Fred Astaire is known as one of the greatest performers and dancers in modern history.
When you watch him in any classic clips, it’s quite clear that he is very talented, and well deserving of his incredible fame. But over the years, and through the countless dancing partners he had, there was one person he teamed up with that he he just couldn’t work with anymore.
Not because she was bad at dancing, or a diva, but because she was just too good!
This famous clip from the movie Broadway Melody of 1940 shows one of the greatest dance sequences of all time. The two stars are Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire.
This clip, narrated by Frank Sinatra, shows a perfectly executed performance that’s over two minutes long. The whole thing was filmed as continuous shot, and truly captures the talent of these two dancers. They move so smoothly and quickly, that just one mess-up would require the whole shot to begin from the top!
Eleanor Powell had trouble finding work in Hollywood simply because she was just too talented for her own good. A woman’s role in dances back in the ’40s was to make the man look good. And with her talent and grace, she was always the main focus. And she refused to tone down her amazing skills for any man!
While Astaire respected her immensely, he decided to get a new female dance partner so he could be the main focus again! They’re both great in this video, but you have to admit, Powell especially really is awe-inspiring.
Please SHARE this wonderful clip if you’d love to watch her dance live on stage!