@@rosemorris7912 She was Arthur Freed's mistress, he kept trying to put her over as a big star. Unfortunately, she didn't have the requisite charisma or acting talent. She was a good dancer though, but not top tier.
This is my favorite MGM dance number for several reasons. To begin with, Johnson is a perfect masculine balance to feminine Bremer in strength, hair color, and even skin tone. The unexpected choreography is brilliant-especially for its time. (See the whole number.) Johnson always did have impeccable gestures and attitude to go along with his dancing. Other pluses are the arrangement with at least three key changes. The photography is perfect, especially the way it pans from above toward the end.
And there's also the fact that they seem really to be happy doing it. Those smiles look genuine, and why not? It's such a fun number and it suits them perfectly. It's one of my favorites as well.
Something I noticed about this scene is how Lucille Bremer and Van Johnson look directly into the camera and so interact with the audience in the theater or at the TV or computer. It could be said that, in a way, they step out of the scene in which they give a brilliant, shared performance.
Always loved Van Johnson, quite fancied him for years! I think his dancing is great, quite unique and his personal take. I prefer it to the accepted form as it's his interpretation with lots of amusing bits of satire thrown in. The expression on his face is priceless! hahaha
I saw Van Johnson do The Music Man in England as a boy. He got more standing o's than Robert Preston ever got. He was a born and bred musical theater man. He LOVED it and it showed.
Something very unusual about this scene is how Lucille Bremer and Van Johnson look directly into the camera and interact not with the audience around them but with the audience in the movie theater or, now, at the computer. In a way the two performers step out of the movie. This scene is a joy.
I really appreciate dancing now that I've seen Lucille Bremer and Van Johnson dance side by side. Van flails his arms around while Lucille gracefully arches them.
Smooth as Silk textbook to this Jerome Kern & several others 1930s 'Great American Songbook gold nugget originally filmed at RKO Gower Pictures around the corner from My grandparents 1922 N Bronson Ave LA, Hollywood home
For a "non-dancer", Johnson did quite well but I was surprised that they allowed for such an imbalance between a very strong dancer (Bremer) and a weaker one (Johnson). Still, it was meant to be a bit goofy so it kind of works.
Johnson wasn't actually a non-dancer - he did musical theater on Broadway (including understudying Gene Kelly in "Pal Joey") before he started making movies.
As a side note: Lucille Bremer was somewhat like Arthur Freed's protegee (and mistress) at MGM. Bremer was only at MGM for a few years in mid -1940s. I am sure that once the affair with Freed was over, so was Bremer done at MGM.
I think Mr. Johnson does a credible job of both dancing and singing (If I was as good at either I'd be one hot puppy ... even at my age), but what I like best about it is that it is obvious Johnson is having *fun* during the performance. Good arrangement of the tune, also.
A joy! Thank you for sharing this. The first time I ever heard "I Won't Dance" was in "Grey Gardens" starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. On You Tube there's a video called "Grey Gardens Musical Scenes" that has "I Won't Dance". I've watched it many times.
This is a late reply to your comment but if you haven't already seen it, you'll love watching Lucille Bremer dance with Fred Astaire in the "Coffee Time" number from "Yolanda and the Thief". Just type "Fred Astaire Coffee Time" in the description box and it should take you to one of the best dance performances ever.
Compare this to the "Varsity Drag" in Good News (1947). Charles Walters was co-choreographer of Till the Clouds Roll By and later directed Good News. He appears to have reused a number of the steps.
And Betty Grable And John Payne Dan Dailey And Howard Keel Angela Lansbury John Denver Ethel Merman Frank Sinatra Bing Crosby Dean Martin Sammy Davis Jr Jerry Lewis Louis Armstrong Dick Van Dyke Dick Powell Julie Andrews Gene Kelly Fred Astaire And Danny Kaye Doris Day Gordon Macrae Ed Sullivan And Rita Hayworth Joel Grey Hal Linden And June Havor Alice Faye And Don Ameche Tyrone Power And Red Skelton Bob Hope James Cagney Jack Benny Victor Moore Victor Borge George Burns And Peter Sellers And Jim Nabors And Shirley Temple Shirley Maclaine And Lena Horne Dr Phil Ellen Oprah Phil Silvers Rita Moreno And Yul Brynner And Deborah Kerr Louis Jourdan Maurice Chevalier Leslie Caron Leslie Uggams Ann Murray And Lesley Ann Warren And Margaret Obrien Lucille Ball Lucille Bremer Carol Burnett Carol Channing Gene Autry John Wayne Barbra Streisand Smiley Burnette Pat Buttram Betty Hutton And Ann Margret Janet Leigh Paul Lynde Bobby Rydell Jean Stapleton Jean Simmons Marlon Brando And Vivan Blaine Dick Haymes Vera Ellen Johnnie Ray Johnny Cash Johnny Carson Grace Kelly And Robert Preston Robert Goulet Robery Young Robert Taylor Adolphe Menjou And Harry Belafonte And Peal Bailey Dorthy Danridge Kathryn Grayson Esther Willams Betty Garrett Marisa Berenson And Johnathan Winters And Steve Martin And Bernadette Peters And All Of Those People Albert Finney
I like this because of the contrast. Van's a bit stiff but flexible and physically fit, while Lucille is sinuous, and their synchronicity is more than passable.
This is one of my favorite Robert Alton dance numbers. Okay, Van Johnson wasn't much of a singer or dancer, and Lucille Bremer was always dubbed, but the routine is lots of fun anyway.
@jayinchelsea well. van was a chorus boy along with gene kelly on broadway in the late 1930's. he wasn't in gene's and fred's league, but gene was willing to put him thru the rigorous rehearsals that he demanded when filming brigadoon. it's true that when gene broke his leg, he nixed van as his replacement in Easter Parade. But, Van developed into a very good second tier performer, a notch below Dan Dailey.
Are there any other instances of Van Johnson doing this number? I love the core of this song and could swear I heard "I Won't Dance" as kind of a non sequiter number in a movie.
It's a very small thing, but notice how natural his baton moves are. In many movies actors are supposed to be conducting and they are totally unconvincing. Was Johnson a musician?
I once heard Clive James describe Van Johnson as "the dancing wardrobe". So unkind, I thought, although that big blue jacket does make him look quite wide!
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #1 НАЧАЛО ПУТЕШЕСТВИЯ [Новый сезон] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/380Q7gLWGvk/mqdefault.jpg)
Every time I watch this, I can't help laughing at Van Johnson's facial expressions!
Lucille Bremer is a fantastic dancer but I found myself just watching Van Johnson.
That's why some performers get to be stars while others, who may be more talented, never really make it. Star power, charisma, whatever.
Damn, Van is rockin' that suit.
@@qhsperson Well said!
She was a good dancer, but not a great dancer. There's just something missing--polish, sophistication, I don't know.
@@rosemorris7912 She was Arthur Freed's mistress, he kept trying to put her over as a big star. Unfortunately, she didn't have the requisite charisma or acting talent. She was a good dancer though, but not top tier.
I've watched this clip a million times and I just got started. Van is such a surprise. He's knockout.
Lucille was a fabulous dancer. One of the very best.
This is my favorite MGM dance number for several reasons. To begin with, Johnson is a perfect masculine balance to feminine Bremer in strength, hair color, and even skin tone. The unexpected choreography is brilliant-especially for its time. (See the whole number.) Johnson always did have impeccable gestures and attitude to go along with his dancing. Other pluses are the arrangement with at least three key changes. The photography is perfect, especially the way it pans from above toward the end.
And there's also the fact that they seem really to be happy doing it. Those smiles look genuine, and why not? It's such a fun number and it suits them perfectly. It's one of my favorites as well.
Something I noticed about this scene is how Lucille Bremer and Van Johnson look directly into the camera and so interact with the audience in the theater or at the TV or computer. It could be said that, in a way, they step out of the scene in which they give a brilliant, shared performance.
Tom Saltsman agree completely
Always loved Van Johnson, quite fancied him for years! I think his dancing is great, quite unique and his personal take. I prefer it to the accepted form as it's his interpretation with lots of amusing bits of satire thrown in. The expression on his face is priceless! hahaha
This was supposed to be Lucille Bremer's big number in the film but Van Johnson completely steals it!
Lucille was a superb dancer
A delightful number Van is great and Lucille very lyrical
Van Johnson is good. Love it. 🙂😀
great band arrangement. Van and Lucy are clearly having fun and it's good to see.
I saw Van Johnson do The Music Man in England as a boy. He got more standing o's than Robert Preston ever got. He was a born and bred musical theater man. He LOVED it and it showed.
Something very unusual about this scene is how Lucille Bremer and Van Johnson look directly into the camera and interact not with the audience around them but with the audience in the movie theater or, now, at the computer. In a way the two performers step out of the movie. This scene is a joy.
I really appreciate dancing now that I've seen Lucille Bremer and Van Johnson dance side by side. Van flails his arms around while Lucille gracefully arches them.
Van was a legit dancer. He was Gene Kelly's,understudy on B'way.
He did a great job of dancing with Gene Kelly in Brigadoon
So GORGEOUS, WOW! WOW!!!!!!!
Smooth as Silk textbook to this Jerome Kern & several others 1930s 'Great American Songbook gold nugget originally filmed at RKO Gower Pictures around the corner from My grandparents 1922 N Bronson Ave LA, Hollywood home
Van Johnson And Lucille Bremer Are My Favorite Actors And There Both On That Old Musical Till The Clouds Roll By
Lovè
I've always loved movies and music from þhem
I love this scene.
VERY popular song of the day...
Van Johnson could do comedy, drama, dance, and sing -- a quadruple threat, all with a metal plate in his head. Not kidding.
For a "non-dancer", Johnson did quite well but I was surprised that they allowed for such an imbalance between a very strong dancer (Bremer) and a weaker one (Johnson). Still, it was meant to be a bit goofy so it kind of works.
Johnson wasn't actually a non-dancer - he did musical theater on Broadway (including understudying Gene Kelly in "Pal Joey") before he started making movies.
As a side note: Lucille Bremer was somewhat like Arthur Freed's protegee (and mistress) at MGM. Bremer was only at MGM for a few years in mid -1940s. I am sure that once the affair with Freed was over, so was Bremer done at MGM.
I think Mr. Johnson does a credible job of both dancing and singing (If I was as good at either I'd be one hot puppy ... even at my age), but what I like best about it is that it is obvious Johnson is having *fun* during the performance. Good arrangement of the tune, also.
Thanks
Excellent work
A joy! Thank you for sharing this. The first time I ever heard "I Won't Dance" was in "Grey Gardens" starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. On You Tube there's a video called "Grey Gardens Musical Scenes" that has "I Won't Dance". I've watched it many times.
They made it look so easy !
Wow! I'm going to have to find more clips of Lucille Bremer!
This is a late reply to your comment but if you haven't already seen it, you'll love watching Lucille Bremer dance with Fred Astaire in the "Coffee Time" number from "Yolanda and the Thief". Just type "Fred Astaire Coffee Time" in the description box and it should take you to one of the best dance performances ever.
@rosecolouredglasses All the studio stars had crash courses in dancing... some skills stuck better on some stars than on others!
Very nice!
And I Seen Van Johnson In Some Movies
Compare this to the "Varsity Drag" in Good News (1947). Charles Walters was co-choreographer of Till the Clouds Roll By and later directed Good News. He appears to have reused a number of the steps.
Varsity Drag is an all time favorite of mine.
Brilliant
And I Heard Of Van Johnson
the jacket makes van look like a busboy.
Van Johnson Passed Away In 2008
And Lena Horne Is My Favorite Actress So Is June Allyson
And Betty Grable And John Payne Dan Dailey And Howard Keel Angela Lansbury John Denver Ethel Merman Frank Sinatra Bing Crosby Dean Martin Sammy Davis Jr Jerry Lewis Louis Armstrong Dick Van Dyke Dick Powell Julie Andrews Gene Kelly Fred Astaire And Danny Kaye Doris Day Gordon Macrae Ed Sullivan And Rita Hayworth Joel Grey Hal Linden And June Havor Alice Faye And Don Ameche Tyrone Power And Red Skelton Bob Hope James Cagney Jack Benny Victor Moore Victor Borge George Burns And Peter Sellers And Jim Nabors And Shirley Temple Shirley Maclaine And Lena Horne Dr Phil Ellen Oprah Phil Silvers Rita Moreno And Yul Brynner And Deborah Kerr Louis Jourdan Maurice Chevalier Leslie Caron Leslie Uggams Ann Murray And Lesley Ann Warren And Margaret Obrien Lucille Ball Lucille Bremer Carol Burnett Carol Channing Gene Autry John Wayne Barbra Streisand Smiley Burnette Pat Buttram Betty Hutton And Ann Margret Janet Leigh Paul Lynde Bobby Rydell Jean Stapleton Jean Simmons Marlon Brando And Vivan Blaine Dick Haymes Vera Ellen Johnnie Ray Johnny Cash Johnny Carson Grace Kelly And Robert Preston Robert Goulet Robery Young Robert Taylor Adolphe Menjou And Harry Belafonte And Peal Bailey Dorthy Danridge Kathryn Grayson Esther Willams Betty Garrett Marisa Berenson And Johnathan Winters And Steve Martin And Bernadette Peters And All Of Those People Albert Finney
And Elvis Presley And Bette Davis
And Debbie Reynolds
Cute number. She's lovely,but He's fun to watch.
@CSteeleASA ~ Van Johnson was a doll, and I agree with you.
I Get The Song Stuck In My Head
Only Fred Astaire would choreograph dances like that.
I like this because of the contrast. Van's a bit stiff but flexible and physically fit, while Lucille is sinuous, and their synchronicity is more than passable.
This is one of my favorite Robert Alton dance numbers. Okay, Van Johnson wasn't much of a singer or dancer, and Lucille Bremer was always dubbed, but the routine is lots of fun anyway.
I think Van Johnson was an absolute brilliant dancer. I just lover this number.
Van Johnson would have been 100 today 25th August 2016
@jayinchelsea well. van was a chorus boy along with gene kelly on broadway in the late 1930's. he wasn't in gene's and fred's league, but gene was willing to put him thru the rigorous rehearsals that he demanded when filming brigadoon. it's true that when gene broke his leg, he nixed van as his replacement in Easter Parade. But, Van developed into a very good second tier performer, a notch below Dan Dailey.
@jayinchelsea
I think the music jams!
Are there any other instances of Van Johnson doing this number? I love the core of this song and could swear I heard "I Won't Dance" as kind of a non sequiter number in a movie.
@somewhere6 It does work... he is goofy!
And That Was From The Musical Roberta That Fred Astaire And Ginger Rogers Did And The Muppet Show
Van hadn't lost his east coast accent yet but it's a great dance number anyway!
It's a very small thing, but notice how natural his baton moves are. In many movies actors are supposed to be conducting and they are totally unconvincing. Was Johnson a musician?
Apparently he learned the violin in his youth. And he certainly makes a good fist at playing a banjo in Romance of Rosy Ridge. So, yes.
I once heard Clive James describe Van Johnson as "the dancing wardrobe". So unkind, I thought, although that big blue jacket does make him look quite wide!
Her dark dress spoils the scene, blends into the background, should be red.
I Will Sing This To Charli When I Am Hugging Her When I Am Singing The Song From The Musical Till The Clouds Roll By
The "pretty" Bette Davis...
the decent version
the jacket makes van look like a busboy.