It was done in ONE take, with multiple cameras. No rehearsals. This is what it’s famous for. Fred Astaire called it the greatest dance routine ever put to film.
ONE TAKE. ...NO. MISTAKE! TRUE STORY. Nicolas Brothers. Legendary dancers no one can touch these men. Every young black entertainer should look at these old movies and lusten to the olde music black people truly did invent modern music in almost every. Major genre.
The Nicholas Brothers are the Greatest tap Dancers of All Time and Black Folks Ancestors and Legacy.....All that greatness is in Black Folks Everywhere...especially in the young!!!
My Dad who was a big fan of 40's big band sound, introduced me to the sound when I was into rock n roll of the 50's and 60's. Cab Calloway absolutely stunned me, I could get enough of his sound, then many years later finding him on youtube videos gets this old lady jumping and jiving, even if in the mind. Nicholas Brothers dancing, none better.
@@andrejenningssydnor3004 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band did a homage to Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson. He and Shirley Temple did a few movies together. He really liked Shirley Temple but because of racial prejudice, he couldn't associate with her outside of the studio, from what I understand.
@@andrejenningssydnor3004 Fred had a teacher. They taught themselves. GOD given talent simply the best. I loved Fred too but the Nicholas Brothers came to top themselves. Even Fred Astaire knew they were the best.
Historic records indicate that this routine was shot in ONE Take! Remarkable in every way! The routine has never been duplicated. The number almost never made the screen. The director wanted to cut it out. Thankfully, wiser heads prevailed and we have this most impressive dance number to enjoy well after the brothers passed on "to glory."
Cab Calloway was a singer and bandleader who was full of life and vitality during the 1930s and 1940s. Few other musical artists of that era could keep up with him.
One take. And what is REALLY impressive is their landings. Notice that they are PERFECTLY in time when they hit. Anyone can jump in time, but LANDING in time? That takes some skill. They were the ABSOLUTE best. Those who everyone else considers great consider these men the pinnacle. And Cab was the very definition of the word "cool". Nobody cooler. EVER.
Believe it or not, the dancing was done in one take. Saw one of the Nicholas Brothers interviewed on another video, talking about this, and he swore it was done in one take. Amazing, regardless. They weren't that young then, either.
@@marcuswalters8093 the older brother was about 30 and the younger was 22-23 but they were old in the sense that they had been performing since they were little boys on the "chitlin circuit"
Don't believe it. There are multiple camera angles there. I suppose it's possible they only needed one take per camera set-up, but it was impossible to make some of those POV changes with 40s tech in a single take. It's not the Nicholas brothers' talent that was the limiting factor, they were plenty good enough to nail a routine like this, it's the technology to capture the performance.
- They did that all in 1 take - Fred Astare said that was the best dance routine ever on film - Cab Calloway is so amazing, you need to check out more of his music - he had a massive influence on music
Cab Calloway goes back a very long time. He was a musician, dancer, actor, singer, band and orchestra leader. He began his musical career in New York dance halls, nightclubs and vaudeville in the 1920's, almost 100 years ago.
The Nicholas Brothers were dancing since they were kids, and they were still amazing dancers into their "old age". And that move where they pull themselves up from the splits is just 🤯
Love this. Cab Calloway was such an entertainer - you can see him perform Minnie the Moocher in the Blues Brothers movie. Its awesome. It gets you moving. You should react to couples swing dancing...bet no one nowadays could do it. The Nicholas Brothers deserve a lot more recognition than they get. Watching this just makes me smile.
It has been proven that the dance was done in one single take due to the budget of the film. This was the final take and last roll of film they had for production. They only had one chance and the amazing part was they created this choreography on the spot. The greatest collaboration ever.
Yeah, the stair splits part was done one take, no rehearsal. The film's choreographer came up with the idea, and had such faith in their abilities, he said let's just do it and film it. Fayard said he added the idea of splitting down a slide on the side to end it. In the late 80s I was on a short NYC trip, turned the corner...and there was Harold Nicholas! I got to say what a fan I was, and I was thrilled that of all the celebs I could have seen, it was a Nicholas Brother! Years later, I saw both him and Fayard doing some appearances. I saw Fayard one last time after his brother died, and as I mentioned a favorite lesser known bit, he beamed and giggled with excitement, almost like a little kid. It was obvious he was thrilled to know how much his work was still loved. It's so thrilling now to see this, and know Harold and Fayard are still amazing new generations, and being loved for their overwhelming talents. Thank god for film!
One take yes. But to say this was done with no rehearsal is beyond ridiculous. You simply don't do a routine like this without rehearsing it no matter how talented the dancer.
Had the honor of meeting him in New York at the airport. We had just came home from The Gulf War and they had separated us from the public because we had weapons and he got permission to come to our area and welcome us home. The man was a class act. Very kind and and as you can see very talented man.
Neither Fayard nor Harold had any formal training. Fayard taught himself how to , sing, and perform by watching and imitating the professional entertainers on stage. He then taught his younger
In the pre-ww2 era, many dance scenes where filmed in one take, and with one camera as prove that the dancer could do what they did. Meaning no editing tricks, the Nicholas Brothers were 2 of the finest dancers of that era.
Yes he was on the five heartbeats and on uptown Saturday night One take and one rehearsal! They have other routines on RU-vid that are incredible They were the best! Hands down
They did the splits coming down the stairs in one take stated in an interview. Those brothers were super bad. They always gave 110% in their performances. Just Awesome Entertainers.
the story is they did it in one take. This came from a movie called stormy weather another highlight in the movie was the song stormy weather by Lena Horne.
I could watch them all day. The Nicholas Brothers were PHENOMENAL!!!! That's how to dance. The tap makes music when by itself and the dance goes with the rhythm of the music. This right here is exactly how it's done.
I like some Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire as well. Even the final dance scene of Dirty Dancing. A good dancer is always fun to watch RIP to all those guys and gals no longer with us.
I am so glad that you've reacted to this. A few days ago, I was watching an interview with Gregory Hines. That's another one you need to check out. He's an incredible dancer. He was speaking about the Nicholas Brothers. As he was speaking, they were showing this scene & he was talking about the splits and how they got up without using their hands. Then it went to a clip, were the Nicholas Brothers were being interviewed. They said they never rehearsed anything they did. They just play off each other. As I was watching it, I started thinking about you. I thought that this would be something you'd really appreciate and enjoy. I am so HAPPY, you had this opportunity, to watch these incredible entertainers.
No body could match the Nicholas brothers for the sheer talent and physicality of their dancing! Never saw anything to match this dance scene on the tube! AWESOME!!!
I love that you didn't interrupt the act. Every single one of the reactions to this video I've seen they interrupt multiple times and I like that you just let the whole thing play through without any interruptions. That was amazing.
Cab Calloway's grandmother was my grandmother's nanny in the 1920s and 30s. I still have the original full vinyl 78rpm album that Cab gave his grandmother wich she gave to my grandmother! LOVE LOVE LOVE CAB CALLOWAY!!!
Hey your really expanding your knowledge.. Fred Astaire always said this was the hardest dance ever put on film. Greg Hines s said it could never be replicated
Brother you’ll fine this hard to believe. But you asked how many takes they had to do to complete this. The answer is that it was done in ONE take! Now think about for a minute 😃
The Nicholas Brothers were AWESOME dancers!!! When you have the time, look up a documentary about them. Not to post here, because it is much too long, but just to watch. They had an amazing life, with some tragedy but some great triumphs, too!
Cab Callaway was also in the the first Blues Brothers movie where he performed "Mini the Moocher" which sadly is the extent of my Cab Callaway knowledge. I enjoyed this.
Calloway does not sing or dance in the music video. I would like to apologize. It has been many years since I watched the music video back in 1989. I remember seeing publicity photos at the time of Calloway and Jackson both wearing "zoot suits", trying to make it look as if they were going to do a dance number together in the music video. That did not turn out to be the case.
Cab is "scat singing". Using his voice to make musical instrument sounds instead of lyrics. I think the Nicholas brothees had to have leg muscles of steel!!
Thank you for finally reacting to these three CLASS ACTS. CAB CALLOWAY was Awesome in his own right and played into the 1980's and was even featured in the movie the BLUES BROTHERS. And the Nicholas Brothers were simply AWESOME.
Here's another great clip from that era! Dorothy Dandridge the Chattanooga Choo Choo with the nicholas Brothers and the Glenn Miller band! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FIeo_D99XbA.html
I remember seeing these guys in movies on Saturday afternoons when I was a kid. (60s) I just recently rediscovered them. Astaire and Gene Kelly always seemed to get more attention and I CANNOT figure out why. Another clip that doesn't get as much attention as Jumpin Jive, is Nicholas Brothers 'I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo'. My jaw still drops after watching it multiple times. I really think you'd enjoy it. Another favorite of mine is the duo dance with Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov from 'White Nights'. The side by side steps of Mr Hines' loose jointed, casual and seemingly effortless style with Baryshnikov's exactingly precise ballet style is just beautiful. RIP Mr Hines. We lost you way too soon. Nicholas Brothers will always be my favorite dancers, though. They were the best.
@@HawkwindAus True. Incredibly sad, ridiculously irritating, but all too true. Sadly I didn't discover them until recently and even at a glance I can tell what I have been missing
Remember that Up-Town Funk video with all the dancers from the black & white t.v. and movie era? (Here's the link for anyone that wants to see it again) I think these guys were in it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-M1F0lBnsnkE.html
Omgosh .. that was off the wall 🔥🔥🔥🔥. So that's Jumpin Jive with the Nicholas Bros & that Cab Calloway was Jive Tuning too!!! I've got to watch this again but full screen .. Luv Luv👌🏆 But Ty .. ROTFL .. the pain in ur face when they jumped over each other on the steps landing in full splits over & over made me laugh out loud..priceless!! How in the world do they slide back up from a full split w/o using hands. I have trouble even using my hands & knees😁 Many thnx Victoria & Ty .. seize the day🥰BTW: this is from a 1943 movie titled "Stormy Weather"😉
Were the Nicholas Brothers AMAZING or what!!! I don't think there's anyone on the planet who could do the dance they did here. And it doesn't look like they were straining, either -- all of their moves are so smooth. You would think you would pull something doing as many splits as they did, and then rising up without using a bended knee or anything. God bless 'em! I'm so glad we have videos like this that allow us to see what tap dancing was like back in the day.
I’ve been watching theses movies as a kid like 10 yrs old .Cab Calloway and the Nicholas brothers were the Bomb Diggity lol. ! I’m now 62 I still get mesmerized and stare with my mouth agape. The good thing is you can watch everything on RU-vid. Just punch in their names and there you go! Also look up the Nicholas Brothers last bio.that was filmed in the 80s I think, so interesting about how they started and one passed away. And yes one brother was in the 5 heartbeats as sarge. I think I’m going to look up their bio now and watch it again .🎩😁
Cab Calloway is one of my all-time all-time all-time favorites, and I believe the Nicholas Bros. did this in one take. Fred Astaire is quoted "the greatest dancing ever seen on film"
I'm a 70 year old guy and this is the greatest dance number I have ever seen. I've seen this routine many times, and it never grows old. Two of the greatest dancers ever. Never fails to bring me joy!
Cab Calloway is the bomb! The dancers were spectacular, too (Can they still have children, after all that?!) MRM, check out Cab singing St James' Infirmary, or Minnie the Moocher. Some of these great old show songs were incorporated into Betty Boop Cartoons. There is a youtube video of him from 2014, still singing, still being the showman, and you, know, he's still GOT IT! It's very impressive.
@@1984msmocha Thank you! That was very interesting. I had to go a-googling. Dorothy Dandridge died so early, and had a lot of tragedy in her life . . . Glad you told about this.
I have watched the Nickolas Brothers in other films some with the great skatter Cab Calloway..He was in the original Blues Brothers who was in the Orphanage when Jake got out of prison..He also sang Minny the Mooger in the ball room killing time for the boys to get to the stage..He is great..
