Shirley Ellis : The Nitty Gritty 1963 HD 

It's hard to watch anyone other than the guy in the middle.

It's like he's alone on that stage

I find myself trying to watch the other dancers, but my eyes won't leave the guy in the front. He is simply exceptional.

His name is Bobby Banas. He danced as a Jet in "West Side Story", the lead chimney sweep in "Mary Poppins", he did the "Diamonds are a girl's Best Friend" dance with Marilyn Monroe...hard to name a Hollywood dance musical in the early 60s that Bobby wasn't in, and always hard to watch anyone else. Very talented guy.

But the lady dancing alongside him….wow💪she’s amazing too…you go girl.☺️

I can't put my finger on it, but Bobby Banas' dancing is in a class of its own - he throws his whole self into it and it's a joy to watch.

The guy in the front Robert "Bobby" Banas (born September 22, 1933) is an American dancer and actor who worked in movies such as West Side Story (1961), Always (1989) and Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986). A dance he choreographed for the Shirley Ellis song "The Nitty Gritty" and performed (with five other dancers) on The Judy Garland Show in 1964, drew him renewed attention on RU-vid in the 2010s, where copies of it had been viewed more than 25 million times by mid-2023.[1][2] I love this and have watched it over 20 times.

I think I’ve watched this video over 100 times by now. Bobby Banas was just amazing.

I watch this video of Bobby Banas all the time because his energy makes me feel happy.

I can't take my eyes off Bobby Banas and such style...such fired up dancing--this is becoming one of my favorite videos on You Tube....great to watch over and over again

This guy in the middle was a famous dancer from West Side Story. His name is Robert Banas. Excellent dancer! He's now 89 .

I watched this several times, it doesn’t get old. I think Bobby Banas is one of the greats in dancers, along with Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.

His energy flies through the screen all these years later. The jerky movement was incorporated into 60's dance from a dance called the jerk as I recall. He's still alive, is around 83 years old. Google him. Wow Bobby! P.S. He was already 30 years old in this film.

The male dancer in front is Bobby Banas, and he is the very best dancer.👏👏👏👍

This type of dancing never fails to make me smile 😀

The male dancer in front...that's me in the elevator when I leave the office on Fridays.

This is stunning. Can't find it anymore out in the world. Why 56 thumbs down makes no sense. Must be the Russians.

The guy in front is Bobby Banas and this dude dances with his whole body including his hair. He definitely is fun to watch.

The guy in the middle is tearing up the floor, but manages to still look good in suit no matter how he jerks or contorts! Love it! And the dance!

robert banas cool dancer he was in west side story love this clip he taught john travolta moves for saturday night fever movie

Classic. Bobby Banas choreographed that scene, but wasn't supposed to dance in it. One of the dancers fell ill and Bobby replaced him last minute. He shines. Anyone saying this wasn't dancing is just trolling and/ or knows nothing about '60s culture. He has quite the career.

The guy in the middle is a famous dancer and choreographer. His name is Robert "Bobby" Banas. He's quite famous. Read about him in this Wikipedia link. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Banas

If my auntie knew how much her music really touched people. I love coming back here and seeing all the people commenting it’s a shame I didn’t get to meet her singing runs in the family

The lead dancer is the Famous Bobby Banas, choreographer and dancer to numerous Broadway hits, musicals, songs and movies. The gentleman to his right if you're looking at the screen was also a renowned dancer who was dating a beautiful young aspiring actress named Goldi Hawn at the time.

i dont get these comments. I love the dance and the energy of the dancers. Especially the front dancers where one is called bobby banas appearently. How can anyone say this is bad dancers when im sitting here smiling for almost 2 minutes just because of the positivity that dancers put with this dance. Amazing!

Why would anyone give a "thumbs down"? Even of you don't like the music or style of dance ... appreciate the talent that went into this.

When I was in boot camp, this is the song we woke up to.

It's amazing how catchy this song still is

*The young man up front & center is Professional Dancer Robert Banas. He is still alive & doing well at 87. Robert choreographed this song. He was born in New York City Sept 22.* Edited update: since I last updated information on Mr Banas 5 months ago he is now 88 & kicking. "literally" with them hyper-lego's..lol 🕺🤸

It’s 1 am and instead of sleeping I’m watching the nitty gritty on repeat

Bobby put his all into this dance, you don't even notice the other dancers

I can't get enough of watching this dance. I watch it every night.

If I ever have access to a time machine this will be the first place I'd go back to!! Who's going with me?✊😃🤘

That male dancer in front is an incredible dancer. His expressive moves and impeccable rhythm took this dance to another level. Although the other dancers did a fine job, he completely stole the show with his riveting interpretation. Simply superb.

He is totally in the groove!🤣

This guy on the middle is one of the jets on the west side story.He is an awesome dancer

This is the greatest thing on the Internet.

The guy in the front is the famous dancer/ choreographer Bobby Banas. He's 85 years old now. He was an incredible dancer!

I was born after the 1960s but I love this song and dance routine. It’s infectious!

I´m surprised with the negative comments, I think the dancing is very creative and cool, I liked this, 😃 if someone dance like this in a dancing place would be a popular guy immediatelly.

Brilliant Bobby Banas in the front. He's the reason the audience is cheering. He shows the difference between learning the steps and blowing it out of the water.

As an African American college educated female, who grew up with music like this , we all danced, from the eldest to the youngest at gatherings; I can say UNEQUIVOCALLY, the male dancer, I think his name is Bobby Banas, KILLED IT. I can watch him dance all day, lol.

The guy in the center is actually the best dancer.

My goal for this summer is to learn this dance.

Bob Banas!! The quintessential dancer of the 1960s! Unreal...

He hit everything it's impossible to not watch him through the whole thing .

The guy in the middle is great.

BOBBY BANAS! You are amazing!

Bobby Banas is fantastic. Danced in so many movies, including west side story.

Bobby Banas could not have imagined in 1963 that in 2020 his dancing would be helping people set aside Covid lockdown anxiety for at least a few minutes and remember what fun feels like. It’s hard to take your eyes off him. Every move is so loose yet so controlled. Masterful!

The guy at the front is *gifted* - almost to the level of showing the other dancers up.

I was a dancer and creative dancing is the way talented dancers develop creative steps. I love how they dance. I love dancers. Today not seeing it. Do kids dance anymore?

Just keep in mind Bobby Bana's partner kept right up with him....in heels lol

The guy who gets the most attention here, Bobby Banas, had a long career as a dancer and appeared in a number of movies. But this short TV clip - which he choreographed - from a forgotten episode of "The Judy Garland Show" made him the most famous he ever was, after it began appearing on RU-vid from 2015. He's still alive, now 87 years old, and has gotten to enjoy his unexpected fame late in life. This dance was supposed to be exaggerated for comic effect, which is why he's being so vigorous and animated.

My 1 year old great-grand son loves this video.

He is so into it, he doesn't even look at his partner, he makes the other guys look like they are standing still!

IAM black in I luved the entire dance in the dude in front is iconic lmao 🤣 wat a show ‼️💯💕

He was the choreographer and at the last minute the lead guy was a no show so Bobby just ran out and LIT IT UP.

THAT YOUNG MAN IS DANCING HIS OWN STYLE AND GETTING DOWN!!!!!

He is ONE HELL of a great dancer! Takes my breath away 57 years later.

The man in the front middle is Robert Banas,he is now in his late 80s, made a few movie appearances, kissed marlyn monroe, my respects Bobby

Bobby Banas is phenomenal with his moves. To think he’s 89 years old now is just mind blowing.

Get it :) They are so adorable, I would love to see this new generation dance this to another level :) what a fun song.

I watch this every time I need to get Into a good mood.

Wow! Bobby is amazing! I could watch him dance all day! What a talent!❤️🌹 Let' s revive this dance.

OMG I'm positively bananas for Bobby Banas!

Lord he stole the show- keep coming back to watch him dance

... Guys in coats, shirts and ties, women in dresses… Refreshing, very refreshing.

That guy in the middle was mezmerising! He was literally jumping right out of his skin. I LOVED it! 😎😁💖👍👍👏👏

Bobby Banas is the ultimate in this performance. Luv the way Banas shakes his head like a Beatle! The female partner is the best as well-very fluid complementing Banas. She also flailed her dress unlike the other female dancers which added even more umph to The Nitty Gritty. I can watch this often & never get tired of it. It’s short in length but couldn’t be any more jam packed than it is.

the rest of the dancers be saying"who the hell gave tim the red bull again"

The cameraman keeps zeroing in on the front dancer because with his herky-jerky movements, he not only nails the dance, he elevates it to the same level as Fred Astaire's Continental, John Travolta's You Should Be Dancing, and Michael Jackson's Moonwalk. I think I've watched this 20 times already. It's exciting, and makes me grin ear to ear.

Dancer in the middle is a legend. Google his story

I just love watching the guy dance!

some people follow the steps, some people have the fire inside

I could watch this everyday. They are all good dancers but Bobby Banas is amazing. ❤️💜🥰

Bobby Banas! Awesome dance moves!

I faved this one the first time I saw it a few years ago and keep comin' back to it. I've probably watched it at least 100 times. You can tell by the comments that not everyone can recognize genius. I wonder if Bobby Banas wanted everyone kind of doin' their own thing? They're all doin' the basic steps together some of the time but they are wildly different in others. It's almost like watching beginner, intermediate, and advanced versions. Watch that back left couple to learn the basic steps. They are good, but they don't put the extra flavor on it. 🎶🎵🎶🎵

the kid in front is just mesmerizing. cant get enough.

I'm a young millennial and I swear I'm going to learn every step of this routine one day 🥺😆🙏🏾💃🏾🎊 (Retro-fashionista & dance enthusiast here, from Jamaica ☺💖)

One of the greatest television performances EVER.

They all are accomplished dancers, but that fella in the front has taken this to a whole nother level.

Man , what an.incredible dancer. Yes, he steals the show & should . He dances to the beat every second of the song. He is right on target with every move, every step !!! Makes we want to.get movin & Groovin !!!! .'THANK YOU BOBBY. !!!

Gets better every time I watch it. Especially Bobby Banas, the boy in the front who doesn’t care where he is- because he IS the dance. I’m following him now on Facebook. Still alive. Still dancin. He went into dance with Debbie Reynolds, Marilyn Monroe, Duck Van Dyke in Mary Poppin and endless other musicals. He kisses Marilyn in one movie. I’m so glad when I found all that out, because I could feel the difference in that lad. Feel it going through his body, like it doesn’t for everyone. He talks now about his life and how at age 3, he’d stand in doorway between two rooms and make it a spot lit stage, and how he couldn’t not dance when music was on. I knew it.

I like watching the guy dance, I couldn't take my eyes off of him.

"Dance like nobody is watching." Bobby Banas

That guy up front beat my hour workout in the gym in 2 minutes!😂

I've learned that the man in the fronts name is Bobby Banas and he appeared in many musicals over the years. Amazing!

The couple in the front are amazing!

The young man in front…. OWNS IT!

Bob Banas dances here with the wild abandon and exuberance of a child -- It's mesmerizing. You can't watch him without smiling and feeling the sheer joy of being alive.

Can't stop watchin,' Bobbys got it goin' on !

You can tell from the comments who has no idea how to dance because they have no idea how hard this is. If you don't like the choreography, that's one thing (although this is how people used to dance if you ever watch old movies), but these people are all really amazing dancers, especially Bobby Banas.

Man that's bogie wooky Rock Ms Ellis took it to a Galaxy Level. I love that song. I'm 72 I never thought I could live this long and watch this on my PHONE. That's One Giant Leap for Mankind.

I did a little research and discover this is from a 1964 Judy Garland TV show. The shows dancers are led by Bobby Banas, he choreographed it. On Sept 23, 2019 Bobby will be 86 years old! Happy Birthday Bobby! I’m not usually impressed by dancers, the variety shows back then had them all the time but this one just knocks me out, no doubt due to Shirly Ellis’ great tune!

My brother just passed away he use to play this every morning . It really lift my spirits right now

Clearly the 2 up front should be up front. Their energy is well above the rest. I love how animated they are in their movements.

Did some basic research: That awesome dancer is Robert (Bobby) Banas Born 1933 in Pennsylvania. He was a dancer and choreographer for numerous movies, musicals in the 50s, 60s and 70s. He is still alive as of this writing. He apparently choreographed this dance on the spot just before this live show aired in 1964.

Bobby Banas has got this down pat. You think he's just having fun but if you do the count and break it down - he's flawless!!

watching this is addictive.