WWII. His was the Greatest Generation in so .many ways.
Thanks for your father's service.
R.I.P to your dad. My dad is in that generation also. He'll be 90 next month.
My parents were entertainers in the late 30’s and 40’s. Mom was a dancer, both modern and tap. Dad had his own trio from the late 30’s until he retired in the late 70’s. Us kids saw some of these acts in person.
Lucky.
I'm jealous! That had to be amazing seeing some of this in person! Or was it common place for you.... because your parents were in show business?
@@Sunny-jz3dy
I must admit, it was a great way to grow up. I’m nearly 78 now and those were fun times with mom and dad. Old films like this are some of my favorites.
WOW. 😲
Fred Astaire said this was the greatest dance routine ever. My dad made sure I was educated on old Hollywood song and dance masters. The Nicholas Brothers appeared in several movies including with Gene Kelly, another preeminent tap dancer. They were simply amazing.
This reaction basically consisted of eight minutes of:
“That’s awesome”
Me: You have no idea.
“Oh wow!”
Me: You have no idea.
“That’s insane!”
Me: You have no idea.
… and I loved it.
I was going to come here and say the same thing! "Bruh, just wait ...."
“@@BirchLeafPhotography “Keep watching. . .”
Me too. Wait for it…
Those are my thoughts exactly. He didn't mention that Jive is the precursor of rap/hip-hop. Stormy weather was off the chain. I first saw it in college on VHS because of my girlfriend.
I had the same response: "Dude, just wait..."
It amazes me that they are able to stand back up without hands. Imagine the strength that would take.
Those Nicholas Brothers are elite athletes.
There was an undeniable “elegance” to artistic culture that Black America produced at this time in America’s history.
That elegance would permeate everything Black America touched: from fashion, to art, to music.
That same “elegance” would even present itself to the protest movements of the 60’s-where working class men and women would put on their Sunday best to show their disgust and anger with American society.
We presented ourselves (to the world!!) at our very best, because we “expected” the very best America had to offer in return. Not only from “our” country; but also from ourselves. Anything less than our “best” was unacceptable to us.
But…that was then.
Regarding both America
and Black America?
Both past and present:
…how low we have fallen.
LBJ and the welfare state killed ambition, and broke the black families up. It was a requirement for the women to get the money, there had to be no man in the home.
LBJ and the welfare state killed ambition, and broke the black families up. It was a requirement for the women to get the money for there to be no man in the home..
The great Fred Astaire said that this is the greatest dance scene on film. The Nicholas Brothers started dancing together when they were young. Check out the video “Lucky Numbers” from 1936 to see them much younger and how brilliant they were then . Video is here: th-cam.com/video/7IBteauWsHA/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for that link, I had never seen that clip where they are so young (and adorable)!
Not only that but they are self taught. Fayard learned by watching their uncle then taught his brother.
I just watched it. I never saw this one before. Thanks for the link. Harold was so little then and both were right in sync!!! I love the old dancers, movies and the whole era!.
Thank you for this--watching light!
thanks!! much love!!!!!
I don't know if anyone already mentioned this, but one of the million things that made their dancing so unique was that they both danced a little differently. Other dancers of the time would try and do the dance exactly the same when dancing with someone else. They were in perfect sync but were always doing it their own way.
like twins, they can look similar but if you get to know em as a person you can tell em apart due to little individual habits
@@CorvusCorone68 I see another Les Twins fan, exactly! How fitting also that Larry and Laurent have both the second name Nicolas
Tap dance is alive and well, but nobody could ever match the Nicholas Brothers! This was done in one take. I'm a tap dancer and back in the day had the pleasure of meeting them.
The Nicholas Brothers were beyond dancers, they were absolutely stunning in their expertise and craft. Never get tired of watching them.
I've watched this scene many times. Simply amazing! People used to have to have talent to be famous. Now you just have to be willing to compromise your morals.
Sad...but true!
I call it discipline
And be on You Tube as a job
except on Broadway. They are unbelievable. 8 shows a week. You can be replaced. I am not comparing but taken is still ther
Or have the morals that rake in the bank. Same as always just minus talent, not morals.
I've watched this number countless times over the decades, and it STILL blows me away every time. The Nicholas Brothers were absolutely incredible, and Calloway is an absolute legend.
Cab Calloway was a legend of the era and he was also in the modern movie "The Blues Brothers" where he sang his famous song "Minnie The Moocher" - thats one you oughta check out its his signature number
That specific recording might also be the best because it had the experience of Calloway with the technology of the late 70s. His voice lost none of its power even that far ahead.
Also made a cameo in Janet Jackson's "Alright" video in his late years. The Nicholas Brothers and Cyd Charisse also made cameos in it. There was another version that featured Heavy D.
The Nicholas Brothers taught themselves (no instruction, teachers) how to tap dance, etc. Awesome natural talent.
Wrong. Theirs were in vaudeville. They were vaudeville babies. Performing since age 6. 8-12 shows a week. Plus rehearsals. Imagine, you have 1000 hours of performing the same routine, you will get good. Then learning from others in the theater too. So, these guys had been pros for 20 years by the time you see them here. Vaudeville was the Juilliard of the ay. So many many entertainers were vaudevillians. Then when they transition to the MGM machine, they were top notch. Kids today do not want this type of practice time. They want results with minimal input.
This is a generation of entertainers where their brilliance is due to pure skill and massive amounts of hard work. They, in some places, would be performing that dance routine seven days a week sometimes twice on some days. Check out more of Cab Calloway. The song he’s probably best known for is ‘Minnie the Moocher’. A song where the Scat calling becomes ‘Call and Response’. Listen to the lyrics as the song tells a story.
Cab Calloway performing "Minnie The Moocher" is in the movie "The Blues Brothers"
@@corawheeler9355 Yeah! One of my favourite movies.
One shot, all live, no auto tune. Those were the days ... the style, the grace and elegance... and I want a time machine :-)
You can actually still do this. A lady friend of mine has been taking ballroom dance lessons at a local branch of the famous Arthur Murray Dance Studios and it turns out there's a whole community of people of all ages (20s to 70s) who are into this. The studio also puts on dance events (Think watching the TV show, "Dancing with the Stars") where all the students and their dance instructors demonstrate their routines. Unlike "Dancing with the Stars", however, it's not a contest and there are no judges. It's just everyday folks with a common desire and interest getting together to have a good time.... old school!
Better yet, google "Lindy Hop" in your local area. You will find people from 18 to 80 doing the original dances from this era. Many of the instructors out there have actually studied with some of the folks that were in these old movies, just to be more authentic. The classes are usually considerably less expensive than ballroom dance classes.
Pure art. They will be famous forever, just like Mozart, Beethoven, Prince, MJ, Beatles. That is when you know it is actually ART. Stand the test of time for hundreds of years.
I am not that old but when I lived in Denver about 20yrs ago my friends and I would go swing dancing at a local club. Find a place that teaches ballroom dancing there are quite a few out there. Its tons of fun and you meet folks from all walks of life and yes, it's really nostalgic.
Ha! Exactly! I commented on this as well.
Same here. Back in the 80s I joined the St. Louis Imperial Dance club to learn how to swing dance. Me and 5 friends had such a great time.
ABSOLUTELY!
I used to go to that club, too!! Denver 20ish years ago, it was great!
I just love watching the younger generation enjoying the talent and beauty of the music of past generations. If enough of you really want to enjoy this sort of thing now, maybe you can make some great music of your own. Then you can take your wife out one night to a nice club and dance the night away to some classy music!
This music was my parents’ music. They were big enough fans of it to enrich my life with it. Swing bands like Cab Calloway’s, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey’s, and Glenn Miller filled my young ears in early fifties. I go back to them even now, and I’ll be 75 before the year is out.
This takes me back to my childhood also. One set of grandparents constantly exposed me to big band music and the Lawrence Welk show and the other set exposed me to old time gospel music and Hee Haw. My mom was classic rock and dad was classic country. I grew up to love and appreciate all music, even opera.
Yes. My Grandmother had Reel to reels we listened to. She had me dancing with her around the house.
And young blacks should know there's more than just hip hop and rap to their
rich culture and legacies. Their world is actually getting poisoned by spotify,
tik tok etc etc with flash of a moment entertainment which meant to be consumed and spat out and nobody remembers in 5 year time.
@@mikiohirata9627Preach!!!
I know so well what you mean. My mom and stepdad also danced so well together. He was a Korean War era Air Force fighter pilot, and Arthur Murray dance instructor. His parents were immigrants from Palermo, Sicily. My mom was blond haired and blue eyed and looked a lot like Lauren Bacall. Both he and my mom were depression era babies. When they hit the dance floor it was poetry in motion. So beautiful to watch. My mom taught me about music and dance from the twenties and on. I am so grateful for their influence and what they taught me about music, dance, and living in our wonderful country. So glad you could experience your parents poetry in motion as well! 😊
I'm glad SOME younger people appreciate the real classics.
You asked so I will tell you what I did. I'm 77 years old, (78 in a few months), at age 60 I started taking dance lessons. Not your typical "dance"; foxtrot, 2 step, ballroom; but zydeco, (check it out) and that fell into Cajun dance too as the two are related. That brought in waltz as it is a big part of both cultures. In my area, (Pacific Northwest) this is huge dance community. I started going to dances and it turned my life around. It is vibrant community with dances several times a week I discovered. This led into learning more dance styles. Now I can go almost anywhere and not be afraid to just ask someone to dance and have a great time. People are amazed that are all just standing around bouncing where as I am gliding around the floor with a partner in my arms. Go take some dance lessons!!! Don't worry about how bad you may be to start. I'm the guy with 3 left feet and I could do it! Go do it!
Absolutely! One of the best skills people could learn especially in that feeling lonely epidemic. What better way to meet people in an easy going way than dancing! Unfortunally my ex didn't wanna go and by the time I wouldn't have cared and after dicorce I fell chronically ill with a disease robbin all my energy and I'm a lot bedbound now. I miss dancing sooooo much. No way in which form, alone, in formation, with a partner, always a good time
I'm 60 so these movies were before my time but as a teenager I loved watching musicals that had great dance scenes, Singing In The Rain, 7 Brides For 7 Brothers, King And I etc. People think they're corny but I love em.
My friends thought I was weird watching musicals and listening to Big Band music back when I was a teen. Now I'm in my mid 60's and they still think I am nuts. But, Howard Keel was so much cuter than the Bee Bees to me.
I love Big Band music, I was born 40 years late.
Glen Miller - In the Mood
Benny Goodman - Sing, Sing, Sing
Woo-hoo super amazing enjoyable happy music!
I'm 67 years old and grew up watching the musicals from the 1940's and 1950's! They were the best entertainment, ever! This is where we would hear and learn about so many different singers, musicians and dancers. Just look for musicals on youtube during those years. So wonderful to see you react to this.
Americans were less educated back then (many never graduated high school) and yet those movies for the masses included classical music, show tunes, pop and jazz. People were exposed to different forms and they opened our minds and creative instincts.
And the 30's!
I'm 2 years older than you and it was the same for me. After Saturday morning cartoons, they would show old movies from the 30s and 40s and some 50s: my introduction to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Deanna Durbin, Carole Lombard (whom I was named for), Jane Powell, Doris Day and the list goes on. And, of course, Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz every year at Easter.
I'm 65 and I had the same Saturdays as you. My dad loved Deanna Durbin. When my mother was younger she'd go see Ginger Rogers movies and sketch the outfits. She would make patterns and sew the dresses. She made me a Kitty Foyle dress. Thanks for reminding me of wonderful tv watching with my late parents. Gosh, I miss them.
Scatting😊
The Nicholas brothers are amazing. You won't find a better dance scene anywhere. Just an amazing display of tap dance and athleticism.
You were correct in thinking that this was taken in one single shot. Thats talent times two (three with Cab Calloway)❤
The Nicholas Brothers are unsung legends
Fun fact - one of them was married to Dorothy Dandridge
I did not grow up in this era BUT I did grow up watching these guys on Saturday afternoon movies. The Nicholas Brothers we dance since they were kids and there are old movies with them as kids. Cab Calloway also played a part in the original movie THE BLUES BROTHERS
I have seen this a few times & it always amazes me. These brothers were extremely talented. It always gets me when they do the split jumps. You would think they would hurt themselves. Glad this film clip has been preserved for the younger generation to see.
And then they stand up without using their hands! I can’t even get up from a chair without using my hands.
I've seen this many times and it's that move - standing up from a split just using their legs - always amazes me. They were unbelievable. @@terri2494
Fred Astair considered this the greatest dance routine he ever saw. That is some high praise. I am 71 and this never grows old. They were OUTSTANDING!
I wasn't there, but I remember seeing it on TV as a kid in black and white. I'm 76 now, and grew up with an alcoholic racist father, but I learned early that I didn't know any white people cooler than this! Thanks for bringing this back. Gotta say it's really fun to see people from my children's and grandchildren's generations getting off on this great music. Thanks again!
Same story here, rodeanphilip780 !
My mother, born 1920 saw all these old movies at the picture theatre. Then as a teenager mum & I watched every musical on tv we could find. I’ve watched this one at least 10 times. Happy memories of mum & I watching so many old American movies on TV together. 10:26
The remedy for your nostalgia is to keep on watching them. I’m 70 now and still thoroughly enjoying so many old brilliant musicals.
In jazz it's called scatting when he mixes sounds or phrases that are not really words/ verse. So nice to see wider audience experience these old school numbers. You can see Cab in the Movie Blues Brothers.
This was considered a classic when I was growing up in the 70-80's. I would say the first steps for you and your wife would be to consider dance classes and then look for local jazz clubs in your area. There are far less clubs but jazz never goes out of style.
this is exactly what i would say. the dance floor clears for real dancers.
My mother started saying in the 70's, stars used to have to HAVE talent. She grew up when stars entertained by singing dancing and acting.
It's not just the dancing that's impressive. It's the stamina and flexibility. It's like watching gymnastics.
No doubt. They actually started off as acrobats in their early years.
Firstly, filmed in ONE TAKE! Secondly the Nicholas Brothers were the BEST. In the 80s Gregory Hines made a film called "Tap" and in it appeared the last remaining older black tap dancers ( about 8 of them), including the last Nicholas Brother, all the men in their 70s and 80s. Their dancing was STILL exceptional and they could give ANY present day dancer a run for their money!! These black performers were embraced by Hollywood but often couldn't walk through theatres and clubs to appear and had to come in by the kitchens to go on stage to entertain people. And STILL they could do THIS!!❤❤❤❤😊
Cab Calloway was an amazing entertainer. You can find his final performance here on TH-cam. I think he was 88 years old, but still a thrill to watch.
He’s also in the Blues Brothers! One of the many greats featured there.
Cab was a brilliant musician and king of scat singing. And the Nicholas Brothers - incredible dancing. This is from Stormy Weather - a great movie with an all black cast. Lena Horne, Cab, the Nicholas Bros...
It doesn't matter how many times I have seen the Nicholas brothers do this scene.....it still stuns and amazes me!!! We have never seen the likes of anyone like them since!!! Learning how to dance used to be kind of mandatory for boys and girls up until.... I wanna say like the 60s and 70s when everybody stopped dancing together! Sadly
Love both Cab Calloway and the Nicolas brothers. I think I originally discovered Cab Calloway in the 70s as a small child watching reruns of the old Betty Boop cartoons. I’m so happy to see more people discovering and enjoying their talent. Also, the fact that they can pop up so gracefully from those splits has always blown my mind.
Also depending on where you live there are places in big cities, I know in LA and Denver there are clubs and balls where they dress up and do swing dancing etc. I took swing classes at one time and it was so much fun. Find the vintage clothing shops and swing dance classes and you will find the people who know.
This was the finale of "Stormy Weather" To me the greatest Black Musical ever. Lena Horne & Bill Robertson are also in it. My father who was WW2 era unknowingly educated me by playing the music and watching every old movie of his childhood..
At 65 I am too young to have seen these gentlemen perform but my Mother always spoke highly of them. I have been a fan since I was a kid after my Mom took me to see this movie in a theatre that showed old movies. My Mother was English and when my Air Force father married her and brought her to America, one of the first things he did was take her to a dinner show where these Brothers performed. Mom had never seen segregation before and was shocked that even though the entertainers were black, blacks could not sit with the whites. Mom got to sit right up front and never forgot how embarrassed she was that the black audience was in the back. I loved your reaction because that is how I feel every time I watch them dance. Pure magic!
I'm not quite old enough to have seen this stuff in person. In the 80's I had Turner Classic Movies and American Movie Classics to watch these films. What I can tell you is that those routines, they practiced every day for 3 hours a day at least. It builds stamina and the moves become second nature.
They used to show the old musicals like these back when TBS was still station WTCG...almost every day they had musicals on at 1:pm...I would walk down to the Church's Chicken and purchase a 2 piece with a roll , then go watch the movie...good stuff!
The Nicholas Brothers deserve some type of special award for their continution to dance. When you can flawlessly do something that no one else has ever done, you are at the zenith of your career. Even Fred Astaire was in awe of these fabulously talented men. Thank God we can see this today!
You said "Homies can move" and I said "You ain't seen nothing' yet!" I'm not that old, but I've seen this many times! Try taking your wife for ballroom dance lessons. And good luck finding a club that plays the music that you want to dance to. Maybe on a cruise ship?
Loved this reaction!
The athleticism of the Nicholas Brothers is mind boggling. The musicians, the leader, Cab Calloway. There are no words. This was the time of my parents, but these movies played on our black & white TV when I was a kid. During the summer, they’d play every day for a week. Stormy Weather, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Singing in the Rain. The musicals were fire. Loved it then, love it now.
I saw Cab Calloway in his later years in the Blues Brothers movie. I later found old movies with him and the two dancers on tv. I love the classic dancing. It’s just got something more.
Now the Nicholas Bros are doing the REAL Nutcracker 😂! My Pop saw them all in Harlem at the Cotton Club and The Savoy in the 30’s!!!!
This is like the best Nicholas Brothers routine ever! You picked a good one! I'm still flabbergasted every time I see it.
You should consider taking up swing dancing. I didn’t realize it had made a “come back” until our kids started going to swing dances back in the early 2010’s. It was almost entirely the home school community doing this. But now there are swing dances clubs (an actual club/restaurant.) Our married kids go (there are some here in St Louis.)
Back in the 80s, I had a friend that was into Big Band dancing. She took us to see the Count Basie Orchestra. Big Auditorium, huge dance floor, NO speakers or mikes. We were hit with a wall of sound, best night spent dancing ever.
I’m so glad to see you fall in love with the musical performances my Mother and Dad loved. Their love for it shaped my own. I’m 75 now, and I can still feel it. Best always,
Guy
Back in the day, people got dressed to go out to eat, to go to the club, to go to church even to ride on an airplane, it is just how it was done. Big Band and Jazz from the 1920-40's is awesome music and its purpose was to get you up and dance, these people were really talented and if you look at the NAMES of these people from that era, it is just replete with star after star. The first time I saw this film of the Nicholas Brothers was in the 70-80's and my reaction was the same as yours each time they did the splits.... OOUCH! How incredibly athletic and stretched out were they to be able to do that over and over again, usually 2 or 3 shows per night, day after day after day!!! Then did the upslide into standing position and kept dancing, wow, just awesome. I could do one of the jump split moves... and then the ambulance would have to come bring me to the hospital! LOL
Technology really ended this because it allowed the sounds of a small band to make the same sounds as the entire orchestra in the 50's and now you have one singer on autotune playing all of the sounds of an entire band and fixing her awful singing.
If you want to see more awesome dancing from way back when you can check out the movie Hellzapoppin' (1941) featuring Whitey's Lindy Hoppers w/ Dancers' Names - Harlem Congaroos. www.imdb.com/title/tt0033704/
Some great music and lindy hop dancing from some of the best ever. I actually danced with both Frankie Manning and Norma Miller in the '90;s.
Great reaction! I think you would also enjoy "Nicholas Brothers - I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo." Not only do they dance, but sing too. "Minnie the Moocher" by Cab Calloway is another amazing performance to watch.
The Nicholas Brothers were absolutely fantastic dancers. Their style was called flash dancing. They danced with another great artist Gene Kelly in the movie The Pirate. Even Gene had trouble keeping up with them. They actually started their routine when they were youths and worked in Vaudeville until they broke into movies. Cab Calloway was an amazing band leader and singer in his own right. I think one of his last movie appearances was The Blues Brothers. His music was called Swing which was very popular during WWII. Great to see young people discover all 3 of these wonderful artists ❤
Dude right up my alley! The Bros were GREAT! I love the 30’s and 40’s movies! They actually had conversation! 😎👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Do you see the influence on Fred Astaire? I certainly do!
Tap dancing is such a lost art, I feel like today we hardly have any tap dancers anymore. The Nicholas Brothers did such an amazing job on this routine.
I did a full on 🛑 when I saw who you were going to review! 🤣🤣 I knew it would blow your mind! 🎉🎉
Thank you for wishing to bring back "class"! Not only is it very rare now,, it's not even appreciated when people see it. This movie also starred Lena Horne (singer) and Bill Robinson (dancer). Talk about class!!
I absolutely love the old Hollywood musicals 🥰 I've always been fascinated with the tap dancing of the Nicholas Brothers 🥰 No one else could dance like them and do the drop down and pop back up 😱😘🥰
Hubs and I (married 46 years, together 48 years)..were disco ducks in the 70's. We still dressed well back then (heck, we dressed up to get on a plane! ). Stylish but well. My advice is dress as if you were going to church or a funeral when you take your sweety out to dance. You will show them all up....and how they should be dressed...it will be epic! (Slacks, a nice button down shirt, dress shoes (no sneaks). A pretty dress, and heels.) See the movie Saturday Night Fever with John Travolta.
I watch the reactions whenever I see this song and dance shown because it is so amazing. This is the first time I have seen the colorized version. I think I still prefer the original black and white for the authenticity, but this was interesting. I am also a fan of the song, Stormy Weather, sung by Lena Horne, and would sing it around the house as a young girl.
I believe this movie was made when movies were still segregated, for the most part, so I feel blessed that even those of us who are melanin-challenged can enjoy this treasure filled with so much talent.
I have to be honest; part of the reason I enjoy watching these reactions is seeing the male reactors' faces and hearing what they say during the dance splits (I am not a dancer, so am unsure of the correct term). 😆
The Nicholas Brothers were amazing. On another note: if you want to have a chuckle check out Danny Kaye in 'White Christmas' where he has a routine bemoaning the fact that 'real' dancing was being replaced by choreography. The scene has Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen, and John Brascia. It's both funny and has great dancing.
It's so fun watching people doing reactions to things that I have seen before, like this video. Just waiting to see the reaction to the big move or note or what have you. It never gets old.. lol
You asked about having a feeling of nostalgia for a time and experience you never had (because of your age and era). Speaking as someone around your age (I think? I’m an older millennial myself), the best remedy is to find your local swing dance scene and take some lessons like I did. I’ve been dancing Lindy Hop Swing (the granddaddy of swing dances ) for over 20 years now, and it’s kept me young and healthy and fit all through my 30/ and into my 40s. Every major US city should have a Lindy Hop or East Coast Swing (danced to jazz/big band music) scene, and if for some reason it doesn’t, there’s bound to be a West Coast Swing (Funk, R&B, Soul), Blues Dance
(Blues and Country), or Salsa/Latin (Guess, hehe) scene. Fun partner/ballroom dancing is everywhere!
You also spoke of nostalgia vs “the now”, and how things of the past could be relevant today. With that, I give you this, the Montreal Swing Riot Invitational Dance Battle 2015. A crew of “vintage” dancers (dancing Lindy Hop, Charleston, and other jazz styles) vs modern street dancers (pop n lock, break, crunk, whacking, liquid) in a exhibition dance-off.
Part 1 (Team Introductions)
th-cam.com/video/HPeLLa3kfOk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=nUK3d0HLCmH2qfud
Part 2 (Own Style)
th-cam.com/video/-qn0DmTkpHQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=sbikrJexZjEneOF8
Part 3 (Crossover style, and Finale)
th-cam.com/video/7O6kPEPOoaE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=dembVDphaOBvPW7Q
When compared side by side, you can clearly see, despite how different the styles are, how much they are alike, and how jazz steps from 100 years ago are still the foundation of modern hip hop dance. Just like how hip hop owes its existence to funk and R&B, which owes its existence to soul and rock n roll, which owes its existence to jazz and blues, the the dance is a thread of history weaving back through time.
I hope you will enjoy!
Love this video! These guys are beyond insanely talented! It’s almost mind boggling how amazing they are!
A couple details to catch in their dance.
They go from full splits to standing upright with "no hands" as an assist.
Also, the height of stair risers are well above "normal" stairs.
The two brothers dancing together *At The Same Time* atop a grand piano.
My parents were married the day before Pearl Harbor was bombed. They never had a honeymoon.
They met at one of the great ballrooms where my mother was a chorus line dancer. I can remember her playing the big band 78's on the record player and tap dancing all thru the house.
The talent of that age was pure. There were no sound effects, no CGI, no second takes, everything was spontaneous. Everyone dressed to the nines and celebrated life at that moment because shore leave was short, and anything could happen at any time. No computers, no foul language, no hate and discontent.
I always wanted a zuit suit with wide lapels, a vest and 6-pleated pants, a Panama hat and saddle oxford shoes. Although they're both gone, the memories never fade.
Cindy's Dad here. I am a white 70 year old man and anytime I hear people talk about Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly I refer them to the Nicholas Brothers. Fred and Gene were great dancers but Fayard and Harold were dance gods. Michael Flatley may be Lord of the Dance, but these gentlemen would make him weep, and rightly so.
There is another clip with the brothers from Orchestra Wives and they perform with the Glen Miller Orchestra. Look it up.
When you take your wife dancing, learn the Lindy Hop. I think you will like it.
Pax.
This is the kind of thing I was raised on. I'm 60 years young and when my parents, aunts, uncles; that whole generation, said they were going to dinner and a show, this is what they were talking about!
Imho, the Nicholas Brothers were world class athletes. They had to be in order to perform the way they did, especially with their body control. Those older folks who saw them swore they had grease on the soles of their shoes in order to pull off those phenomenal moves!
Also, imho, Cab Calloway laid the groundwork for rapping with those rhymes he'd throw.
This was first class entertainment!! It makes my heart feel so good to see some of the younger generation such as yourself looking up and appreciating what our forebears put down.
As for the question you asked at the end of the video, my remedy is simple. Immerse yourself in the music, especially the big band era. Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey; all of it! Dial up videos featuring the jitterbug and other dances, then maybe try them out with your wife. Absorb as much of that culture as you can. You won't regret it!
My forebears always were neat and stylish. Give a look to how they dressed, even if it was just to go to the supermarket or movies. Nowadays, far too many people dress like they literally just rolled out of bed. You were right about class and style. The older generation had that in abundance!
Thank you for this video. I was as much entertained by you as I was Cab Calloway and The Nicholas Brothers, which btw, I've seen this at least a couple dozen times. I was laughing with you as they were doing their routine all the time thinking, my man, you ain't seen nothing yet!
Much appreciated.
I'm 62 so I didn't grow up with this stuff, but the Los Angeles Conservancy has for many decades taken over the theaters in Downtown Los Angeles and put on shows each week in June. I was a tour guide in those theaters so I worked those events. This was in the 80's so about 40 years after this kind of show ended. We were in Mary Pickford's United Artist Theater (it is now called the Theater at the Ace Hotel). This theater is magnificent. You know how in some old theaters there is an Organ that can be raised up out of the orchestra pit up to stage level for performances? That is called an organ lift and they were quite common in the silent theaters. Well this theater had an organ lift but it also has an Orchestra Lift! The entire orchestra sat in the pit on a moveable floor that could be raised and lowered while the orchestra was playing. We had the orchestra lift in the down positiion. We lowerred the lights and started the music, then everyone could hear a large group of tap dancers dancing but nobody could see them. Then we started the orchestra lift up and slowly raised up a troup of dancing girls who were all original dancers from the 1940''s and earlier. These women were 70 to 95 years old and they looked fantastic. They were wearing matching costumes and did a whole routine for us. They were a professional troup ccalled the "Ginger Snaps". I bet they are all gone by now.
We did vaudeville type shows with a live orchestra, some shorts, some cartoons, then a feature film. They are the best.
I fell in love with the Nicholas brothers back in 1969, I was 5 at the time . Watching, Flying Down to Rio, with my mom. When they started dancing I was enchanted! I sought them out my whole life. I've seen every movie every newsreel TV clip they've ever done. I've never fallen out of love with them.
It was wonderful to see your expression as you watch them. I had no idea someone of your age could appreciate them much less Cab Calloway . The King of that funky swing!
Stay cool
CAB CALLOWAY WAS HUGE!!👍👍👍 NICKOLAS BROTHERS WERE ENTERTAINING SINCE KIDS!!! BEST TAP DANCERS OF ALL TIME👍👍👍👍!!!❤
Nicholas brothers are amazing. So smooth and athletic
Growing up in the 1950s, I loved watching old black and white classics. Those which featured dancing were particular favorites. Some stared or featured Cab Calloway so I know of his many talents from watching them. Note that *_Stormy Weather_* also featured Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, Fats Waller, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ellie Anderson - all greats in their own right. Imagine my thrill when I found myself touring with a theatrical production whose cast included Cab's now deceased daughter, Chris Calloway. She spoke often about her father many times telling stories from her childhood and the folks who frequented her home. Truly cherish my memories of her and her amazingly talented father.
As you were freaking out over all the little jumps, I was thinking, wait until the end. I'd be in the hospital for weeks. They must have synthetic legs. Amazing
I'm an old white lady and remember the first time I saw the Nicholas Brothers. I saw this movie as a kid, and I was truly shocked that young people in the arts were unfamiliar with this famous routine that Fred Astaire said was the greatest he'd ever seen (and done in one take). I watch it on youtube to cheer myself up. I absolutely love your reaction. It was really the best. (Many of the greats from that era were children in vaudeville).
He's scatting! I love this stuff. I was born in 1963 and these movies were on tv on Sundays and I love watching them! Big Band music is amazing. There are so many very talented performers involved. These dance routines were so great you couldn't stop watching.
This is a Nicholas Brothers video. They were great!!! Now watch the great Cab Calloway sing Minnie the Moocher in the Blues Brothers movie.
And, that was done in ONE TAKE!!!!! AMAZING TALENT!
Before James Brown and Michael Jackson. MJ used to watch the Nicholas Brothers. I saw an interview with MJ and he mentioned them.
There is a clip of MJ dancing with them back when he was a kid and they had the family TV show from Vegas. I think you can find it here on YT but it's really cool. you can see the beginning of what was to become 🙂
WOW Thanks for this video! I am 72 years old and a retired History Professor! My music history spans from the 50's to today! So great to see you enjoy this we can't let this tradition die! God Bless ! #LYBM
Old school real talent! Fantastic!! I can't imagine working that hard putting in that much cardio & smiling the whole time!! Our grandparents & Great grandparents were made of sterner stuff than we.
Old movies are things i've introduced to my children from the get go. These movies were old when i was a kid. I loved this stuff! The Nicholas brothers were amazing! Anyone who actually remembers these things at the time they were made are probably around 90yrs old. My youngest son, 26yrs, watches old films on his own these days. He doesn't need prompting, he loves them!
Got the chills, too, my friend. I saw Cab Calloway when I was in school. The movie The Blues Brothers had just been filmed, and people got more interested again, so he showed up one year, and I went to see him. The Ellington Orchestra was touring around that time, and I also got to see Count Basie. Those days were great. The shows were affordable, and the performers were great.
The Nicholas Brothers started dancing/tap dancing as young children. Every Hollywood star and dancer ALL agreed they were phenomenal, black AND white alike. Especially today. Many well known dance stars (Gregory Hines, & Sammy Davis Jr, to name 2) this century have said NO one could compare with the Nicholas Brothers dancing abilities today.
Your comment about "Magnificent art" is right on. The musicals of the 30's and 40's were loaded with great singers and dancers. Though he was not as athletic as the Nicholas Brothers, Fred Astaire was poetry in motion. Keep watching these old musical movies!!
My gramma was also born in 1907! It’s great for you kids to be bringing our heritage back to life in full colour!
This was an era where STYLE was important. Just look at the musicians - the way the pianist’s hands moved, the brass players with their movements, etc., before you even get to Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers. Their movement is gorgeous.
This is also an era when music had melody and was upbeat, optimistic. You can’t help but feel happy listening to it.
I recommend Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” and anything by Benny Goodman. I don’t know if there are visuals to go along with it, but the music is great!
I’m so glad to see younger folks like you rediscovering and appreciating these fantastic artists. It makes me teary eyed!
This was done in 1943. That was 81 years ago. Most likely people today never saw this. They would need to be around 100 years old. But some of us had grandparents who talked about that time period. Yes, everyone dressed up. Top notch entertainers. Vaudeville has a grind. The Nicolas brothers stated performing professionally at age 6. Their parents were also performers. they had 8-12 shows a week. So, lots and lots of practice. By early teens they were stars at the Cotton Club. There is a documentary on the Nicholas Brothers somewhere. But by the time this film was made, they were 20 year veterans of performing. No, this was not a single shot. One of the brothers said they filmed 8 bars at a time. Good editing though. Glad you could enjoy this performance.