I recently re-watched “Hello Dolly,” and for the first time I noticed the amateurish choreography. The only impressive dance number was done by the waiters, prior to Dolly’s entrance. The rest of it could be called a combination of “high-stepping” and strutting like a rooster. Just lots of knees and elbows being tossed around. And it’s the same goddamn moves in every single dance number!
Gower Champion choreographed the original Broadway production, which I saw, but don’t remember the dancing. The movie doesn’t credit a choreographer, but the CD lists “Dances and Musical Numbers Staged by” Michael Kidd, whatever that means.
That’s actually kind of odd, when you consider that it was directed by Gene Kelly, who, I understand, knew one or two things about choreography himself.
As much as I love Babs, this is one film she really should have let Carol Channing take her well-deserved lead. I believe there was controversy over the casting even back then, but the film executives figured Barbra would sell more tickets at the box office than Carol - even though Carol had been doing this show forever and was closely identified with the Dolly character and song(s).
I haven’t seen Hello Dolly in awhile - not one of my favorite films - but I recall the choreography as a lot of people sort of walking in formation; sort of like a marching band without the instruments. Nothing much to remember, which is probably why I don’t remember much about the choreography.
Maybe the actors they cast weren’t much in the dance department and they had to dumb down the choreography? I seem to remember Barbra’s dancing was more like swooping around with her arms held aloft, like that was enough. But I haven’t seen it in a while either.
I’ve had similar thoughts about Grease. John Travolta is certainly a competent enough dancer but I remember being dumbstruck by the stupid dancing at the end when Olivia Newton-John is all tricked out in her catsuit. They actually do some sort of dumb cowboy-walk with their fingers pointed like pistols as though that were dancing. :rolleyes: Though ONJ seemed to bop around adequately in the school dance number, it looked like they just said “screw it” at the end, as though her shaking her butt would be enough.
Still is a dancer. I just read a column about a new Broadway musical, At Midnight. It wasn’t a review since it’s not officially open yet, but it was a rave, and as an example of how good it was, the columnist said he saw Tommy Tune at the back of the theater (in the audience, by the doors) dancing along with the show.
Although I love Gene Kelly, remember that most of the great films he co-directed (Singin’ in the Rain, On the Town, It’s Always Fair Weather) were co-directed by Stanley Donen. Left to his own directorial devices, Donen did Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Funny Face, Charade and many others. Kelly brought us Hello Dolly! (which I find quite atrocious). I’m guessing the logistical challenge of harnessing Babs and “opening up” the stage musical meant that overseeing the dancing was left to someone else.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen the whole thing - but I remember liking the choreography for “We’ve Got Elegance” as well as “Hello, Dolly.” But maybe I just like those songs.