He was 54 years of age when this was filmed. Thanks for posting - a wonderful and inventive routine with no tricks. No wonder he was a very big star in his day. Didn't I see somewhere that a million people came out for his funeral?
A real gifted and talented artist,of which we will not see the like again,some have come close,Sammy Davis,Gregory Hines, Fred Astaire,Gene Kelly, among the notables...
Bill Robinson was also good friends with the Queen of Tap Eleanor Powell. He taught her this stair dance and they also work together when she was a teenager in NYC, Bill Robinson and Pearl Bailey are her son's godparents
Yes, I agree Hines did a great job with his film biography, It was so sad though, I cried my eyes at the end. Hines was a brilliant dancer and did BoJangles proud. Tragic.
Thank you for posting this historical gem! I included this video in a post on my cultural blog. Google Pancocojams Bill "Bojangles" Robinson - His Nickname & His Stair Dance. Thank you for your dance legacy and RIP Bill "Bojangles" Robinson!
Awesome. Even though the audience couldn't be bothered with watching.
14 років тому+2
These old guys came up through vaudeville and such. They were originally stage actors and so they had to have a full routine nailed. Todays dancers don't have that background so many of them lay out a move or two and then cut. The editors have a field day but the dancers don't have to be great to be made to look good.
William Henry Lane (1825-1852), known as Master Juba, was an early-mid 19th century African-American dancer. He began his career at 16 years of age and became world famous as one of the best at performing jigs, break down, and tap.
The power of indecision, should I go over this staircases or should I not..! oh i don't know... i don't know!! yes, no... maybe? Step-dancers a Awesome XD
It is a medley of different songs, including "Smiles." The pianist is his accompanist at the time, Putney Dandridge, who also appears on screen in other parts of the film, and was a recording artist, mainly as a vocalist, from 1935-6. Dandridge is also one of the scat singers on "Goin' Nuts" by the Six Jolly Jesters from 1929.
Swanee River is in there too. I recognized it early in the program. But I was so fascinated watching the dancing, I pretty much hardly heard the rest of the music. 😮
Quick… how can you tell this was filmed before Fred Astaire got into the movies? Watch all those cuts that take you away from this brilliant dancer himself-- to the audience, for some ungodly reason; and to his feet. This is a dancer, and the whole man dances, not just his feet, and surely not that audience who has no interest in watching him--we don't have any interest in them, either. Fred Astaire revolutionized the filming of dancing: he insisted that the film show the whole person, and not cut away to body parts or the audience. He insisted that the audience get the chance to see the whole person dancing.
The most perfect tap dancer of all time in my opinion, all taps could be heard and amazing control. What an accomplishment considering he had a shitty life. His parents must have been descended from slaves.
A splendid performance!
Wow, wow, wow. This is nothing short of brilliant!. Its mesmerising, fantastic, awe inspiring. Tap dancing at its best
He was 54 years of age when this was filmed.
Thanks for posting - a wonderful and inventive routine with no tricks. No wonder he was a very big star in his day.
Didn't I see somewhere that a million people came out for his funeral?
BLOODY MARVELOUS....BEYOND EXCELLENT, SHEER CLASS......30
A real gifted and talented artist,of which we will not see the like again,some have come close,Sammy Davis,Gregory Hines, Fred Astaire,Gene Kelly, among the notables...
the video itself says "1932". definitely during the great depression.
amazing how some of the best art, music, and dancing come out of hard times.
Bo Jangles must be the best and earliest tap dancer
Totally awesome!
This incredible man literally made music with his feet!!
He taught MANY how to do his thing.....Fred, Elleanor, Shirtly amoung others......
Let's not forget that he did not take tap lessons... it's a God given gift! WoW!!!
I can't believe I never saw that before. Amazing.
¡Unbelievable! Nobody ever came close to his style and skill...
one did....Elle Powell
Fabulous!
ah the real Bojangles - what a delightful surprise ☆〜
Bill Robinson was also good friends with the Queen of Tap Eleanor Powell. He taught her this stair dance and they also work together when she was a teenager in NYC, Bill Robinson and Pearl Bailey are her son's godparents
Greatness! Thank you for sharing.
Yes, I agree Hines did a great job with his film biography, It was so sad though, I cried my eyes at the end. Hines was a brilliant dancer and did BoJangles proud. Tragic.
Beautiful, complex, yet so simple =)
Happy Birthday Bojangles from the RVA! Happy National Tap Dance Day to everyone else!
So amazing!
It's his birthday today. Thank you to the person who uploaded that - so great!
Thank you for posting this historical gem!
I included this video in a post on my cultural blog. Google Pancocojams Bill "Bojangles" Robinson - His Nickname & His Stair Dance.
Thank you for your dance legacy and RIP Bill "Bojangles" Robinson!
oh my god that's fantastic
Love the drape of those trousers.
Amazing!!!
the man made music with his feet alone....
Awesome. Even though the audience couldn't be bothered with watching.
These old guys came up through vaudeville and such. They were originally stage actors and so they had to have a full routine nailed. Todays dancers don't have that background so many of them lay out a move or two and then cut. The editors have a field day but the dancers don't have to be great to be made to look good.
1934, it's written at the beginning... Amazing performance!!!!
Really 1932.
thats art!
thanks
such a unique talent it was
He was just so amazing! Tap sorta died with him.
smart, sassy feet! I remember seeing him and shirley temple dance on the stairs when i was a child and being so enchanted!
thanks!!
i'm amazed that someone designed that set of stairs to have just the right amount of steps.
Wow just moving. Proud to be black.
very talented
Wow!he was an amazing tap dancer
Thanks for this
Wow....
A great dancer !
he sure can climb those stairs!
William Henry Lane (1825-1852), known as Master Juba, was an early-mid 19th century African-American dancer. He began his career at 16 years of age and became world famous as one of the best at performing jigs, break down, and tap.
TigerRocket f
Nice post Roach. Thanks.
Nothing better than watching that man tap
Shoot, wish we could've had a bojangles party!
You're very welcome! =)
He was about 54 when he did this routine -- imagine what he must have been like in his 20s... too bad movie musicals weren't around 20 years earlier
Unbelievable talent - Gregory Hines probably comes closest to him in tap dancing ability.
Gregory Hines played him well in the movie Bojangles
Brings my step aerobics instructor down a peg.
Wonderful!
Excellent!
Legend
Incredible.
Amazing!!
Legs of steel, that man!
watching history
Wow thats all i can say!
True, this isnt real "Step Dancing" but i think the person who posted this mean it as in dancing on STEPS. Never the less...Jangles is genious.
wow
SPLENDID!!!
esse cara e fantástico, sua agilidade e incrível.
I like the song of
Mr.bojangles it was so cool and nice also amaizing ...bye... By Demoshieo and Lieshia.
does the one person who dislikes this live in a bungalow and have a deep rooted fear of all things stair related??
Next visit to Richmond VA see the statue erected in his honor featuring him doing this dance.
be still my beating heart
he done did near bojangled the hoot out of dem there steps.
Seems like Bob Fosse must have gotten inspiration from Mr. Bojangles, with the hat and all the tap moves!!!
I'd actually go as far to call that genius.
The power of indecision, should I go over this staircases or should I not..! oh i don't know... i don't know!! yes, no... maybe?
Step-dancers a Awesome XD
Nekogami-Crystal p
Does anyone know the soundtrack of this performance?
+Adrian Stramtu It kind of sounds like "My Ol' Kentucky Home".
+Jesse Corder Opening credit says Swanee River. Not really recognizable.
The song Swanee River
It is a medley of different songs, including "Smiles." The pianist is his accompanist at the time, Putney Dandridge, who also appears on screen in other parts of the film, and was a recording artist, mainly as a vocalist, from 1935-6. Dandridge is also one of the scat singers on "Goin' Nuts" by the Six Jolly Jesters from 1929.
Anyone know if this was choreographed or did he improv it?
How great! Based on the condition of the film and his appearance I'd guess 1929-30 for this film. Does anyone have any information on its origins?
what is that song on the piano in the background
A medley of several songs, including "Old Folks at Home," "Smiles" and others.
Swanee River is in there too. I recognized it early in the program. But I was so fascinated watching the dancing, I pretty much hardly heard the rest of the music. 😮
Quick… how can you tell this was filmed before Fred Astaire got into the movies? Watch all those cuts that take you away from this brilliant dancer himself-- to the audience, for some ungodly reason; and to his feet. This is a dancer, and the whole man dances, not just his feet, and surely not that audience who has no interest in watching him--we don't have any interest in them, either. Fred Astaire revolutionized the filming of dancing: he insisted that the film show the whole person, and not cut away to body parts or the audience. He insisted that the audience get the chance to see the whole person dancing.
It's his birthday again today. D'oh now the guy is three years older.
Sammy Davis Jr learned from him.
Fred astaire , tried this and broke is toe.
Tugorma SlimKing in your Dreams
was he tapping so fast some periods I didn't see his feet move just heard the sound
μέγα ταλέντο !!
The most perfect tap dancer of all time in my opinion, all taps could be heard and amazing control. What an accomplishment considering he had a shitty life. His parents must have been descended from slaves.
Wenn ich noch mal geboren werde lerne ich steppen...versprochen.
Dude was in his 50s here. Wow!!!
👣👣👣👏👏👏👏👏
Don't even seem like they were paying him no mind. Just had money just to go and be dressed nice smh
1934 .....I think.
The hight of the great depresion.
wth happend2 dance
Fuckin' amazing! Jesus H!
Screw the drummer, if you had this dude he could drum like a pro while dancing!
What seven people gave this a dislike????...
FORGET THE CUP DANCE!!!!!!!!!!
this isn't step dancing...it's tap dancing. step dancing is a white country thing more like a variation of a highland fling or something.
Lol. Act a fool wit it
None like him
Ninguém dava atenção ao show isso devia acontecer sempre que um negro se apresentava
Wow. Lost talent.