Top Three Favorite Dance Stories from Movie Musicals

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There are many dances on film that tell a complete story within themselves. I am listing a few gems that have always struck my fancy.

  1. The “Crapshooters Dance” from Guys and Dolls.
    Here you have a choreographer who is known for athleticism in his work, doing a dance about men gambling under the city streets in the sewers. I can feel the energy emanating through the screen. Every guy looked like a gambling addict who put all his hopes in every roll of the dice. Choreography: Michael Kidd. Date: 1955

 

 

  1. “Frankie and Johnny” from Meet Me in Las Vegas
    Let’s take a little breather from all that energy and give a look at “Frankie and Johnny” from Meet Me in Las Vegas. It is a precious gem of a story that shows how strong a dancer Cyd Charisse was. How she did it all in those heels is amazing to me. John Brascia was no slouch as Johnny either. Hermes Pan showed he still had the choreographic chops in this piece. I love the tongue in cheek humor that kept this story from taking itself too seriously. Choreography: Hermes Pan. Date: 1956

 

 

  1. “Barn Raising Dance” from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
    This dance is one that I never tire of watching. Michael Kidd was at his finest in his story of rowdy brothers trying to show courtesy and good manners while finding a sweetheart. A Who's Who list of dancers make up the brothers: Matt Mattox of early jazz dance fame, Marc Platt from the Ballet Russe and Broadway, Jacques D'Amboise on loan from New York City Ballet, Tommy Rall a Hollywood triple threat and Russ Tamblyn from West Side Story movie fame and father of actress Amber Tamblyn. The tallest woman of the dancers was Julie Newmar, the original Catwoman on TV's Batman. Choreography: Michael Kidd. Date: 1954