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Friday 15 April 2016

Stan & Oliver & Fred & Ginger

To say that Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers could dance is like saying that Elvis could sing, or that Stephen Hawking knows a little about physics, or that Bill Gates made some money from his computer knowledge: an understatement of huge proportions.

I was reminded of the Fred and Ginger magic a few days ago, when Geo., of Trainride of the Enigmas, wrote this post which included a wonderfully hilarious clip of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy dancing (if you haven't already done so, go see it; you'll be glad you did). They were sedate, they were coy, they were sweetly funny. And somehow, in the midst of their dainty - yes, dainty - footwork, and fluttering of coat tails, they reminded me of Fred and Ginger in a clip from Swing Time, one of the many musicals those two made together. I've watched a good number of their dance videos, and this one remains my favourite. They just made it look so easy. Of course, it isn't.

Enjoy!



P. S. .......

According to Ginger Rogers' official website, this 1982 cartoon by Bob Thaves is the original source of that great quote. Imagine!












16 comments:

dinthebeast said...

I've always loved that quote. Thanks for letting me know where it came from.

-Doug In Oakland

Diane Stringam Tolley said...

I LOVE this! Watched it. then watched it with my granddaughter. Mmmm . . . Fred and Ginger. Sigh. :)

Geo. said...

I've always enjoyed watching Rogers and Astaire dance and really like your clip selection. I suspect part of their synchronized fun was closeness in size. Her heels and his flats made them nearly the same height and they shared a center of gravity.

Elephant's Child said...

As a chronic Klutz I can only watch in awe.

jenny_o said...

My pleasure. I was surprised that it originated with that cartoon.

jenny_o said...

Almost hypnotic, isn't it?!

jenny_o said...

That sounds like a physics thing. Is that a physics thing, Geo.?

Glad you liked it.

jenny_o said...

Beauty in motion ... and remember, the world needs us appreciators.

Mr. Shife said...

They sure did make it look easy, and that cartoon quote is pretty awesome. I also enjoyed your About Me description as a full time short person. Made me laugh as I come from little people as well. My mother was 4'11" and my dad was 5'8", which means I'm not making a fortune as a power forward in the NBA. Take care.

Steve Reed said...

They were terrific together. I always loved watching their movies. "Top Hat" is another great one!

jenny_o said...

Short people of the world, unite :) Thanks for visiting, Mr. S.

dinthebeast said...

There's a delightful video on Youtube of Ginger Rogers at 92 dancing salsa with her 29 year old great grandson.

-Doug in Oakland

jenny_o said...

Yes, and I loved her gown in that one, although I do keep having the urge to sneeze just looking at those ostrich feathers :)

Thanks for coming by, Steve.

jenny_o said...

Yes! Isn't that amazing? Says a lot for keeping physically active!

Betsy MacWhinney said...

That's a fun clip to watch. I wonder what she would have done with her life if she were alive now, in her 20's...

jenny_o said...

Now that's an interesting thought. Maybe she'd be a regular on Dancing With the Stars. Or maybe she'd be a stockbroker. So much in life is timing.