Ethel Waters was the greatest, The Queen. My mother used to go see her at The Strand Theater in Philly when she was a little girl in the 1930's & she would sit there in her seat totally in awe and fascination with this superb artist. Total talent and beauty.
@Get Thraxed Of course it was weak. It wasn't supposed to be a signature move. He was just shuffling backwards to get into position for the cameraman to capture his next moves with his co-star in the shot.
I believe I actually found the very first Moonwalk done 13 years earlier by Earl Snakehips Tucker in the film Love in the Rough, 1930. Michael Jackson was clearly influenced deeply by Earl Tucker. Amazing dancer as was Bill Bailey here.
She was about to get gritty with it at the end, but had to be reminded that she's a lady... Something a lot of women today need to be reminded of!!! 😉👍
Yes she is beautiful! That smile makes the dead want to sit up to take one more look at it. That's Ethel Waters! You need to see her in some of the more glamorous rolls she's capable of, and did play. Those will be difficult to find though, because there was but one kind of beauty she, and others like her were allowed to display; Lena Horne, and a couple of others squeaked in to a degree, and that's because they "looked closer to the standard." Well, ... I'm sure you know how the story goes.
If this doesn't make you happy, it's your fault. Jesus, what wonderful performers and I must add, are there such around today? I knoiw such positive movies are seldom made any more.
This is AMAZING!!! To think that dance forms of tap no longer is relevant. Such a shame. I have repeated 3:28 mins over 10 times already. Omg so smooth and effortless. I remember tapping in performing art school back in the day.
@@Fringedjewels yes I did. Thanks for reminding me to watch this video again. To think how old this is yet the standard level is still at the top. Truly a timeless piece. Still amazed at the section I highlighted.
I think Eddie Rochester Anderson is related to MC Hammer, Hammer sounds just like him, and check out the dance moves, and is it a coincidence they both were born in Oakland, California. You be the judge
Yes I do know about "looking closer to the standard". With all due respect to Lena Horne, she was ok for people back then because she didn't look Black, not at all. I always thought that Ethel Waters was a beauty.
