# 10 Best Movie Dance Sequences Ever **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 18, 2004, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819 "2004-10-18T13:22:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/1 "2004-10-18T13:22:49Z")
[Here](http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=170325) is one man’s pick for such a list. So – whaddya think? I liked the inclusion of the number from **White Nights** , but might have chosen the one where Baryshnikov and Hines are dancing together up in the studio. (It’s been years, I can’t be more specific than that.) Two from **West Side Story**? If you’ve got to have both, the order should be reversed. I think I’d dump _America_ and add the number on top of the train from **Dancer in the Dark**. Agree on **Seven Brides for Seven Brothers** , which I just watched about a week ago – that number is nothing short of amazing. And finally, only one with my god Fred? That’s just wrong. I need to meditate a little more on which ones I’d nominate for inclusion, though. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/2 "2004-10-18T13:32:26Z")
Gene Kelly and Donald O’Conner in **Singing in the Rain** doing the “Moses Supposes…” number always struck me as one of the best. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/3 "2004-10-18T13:42:06Z")
If you are going to have two Gene Kelly numbers, I dont’ think I would use “I Got Rhythm” from American in Paris. I can see him having two numbers in the top ten and that singig in the rain is number 1. But the Roxanne number from Moulin Rouge number is not in the top ten? It is far better than the Cell Block Tango from Chicago. And what about either the finale or Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps from Strickly Ballroom? Either of those should be here. This list also seems to limit it to Dance Squences from musicals. Why? The Grand Central Station Waltz from The Fisher King or the piano scene in Big are two fantastic scenes which are perhaps more magical because they are not in a musical or a film that features dancing. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/4 "2004-10-18T14:08:33Z")
We’re knights of the Round Table, we dance whene’er we’re able. We do routines and chorus scenes with footwork impec-cable … ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/5 "2004-10-18T15:35:47Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > And finally, only one with my god Fred? That’s just wrong. Fred has two–one with Ginger and one with Cyd. I absolutely hate the Kelly/_Paris_ number–unbearably cute with the French kids. Blech. I’ll take his dance with Cyd in the heather in _Brigadoon_ or his dream ballet in _On the Town_. As a song, I’ll take “America”, but as a dance number, “Cool” has it beat. “Chicago”'s overrated (but replacing it with anything from “Moulin” is a joke). Baryshnikov is fine, but can’t hold a candle to the extended dance sequence in **The Red Shoes**. The others are fine, so that leaves three I still need to sub in. I’ll be back… ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/6 "2004-10-18T15:44:43Z")
Nominee for top five: the opening sequence (_On Broadway_) from **All That Jazz**. Dammit, why do I have to work today? This list is far more important! ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/7 "2004-10-18T15:46:13Z")
No Bob Fosse? I’d add the opening “On Broadway” or “Everything Old is New Again” from **All That Jazz** , or “Wilkommen” or “MeinHerr” from **Cabaret**. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/8 "2004-10-18T15:50:30Z")
No Busby Berkeley? Come on. I’d definitely include **Lullabye of Broadway**. For Fosse, there are a lot to choose from, but I’d go with his “Fly Me” sequence in **All that Jazz**. It is the absolutely sexiest dance number ever. How about Donald O’Connor’s **Make 'En Laugh**? Astonishingly good. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/9 "2004-10-18T16:30:31Z")
Another vote for **Lullabye of Broadway** , one of the most breath-taking numbers ever put on film. Any number of Astaire/Rogers duets, and Astaire and Eleanor Powell dancing to **Begin the Beguine**. Modern stuff? The **Roxanne Tango** from _Moulin Rouge!_. I’m sure more will come to mind . . . ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/10 "2004-10-18T16:48:24Z")
_Puttin’ On The Ritz_ from **Young Frankenstein** , of course! ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/11 "2004-10-18T20:27:27Z")
I hope you won’t mind if I mention Footloose. **Of course** Fred and Ginger are fantastic. But Kevin Bacon has the same enjoyment shining through. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/12 "2004-10-18T20:30:09Z")
The Lindy Hop sequence from _Hellzapoppin!_ Top slot. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/13 "2004-10-18T20:54:23Z")
“Aquarius” from Hair. Twyla Twarp’s great choreography. One dance number from the “Blue Brothers” should be on the list, just for working them into such a un-musical movie. I’d go with “What I Say.” Truly amazing. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/14 "2004-10-18T21:02:56Z")
Definitely “Rich Man’s Frug” from **Sweet Charity** (and I also love “Rhythm of Life” from the same movie, but it’s not as good) **The Music Man** ’s chorus dance sequences (“Shipoopi,” “Seventy Six Trombones,” “Marion”) are awesome. I like “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” (I can never remember which Fred & Ginger it is - but their dance to that song.) From the alread mentioned musicals - “Cool” from WSS and “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/15 "2004-10-18T21:07:58Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > I like “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” (I can never remember which Fred & Ginger it is - but their dance to that song.) _Follow the Fleet_ ---
**Author:** ![Albert\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/16 "2004-10-18T21:16:00Z")
Nobody leaves baby in the corner. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/17 "2004-10-18T21:38:56Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > One dance number from the “Blue Brothers” should be on the list, just for working them into such a un-musical movie. I’d go with “What I Say.” Truly amazing. 😕 Are you thinking of the Ray Charles song, “What’d I Say”? Wasn’t in the movie. The big Ray Charles number was “Shake a Tail Feather”, which _was_ amazing. So was the James Brown number in the church. ---
**Author:** ![pesch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pesch/32/4925_2.png) [@pesch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pesch)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/18 "2004-10-18T23:03:47Z")
The “Chicago” number is way overrated, although the song is one of my favorites (as is my wife’s – hmmmm). All those fast cuts totally destroys the rhythm and makes me suspect they did it either a) because all dances have to be cut this way these days, or b) to hide CZJ’s lack of talent in that area. Glad to see the Nicholas Brothers get their due. Their clip in “That’s Entertainment III” was proof that some men are capable of flying. They were astonishing. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/19 "2004-10-19T00:10:09Z")
If you’re going to rate ‘dance’ then make your primary criteria the quality of the dancing. Don’t be drawn in by how good the music is or how entertaining the plot point. IOW, start with dancing virtuosity. Certainly, once you’ve narrowed down your list to the best ‘dancing’ on film, then you can use other criteria such as the music, the lyrics, the integration of the dance into and furthering the plot to come up with a best ten. For example, there is nothing so extraordinary about the dancing itself in West Side’s America or Chicago’s Cell Block Tango or The Music Man’s Shi-Boopi. Sure, they’re very entertaining musical dance numbers, but there’s no virtuosity in the dance. There are many other very entertaining musical dance numbers which do have dancing vituosity – let those make the top ten. And so, just two points: Kelly’s Singing in the Rain – while he had many other numbers which showed a lot more dancing virtuosity, dancing with an umbrella and a rain shower as your partners makes this dance innovative enough to make the list. On top of that, the musical number itself is truly uplifting. Kelly & Caron’s American in Paris ballet in An American in Paris – Come on people: tap, modern dance, and ballet intergrated to a purely American edifice of classical music by Gershwin (who is combining classical music with jazz) – and then combine that with French themes. An eclectic masterpiece. Peace. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819/20 "2004-10-19T01:21:49Z")
Okay. **Moriah** – you have a point. Thus I will call my list “The Ten Dance Numbers That Leave **twickster** Awestruck or Giddy with Delight or Both”: 10. “Night and Day,” **The Gay Divorcee** 1. “Roxanne,” **Moulin Rouge!** 2. “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” **Bye Bye Birdie** 3. “Jumpin’ Jive,” **Stormy Weather** (The Nicholas Brothers) 4. Carousing number (sorry, not sure of the name), **It’s Always Fair Weather** (Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, Michael Kidd) 5. The Barn-Raising, **Seven Brides for Seven Brothers** 6. “Cool,” **West Side Story** 7. “Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails,” **Top Hat** (There are four possible sounds in tap – heel, heel, toe, toe. Fred adds a fifth with his cane, and syncopates the hell out of all five. It’s mind-blowing.) 8. “On Broadway,” **All That Jazz** 9. “Singin’ in the Rain,” **Singin’ in the Rain** [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-best-movie-dance-sequences-ever/269819.md?page=2)