Nicholas Brothers in Down Argentine Way (1940)

The Nicholas Bros perform the title song in Down Argentine Way. It was the very beginning of their golden years in the early 1940s. To be accurate, it's from 1940 to 1943. During the period, they appeared in six films in Hollywood - Down Argentine Way (1940), Tin Pan Alley (1940), The Great American Broadcast (1941), Sun Valley Serenade (1941), Orchestra Wives (1942) and the legendary Stormy Weather (1943). And this is definitely one of their bests. It's actually equal with the famous 'Jumpin' Jive' routine in Stormy Weather. By this time, the Bros, Fayard and Harold, had already been stars at Cotton Club in Harlem and also appeared in several films, such as Kid Millions (1934), The Big Broadcast Of 1936 (1935), Calling All Stars (1937), etc. They were already fabulous in the '30s. This film, however, tells that in those days the little brothers were, so to speak, only "Padawans". Now they were back on screen as "Jedi Knights"! In the first place, Irving Cummings, director of D.A.W., intended to edit and shorten the Bros' scene, while dance director Nick Castle made a claim for including it in its entirety. A test screening was held, where the audience raised a cheer for the Bros and shouted to the operator in the projection booth to rewind the film and show their dance sequence again (the operator actually did it), which settled the argument. It eventually survived and now you can watch it here. The Nicholas Bros were known as "the Show Stoppers" in the '30s. Nobody could follow them on stage. And they stopped the show literally even on the silver screen! Fayard and Harold appear again at the end of the movie and dance a bit. It also features Carmen Miranda singing 'Mama Yo Quiero' (as well as 'South American Way') which Harold would sing in Reckless Age (1944). You can see the D.A.W. routine enacted on the Colgate Comedy Hour aired on Dec 14, 1952. The Bros performed it also in the film Botta E Risposta (1950) in medley with the 'Jumpin' Jive'. Fayard Nicholas (10/20/1914 - 1/24/2006) is the man on the right. He was kind of a born dancer, a dance-crazy guy of the Astaire type. Watch every movement of his arms, hands and fingers when you see him dancing. Totally beautiful. You can compare it with the movement of Astaire's hands, for instance, in the 'Chanege Partners' number in Carefree (1938). Harold Nicholas (3/27/1921 - 7/3/2000) is on the left. He did singing, dancing, acting, impressions...a very versatile man of the Sammy Davis Jr type. Actually he was Davis' idol. They were the kings. NO ONE could touch them. Tap dancing is not an out-of-date thing, but still an exciting form of dance. One great thing about tap is that you can not only see it, but also HEAR it. Even a blind man could enjoy it. It creates beat, rhythm...which is the most fundamental thing for music. Yes, in the beginning THERE WAS RHYTHM. Hoofers wear tap shoes, just like Jedis wear lightsabers...an elegant weapon of a more civilized time. I call hoofers "Jedis of dance". More about the Nicholas Brothers: http://strongerthanparadise.bl... MAY DA BEAT BE WITH U

Channel: Entertainment
Uploaded: November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am
Author: AbejaMariposaJr

Length: 03:54
Rating: 4.96
Views: 12055

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