IMO he literally saved every thing he ever appeared in although rarely top billing he made the others shine and I don't think he ever got the credit he deserved.
Anton, You are so right. I grew up during that period and loved every one of them. Just imagine the hours of rehearsals to perfect their talent. They were hard workers. I would add Ann Miller and Rita Hayworth, but, the list keeps getting longer and I don't want to leave anyone out.
What a great pleasure it was for me as a youngster to accidentally happen upon the great Donald ‘O Connor at a once beautiful, though now defunct nightclub in South Philadelphia ! He was very nice to me 😊 .
This amazing performance isn't listed in the IMDB list of performances for either Donald O'Connor nor Scatman Crothers. It is incredible that such a terrific performance could be done for a 1952 weekly television show, where 50+ minutes of entertainment had to be produced every week.
Of the well-known trio of that marvelous era (O'Connor, Astaire, Kelly), Donald O'Connor was the most talented. Beautiful tenor voice with perfect relative pitch, light as air in on his feet with those dance moves (courtesy of his being a boxer (swift, light foot moves) most of his life starting when he was 5 y/o), suspended in air when he leaped, acrobat non-pareil, and HE choreographed his dances. A perfectionist trained up from birth in vaudeville and the circus, he was the underrated 'Best of them all,' IMHO. I believe it was his small stature and average sweet-boy-next-door looks that kept him from fully taking the foreground. While we have seen the likes of Kelly in several dancers, we have never seen the likes of O'Connor, or Astaire.
Ok it’s always a treat to see Don - a boy is this a rarity. And it was great to see Scatman below retirement age. But I must draw the line at the Rhythmic but Strangely Hostile Pixies. What in the world was the director smoking?😆
Donald was the greatest all the rest were very good but for my money I’ll take Donald . Gregory Hines gene Kelly Fred Astaire so many greats but Donald is number one for my taste.
I think Gene Nelson was better than all of them (but O'Connor comes the closest). Nelson could tap dance, was a wonderful ballroom dancer and a great dance partner; he could do lifts absolutely effortlessly. He was also had ballet, ice skating, and gymnastics training...and he could sing. He was also a terrific actor, unlike most of the screen dancers. He also had that "wow" factor due to some of the absolutely stunning athletic feats he performed while dancing. Watch the routine he did in a gym or the tapdance on a staircase and railing sometime. Merv Griffin once said that Nelson would jump down from a rooftop, run through a burning building, swing down on a curtain, and then dance...and he wasn't really exaggerating. And it wasn't just dancing pyrotechnics. The man really could dance. Above all, I don't think I've ever seen a more graceful human being than Gene Nelson. He could make you think he was floating on air.
You are saying it! I'm a tapdancer by myself (1h per week class) - that's wonderful what we can see here. Thanks for the upload of this handsome 35mm shot! (I'm a Filmfan too, S8mm, N8mm and 16mm) Best wishes, Géréon
Thank you so much for this video, I have never seen it. It was a cute number very well done, of course. I am such a fan of Donald O'Connor, this was a treat at the end of my day.
Thank you for this video. Donald O'Connor never ceases to amaze me. His talents knew no boundaries. Overall, the best out of all of them. What a treasure chest of memories he left us.
Scatman's so young here, he still had hair! No mistaking that great voice of his. Most people nowadays only know him from his role in the movie "The Shining", but he was a great talent for so many years! He did it all; singing, dancing, comedy, and acting.
Ni idea en qué pero me hizo acordar al magnífico baile de Zorba el griego. Ya de paso sumo reconocimiento a los tantos ya dichos a su creador ( su música) ante su fallecimiento reciente.
He had the athletics of Kelly and the finesse of Fred. His own style....one of a wonderful kind....beautiful!❤....
Astaire takes a back seat to no one in athleticism.
@joksal9108 Absolutely!....
All hail SabuCat! Thanks so much for all your work. I especially am happy to thank your for the superb Laurel and Hardy remasters!
One of the greatest dancers ever , and he could sing
IMO he literally saved every thing he ever appeared in although rarely top billing he made the others shine and I don't think he ever got the credit he deserved.
We were spoiled in those days. Gene Kelly, Fred Astair, Donald O'Connor, Ray Bolger, Bill Bailey, Bill Robinson, Elanor Powell. Amazing talent.
Anton, You are so right. I grew up during that period and loved every one of them. Just imagine the hours of rehearsals to perfect their talent. They were hard workers. I would add Ann Miller and Rita Hayworth, but, the list keeps getting longer and I don't want to leave anyone out.
Oh you were!!!
@@ellasaraharetha I'd add the wonderful Gene Nelson.
@@aneamarlivana172 I would, as well. Gene became a very good director later in life.
scatman crothers AND donald o'connor in one video --- amazing :)
I love Donald O'Connors singing voice.
the man better then any other actor i don’t care what anyone says
Such an incredible talent, your eyes always go to him when he’s dancing with other people. Great singer as well.
What a great pleasure it was for me as a youngster to accidentally happen upon the great Donald ‘O Connor at a once beautiful, though now defunct nightclub in South Philadelphia ! He was very nice to me 😊 .
Donald O’Connor is mesmerizing is this video.
Sublime and wonderful, a dancer who deserves to be more widely appreciated.
This amazing performance isn't listed in the IMDB list of performances for either Donald O'Connor nor Scatman Crothers.
It is incredible that such a terrific performance could be done for a 1952 weekly television show, where 50+ minutes of entertainment had to be produced every week.
What a nice gem! His voice is perfect for Gershwin songs!
Great to see Donald O'Connor and Scatman Crothers together, such great talent.
This man was one of THE finest, ever. A good guy, & a class act. ----------------------------WolfSky9, 74 y/o
First time watching him in this with the HW Bowl as a set. His tap dancing was so smooth and effortless. God he was good.
Of the well-known trio of that marvelous era (O'Connor, Astaire, Kelly), Donald O'Connor was the most talented. Beautiful tenor voice with perfect relative pitch, light as air in on his feet with those dance moves (courtesy of his being a boxer (swift, light foot moves) most of his life starting when he was 5 y/o), suspended in air when he leaped, acrobat non-pareil, and HE choreographed his dances.
A perfectionist trained up from birth in vaudeville and the circus, he was the underrated 'Best of them all,' IMHO. I believe it was his small stature and average sweet-boy-next-door looks that kept him from fully taking the foreground. While we have seen the likes of Kelly in several dancers, we have never seen the likes of O'Connor, or Astaire.
Ok it’s always a treat to see Don - a boy is this a rarity. And it was great to see Scatman below retirement age. But I must draw the line at the Rhythmic but Strangely Hostile Pixies. What in the world was the director smoking?😆
The Greatest song and dance man
Loved him So light a breezy on his feet!!! Made it look so easy!!! One of our all-time great performers! Thank you Donald and Thank you for sharing!
Great, great dancer Mr O’connor ! And he can SING too ! While dancing difficult steps ! What great talent ! Thanks for the video
He was the absolute greatest there ever was
Donald O'Connor is lighter than air!!
Classic! ❤!.....
Fascinante !!! 😊
Wow! Love Donald, love this song, but I've never seen this before! That's so surprising and flawless and wonderful
Oh my I have never seen this before Donald O'Connor is out of this world. What a complete and incredible performance by all! Perfection. ❤❤❤❤
Donald was the greatest all the rest were very good but for my money I’ll take Donald . Gregory Hines gene Kelly Fred Astaire so many greats but Donald is number one for my taste.
And he could sing too! Kelly and Astaire had very mediocre voices.
I think Gene Nelson was better than all of them (but O'Connor comes the closest). Nelson could tap dance, was a wonderful ballroom dancer and a great dance partner; he could do lifts absolutely effortlessly. He was also had ballet, ice skating, and gymnastics training...and he could sing. He was also a terrific actor, unlike most of the screen dancers. He also had that "wow" factor due to some of the absolutely stunning athletic feats he performed while dancing. Watch the routine he did in a gym or the tapdance on a staircase and railing sometime. Merv Griffin once said that Nelson would jump down from a rooftop, run through a burning building, swing down on a curtain, and then dance...and he wasn't really exaggerating. And it wasn't just dancing pyrotechnics. The man really could dance. Above all, I don't think I've ever seen a more graceful human being than Gene Nelson. He could make you think he was floating on air.
I agree with you 100%. Donald is my #1 favourite entertainer 🥰🇨🇦
Let's face it they just all had it. Like the special wood of a stradivarious violin
I agree. I am a french fan of Donald O’ Connor. He also was a very good singer and he even was very funny. In France, we say : Il avait tout pour lui.
Sencillamente genial 😉👍👏👏👏👏👏
I've never seen this before and I love it!
Wow, no errors and made in live! :O
Yeah, you can see he's puffing a bit in the end :-) So, so talented he was!
You are saying it! I'm a tapdancer by myself (1h per week class) - that's wonderful what we can see here.
Thanks for the upload of this handsome 35mm shot! (I'm a Filmfan too, S8mm, N8mm and 16mm)
Best wishes,
Géréon
Thank you so much for this video, I have never seen it. It was a cute number very well done, of course. I am such a fan of Donald O'Connor, this was a treat at the end of my day.
I agree, best underrated Hoover ever. Wow, could he gracefully dance!
I mean hoofer.
@@ritapacitti9599 I liked hoover.
The way he catches the girl at 4:46 is insane to me. It's so smooth, like they're both weightless.
I have never seen this, the quality of this recording is fantastic. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this video. Donald O'Connor never ceases to amaze me. His talents knew no boundaries. Overall, the best out of all of them. What a treasure chest of memories he left us.
So thankful I came across these marvelous videos, THIS IS MY HAPPY PLACE. Excellent quality and one of my favorite dancers.
I say Donald ties with Fred & Gene for over-all amazing talent❗
You said it better thankyou
I've watched O'Connor's "Make 'Em Laugh" dance routine so many times, but it still amazes me how perfect it is, while looking like pure chaos!
For me, overall, Donald O'Connor was the best of the bunch. He had it all and never feared pushing the envelope. His talents were limitless.
@@shelleywantiez7964 yes. He was truly an amazing talent.🎯💎💯
Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️.
Instrumental versions are very nice!
He was better than Gene Kelly and Cagney but.. I love em all!!! Crazy bout o'Connor
I completely agree Pam!
great
I'd probably add Scatman Crothers name to the title. He's far more famous today.
Scatman's so young here, he still had hair! No mistaking that great voice of his. Most people nowadays only know him from his role in the movie "The Shining", but he was a great talent for so many years! He did it all; singing, dancing, comedy, and acting.
Ni idea en qué pero me hizo acordar al magnífico baile de Zorba el griego.
Ya de paso sumo reconocimiento a los tantos ya dichos a su creador ( su música) ante su fallecimiento reciente.
Aint none of yall mentioned Scatman Crothers?????
Well that was cheese ball😂
Now I am imagining a movie in which he and Mary Martin play brother and sister....
Great entertainer in an awful number. (IMHO)
Those women in .. What were they wearing??? Were annoying ...bett without .. just him alone ... Yes ...!!!😊..... just my opinion
When movies were fun and not woke!
Not rare anymore