Don’t hit me, but I always liked Ray Bolger’s goofy dance as the Scarecrow.
Here’s a couple of dances I like for their emotional impact (and not for the dance moves per se):
Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis in Witness.
The gay friends putting aside their conflicts (and ironic alienation) for a moment of solidarity, in The Boys In the Band.
I thought Singing in the Rain was vastly overrated. Wouldn’t put it near Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Could be worse though, some silly list in the UK listed Grease as the best musical ever. Jesus wept.
I can’t really call it one of the “best” dance sequences ever, but I willl put in a plug for Jaan Pehechaan Ho from the film Gumnaam that’s available as an extra on the Ghost World DVD.
One of the very few dance sequences on film that–for me, at least–has been quite literally jaw-dropping.
And to think, not a single ojne of you lousy little freaks mentioned the dance scene from Pulp Fiction yet. For shame :o .
Or does everyone contributing to this list think it’s overrated?
Pulp Fiction seconded. The Roxanne Tango was ruined by that narcoleptic’s horrible, amelodic voice, but the dancing was still pretty damned good.
If people are going to nominate crappy dancing like in Pulp Fiction, let me nominate
*Saddam Hussein’s * I can change from SouthPark, Bigger, Longer & Uncut.
Was it really crappy (technically, I mean)? My only experience with dance was an eight-hour crash course for prom and two sittings of the Riverdance: Live From New York City DVD.
I nominated it simply because I thought the twisting looked nice.
Oh! Oh! Oh! I know! The opening number from Austin Powers in Goldmember!
One of my all time favorites is the “Daddy’s Song” sequence in Head, danced by Davy Jones and Toni Basil. Toni Basil is so freaking cute in that movie- I just want to scoop her up and cuddle her!
I also really enjoyed the dance during the storm in The Company.
I admit, it doesn’t have the best footwork but the dance sequence in the cafe in Bande à part is pretty memorable.
Just for emphasis, I’d like to mention again that I want to scoop Toni Basil up and cuddle her.
Eve beat me to my real favourite of those not listed - Astaire and Powell dancing Begin the Beguine, so I’ll throw in one that I loved everytime I saw it Jailhouse Rock with Elvis.
Thanks jcs. I couldn’t remember the song, but I remember that whole street dance number. All of the dances in the Blues Brothers were great.
I loved that dance sequence. Even TiVoed just that, and watched it over and over again.
Then, there’s Fred Astaire’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz” which again I TiVoed and still watch it , every now and then. It’s delightful dynamite. Fred slides into a room and there we see a hoofers’ line of 8 (count 'em) Fred Astaires, who tap a bit, and then in unison, beckon Fred to come on in and dance with them. Which of course he does.
And it knocks me out.
Ever watch the tango dancing in Assassination Tango?
Okay, okay, the story line is ludicrous, but I was utterly transported by the dancing in that flick - so much so, that I bought the DVD just to watch those Argentine women dance the tango. (I doubt anyone watches their male partners).
Tall, graceful and beautiful women with figures to die for, simply steal the show.
If you like the tango, Antiochus, you might enjoy this film.
Some of my personal favorites:
—“Waltz for Eva & Che” in Evita
—The Bottle Dance (as well as L’Chaim) from Fiddler on the Roof
—the final scene from Dirty Dancing
—“Shall We Dance” from The King & I (I’m a sucker for flying silk hoop skirts)
And of course Pacino’s tango (“Por Una Cabeza”) with Gabrielle Anwar in the otherwise forgettable Scent of a Woman
Wow. The whole L’Chaim/Bottle Dance from “Fiddler.” Best dance sequence by a bunch of guys.
I’d also vote for the Newton John/Travolta ending of “Grease.”
Let’s not forget the Gregory Hines flick Tap. There’s a wonderful challenge sequence with a bunch of old-timers (unfortunately shot in rather iffy light); a very young Savion Glover; and a wonderful sequence out on the street where they pick up the rhythms of construction, passing vehicles, etc., and play with them.
Thank you, Twiskster!
Went to amazon.com immediately to buy it. They don’t list it. But I’ll keep looking.
There’s a horrendous short called Rufus Jones for President (1933), starring a wee little Sammy Davis Jr., that contains an amazing musical number, “Brown-Skinned Diplomats,” with some of the most breathtaking dancing ever seen onscreen. I’m assuming some of the ensemble were “The Will Vodery Girls,” but I’m guessing the producers raided the Harlem nightspots for some of the hottest jitterbugs and shimmy-shakers they could find.