Top 10 Most Creative Classic Dance Scenes
#10: “The Aloof,” “the Heavyweight,” & “the Big Finish”
Top 20 Most Underrated Dance Scenes in Classic Musicals
“Sweet Charity” (1969) Who would have thought that Bob Fosse could turn the mere act of walking into a dance phenomenon? Well, that’s pretty much exactly what he does in “Sweet Charity.” The number is divided into thirds, as evidenced by its name. In the first third, the choreography makes use of undulating arm movements and small, unusual isolations, offset by exaggerated body angles. And that’s just the beginning. As it goes on, Fosse keeps the emphasis on small, pinpoint movements. The dancers isolate their body parts with immaculate precision, creating one of the most interesting musical movie scenes ever.
#9: “Jumpin’ Jive”
“Stormy Weather” (1943) When it comes to athletic dances, no one did it quite like the Nicholas Brothers. The dynamic duo loved to show off their agility in their dances, leaping and “jumping,” if you will, all over the stage. The best example of their athleticism and creativity coming together to create amazing art came in 1943’s “Stormy Weather.” Towards the end of the film, the Nicholas Brothers perform “Jumpin’ Jive.” In one amazing intro, they start in the audience only to step onto tables and launch into their routine effortlessly. The choreography takes them everywhere from splits to stairs, and sometimes both at the same time. It’s a great example of why the Nicholas Brothers are some of the best tap dancers of all time.
#8: Prologue
“West Side Story” (1961) As soon you hear those whistles and as soon as fingers start snapping, you know you’re in for something special. In the 1961 adaptation of “West Side Story,” Jerome Robbins’s choreography leaps off the screen. There’s little talking in the prologue, but we don’t even need dialogue to understand the heated scuffle between the Jets and the Sharks. Everything we need to know comes through in intense stares, balletic twists and kicks, and agility reminiscent of literal wind. The direction and choreography work beautifully in tandem to create an entire story out of nothing but music and dance.
#7: “I’ve Gotta Hear That Beat”
Top 10 Most Underrated Dance Scenes in Classic Musicals
“Small Town Girl” (1953) Leave it to Ann Miller to have stellar chemistry with a bunch of instruments. In “Small Town Girl,” Miller doesn’t play the main love interest, but she does have one of the best numbers in the movie. In “I’ve Gotta Hear That Beat,” Miller shimmies her way through the beginning of the number. And that’s when the real innovation starts. Suddenly, we see just where all that music is coming from. A bunch of hands holding instruments pop up through holes in the ground while Miller taps and shakes her way through them. Her effervescent energy combined with the underground band make this one for the books.
#6: Ballet
Top 10 Epic Ballet Scenes in Movies
“The Red Shoes” (1948) Most of the movies with famous classic dance scenes are, of course, movie musicals. However, “The Red Shoes” falls outside of that category. This 1948 masterpiece is a drama about a ballerina who has to choose between dance and romance. But, even though the film isn’t technically a musical, it still includes one of the most state-of-the-art routines to ever hit the screen. “The Red Shoes” includes an entire 17-minute ballet sequence, complete with stunning sets, costumes, music, and of course, choreography. The dance beautifully mirrors the main character’s story while still standing on its own as nothing short of a work of art.
#5: “Let's Say It with Firecrackers”
Top 10 Most Unexpected Dance Scenes in Classic Hollywood Movies
“Holiday Inn” (1942) Sometimes, you have to think on your feet and Fred Astaire is nothing if not adaptable. Forced to go on stage without his partner, Astaire’s Ted Hanover has to get creative. If not a pas de deux with a person, why not with firecrackers? In one show-stopping, explosive presentation, Astaire absolutely wows. The bangs and pops are more than just a bit of shock value though. Astaire masterfully integrates them into his choreography, making them into punctuation marks on his syncopated footwork. It’s impossible to take your eyes off this number and not even just because of the dazzling sparks. But, yeah, mostly because of them…
#4: Barn Dance
“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” (1954) There are numerous classic Hollywood dance scenes that go for broke M. But none of them quite hit the combined scale, athleticism, and energy of the Barn Dance M. The synchronization of the partner work is seriously impressive. But when the Pontipee brothers start showing off, things hit a whole new level. Using the tools and trappings of the barn raising, they give us an unmatched show of grace and athleticism. It’s impossible not to marvel at the strength of these dancers, not to mention their balance. They pull off all manner of stunts on a couple of narrow beams as if it were no problem at all. After seeing this is there even a question about who you’d want for a dance partner?
#3: “The Worry Song”
Top 10 Best Choreographed Classic Hollywood Dance Scenes
“Anchors Aweigh” (1945) When we talk about classic dance scenes, we’re mostly talking about humans. In this case, however, we’ve got to shout out a famous cartoon mouse as well. “Anchors Aweigh” stars Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra as sailors on leave. But, it’s probably best remembered for a sequence where Kelly dances with Jerry from “Tom and Jerry.” Combining live-action and animation was still fairly new at the time and, for 1945, it’s ridiculously impressive how great the two look together. Not only is the number itself crazy fun, but sharing the floor with one of pop culture’s most famous mice has to be a reward all its own.
#2: “I Like Myself”
Top 10 Solo Female Dance Scenes in Classic Hollywood Movies
“It’s Always Fair Weather” (1955) Roller skates have had quite a life in classic movie musicals. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers famously skated choreography for a song in their film “Shall We Dance.” But, no one quite captures the childlike joy of roller skating like Gene Kelly in 1955’s “It’s Always Fair Weather.” In one riveting sequence, Kelly taps and skates his way through the streets of New York City. The way he seamlessly switches back and forth between the staccato movements of tap and the smooth motion of skating is something to behold. It’s only matched by his thousand-watt smile. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Newspaper Dance, “Summer Stock” (1953)
Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
“Make ‘Em Laugh,” “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)
Top 10 Movie Opening Scenes That Will Make You Cry
No One Does Physicality Like Donald O’Connor
“Why Can’t You Behave?”, “Kiss Me Kate” (1953)
Top 10 Greatest Solo Dance Scenes
Ann Miller Comes Out On Top, But Tommy Rall Still Manages to Bounce Back
Hospital Hallucination, “All That Jazz” (1979)
It Doesn’t Get Much More Out There Than This!
“Baby You Knock Me Out,” “It’s Always Fair Weather” (1955)
The Baby-Sitters Club Cast: Where Are They Now?
Cyd Charisse Knocks Us Out!
#1: Dancing on the Ceiling
Top 10 Greatest Dancing in the Rain Scenes
“Royal Wedding” (1951) This is one of those scenes that makes you sit back and think, “How in the world did they do this in the 1950s?” In “Royal Wedding,” Fred Astaire delivers one of his most memorable and innovative performances. During a song called “You’re All the World to Me,” Astaire tap dances, in part, on the walls and ceiling. While it looks incredibly real, Astaire wasn’t actually upside down in real life. A rotating set of sorts was built and then it all came down to good old fashioned movie magic! Astaire, the GOAT of movie dancers to be sure!
