These scenes tapped their way into our memories. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the greatest, most impressive, and/or memorable tap sequences on film.
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00:00 [singing]
00:12 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the greatest, most impressive,
00:18 and/or memorable tap sequences on film.
00:21 Some showgirls used to practice their routines in here. I think it did something to the machinery.
00:25 Oh, I love it! In the Ritz elevator, all you do is go up and down!
00:30 With stars like Jimmy Stewart and Eleanor Powell in your movie, you can't go wrong.
00:39 [singing]
00:49 This musical clip starts with Stewart singing before his co-stars take the floor.
00:53 Buddy Epson then steps in for an impressive start to the tap.
00:57 [singing]
01:04 Inspiring the others to join him, the dancer stands out among an eclectic and talented cast.
01:09 The music perfectly complements this happy-go-lucky scene,
01:12 getting the audience in the mood for some very underrated choreography.
01:16 Epson on his own packs enough into this dance to fill an entire movie.
01:21 The robust ensemble makes perfect use of the set,
01:24 giving this dreamy number a romantic and upbeat feeling.
01:48 For this Irving Berlin classic, Fred Astaire dons a dapper suit and top hat,
01:52 adding even more special flair to this marvelous solo dance.
01:56 Swinging around and tapping like mad,
01:58 Astaire eventually dances with several versions of himself.
02:02 The effect makes for an extraordinary background to the already entertaining routine.
02:15 But this isn't an instance of a special effect masking a weakness in the performer.
02:20 Astaire's pure talent alone is enough to ensure you can't take your eyes off of this marvelous number.
02:25 Putting on the wrists gets the proper treatment here
02:28 as a true standard performed by one of Hollywood's musical icons.
02:32 [Music]
03:01 In this adaptation of the Robin Hood tale,
03:03 Sammy Davis Jr.'s character Will trashes a gambling den in song and dance.
03:07 Blending tap dancing and marksmanship is a stroke of genius,
03:11 as the sharp taps are given special emphasis through the use of emphatic gunshots.
03:15 Skilled with his hands and feet,
03:27 Davis uses his personal charisma and killer tap skills to make destruction fun and entertaining.
03:32 The dancer slides and glides his way around before performing on the roulette table.
03:37 With his lightning quick steps, Davis never stops impressing in this scene.
03:54 His amazing ability to jump on and off the bar is just one of several incredible feats in this number.
04:00 Whenever a film has both Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers,
04:18 audiences can rest easy knowing they're in good hands.
04:22 I'm very anxious for Mr. Gordon to see this because I think it's the most interesting experiment.
04:25 Now, how did you say that last step went?
04:27 This duet from Swing Time captures all of their chemistry, technical skills, and unmatched charisma.
04:33 Swinging around the set, the two are able to show off as a pair and individually.
04:38 They dance side by side in a tap routine that seems to get faster and harder with each movement.
04:43 [music]
04:53 In a scene full of surprises, the two somehow keep their balance and don't trip on anything.
04:58 Astaire and Rogers also perform graceful vaults over the surrounding gate,
05:02 throwing in one more move to wow the viewers.
05:05 [music]
05:32 If you haven't seen Christopher Walken dance, this is a perfect opportunity to watch him work.
05:37 Pennies from Heaven features a terrific scene in which the actor reveals his fantastic footwork.
05:42 As the pimp Tom, the performer mixes dancing with a strip show.
05:46 He does it all like the son of Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire.
05:49 [music]
06:01 Even though he loses his clothes, Walken keeps his cool in this seductive sequence.
06:06 He taps across the bar and ends the routine with a thrilling dance in his boxers.
06:10 His every step and shuffle works like a charm, making us wish that he was in many more musicals.
06:16 [music]
06:22 Number 25. A tap dance. Chicago.
06:26 Your witness, Mr. Flynn.
06:29 Ladies and gentlemen, a tap dance.
06:33 Playing the conniving lawyer Billy Flynn, Richard Gere has more than a few tricks up his sleeve.
06:42 One of these involves some tap dancing skills that rival old Hollywood stars.
06:46 Cutting between Flynn's trial antics and shots of him dancing,
06:49 the filmmakers put together a creative scene that underlines Flynn's skill with courtroom antics.
06:54 It also features some fantastic moves from the actor.
06:57 Amos accused me of having an affair, so I told him that the charge was erroneous.
07:04 Objection, your honor. Mr. Flynn is twisting his evidence to draw conclusions that are specious and, uh...
07:09 - Erroneous? - Exactly.
07:10 Presented in a series of quick cuts, this sequence works both as a courtroom drama and a stage act.
07:16 Gere's footwork accentuates his every line as he builds to a compelling finale.
07:21 With taps as quick as his tongue, the work of this performer remains unforgettable.
07:26 - Enough, Mr. Flynn! - I agree, your honor. It is enough.
07:31 The defense rests.
07:34 Number 24. The Babbitt and the Bromide. Ziegfeld Follies.
07:40 Well, say, why don't we just, uh, add a little something together then, huh?
07:44 Uh, whip it up right here on the spot, huh? Throw it away.
07:46 Like the one we've been rehearsing for two weeks.
07:48 In this rare moment in musical history, two icons perform side by side.
07:53 This alone would be fantastic, but the routine itself stands shoulders above many others.
07:58 Ziegfeld Follies allows for Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly to do what they do best.
08:03 This sequence features them in a friendly rivalry of sorts,
08:06 giving what could have been an overly serious matchup an element of playfulness.
08:14 They ride through costume changes and even move around with instruments.
08:18 Nothing stops the two, even when Kelly seems to fall over in another funny moment.
08:23 The climax has both men offering up stellar moves to remind viewers of their Terpsichorean excellence.
08:41 Number 23. I Like Myself. It's Always Fair Weather.
08:45 Gene Kelly proves that a tap dance doesn't have to be confined to plain old ordinary shoes.
08:50 In It's Always Fair Weather, he proves that you can also use roller skates to the same effect.
08:55 [Singing]
09:16 Dancing and skating down the street, the performer does a knockout performance that's both graceful and athletic.
09:23 It's an entirely unique sequence that may never be duplicated because of its sheer difficulty.
09:28 Kelly executes every single step without a hitch, staying on his feet in nothing short of a miracle routine.
09:45 The dancer turns a city street into a performance space in one of his strongest efforts.
09:49 [Music]
10:01 Number 22. Dancing on the Ceiling. Royal Wedding.
10:05 [Singing]
10:15 While many of his routines could be considered magic, Fred Astaire gives the impression of defying gravity in this scene.
10:21 His incredible work here makes it look like he could actually be a sorcerer of some kind.
10:25 Thanks to a little technical trickery, this performer glides up the walls in style in a sequence that shows off his creativity and skill.
10:33 [Music]
10:42 The sight of him upside down might be one of the most radical of its era.
10:46 In this movie, the actor stakes his claim as one of the best tap kings in cinematic history,
10:51 a traditional Hollywood figure revolutionizing tap dance.
10:55 [Music]
11:13 Number 21. Shaken the Blues Away. Easter Parade.
11:17 Are you still going through with that crazy idea?
11:19 Crazy? Because I don't want to spend the rest of my life being a common hoofer?
11:23 Oh, wait a minute. It was good enough for you when I took you out of that chorus.
11:27 I suppose you think if it hadn't been for you, I'd still be there.
11:30 While many remember this film for Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, it also includes the work of the talented Anne Miller.
11:36 Her solo dance to Shaken the Blues Away is fabulous from start to finish.
11:40 [Singing]
11:50 Sporting a colorful wardrobe, the dancer fills the showcase with plenty of electric movements.
11:55 Her signature move during this performance is an incredible spin.
11:59 [Music]
12:09 Miller's exuberant style keeps the viewer's attention, building to a dizzying effect by the end.
12:14 The performer also performs spirals in the conclusion that will leave you speechless.
12:19 True to the title of this number, the actress gives audiences a reason to forget their worries.
12:24 [Singing]
12:40 Number 20. The Condos Brothers. Hey, Rookie.
12:44 The siblings Nick, Steve, and Frank Condos were three incredible tap-dancing brothers who got their start in the 1930s,
12:51 dancing in a few Hollywood movies.
12:53 If you're looking for some old-school, remarkably fast, and technically perfect tapping, they've got you covered.
13:00 [Music]
13:08 Some of this family's best work can be seen in 1944's Hey, Rookie.
13:12 During this musical film starring Ann Miller, Steve and Nick show off their skills in this high-energy number.
13:18 [Music]
13:32 It's amazing the two manage to stay perfectly in sync, given how fast their feet are moving.
13:38 This scene is definitive proof that this family has plenty of tap talent.
13:43 [Music]
13:51 That's all.
13:53 Number 19. Town Called Malice. Billy Elliot.
13:57 The only thing better than a coming-of-age movie is one that's centered around the freedom of dance.
14:03 In 2000's Billy Elliot, a young Jamie Bell plays an 11-year-old named Billy,
14:08 whose dreams of being a ballet dancer upset his coal-mining father.
14:12 Lads do football, or boxing, or wrestling. Not friggin' ballet.
14:23 Out of the many amazing tap sequences, the best tap scene comes when the boy vents his frustrations by dancing to Town Called Malice.
14:31 [Music]
14:40 The way the choreography combines classic tap moves with Billy's utter desperation results in an extremely moving number.
14:47 It perfectly encapsulates childlike frustration in a beautiful and energetic way.
14:53 [Music]
15:00 Number 18. The Worry Song. Anchors Away.
15:04 Gene Kelly's perfectionist attitude towards choreography, and his habit for pushing the limits on what a dance sequence could be,
15:11 made every one of his scenes stunning.
15:14 One of his most memorable scenes takes place in 1945's Anchors Away.
15:19 [Music]
15:26 During the story of two sailors on leave in Hollywood, Kelly tap dances with the cartoon mouse, Jerry.
15:33 The sequence required the utmost care to pull off.
15:36 Animators had to painstakingly use rotoscoping to match the mouse's movements with Kelly's frame-by-frame.
15:43 [Music]
15:52 Since Kelly did not downplay any of his skill during the dance,
15:56 we can imagine how difficult it was for the technical crew to give us this fantastic duo's work.
16:02 [Music]
16:09 Number 17. Lois Bright and the Miller Brothers. Heidi Ho.
16:13 One of the best tap trios of the classic Hollywood age consisted of Lois Bright and the Miller Brothers.
16:20 This acrobatic group was known for performing their numbers on platforms of various heights to give audiences a breathless thrill.
16:28 [Music]
16:36 Thankfully, they delivered again in 1947's Heidi Ho.
16:40 During this musical featuring an all-black cast and starring the famed bandleader Cab Calloway,
16:45 Lois and the Miller Brothers perform atop platforms that spell out the word "Miller."
16:49 [Music]
17:01 It's awe-inspiring to watch them skip and hop from letter to letter with graceful ease.
17:07 As they dance to increasingly greater heights, we're uplifted too.
17:11 [Music]
17:24 Number 16. Abraham. White Christmas.
17:28 If you're in the mood for an excellent tap partner dance, we can't recommend White Christmas enough.
17:34 [Music]
17:48 While the movie is generally known as a Bing Crosby vehicle, Vera Ellen and John Brascia delivered an absolutely dynamic number.
17:56 Set to the song "Abraham," tap dancers Vera Ellen and John Brascia are about as jaunty and as full of pizzazz as you could be.
18:04 [Music]
18:19 They're perfectly in sync for every turn, move, and clap.
18:23 The height of their energy is only matched by the height of their talent.
18:27 By the end of the scene, you'll be grinning as widely as the duo is after pulling off such a bright and beautiful performance.
18:34 [Music]
18:40 [Applause]
18:44 Number 15. Let's say it with firecrackers. Holiday Inn.
18:49 Legendary performer Fred Astaire gave us a particularly explosive sequence in 1942's Holiday Inn.
18:56 [Music]
19:06 Astaire's Ted is one-third of a song and dance act that goes through trials and tribulations throughout the film.
19:13 At one point, Ted needs to come up with a unique tap number on the spot.
19:18 After spotting a bit of firecrackers, an iconic number is born.
19:22 Astaire starts the routine by looking cool as a cucumber as he masterfully taps around the stage with a cigarette in his mouth.
19:29 Suddenly, he takes things up a notch by throwing a firecracker to the ground in time with the music.
19:35 [Music]
19:44 Although the many explosions add an element of danger, Astaire looks joyful during the entirety of this impressive routine.
19:51 [Music]
20:01 [Applause]
20:06 Number 14. Dance down the stairs. Yankee Doodle Dandy.
20:11 Dancing on its own is no easy feat, so seeing someone tap down the stairs in rhythm is a mind-blowing sight.
20:18 "Well, I'll tell you what you do. You sit right here. You sit right here and I will give you an idea of what I mean."
20:23 "It may not be much. I'm not the dancer I used to be, but then who is? Now watch carefully, now."
20:28 In 1942's Yankee Doodle Dandy, James Cagney stars as George M. Cohan, a.k.a. the man who owned Broadway.
20:38 And believe us, Cagney more than lives up to that name.
20:42 [Music]
20:50 In this number, he swiftly and gracefully taps his way down the stairs to the film's title song.
20:55 His ability to keep rhythm and flexibility in his body is unmatched.
21:00 [Music]
21:06 While it's a short number, Cagney handles the complex sequence with such ease that it demands our attention.
21:13 Number 13. Ann Miller solo. Small Town Girl.
21:17 A star of early Hollywood and famous for her lightning-speed dances, Ann Miller proves her chops in this delightful musical film from 1953.
21:27 She pulls us in with enchanting singing at first.
21:30 [Music]
21:39 Before long, Miller is dancing to "I Gotta Hear That Beat" and energetically tapping around as the band plays along from underground.
21:47 Yes, you heard us right. Miller has no real backup in this number or partner to feed off of.
21:53 [Music]
22:06 It's just her, her infectious smile, and her feet moving as fast as possible.
22:11 She comes alive in the spotlight and never misses a beat.
22:15 It's a truly breathtaking solo.
22:18 [Music]
22:27 Number 12. Prove Me Wrong. White Nights.
22:30 What happens when you take not one, but two of the best dancers of their generation and put them together in one scene?
22:37 You get an incredible tap sequence for the ages.
22:41 [Music]
22:51 In White Nights, the incomparable Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov play two dancers who start out at odds.
22:58 But they end up finding chemistry through the magic of dance.
23:01 [Music]
23:11 In this modern and distinctive number, Hines and Baryshnikov bring their own signature styles to the table.
23:17 They're able to look past their differences and meld their styles together.
23:21 The symbolism behind their willingness to learn from each other enhances this special and mesmerizing number.
23:28 [Music]
23:39 Number 11. Lullaby of Broadway. Gold Diggers of 1935.
23:44 An iconic sequence made the film within a film, Lullaby of Broadway, unforgettable.
23:50 The number is absolutely packed with a huge crew of tap dancers.
23:55 While they all move in sync, it feels and sounds like we're in the middle of a thunderstorm.
24:00 [Music]
24:14 But this electrifying routine is full of smaller and more intricate choreography too.
24:19 While you may see three dancers moving in sync one moment, the rest of the huge crowd is bound to follow suit a moment later.
24:26 [Music]
24:38 Watching this massive number takes our breath away every time.
24:42 The hard work that all these dancers put in culminated in a routine that feels like the stuff of dreams.
24:48 [Music]
25:00 Number 10. Too Darn Hot. Kiss Me Kate.
25:03 [Music]
25:10 In this musical inspired by Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew,
25:13 Ann Miller shows off her tap dancing skills in a hot pink ensemble that heats up this sultry number.
25:19 [Music]
25:29 Throughout her career, Miller was renowned for her speed as a tap dancer.
25:33 And it was rumored she could tap 500 times per minute.
25:37 [Music]
25:42 This began because she had to wear rubber sole dance shoes,
25:45 which would give her enough traction to dance on slippery waxed stages.
25:49 As a result, the audio of her dancing had to be separately recorded and synced to her film performances in the editing room.
25:56 Miller had other spectacular tap numbers, but this one is unbeatable.
26:01 [Music]
26:09 Number 9. Begin the Beguine. Broadway Melody of 1940.
26:14 [Music]
26:23 This MGM film brings together Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire,
26:26 the only appearance that paired these two tap legends on screen.
26:30 [Music]
26:40 Not only is this sequence considered one of the best tap dances in film history,
26:44 it's said that Powell was the only female dancer who could outshine Astaire.
26:49 With production beginning in 1939, the set of the Begin the Beguine dance number cost a whopping $120,000 to build,
26:58 worth over $2 million today.
27:01 [Music]
27:09 The revolving mirror panels behind Powell and Astaire create an enchanting dreamlike background,
27:14 and they seem to float across the stage as they dance.
27:18 [Music]
27:23 Number 8. Boogie Wonderland. Happy Feet.
27:26 [Music]
27:38 In Happy Feet, Mumble is unable to sing to attract a mate,
27:41 so tap dance becomes his alternative form of self-expression.
27:45 As Gloria, whose singing voice is provided by Brittany Murphy, sings this earth, wind and fire classic,
27:50 Mumble uses his moves to express his lifelong love for her.
27:54 The rhythmic beats and slides of this dance style are a perfect match for the sound of penguin feet on ice.
28:00 While the film utilized the vocal talents of Robin Williams and Hugh Jackman,
28:04 motion capture technology was used to animate the dancing penguins.
28:08 [Music]
28:18 According to director George Miller,
28:20 "Dancer and choreographer Savion Glover and his distinct dancing style was a perfect fit for Mumble's unique character."
28:28 [Music]
28:36 Number 7. Table Dance. Pardon My Sarong.
28:40 [Music]
28:48 In this Abbott and Costello film,
28:50 the tap dancing group Tip Tap and Toe show off their silky smooth sliding moves.
28:55 With the jazzy song Shout Brother Shout performed by the Ink Spots,
28:59 the dancers take turns on a restaurant table with their fun and fluid routine.
29:04 [Music]
29:14 Throughout the 1930s and 40s,
29:16 this trio delivered an enchanting blend of comedy and tap dance to a number of musical comedy films.
29:22 [Music]
29:31 The best description of dancer Raymond Winfield's style comes from the Library of Congress.
29:35 Quote, "Winfield slid forward, backward, sideways and around, as if he had buttered feet on a hot stove."
29:43 [Music]
29:49 Number 6. Nice Work If You Can Get It. A Damsel in Distress.
29:53 [Music]
29:58 We can always count on Fred Astaire for a memorable performance.
30:02 While there are countless unforgettable dance numbers from Astaire throughout his career,
30:06 this film was his second to be directed by George Stevens.
30:09 [Music]
30:14 With a cast that includes husband and wife comedy duo George Burns and Gracie Allen,
30:19 A Damsel in Distress has plenty of music, dancing and laughs.
30:23 In this scene, Fred Astaire shows off a wide range of his talents with a whimsical flair as Jerry.
30:29 [Music]
30:36 Filmed in one continuous take, the musical number features a jazz tune by George and Ira Gershwin
30:42 that's now considered a standard.
30:44 Not only does he deliver a fantastic song and dance, but he also plays the drums with his feet.
30:51 [Music]
30:56 Number 5. Good Morning. Singing in the Rain.
31:00 [Music]
31:08 Co-directed and choreographed by Gene Kelly himself, this musical has no shortage of impressive dance numbers.
31:15 [Music]
31:23 We know the solo in the pouring rain is a classic, but Good Morning takes the cake.
31:28 After Don's first talking film is an absolute disaster at its preview,
31:32 Kathy and Cosmo help him find a way to save the picture.
31:36 They express their excitement and relief by singing about the new day.
31:40 [Music]
31:47 This delightful scene sees the trio dancing around the house,
31:50 jumping onto furniture and dancing with their raincoats.
31:53 Amazingly, Debbie Reynolds had no formal dance training prior to being cast in Singing in the Rain
31:58 and held her own under Kelly's strict demands.
32:02 [Music]
32:10 The stars repeated takes of the scene for 15 hours straight, before Kelly decided to use the first take.
32:17 [Music]
32:23 Number 4. Bury Me Not. Panama Hattie.
32:27 [Music]
32:33 The three Berry brothers danced together in several Hollywood films in the 1940s,
32:37 including this musical set in the Panama Canal Zone.
32:41 [Music]
32:49 Their acrobatic moves are comparable to the better-known Nicholas Brothers,
32:53 and the two groups even competed against each other in public in 1938.
32:58 [Music]
33:08 With their effortless and elastic performance,
33:11 you'll want to brace yourself for the end of the show-stopping dance scene in Panama Hattie.
33:15 If you look closely, the Berry brothers tear through the railing as they leap off the balcony.
33:20 [Music]
33:27 Number 3. The Stair Dance. The Little Colonel.
33:31 [Music]
33:41 Performed by Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and a Shirley Temple between 6 and 7 years old,
33:47 this beloved tap dance was the first interracial dance performance in a Hollywood film.
33:52 Since 1918, Robinson had been known for this rhythmic staircase routine,
33:57 and even attempted to patent it.
33:59 [Music]
34:06 Looking back on her film career, Temple recalled how, quote,
34:09 "Robinson taught her how to feel the beat, rather than count it out."
34:13 Their warm chemistry is tangible in this scene,
34:16 and the two went on to co-star in several films together throughout the 1930s.
34:20 [Music]
34:29 With this number, Robinson and Temple showed that you don't need more than a simple song
34:33 and a staircase to perform a captivating dance.
34:36 [Music]
34:43 Number 2. Challenging the Tap Masters. Tap.
34:47 [Music]
34:52 Gregory Hines had already tapped up a storm on screen before Tap's release in 1989.
34:58 [Music]
35:07 Tap brings together many fantastic African-American tap legends of the 20th century.
35:13 In this challenge scene, Gregory Hines is pitted against Arthur Duncan,
35:17 Bunny Briggs, and many other well-known tap stars.
35:20 [Music]
35:33 Many of these dancers would have been in their 50s and 60s when this sequence was filmed,
35:38 but none of them miss a beat in this energetic sequence.
35:41 Ending with Hines and Sammy Davis Jr. going head-to-head in an intense dance battle,
35:46 this scene seems to symbolize how Hines carried on the legacy of black rhythmic tap dance from his influences.
35:53 [Music]
36:04 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
36:08 Tapping in the elevator, thoroughly modern Millie,
36:11 Julie Andrews taps beside Mary Tyler Moore in a fun elevator dance.
36:15 [Music]
36:28 The Shorty George, You Were Never Lovelier.
36:31 Astaire and Hayworth tap the night away in an excellent duet.
36:35 [Music]
36:45 Moses Supposes, Singing in the Rain.
36:48 Some clever lyrics and tabletop tapping make for a great routine.
36:52 [Music]
37:07 Fascinating Rhythm, Lady Be Good.
37:09 Even as the set becomes more impressive, we never take our eyes off Eleanor Powell.
37:14 [Music]
37:27 Drum Dance, Rosalie.
37:29 Eleanor Powell beautifully taps to the beat of the drum.
37:32 [Music]
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38:04 Number 1. Jump and Jive, Stormy Weather.
38:07 [Music]
38:18 Loosely based on the life of Bilbo "Jangles" Robinson,
38:21 Stormy Weather follows the dancer's career after his service in World War I
38:25 and presents the talents of various African-American performers in the 1940s.
38:30 [Music]
38:35 In this scene, Cab Calloway leads his band with Jump and Jive,
38:39 accompanied by the dancing Nicholas Brothers.
38:42 [Music]
38:51 It's hard to believe your eyes when watching this legendary routine.
38:55 With the brothers leaping over each other and landing into splits,
38:59 reportedly filmed in a single take,
39:01 it's no wonder that Fred Astaire has called this routine, quote,
39:04 "the greatest movie musical number he had ever seen."
39:08 [Music]
39:15 Did we forget another memorable tap scene?
39:18 Let us know in the comments below.
39:20 [Music]
39:27 Do you agree with our picks?
39:29 Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo.
39:32 And be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.
39:37 [Music]
39:44 [BLANK_AUDIO]