Everyone goes on about what a breakthrough in racial integration on screen Gene Kelly dancing with the Nicholas Brothers was in 'The Pirate' (1948). This came out the next year and is just as good IMO. It was the Berrys last movie. Dailey, an adroit Bolger-ish hoofer, had a ringside seat on Broadway from birth: his father managed the Hotel Roosevelt. But Dan was unlucky in movies, dogged by unproductive links with Gene Kelly. In 1942, after being stuck in a string of non-dancing roles in minor MGM pix, Dan had been down to co-star in 'For Me and My Gal" with Eleanor Powell after a small part in her film 'Lady Be Good'. They had rehearsed routines and were all set when Dailey was drafted and the project recast with Judy Garland and Kelly: a Hollywood newcomer like Dailey, who had to watch 'his' picture in an Army cinema. When he left the service Metro unaccountably dropped him, possibly bc Kelly- by now the hot name there- feared competition from a taller man. Dailey did lesser musicals with the likes of Betty Grable and June Haver, albeit Grable's atypical 'Mother Wore Tights' gave him one giant hit in 1947. Even in that he was third choice behind, yep, Kelly and Cagney. (He got the gig by showing Fox his test with Powell.) Years later Dan was granted the role of the frustrated adman in 'It's Always Fair Weather' with Kelly, who had fallen out with O'Connor. But it was a downer which helped kill off the MGM musical, and both men's movie stardom withered. Dailey wound up in a TV sitcom.
Dan Dailey and the Berry Brothers- Fantasticos
Terrific Tappin' ! 🎶💕🌟
This is how dance should be filmed - long takes, bodies shown head to toe. Thanks to Fred Astaire for making that the gold standard for dance on film.
These guys were great.
Everyone goes on about what a breakthrough in racial integration on screen Gene Kelly dancing with the Nicholas Brothers was in 'The Pirate' (1948). This came out the next year and is just as good IMO. It was the Berrys last movie.
Dailey, an adroit Bolger-ish hoofer, had a ringside seat on Broadway from birth: his father managed the Hotel Roosevelt. But Dan was unlucky in movies, dogged by unproductive links with Gene Kelly.
In 1942, after being stuck in a string of non-dancing roles in minor MGM pix, Dan had been down to co-star in 'For Me and My Gal" with Eleanor Powell after a small part in her film 'Lady Be Good'. They had rehearsed routines and were all set when Dailey was drafted and the project recast with Judy Garland and Kelly: a Hollywood newcomer like Dailey, who had to watch 'his' picture in an Army cinema.
When he left the service Metro unaccountably dropped him, possibly bc Kelly- by now the hot name there- feared competition from a taller man. Dailey did lesser musicals with the likes of Betty Grable and June Haver, albeit Grable's atypical 'Mother Wore Tights' gave him one giant hit in 1947. Even in that he was third choice behind, yep, Kelly and Cagney. (He got the gig by showing Fox his test with Powell.)
Years later Dan was granted the role of the frustrated adman in 'It's Always Fair Weather' with Kelly, who had fallen out with O'Connor. But it was a downer which helped kill off the MGM musical, and both men's movie stardom withered. Dailey wound up in a TV sitcom.
Joe rogan brought me here