Original subtitles

no matter what the situation called for Fred Astaire always seemed to have shoes

with wings [Music]

welcome to Ms mojo and today we're counting down our picks for the top ten

Fred Astaire dance scenes before we begin we publish new content every day

so be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified about

our latest videos for this list we're looking at Astaire's most impressive

footwork that still blows us away to this day

[Music] [Applause]

[Music]

we're basing our picks on a mix of fun choreography clever camera work and the

over-the-top energy that made all of Fred's moves a joy to watch number 10

let yourself go follow the fleet during shore leave Baker and sherry reunite

only to find themselves in a couple's dance off while they're fancy tapping

starts off is a bit of fun the duo really start showing off when

they see another two dancers trying to outshine them Fred Astaire and Ginger

Rogers then start kicking and waving their bodies every which way they can

as the music speeds up a staring Rodgers mirror each other's movements and even

fit in some drunken stops while let's face the music and dance offers the pair

much prettier sets their chemistry and let yourself go keeps us mesmerised

number 9 the shorty George you are never lovelier baba Marie is flirting gets so

heated that they both hit the floor to do the shorty George Rita Hayworth and

Astaire bring a contagious energy to this already catchy song and transition

they're singing right into a routine [Music]

though Fred's audition dance was frantic enough for him to consider it one of his

best solo routines his coordination here with Rita is astounding

[Music] [Applause]

the choreography was so complex betta took more rehearsal time than all the

other dances in the movie put together through a blend of tap with several

other styles Hayworth and Astaire make the shorty George their own

number eight begin the beguine Broadway melody of 1940 within seconds of

stepping onstage Claire and Johnny seamlessly sink their insanely elaborate

rhythms with the band behind them begin the beguine sees both actors follow each

other while still maintaining their technicality and individual personality

a starin Eleanor Powell hilariously break off into different sections of the

beat before introducing bizarre syncopations to the song right as the

music cuts out they speed things up and end up soloing so fast the band has to

start a new song [Music]

the coordination to line up patterns as eccentric as these has us in awe

number seven dem bones cafe the bandwagon

[Music] after handfuls of gangsters stylish Lee

danced their way into a bar fred astaire decides to strut inside during this part

of the girl hunt ballet musical number Cyd Charisse fights back with

exaggerated moves of her own turning the dem bones cafe into a mind battleground

while fred and said move similarly throughout the routine they're flashy

interaction set this scene apart

the small gestures by the massive cast keep the visuals lively and remind

viewers that this is gang warfare though dancing in the dark showed much more

emotional depth Astaire and Charisse go mental in this encounter toward the end

of the film by crafting comedy out of a tango this scene is pure entertainment

she was my kind of [Music]

number six you're all the world to me royal wedding

[Music] head-over-heels in love Fred Astaire's

Tom starts dancing around his house to celebrate his excitement gets so out of

hand that he magically starts dancing on the wall

[Music]

as he spins and jumps his way between the ceiling and other ends of the room a

stair can't get over his partner's picture a rotating set gives fred the

freedom to not only crawl but pull off some colorful upside down tapping to

[Music]

despite the creative prop you sinistairs Hatrack dance his physical comedy puts

this scene on a whole other level the ceiling dance has a timeless charm

thanks to Astaire's imaginative use of space

[Music] number five I'll be hard to handle

Roberta how can char Vanka keep teasing each other about their past until they

suddenly find themselves dancing together they mirror each other on

continuously more complex solos and beats with the rhythm picking up behind

them Astaire and Ginger Rogers turn their choreography into a slapstick

standoff so entertaining this doesn't need music their play fighting somehow

incorporates a slap in to their unusual rhythms as well Astaire does pull up

some fancy moves for I won't dance but his chemistry with Rogers is more

fun with all the technical skills and amazing acting on display I'll be hard

to handle this all about this Paris personality and charisma

[Music]

number four let's call the whole thing off shall we dance as Peter and Linda

realized their romance has grown stale they start using their pronunciations to

show just how different they are after trading verses with each other they

break into annoyed tapping on their roller skates through mixing elements of

ice dance and ballet Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire create a uniquely quirky

dance the difficulty of the solos and tempo changes with their unusual shoes

is only overshadowed by their contagious smiles the rare combo of an iconic song

with an impressive routine still has audiences coming back to let's call the

whole thing off

number three cheek-to-cheek top hat [Music]

together dancing GG for their slow dance Jerry sings cheek to cheek while guiding

Dale through glorious mansion sets as the couple hit a private floor their

moves become much more dramatic without ever stopping for a second

despite their elegant costumes Ginger Rogers and Astaire also break into a

brief synchronized tap Fred and Ginger's coordinated spins and footwork have also

helped immortalize this classic scene though this routine lacks the massive

cast and solos of top hat white tie and Tails it's more intimate and personal

cheek to cheek still stands the test of time thanks to its romantic energy and

memorable melodies

number two putting on the Ritz blue skies with a cane in his hand Fred

Astaire goes for stylish choreography rather than something ridiculously

technical and you don't know where to go - why don't you go where fashion sits

putting on the Ritz sees Astaire performing in mock slow motion before

treating his own cane like a dance partner Fred's moves and spins get

faster while his stick adds to the songs unique rhythms after his cane magically

flies back to his hands a whole army of Astaire's appear for a mix of copycat

dancing and Colin responds solos [Applause]

[Music]

considering it took fred astaire five weeks to get it right

it's no wonder putting on the Ritz is one of his signature scenes

[Music]

before we get to our top pick here are a few honorable mentions

[Music] number one pick yourself up swing time

lucky asks penny for some dance help suddenly the two are in a full-blown tap

duet like it was nothing for pick yourself up both the stair and Rogers

swap in and out of more traditional moves with viciously fast tap rhythms

with a simple Polka core the two are able to incorporate ridiculous solos

without taking away from their larger dance

even without a particularly unique song the scene is one of the most famous in

Astaire's filmography

the flow of pick yourself up is so natural that Fred and Ginger are able to

dance right out the door before you realize it's all over

[Music]

do you agree with our picks check out these other great clips from Ms mojo and

be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos

[Music]