# I just love this to pieces - Fred Astaire "Putting on the Ritz" YouTube clip **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 19, 2009, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951 "2009-01-19T05:49:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/1 "2009-01-19T05:49:33Z")
[Fred Astaire “Putting on the Ritz”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbdoUhwKg7Q&feature=related) What are some of your favorite song and/or dance clips? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/2 "2009-01-19T06:40:12Z")
No doubt about it, the man could move. And he always made [his partner look good](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pjlrrMvdtw), too. ---
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/3 "2009-01-19T07:09:59Z")
[I love this version of “Putting On The Ritz”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH2nQHPs4aA) ---
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/4 "2009-01-19T07:23:46Z")
Oh, and to actually answer your question, [it’s this clip.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBb9hTyLjfM) According to the note on the YouTube page, Fred Astaire called it “the greatest dance number ever filmed.” ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/5 "2009-01-19T07:26:33Z")
[Taking A Chance on Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyH4r-t5r8I), from “Cabin in the Sky” is great musically, cinematically, and everything else. Not too much dancing in it, but well worth it anyways. ETA: I said there wasn’t much dancing in it based on memory, but on actually viewing it, there’s some very great dancing! And what a voice Ethel Waters had… ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/6 "2009-01-19T07:39:59Z")
Another good one is [Make Way For Tomorrow](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4I0iUiLVUA) from “Cover Girl,” with Gene Kelly and Rita Hayworth and some other guy I don’t know(?). It feels kind of like a more boisterous companion piece to [Singin’ in the Rain](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkEvy-9yVyQ), what with Kelly, the city street at night, the policeman, and the various passers-by. Heck, it might have been filmed on the same studio lot. ---
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/7 "2009-01-19T07:43:37Z")
Last one before I have to drag myself of to bed: [the Lindy Hop scene from Hellzapoppin’](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTg5V2oA_hY&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/8 "2009-01-19T11:16:34Z")
The [Pick Yourself Up](http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mxPgplMujzQ) number from _Swing Time_ is one of the most thrilling things ever captured on film IMO. This is Fred and Ginger at their absolute peak. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/9 "2009-01-19T12:48:38Z")
[Fred Astaire brings sexy back](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhbVIJVimEg) ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/10 "2009-01-19T13:33:54Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > [Taking A Chance on Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyH4r-t5r8I), from “Cabin in the Sky” is great musically, cinematically, and everything else. Not too much dancing in it, but well worth it anyways. > > ETA: I said there wasn’t much dancing in it based on memory, but on actually viewing it, there’s some very great dancing! And what a voice Ethel Waters had… And what a \*smile \*Ethel Waters had. And yes, \*Pick Yourself Up \*is my favorite Fred and Ginger dance. I submit Shanghai Lil from _Footlight Parade_, with Jimmy Cagney and Ruby Keeler. Complete with opium den! ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BXk1k0HPAPg/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/BXk1k0HPAPg?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque (Don’t know why I can’t insert links from home.) ---
**Author:** ![longPath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@longPath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longPath)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/11 "2009-01-19T13:54:06Z")
Here’s one of my favourites: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzHIn5S-RbY) I _just_ love YouTube.! ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/12 "2009-01-19T13:55:06Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > Another good one is [Make Way For Tomorrow](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4I0iUiLVUA) from “Cover Girl,” with Gene Kelly and Rita Hayworth and some other guy I don’t know(?). That’s Phil Silvers! ---
**Author:** ![PeacePlease](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/71c47a/32.png) [@PeacePlease](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeacePlease)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/13 "2009-01-19T14:46:42Z")
> [@JavaMaven1](#): > > Oh, and to actually answer your question, [it’s this clip.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBb9hTyLjfM) According to the note on the YouTube page, Fred Astaire called it “the greatest dance number ever filmed.” That was fabulous! Those splits! Frickin’ OW (and I’m a girl). Weren’t all these old dance routines shot in one take, as well? That makes it all the more amazing. These clips made me remember this one. Dancing on [ice](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8F5l4_R_38). ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/14 "2009-01-19T21:42:15Z")
I’m working from home today, but spent most of the day grinning like a fool because I’ve been watching celebrity contestants on the old _What’s My Line_. Sophie Tucker! Joe E. Brown! Sally Rand! Ethel Merman! ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/15 "2009-01-19T22:20:52Z")
> [@JavaMaven1](#): > > [I love this version of “Putting On The Ritz”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH2nQHPs4aA) I was just about to mention that. Instead, I’ll mention [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYo_NBW9dv0). ---
**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:** [January 19, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/16 "2009-01-19T22:43:15Z")
I do love Busby Berkeley, so there’s also [Lullabye of Broadway](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZws4r7IQPk). It a long piece and it’s broken into two pieces on Youtube. Be sure to watch the second half, especially the truly astounding event that happens at about 5:22 of the second clip. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/17 "2009-01-19T22:43:31Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > … > These clips made me remember this one. Dancing on [ice](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8F5l4_R_38). Since you beat me to this one, I’ll just have to point out that Gene wern’t no slouch [on the skates](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aus1PA5-SyI), either. I can’t watch my [favorite routine](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPQjE-EULUc) from last season’s So You Think You Can Dance\* enough times. Too bad the original Five Guys Named Moe isn’t on YouTube (although you can watch fan-shot clips from the tour). \*: They should show the above Nicholas Brothers routine to all future finalists on that show and remind them that no, you can’t dance. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/18 "2009-01-20T02:29:00Z")
> [@JavaMaven1](#): > > Oh, and to actually answer your question, [it’s this clip.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBb9hTyLjfM) According to the note on the YouTube page, Fred Astaire called it “the greatest dance number ever filmed.” Well, if he did say that, he was being excessively modest. [This](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pYOOErZ_xM) is why Astaire is the greatest dancer in history. Yes, Ginger was good. But Fred made all of his partners look as great as he was. As in the linked video. Or watch [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlgAj_29Z7U), and see what the rhythm of dance is supposed to achieve. To play, and to be great at the same instant - that is art. Regards, Shodan ---
**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:** [January 20, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/19 "2009-01-20T02:59:03Z")
I always liked Bob Fosse’s **[Take Off With Us](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0NX-ZINtqw)** routine from **All That Jazz**. Easily the sexiest dance number in the history of film. ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951/20 "2009-01-20T03:22:53Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > That’s Phil Silvers! Ah, I should have known. The voice and face were sort of familiar, but I couldn’t place him somehow. [QUOTE=Sigmagirl] I’m working from home today, but spent most of the day grinning like a fool because I’ve been watching celebrity contestants on the old What’s My Line. Sophie Tucker! Joe E. Brown! Sally Rand! Ethel Merman! [/QUOTE] What a great show. I don’t know why it’s so entertaining, but it is – just the perfect mix of panelists, hosts, and guests. I only wish YouTube had more of the non-celebrity guests on there! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-to-pieces-fred-astaire-putting-on-the-ritz-youtube-clip/481951.md?page=2)