One of the most beautiful musical numbers in the history of movie musicals...beautiful music, a simple setting, and two amazing dancers in a pas de deux that smokes with sexual overtones. Fred and Cyd Charisse actually make love through the art of the dance in this classic number that has become such an icon of MGM musicals that it was even spoofed on SNL with Steve Martin and the late Gilda Radner. One of the most beautiful dance duets ever put on film. Agreed?
shareAGREED!!!!!
"I'm sorry, I can't stay; The Captain is waiting to chase me around the deck."
I've actually always considered it THE most beautiful dance number in the history of movie musicals. A true dance of love, without a single word or vocal uttered before, during, or after the scene.
share[deleted]
[deleted]
I LOVE this number. It is the most beautiful of the dances Fred Astaire did without Ginger. The music makes it. And the dancing is so elegant. My favourite part is when Fred Astaire jumps up on the bench next to Cyd Charisse who is sitting and as he jumps down he pulls her up then they continue the dance.
~Formerly known as "eowynmaiar".
[deleted]
I agree- the music is beautiful and the dancing so graceful. I adore that white dress too.
"Men like him should be shot down like dogs! Shot down like dogs! Shot down like dogs!"
In addition to Dancing in the Dark and the sequence in An American in Paris, one of my favorites is On the Town's A Day in New York Ballet. Gene Kelly and Vera Ellen dance very well together-particularly around the ballet bar.
"Men like him should be shot down like dogs! Shot down like dogs! Shot down like dogs!"
This is an unbelievably wonderful dance and easily Astaire's best partnered non-Rogers number. It's the only non-Rogers dance that, even arguably, can be mentioned in the same breath as Astaire-Rogers' most emotionally stirring pieces such as Cheek to Cheek, Never Gonna Dance, or Let's Face the Music and Dance.
shareWe-ell, I'd argue for including "I'm Old Fashioned" with Rita Hayworth to that list.
shareand it's not "emotionally stirring" it's just damn cute and fun, but I love him and Judy Garland's hobo number from Easter Parade.
"Wheat... lots of wheat... fields of wheat... a tremendous amount of wheat...
LONG AGO, AND FAR AWAY from COVER GIRL and WALTZ IN SWINGTIME, from SWINGTIME
"I do hope he won't upset Henry.."
The 'Dancing in the Dark' sequence was a great visual concept in representing the development between Astaire and Charisse's characters. Watching them dance in harmony was equally effective as simply proclaiming their love for each other as they do in the finale.
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".
I love the movie but I can't take "Dancing in the Dark" seriously. Before I saw the movie I saw Gilda Radner and Steve Martin do a dead on parody of it on "Saturday Night Live". As a result every time I hear the music and see the dancing I flash back to that SNL skit!
shareI have to comment after seeing Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse dance to the music of "Dancing in the Dark" again a few days ago. It is arguably the best. It is magic.
shareI visited Central Park in NY yesterday. I keep looking for the spot where the dance (filmed in Culver City) was supposed to take place. Imagine me looking for a bench that doesn't even exist! The Park is exotic even today and that dance was superb. I love the lyrics and wish the chorus would have sung the words, but maybe that would have taken away some of the ambience.
share