I’m not a dancer.
But I’ve been lucky to work with dancers and choreographers who can create moves to tell a story, set a mood, create striking imagery, and more.
And the people I’ve worked with have been brilliant at contributing ideas, or interpreting some of my ideas (some planned months in advance, some inspired on the spot!) and bringing them to life.
So I’m going to write a little about choreography and dance that inspires.
Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
It seems obvious to choose the all time classic “Singin in the Rain” but Gene Kelly“s athleticism and rapport with the camera (and in this case Cyd Charisse) is fabulous. The Broadway Melody sequence in the film is around 13 minutes long, and is a wonder. As is the film, co-directed with long time collaborator Stanley Donen.
Other clips online can give you a flavour of his and Stanley Donen’s imaginative choreography, from him dancing with his own reflection in “Cover Girl“, with animated Jerry Mouse in “Anchors Aweigh“, and a graceful scene from “Its Always Fair Weather” on roller skates which becomes a tap number!
Their working relationship decayed, but at their height, both men created on screen magic.
Bob Fosse and Cabaret
As a dancer and choreographer Bob Fosse created such powerful imagery with the human body that even 50 years later the movement is startling. a protege of Jerome Robbins, Fosse soon exhibited his choreography in the cinema through films he directed like “Sweet Charity” and “All that Jazz“. His film of Cabaret is a classic (hopefully one day I’ll have the chance to direct the show).
This clip from the film really shows the rigour he demanded from his performers. I’ve never been in a bohemian nightclub in Berlin in the destructive and excessive pre WW2 era, but the movement here is decadent and sleazy and hypnotic and it surely creates an impression of what that scene was like.
Jerome Robbins and West Side Story
Dancer and choreographer Jerome Robbins is hailed as one of the most innovative choreographers of the 20th Century. Versed in classical ballet, and part of New York City ballet with Georges Balanchine, Robbins experimented with current styles.
In “West Side Story” the gritty New York musical version of Romeo and Juliet, Robbins fused ballet with jazz – seen through the finger snapping, foot stamping and furiously exhilarating Latin rhythms from Leonard Bernstein‘s score.
This is my favourite musical. Part of the reason is the brilliant choreography. I could have chosen the exuberance of “America”, the astonishing “Dance at the Gym” or the Jets owning the streets in the Overture. But I’ve chosen “Cool” because it is menacing and thrilling and drives the characters and story along.
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
Many people are aware of the famously reported quote about Fred Astaire’s first screen test for RKO Studios: “Can’t act. Can’t sing. Balding. Can dance a little.”
Fred Astaire proved himself a worthy film star over decades, but the ten films he made with Ginger Rogers are legendary. Astaire moves so fluidly its like he barely touches the floor.
Ginger Rogers, 24 at the time of this film, is a worthy match and you can’t take your eyes of of her. She would go on to win an Oscar, but is perhaps best remembered for her dance roles. As a cartoonist Bob Thaves once said:
Dance director: Hermes Pan.
Galen Hooks
I wasn’t aware of the choreographer until the video appeared as a recommendation on YouTube, but this is fantastic. The choreography here is soaked in attitude and confidence. Or maybe you’d interpret that differently, and that’s fine.
The music is a bonus as it’s RIVER by Bishop Briggs.
The video is filmed by: Tim Milgram.
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