Millennial goes old school Jazz - Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers (Reaction!) 

The late great Gregory Hines (an A+++ dancer in his own right) said that a bio pic about the Nicholas Brothers could never be made because there was nobody who could come close to emulating their dancing. The more I watch this clip, the more I agree with him.

The Nicholas brothers did their tap routine in just one take; it is considered one of the greatest routines ever performed.

My parents were entertainers in the late 30’s and 40’s. Mom was a dancer, both modern and tap. Dad had his own trio from the late 30’s until he retired in the late 70’s. Us kids saw some of these acts in person.

So. I’m a 74 year old American white woman who was utterly captivated by this movie when I saw it on our black and white TV in the late 1950’s. Our parents grew up in the 1930’s Depression. My mother’s profound wish was to become a tap dancer like these dancers she saw on “the big screen” in those years. Coming from a poor farmer family, her yearning was impossible. BUT. Damn how well she could dance! And partnered with our father, also an accomplished dancer, the two of them made poetry on the dance floor! In my late 30’s I was privileged to watch them dance a waltz. They were so effortlessly elegant that I was moved to tears.

This reaction basically consisted of eight minutes of: “That’s awesome” Me: You have no idea. “Oh wow!” Me: You have no idea. “That’s insane!” Me: You have no idea. … and I loved it.

Tap dance is alive and well, but nobody could ever match the Nicholas Brothers! This was done in one take. I'm a tap dancer and back in the day had the pleasure of meeting them.

I always like to point out that the Nicholas Brothers were nothing less than world class athletes as well as artists of music and dance.

Cab Calloway was a legend of the era and he was also in the modern movie "The Blues Brothers" where he sang his famous song "Minnie The Moocher" - thats one you oughta check out its his signature number

I've watched this scene many times. Simply amazing! People used to have to have talent to be famous. Now you just have to be willing to compromise your morals.

Fred Astaire said this was the greatest dance routine ever. My dad made sure I was educated on old Hollywood song and dance masters. The Nicholas Brothers appeared in several movies including with Gene Kelly, another preeminent tap dancer. They were simply amazing.

It amazes me that they are able to stand back up without hands. Imagine the strength that would take.

The Nicholas Brothers taught themselves (no instruction, teachers) how to tap dance, etc. Awesome natural talent.

This is a generation of entertainers where their brilliance is due to pure skill and massive amounts of hard work. They, in some places, would be performing that dance routine seven days a week sometimes twice on some days. Check out more of Cab Calloway. The song he’s probably best known for is ‘Minnie the Moocher’. A song where the Scat calling becomes ‘Call and Response’. Listen to the lyrics as the song tells a story.

Those Nicholas Brothers are elite athletes.

When Cab was in retirement before his second career (after the Blues Brothers movie reminded the world about him) he had a bar in Amsterdam. My wife had a friend from England over for a visit, she remembered she was a jazz head so she took her down to his bar. It was a filthy cold rainy night and there were four other customers. Cab came out to do some songs, he saw how few people there were so got them to sit round the piano and chatted with them like friends, told them stories about the old days and sang a few songs. She said he was an absolute star- full of charisma and very funny. Her friend was talking about it 30 years later.

There was an undeniable “elegance” to artistic culture that Black America produced at this time in America’s history. That elegance would permeate everything Black America touched: from fashion, to art, to music. That same “elegance” would even present itself to the protest movements of the 60’s-where working class men and women would put on their Sunday best to show their disgust and anger with American society. We presented ourselves (to the world!!) at our very best, because we “expected” the very best America had to offer in return. Not only from “our” country; but also from ourselves. Anything less than our “best” was unacceptable to us. But…that was then. Regarding both America and Black America? Both past and present: …how low we have fallen.

The great Fred Astaire said that this is the greatest dance scene on film. The Nicholas Brothers started dancing together when they were young. Check out the video “Lucky Numbers” from 1936 to see them much younger and how brilliant they were then . Video is here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7IBteauWsHA.html

I don't know if anyone already mentioned this, but one of the million things that made their dancing so unique was that they both danced a little differently. Other dancers of the time would try and do the dance exactly the same when dancing with someone else. They were in perfect sync but were always doing it their own way.

I've watched this number countless times over the decades, and it STILL blows me away every time. The Nicholas Brothers were absolutely incredible, and Calloway is an absolute legend.

One shot, all live, no auto tune. Those were the days ... the style, the grace and elegance... and I want a time machine :-)

I am not that old but when I lived in Denver about 20yrs ago my friends and I would go swing dancing at a local club. Find a place that teaches ballroom dancing there are quite a few out there. Its tons of fun and you meet folks from all walks of life and yes, it's really nostalgic.

You can actually still do this. A lady friend of mine has been taking ballroom dance lessons at a local branch of the famous Arthur Murray Dance Studios and it turns out there's a whole community of people of all ages (20s to 70s) who are into this. The studio also puts on dance events (Think watching the TV show, "Dancing with the Stars") where all the students and their dance instructors demonstrate their routines. Unlike "Dancing with the Stars", however, it's not a contest and there are no judges. It's just everyday folks with a common desire and interest getting together to have a good time.... old school!

This music was my parents’ music. They were big enough fans of it to enrich my life with it. Swing bands like Cab Calloway’s, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey’s, and Glenn Miller filled my young ears in early fifties. I go back to them even now, and I’ll be 75 before the year is out.

I'm 60 so these movies were before my time but as a teenager I loved watching musicals that had great dance scenes, Singing In The Rain, 7 Brides For 7 Brothers, King And I etc. People think they're corny but I love em.

I love Big Band music, I was born 40 years late. Glen Miller - In the Mood Benny Goodman - Sing, Sing, Sing

I'm 67 years old and grew up watching the musicals from the 1940's and 1950's! They were the best entertainment, ever! This is where we would hear and learn about so many different singers, musicians and dancers. Just look for musicals on youtube during those years. So wonderful to see you react to this.

I wasn't there, but I remember seeing it on TV as a kid in black and white. I'm 76 now, and grew up with an alcoholic racist father, but I learned early that I didn't know any white people cooler than this! Thanks for bringing this back. Gotta say it's really fun to see people from my children's and grandchildren's generations getting off on this great music. Thanks again!

I grew up with this, these guys put modern dancers and musicians to shame.

Cab Calloway was an amazing entertainer. You can find his final performance here on RU-vid. I think he was 88 years old, but still a thrill to watch.

I just love watching the younger generation enjoying the talent and beauty of the music of past generations. If enough of you really want to enjoy this sort of thing now, maybe you can make some great music of your own. Then you can take your wife out one night to a nice club and dance the night away to some classy music!

Fred Astair considered this the greatest dance routine he ever saw. That is some high praise. I am 71 and this never grows old. They were OUTSTANDING!

You asked, so here goes. The first time I performed in public was 1949. I was a trombonist, guitarist and singer. It those days, before television, you had two choices for entertainment, the movies or a dinner club as portrayed here. You and your spouse dressed up, went to a club like this, had a meal, and were entertained by a band like this. I am STILL performing in local community theatre just for laughs. In 1961 I played an engagement at the Howard theatre with the Count Basie band when one of his musicians got ill. I later played in the band for two of Bob Hopes Christmas tours of military bases, a grueling stint of one or two performances a day, hop on a military transport and perform again at another base, or on an aircraft carrier to entertain the troops.

The Nicholas brothers are amazing. You won't find a better dance scene anywhere. Just an amazing display of tap dance and athleticism.

I have seen this a few times & it always amazes me. These brothers were extremely talented. It always gets me when they do the split jumps. You would think they would hurt themselves. Glad this film clip has been preserved for the younger generation to see.

He's talkin' Jive. One of the best parts is watching the guys on trombone avoiding tripping up the dancers that are just inches away....

My mother started saying in the 70's, stars used to have to HAVE talent. She grew up when stars entertained by singing dancing and acting.

You asked so I will tell you what I did. I'm 77 years old, (78 in a few months), at age 60 I started taking dance lessons. Not your typical "dance"; foxtrot, 2 step, ballroom; but zydeco, (check it out) and that fell into Cajun dance too as the two are related. That brought in waltz as it is a big part of both cultures. In my area, (Pacific Northwest) this is huge dance community. I started going to dances and it turned my life around. It is vibrant community with dances several times a week I discovered. This led into learning more dance styles. Now I can go almost anywhere and not be afraid to just ask someone to dance and have a great time. People are amazed that are all just standing around bouncing where as I am gliding around the floor with a partner in my arms. Go take some dance lessons!!! Don't worry about how bad you may be to start. I'm the guy with 3 left feet and I could do it! Go do it!

You said "Homies can move" and I said "You ain't seen nothing' yet!" I'm not that old, but I've seen this many times! Try taking your wife for ballroom dance lessons. And good luck finding a club that plays the music that you want to dance to. Maybe on a cruise ship? Loved this reaction!

My dad died 20 years ago. He was a black parachutist in WWII. His was the Greatest Generation in so .many ways.

I have been watching this performance for decades, and it still gives me chills! It’s the only dance that gives me this feeling (although Fred Astaire dancing on the walls and ceiling is close). That final bit with the brothers jumping over each other was never rehearsed! I always get such a thrill seeing this.

This was the finale of "Stormy Weather" To me the greatest Black Musical ever. Lena Horne & Bill Robertson are also in it. My father who was WW2 era unknowingly educated me by playing the music and watching every old movie of his childhood..

Best remedy for anything is to learn the dances that you love to watch. It feels great!

It used to be that entertainers were not seeking immediate fame and wealth. They studied, learned, practiced, refined, and created until they had something to be proud of. They did these things for the love of the art. It's why I love the older performances and movies. I'm glad you wartched this!

It's not just the dancing that's impressive. It's the stamina and flexibility. It's like watching gymnastics.

It doesn't matter how many times I have seen the Nicholas brothers do this scene.....it still stuns and amazes me!!! We have never seen the likes of anyone like them since!!! Learning how to dance used to be kind of mandatory for boys and girls up until.... I wanna say like the 60s and 70s when everybody stopped dancing together! Sadly

In jazz it's called scatting when he mixes sounds or phrases that are not really words/ verse. So nice to see wider audience experience these old school numbers. You can see Cab in the Movie Blues Brothers. This was considered a classic when I was growing up in the 70-80's. I would say the first steps for you and your wife would be to consider dance classes and then look for local jazz clubs in your area. There are far less clubs but jazz never goes out of style.

The things for which you are nostalgic are talent and showmanship, romance, and people dressing to go out. So clean up, give your wife an excuse to pretty up for a real date, and take her ballroom dancing. It's just like magic.

Back in the 80s, I had a friend that was into Big Band dancing. She took us to see the Count Basie Orchestra. Big Auditorium, huge dance floor, NO speakers or mikes. We were hit with a wall of sound, best night spent dancing ever.

I'm not quite old enough to have seen this stuff in person. In the 80's I had Turner Classic Movies and American Movie Classics to watch these films. What I can tell you is that those routines, they practiced every day for 3 hours a day at least. It builds stamina and the moves become second nature.

This is like the best Nicholas Brothers routine ever! You picked a good one! I'm still flabbergasted every time I see it.

Firstly, filmed in ONE TAKE! Secondly the Nicholas Brothers were the BEST. In the 80s Gregory Hines made a film called "Tap" and in it appeared the last remaining older black tap dancers ( about 8 of them), including the last Nicholas Brother, all the men in their 70s and 80s. Their dancing was STILL exceptional and they could give ANY present day dancer a run for their money!! These black performers were embraced by Hollywood but often couldn't walk through theatres and clubs to appear and had to come in by the kitchens to go on stage to entertain people. And STILL they could do THIS!!❤❤❤❤😊

Tap dancing is such a lost art, I feel like today we hardly have any tap dancers anymore. The Nicholas Brothers did such an amazing job on this routine.

Cab was a brilliant musician and king of scat singing. And the Nicholas Brothers - incredible dancing. This is from Stormy Weather - a great movie with an all black cast. Lena Horne, Cab, the Nicholas Bros...

You should consider taking up swing dancing. I didn’t realize it had made a “come back” until our kids started going to swing dances back in the early 2010’s. It was almost entirely the home school community doing this. But now there are swing dances clubs (an actual club/restaurant.) Our married kids go (there are some here in St Louis.)

Everything old is new again. I was born in the 50s, and movies featuring this kind of music from the 30s, 40s, and 50s were on tv every day. Newer films only aired after they had their run in the theaters. “Saturday Night at the Movies” was the show for the first time movie tv broadcasts. Kids today don’t get to see the excellent old stuff that happened before their time.

Back in the day, people got dressed to go out to eat, to go to the club, to go to church even to ride on an airplane, it is just how it was done. Big Band and Jazz from the 1920-40's is awesome music and its purpose was to get you up and dance, these people were really talented and if you look at the NAMES of these people from that era, it is just replete with star after star. The first time I saw this film of the Nicholas Brothers was in the 70-80's and my reaction was the same as yours each time they did the splits.... OOUCH! How incredibly athletic and stretched out were they to be able to do that over and over again, usually 2 or 3 shows per night, day after day after day!!! Then did the upslide into standing position and kept dancing, wow, just awesome. I could do one of the jump split moves... and then the ambulance would have to come bring me to the hospital! LOL Technology really ended this because it allowed the sounds of a small band to make the same sounds as the entire orchestra in the 50's and now you have one singer on autotune playing all of the sounds of an entire band and fixing her awful singing. If you want to see more awesome dancing from way back when you can check out the movie Hellzapoppin' (1941) featuring Whitey's Lindy Hoppers w/ Dancers' Names - Harlem Congaroos. www.imdb.com/title/tt0033704/ Some great music and lindy hop dancing from some of the best ever. I actually danced with both Frankie Manning and Norma Miller in the '90;s.

I saw Cab Calloway in his later years in the Blues Brothers movie. I later found old movies with him and the two dancers on tv. I love the classic dancing. It’s just got something more.

I did a full on 🛑 when I saw who you were going to review! 🤣🤣 I knew it would blow your mind! 🎉🎉

The Nicholas Brothers deserve some type of special award for their continution to dance. When you can flawlessly do something that no one else has ever done, you are at the zenith of your career. Even Fred Astaire was in awe of these fabulously talented men. Thank God we can see this today!

The athleticism of the Nicholas Brothers is mind boggling. The musicians, the leader, Cab Calloway. There are no words. This was the time of my parents, but these movies played on our black & white TV when I was a kid. During the summer, they’d play every day for a week. Stormy Weather, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Singing in the Rain. The musicals were fire. Loved it then, love it now.

I’m so glad to see you fall in love with the musical performances my Mother and Dad loved. Their love for it shaped my own. I’m 75 now, and I can still feel it. Best always, Guy

Great reaction! I think you would also enjoy "Nicholas Brothers - I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo." Not only do they dance, but sing too. "Minnie the Moocher" by Cab Calloway is another amazing performance to watch.

I'm glad SOME younger people appreciate the real classics.

I absolutely love the old Hollywood musicals 🥰 I've always been fascinated with the tap dancing of the Nicholas Brothers 🥰 No one else could dance like them and do the drop down and pop back up 😱😘🥰

I watch the reactions whenever I see this song and dance shown because it is so amazing. This is the first time I have seen the colorized version. I think I still prefer the original black and white for the authenticity, but this was interesting. I am also a fan of the song, Stormy Weather, sung by Lena Horne, and would sing it around the house as a young girl. I believe this movie was made when movies were still segregated, for the most part, so I feel blessed that even those of us who are melanin-challenged can enjoy this treasure filled with so much talent. I have to be honest; part of the reason I enjoy watching these reactions is seeing the male reactors' faces and hearing what they say during the dance splits (I am not a dancer, so am unsure of the correct term). 😆

The Nicholas Brothers were absolutely fantastic dancers. Their style was called flash dancing. They danced with another great artist Gene Kelly in the movie The Pirate. Even Gene had trouble keeping up with them. They actually started their routine when they were youths and worked in Vaudeville until they broke into movies. Cab Calloway was an amazing band leader and singer in his own right. I think one of his last movie appearances was The Blues Brothers. His music was called Swing which was very popular during WWII. Great to see young people discover all 3 of these wonderful artists ❤

My mother, born 1920 saw all these old movies at the picture theatre. Then as a teenager mum & I watched every musical on tv we could find. I’ve watched this one at least 10 times. Happy memories of mum & I watching so many old American movies on TV together. 10:26 The remedy for your nostalgia is to keep on watching them. I’m 70 now and still thoroughly enjoying so many old brilliant musicals.

It's so fun watching people doing reactions to things that I have seen before, like this video. Just waiting to see the reaction to the big move or note or what have you. It never gets old.. lol

Love this video! These guys are beyond insanely talented! It’s almost mind boggling how amazing they are!

At 75, NEVER saw Any of these GREAT Performers in person. HOWEVER, We were able to obtain a TV (NOT an easy possession during My youth ). DID see Cab, and the NICHOLAS BROS. perform. SO AWESOME, SO EXCITING!

Cindy's Dad here. I am a white 70 year old man and anytime I hear people talk about Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly I refer them to the Nicholas Brothers. Fred and Gene were great dancers but Fayard and Harold were dance gods. Michael Flatley may be Lord of the Dance, but these gentlemen would make him weep, and rightly so. There is another clip with the brothers from Orchestra Wives and they perform with the Glen Miller Orchestra. Look it up. When you take your wife dancing, learn the Lindy Hop. I think you will like it. Pax.

Look for Dancing class. It both you and they wife can do together. They have swing and ballroom classes.

Cab Calloway was ALIVE when I was younger. He was "found" as in on tv a lot as people could not believe he was still performing, and yes jumping around and singing with such verve at "his age". I discovered him then. I bought a cassette tape with him singing and also other great Black performers, and discovered a whole new world. No RU-vid, but I would drive in my first beat up hand me down car, with his tape and the of 1930's and 40's Black performers playing.

I did not grow up in this era BUT I did grow up watching these guys on Saturday afternoon movies. The Nicholas Brothers we dance since they were kids and there are old movies with them as kids. Cab Calloway also played a part in the original movie THE BLUES BROTHERS

Thank you for wishing to bring back "class"! Not only is it very rare now,, it's not even appreciated when people see it. This movie also starred Lena Horne (singer) and Bill Robinson (dancer). Talk about class!!

Hubs and I (married 46 years, together 48 years)..were disco ducks in the 70's. We still dressed well back then (heck, we dressed up to get on a plane! ). Stylish but well. My advice is dress as if you were going to church or a funeral when you take your sweety out to dance. You will show them all up....and how they should be dressed...it will be epic! (Slacks, a nice button down shirt, dress shoes (no sneaks). A pretty dress, and heels.) See the movie Saturday Night Fever with John Travolta.

The term for when he spits a bunch of syllables that aren't really words is called "scat" or "scatting" and Cab Calloway was one of the absolute best. -- If you haven't watched The Blues Brothers (film) you need to run, not walk, to see it. It single-handedly rejuvenated the careers of Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin and several jazz and blues artists. It's a whacky movie but the tunes are ace! Also, if you have never checked out the old Hollywood dance/musical films with folks like Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, and Gene Kelly, you just don't know what you are missing!

I'm 62 so I didn't grow up with this stuff, but the Los Angeles Conservancy has for many decades taken over the theaters in Downtown Los Angeles and put on shows each week in June. I was a tour guide in those theaters so I worked those events. This was in the 80's so about 40 years after this kind of show ended. We were in Mary Pickford's United Artist Theater (it is now called the Theater at the Ace Hotel). This theater is magnificent. You know how in some old theaters there is an Organ that can be raised up out of the orchestra pit up to stage level for performances? That is called an organ lift and they were quite common in the silent theaters. Well this theater had an organ lift but it also has an Orchestra Lift! The entire orchestra sat in the pit on a moveable floor that could be raised and lowered while the orchestra was playing. We had the orchestra lift in the down positiion. We lowerred the lights and started the music, then everyone could hear a large group of tap dancers dancing but nobody could see them. Then we started the orchestra lift up and slowly raised up a troup of dancing girls who were all original dancers from the 1940''s and earlier. These women were 70 to 95 years old and they looked fantastic. They were wearing matching costumes and did a whole routine for us. They were a professional troup ccalled the "Ginger Snaps". I bet they are all gone by now. We did vaudeville type shows with a live orchestra, some shorts, some cartoons, then a feature film. They are the best.

This is the kind of thing I was raised on. I'm 60 years young and when my parents, aunts, uncles; that whole generation, said they were going to dinner and a show, this is what they were talking about! Imho, the Nicholas Brothers were world class athletes. They had to be in order to perform the way they did, especially with their body control. Those older folks who saw them swore they had grease on the soles of their shoes in order to pull off those phenomenal moves! Also, imho, Cab Calloway laid the groundwork for rapping with those rhymes he'd throw. This was first class entertainment!! It makes my heart feel so good to see some of the younger generation such as yourself looking up and appreciating what our forebears put down. As for the question you asked at the end of the video, my remedy is simple. Immerse yourself in the music, especially the big band era. Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey; all of it! Dial up videos featuring the jitterbug and other dances, then maybe try them out with your wife. Absorb as much of that culture as you can. You won't regret it! My forebears always were neat and stylish. Give a look to how they dressed, even if it was just to go to the supermarket or movies. Nowadays, far too many people dress like they literally just rolled out of bed. You were right about class and style. The older generation had that in abundance! Thank you for this video. I was as much entertained by you as I was Cab Calloway and The Nicholas Brothers, which btw, I've seen this at least a couple dozen times. I was laughing with you as they were doing their routine all the time thinking, my man, you ain't seen nothing yet! Much appreciated.

Love both Cab Calloway and the Nicolas brothers. I think I originally discovered Cab Calloway in the 70s as a small child watching reruns of the old Betty Boop cartoons. I’m so happy to see more people discovering and enjoying their talent. Also, the fact that they can pop up so gracefully from those splits has always blown my mind. Also depending on where you live there are places in big cities, I know in LA and Denver there are clubs and balls where they dress up and do swing dancing etc. I took swing classes at one time and it was so much fun. Find the vintage clothing shops and swing dance classes and you will find the people who know.

Now the Nicholas Bros are doing the REAL Nutcracker 😂! My Pop saw them all in Harlem at the Cotton Club and The Savoy in the 30’s!!!!

The Nicholas Brothers were amazing. On another note: if you want to have a chuckle check out Danny Kaye in 'White Christmas' where he has a routine bemoaning the fact that 'real' dancing was being replaced by choreography. The scene has Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen, and John Brascia. It's both funny and has great dancing.

The Nicholas Brothers started dancing/tap dancing as young children. Every Hollywood star and dancer ALL agreed they were phenomenal, black AND white alike. Especially today. Many well known dance stars (Gregory Hines, & Sammy Davis Jr, to name 2) this century have said NO one could compare with the Nicholas Brothers dancing abilities today.

Old movies are things i've introduced to my children from the get go. These movies were old when i was a kid. I loved this stuff! The Nicholas brothers were amazing! Anyone who actually remembers these things at the time they were made are probably around 90yrs old. My youngest son, 26yrs, watches old films on his own these days. He doesn't need prompting, he loves them!

Growing up in the 1950s, I loved watching old black and white classics. Those which featured dancing were particular favorites. Some stared or featured Cab Calloway so I know of his many talents from watching them. Note that *_Stormy Weather_* also featured Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, Fats Waller, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ellie Anderson - all greats in their own right. Imagine my thrill when I found myself touring with a theatrical production whose cast included Cab's now deceased daughter, Chris Calloway. She spoke often about her father many times telling stories from her childhood and the folks who frequented her home. Truly cherish my memories of her and her amazingly talented father.

I was born in 1977. My mom and dad were born in 1943 and 1944 respectively. The vast majority of my generation has never seen anything like this. It was “before their time“. But I was introduced to it thanks to my older parents. The funny thing is, all they did was introduce it to me. But I kept diving into it. This will tell you how big Cab Calloway was. I was first introduced to him on Sesame Street. So when I started seeing him in the old black-and-white movies, to me, he was always “that guy from Sesame Street“. I have seen this clip from this movie dozens of times. Literally several dozen times. But this is the first time I’ve seen it colorized. This is also the first time that I realized the entirety of the people on screen were black. I knew the Nicholas brothers, Cab Calloway, and the big band were black. But I didn’t realize their audience was black, too. So my mind is actually blown right now. That’s so cool! But it was so funny when you said, “these boys are really going to freaking crush it… Let’s see what happens…” I have to say that I just laughed and said, “you are not ready for this!” 😂😂😂 I am so glad you enjoyed this so much! This is bringing back fond memories from my childhood. Even though this was EXTREMELY before my time, it’s what I watched as a kid. Even in college in the late 90s and early 2000’s, I was introducing my friends to old movies. Everyone that I’m still friends with on Facebook still sending me clips from Singin’ In The Rain, because that’s my favorite movie of all time, and other old movies. None of them would have ever watched it or any of the other movies that I introduced them to if it wasn’t for my love for the old movies that my parents showed me. So now they get nearly as excited as I do about it whenever they see an old movie that I showed them and they can’t wait to share that moment with me. It’s very cool! I wish you luck as you explore this awesomeness. Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts on things like this. It makes me so happy watching people appreciate this old stuff! Much love!!! 💙💙💙

Stop freaking out, they are some of the best dancers ever witnessed, not to mention Cab Calloway and his band , JUST WOW.

My grandparents had a dance band in the 1930s and 40s. They opened for not only Cab Callaway, but also Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Harry James, and Artie Shaw, among others. Though I was born in 1964, I grew up on this music. I became a trombone player at age 9 in 1973. A decade later, I had my own jazz band. And yes, you can do that with a trombone lol. If you want to learn more about this genre, the best way is to immerse yourself in it. Get your hands on charts by Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Artie Shaw, the Dorsey Brothers, Woody Herman, and more. While the dancing isn't sexualized, this genre is the sexiest music ever performed. And no autotune baby. I recommend you listen to "Blue Flame" by Woody Herman. It's slow and amazingly sexy, but not raunchy.

Even before my time at age 68. One of my favorite Sunday pleasures is to find an old Fred Astaire and/or Gene Kelly musical on TV just to watch the dancing. Gene Kelly dancing to Singing in the Rain is pure fabulousness!! Take a look.

Fun fact about my family: My maternal grandmother was born 2 years before the movie this clip is from came out. She grew up in a time when dressing nice was far more common, her father was almost never seen without his suit and fedora on (an actual fedora hat and not a trilby which most people call a fedora), her husband, my grandfather, was born in the late 1930s. As I grow older a part of me wants to be like my great grandpa and dress and look as nice as he did in the old family photos. I was born in the mid 80s.

I fell in love with the Nicholas brothers back in 1969, I was 5 at the time . Watching, Flying Down to Rio, with my mom. When they started dancing I was enchanted! I sought them out my whole life. I've seen every movie every newsreel TV clip they've ever done. I've never fallen out of love with them. It was wonderful to see your expression as you watch them. I had no idea someone of your age could appreciate them much less Cab Calloway . The King of that funky swing! Stay cool

This era in American music was incomparable. The number of high quality bands and amazing artists was beyond description. Cab Calloway was one the most entertaining people in music history. You have to check out the video of his band doing "Minnie The Moocher", his finest work. No one was as lively as he was. But it wasn't just him, it was Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Fats Waller and a whole raft of unbelievably talented artists. Then there were Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, Ada Brown and so many others. You should watch the movie Stormy Weather from 1943, it has almost all of the names I have mentioned above and more. As far as the Nicholas brothers go, they were magicians of the dance floor, doing things that looked impossible to do. Besides starting out with their natural talent, they had to literally become acrobats to perform the leaps, vaults and dancing full blast on very small or very slippery surfaces. They were one of a kind. Another very talented dancer was Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, who made a career out of co-starring with child star Shirley Temple. I met both Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers at a private jazz club I belonged to back in the mid 1970's in Greenwich Village Both Harold and Fayard Nicholas were real gentlemen of an earlier time. Cab Calloway was exactly the way he was shown in the movies, a true showman. The world was a lesser place when Cab Calloway passed in 1994 and Harold and Fayard in 2000 and 2006, respectively. I always felt I was born too late and would have loved the era from the 1930's and 40's. Seb, keep digging into these artists and music that have been forgotten, you will be better off for it. The Big Band era was also great, with Benny Goodman, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Kay Kyser, Glenn Miller and all the great bands from then. There were also an amazing number of great singers from then that never got the publicity they deserved. This is music history and should always be remembered. And go grab your wife and dance !!!!! And if not swing or jazz, there's always Latin from the legends of the past, Ray Barreto, Tito Puente, Machito, Eddie Palmieri and Mongo Santamaria. Do a little Mambo, Cha Cha, Meringue, Pasa Doble, Argentine Tango and whatever else that floats your boats, lol.

As you were freaking out over all the little jumps, I was thinking, wait until the end. I'd be in the hospital for weeks. They must have synthetic legs. Amazing

Vaudeville was stage acts that traveled the country. They could use the same act for a whole year because there was no tv so they could hone and polish the act until it was perfect. Then big bands started to be popular and were incorporated into the genre. This is when film was beginning and jazz was birthing. These people were the ultimate performers. Some of them grew up from birth on the stage and their versatility and professionalism showed.

You asked about having a feeling of nostalgia for a time and experience you never had (because of your age and era). Speaking as someone around your age (I think? I’m an older millennial myself), the best remedy is to find your local swing dance scene and take some lessons like I did. I’ve been dancing Lindy Hop Swing (the granddaddy of swing dances ) for over 20 years now, and it’s kept me young and healthy and fit all through my 30/ and into my 40s. Every major US city should have a Lindy Hop or East Coast Swing (danced to jazz/big band music) scene, and if for some reason it doesn’t, there’s bound to be a West Coast Swing (Funk, R&B, Soul), Blues Dance (Blues and Country), or Salsa/Latin (Guess, hehe) scene. Fun partner/ballroom dancing is everywhere! You also spoke of nostalgia vs “the now”, and how things of the past could be relevant today. With that, I give you this, the Montreal Swing Riot Invitational Dance Battle 2015. A crew of “vintage” dancers (dancing Lindy Hop, Charleston, and other jazz styles) vs modern street dancers (pop n lock, break, crunk, whacking, liquid) in a exhibition dance-off. Part 1 (Team Introductions) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HPeLLa3kfOk.htmlsi=nUK3d0HLCmH2qfud Part 2 (Own Style) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--qn0DmTkpHQ.htmlsi=sbikrJexZjEneOF8 Part 3 (Crossover style, and Finale) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7O6kPEPOoaE.htmlsi=dembVDphaOBvPW7Q When compared side by side, you can clearly see, despite how different the styles are, how much they are alike, and how jazz steps from 100 years ago are still the foundation of modern hip hop dance. Just like how hip hop owes its existence to funk and R&B, which owes its existence to soul and rock n roll, which owes its existence to jazz and blues, the the dance is a thread of history weaving back through time. I hope you will enjoy!

Cab is one of the greatest to ever do it, if you're looking for a fun way to be introduced to a BUNCH of ridiculously talented musicians in one of the most musically stacked movie casts of all time, consider watching Blues Brothers. Great comedy, over the top fun action, and musical numbers from like ALL the greats including Cab who performs a KILLER Minnie the Moocher

This movie "Stormy Weather" is a great place to start. Lena Horn is magnificent and worth the watch alone. I am a 67yo man and remember watching these old movies on the late show. "Showboat" and "Singing In The Rain" are also good choices.

Just as effective in its original black and white, they were masters of the class. Cab Calloway was freakin incredible, that scar was his to own. But notice the directors use of shadow. Brilliant.

Seize the moment Sebs! Take Ali dancing! Go even further and take lessons in all varieties of dance! Ballroom dancing, country dancing, line dancing, disco, up to current trends. That will be great for You and Ali and for marriage. When your little ones are old enough, take them dancing too! Your first Father-Daughter dance will be amazing!

Old school real talent! Fantastic!! I can't imagine working that hard putting in that much cardio & smiling the whole time!! Our grandparents & Great grandparents were made of sterner stuff than we.