In that era, you couldn't get an audition spot if you didn't hoof.
And here's my all-time fav:


And from the same movie, Donald O'Connors famous backflips and pratfalls:

Didn't know Bob Hope could dance that well.

Before my time (not by much, though). This stuff is especially poignant for me because I lost my Dad in February. He lived to 95, mind sharp to the end, and he occasionally commented on the coarsening of contemporary culture. Bob Hope was a great comedian who kept his politics to himself. David Letterman is a nasty political partisan, will be replaced by another political partisan. Much of the younger generation gets its news from John Stewart, who frequently salts his commentary with bleeped words, and the sycophant audience howls with laughter. I don't get it, but maybe that's the point.

Anyway, here's one of Dad's favorites from the past: .

1:48 to 2:34 on Make 'Em Laugh: Priceless.

Fred Astaire's ceiling dance has always been one of my favourites.



And if you want to know how it was done.



Mike

i am now old enough not to remember anything.....

meh... those are cool and all.... but my CGI ROBOT can do all of that, more, and anything else better.


sigh. No, I REALLY DO miss the days when being an "Entertainer" meant one actually had talent. Like those guys did.

I'm not easily offended but I want to know why so many of today's "entertainers" have such a limited vocabulary. Every second word out of their mouth begins with the letter f.

Mike

" Bob Hope was a great comedian who kept his politics to himself."

Not exactly, riredale.
Bob Hope promoted what was considered to be an activist political agenda on an off stage for most of his life. It was probably only his popularity with the US military that kept him safe from the McCarthy committee, although he took shots at both sides.

"David Letterman is a nasty political partisan, will be replaced by another political partisan."

The Library of Congress exhibition (which tended to focus on Hope's politics at least as much as his humor), began with a video tribute from Colbert. And guess which comedian walked onstage carrying a golf club each show during his own USO tour?
1950

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/low_concept/2003/05/when_the_laughter_stopped.html[/link

I have always thought of Bob Hope as quite fair and non-political. Letterman on the other hand has always been a nasty partisan. And yes the guy replacing him is worse.

Despite anecdotal quotes, the "whole" someones persona is what makes them. I have a feeling many people don't remember Bob Hope as a partisan just I as don't.

I was forbidden as a teenager from watching Bob Hope movies at the local theater or his television specials by my father, who was reactionary. If I was caught watching a show, he would turn off the TV and stand in front of it, lecturing me on the evils of Communism.

I, for one, remember the controversies quite well, and always wondered why a Communist was being allowed to entertain US troops around the world. It was only later, when I was in college (during the Vietnam war), that the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place . . .

Ok. All those guys were great. Terrific. No one can be them again. I love those old musicals. I grew up seeing them. But, I believe, there is talent today.

Keep in mind that this 8 min number was done LIVE and it was an Award show, not something you'd have a great deal of rehearsal time.

The following link is to a compilation of Rita Hayworth film clips cut to the Bee Gee's number, Stayin' Alive:



It was uploaded to YouTube some 3 years ago and has had over 4 million views, so you may have already seen it ... but if not, hope you enjoy it.

It is still pretty much true that to make a career in musical theater you have to know how to dance, sing, and act. I live in Chicago a town with at least a dozen theaters that focus on musicals. The depth of talent is really impressive. Of course, there has been only one Bob Hope, only one James Cohan, only one Sinatra, etc., and entertainment style has changed, but multi-talented performers exist in abundance. I'm lucky to live in a city where on any given night I can find world-class performances in jazz, blues, symphony, drama, comedy, cabaret, musical theater, and more. Sometimes you have to get out of your chair to see what is going on around you,. Tomorrow night I'm heading for a turn of the century hardware store turned into an art gallery with an open mic evening every Thursday. You never know who is going to show up from jazz artists to story-tellers. A $5 donation is expected. I hope you are lucky enough to live near a city with an abundance of cultural opportunity.

That Tony Awards opening number was pretty spectacular. I wonder if it was all done "live," meaning in one take. Just based on my own editing, I know how easy it is to manipulate things. For example, how could Neil get from the magic box to the back of the enormous hall in just a few seconds, unseen?

"Every second word out of their mouth begins with the letter f."

yep. sad. I used to hit comedy clubs a lot when they were comedic.... now it is mostly swear fests. I guess I just don't relate to that.

"It is still pretty much true that to make a career in musical theater you have to know how to dance, sing, and act."

No, that's what it used to take.
These days, in order to survive in the musical theater business (unless you're Angela Lansbury), one must excel in singing, dancing, and acting; additionally having some background in choreography, sight-reading, arranging, costuming, makeup, tech theater, teaching, publicity and public relations, and theater business. A little directing experience never hurt either. A good college like Webster University (St. Louis) is a big plus.
Been producing these shows regionally since 1995.

Specialization is for insects.

Best one I ever saw was Fred Astaire and Eleanor Parker tap dancing. Astounding.
JJK

"Not until that withered old bag dissolves the desiccated, corrupt, inbred British monarchy."

Well, as we know, she didn't but he did, and became an honorary Knight of the British Empire

I suppose he could have refused?

Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, born Leslie Townes Hope, Eltham, London.

Grazie

>Every second word out of their mouth begins with the letter f.

I'm just surprised that "farts" in the title made it past the SCS censor.

/jerry