People can't dance like they did back in the 40's and 50's. Classic Ginger! Love! No one can do the Charleston as effortlessly as the people who grew up with it.
I've seen more energetic Charlestons but never such elegant, poised perfection. And the last second where the camera is still rolling after the cut is priceless.
According to pianist Bob Milne, James P. Johnson wrote it and he first played it in a barrel house near Charleston, South Carolina, and the audience started asking them to play it over and over, and one sailor that was in the crowd was an incredible dancer and he made up the dance moves on the spot. By the time Johnson left town, that tune became known as "Charleston," which was then changed to "The Charleston."
I've seen other outtakes similar to this from other musicals, and sometimes at the end of the clip you see the performers drop the facade of the character they're playing and just collapse with exhaustion - as Ginger does here. Shows you that it was not all cheerful fun & games making musicals, regardless of how lighthearted they may appear to the audience.
WONDERFUL clip! Thanks so much for posting it. I've watched all 10 of the Rogers-Astaire movies & knew Ginger got her first "break" by winning a Charleston contest as a teen. So it's neat to see her do the dance. Too bad it wasn't included in the film I would have loved to see it in its entirety.
One night I saw an interview with Ginger in which she said she got going in show biz, when as Virginia McMath, her real name, she won a Charleston contest. Guess this sequence probably had a lot of meaning to her.
This is a great Charleston vid. I personally can't believe she was able to do that in what looks like 4 inch heels. I've seen plenty of amazing Charleston performances, but they are usually done in flat shoes. Kudos to Ginger, I'm sure she would have preferred to do it in flats. :)
For Heaven's Sake Ginger, How could you be such a wonderful dancer??? Well, wonderful in everything, but as dancer!!! Geez... Ginger you're just perfect
I have never thought of the Charleston as a sexy dance before but when Ginger does it is! She would have been around 31 in this clip, why did this end up on the cutting room floor, WHY??
@khany2k You may already have an answer to your question about what song this is. But, if not, the tune does have words and the title itself is "Charleston". Someone sang it in an old movie - can't recall which movie it's in. I love to watch Ginger do this dance - she is the greatest. Of course, Fred made Ginger look good, as someone has posted here, but hey, Ginger made him look good. Her very lovely femininity itself colored every dance she did with him. - Paula
after awhile of dancing in heels, you get used to it and then it's almost easier to dance in heels than flats. but i dont think i can explain why ginger is amazing!
This clip is one of my favorites too. I wondered why they cut the scene...notice the one-legged hopping portion of the choreography closer to the end - it doesn't really look good...and it looks like they only shot this as a master shot without other angles...
This deleted 'Charleston' clip should have been left in "Roxie Hart". Ginger Rogers' dancing to it is remarkable. If only the partying guests could show some enthusiasm!
@betsybooth123 ......she probably shot this scene 15 times, and in heels! haha! Ginger, the best, without question. In her biography she said that in her films with Fred, at the end of the day she could pour blood from her shoes when she took them off.....that's A LOT of dancing!
Its "The Charleston" by Peter ...someone lol forgot his last name...He wrote it I think in 1923?? Anyways I love Ginger omg shes my favorite...and the way she moves those legs!
Fun! We don't dance like *that* any more! ;o) BTW, is it just my eyes or is this the thinnest she ever was on screen? Thanks laughland for posting AND for weeding out the (grrrr) trolls.
Ginger looks even thinner than she did in swing time and top hat... strange because its later than those two and in the barkleys of broadway (1949), she filled out much more
@mrtakushi ...That's Ginger alright with a curly hairdo. When she was in the midst of her intense practices with Fred, her dancing weight was 105 lbs @ 5'-41/2". She was often described as "elfin". When in 1949, in "Barclay's of Broadway", she became more womanly, the critics, now longer saw in her as the young waif, who danced so seemingly effortlessly with Fred. Rogers, forever fighting against type casting, never tired of changing her appearance. Sometimes it was disorienting for her fans.
It's surprising just called "Charleston." There's many versions of this one, like "Back to Charleston" or "Old Charleston." But it's simple Charleston.
God worked two miracles to wonder the humanity: The Comet Halley and Ginger Rogers. If He made The Comet come back to the Earth again and again, why He doesn't make the same with Ginger?
@greff - I was fascinated by HarrietNelson from Ozzie and Harriet Adventure doing the Charleston to the Tutti Fruiti Episode - she was unbelievable and what great Charleston Number she performed.. Wow.. she wasn't only a greaqt singer but a dancer too! No wonder Ozzie fell for her.
I looked at that section. I didn't notice anything strange. Whatever it was, only experts such as yourself would have know. They should have kept it in. Could a modern day "bootlegger" not edit it back in? ;)
I like your vid clip and I've rated it as awesome. Please check out mine on some old cigarette cards of 1930's celebrities, including: Ginger Rogers,Shirley Temple, Joan Crawford, Gracie Fields,Kay Francis,Clark Gable,, Greta Garbo, Katherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers,Norma Shearer.
Yeah. As much as we like to think otherwise, Hollywood was just not romantic. They worked hard for the money. For all we know this could have been take 32. And there were no unions, so hours were sometimes unbelievable.
People can't dance like they did back in the 40's and 50's. Classic Ginger! Love! No one can do the Charleston as effortlessly as the people who grew up with it.
I've seen more energetic Charlestons but never such elegant, poised perfection. And the last second where the camera is still rolling after the cut is priceless.
Boy! I've been looking for that segment for almost 20 years. What a classic!
According to pianist Bob Milne, James P. Johnson wrote it and he first played it in a barrel house near Charleston, South Carolina, and the audience started asking them to play it over and over, and one sailor that was in the crowd was an incredible dancer and he made up the dance moves on the spot. By the time Johnson left town, that tune became known as "Charleston," which was then changed to "The Charleston."
That was a rare find. Cant believe that cut that out.
I've been a Ginger Rogers fan since I was a little girl. She's an amazing dancer!
I've seen other outtakes similar to this from other musicals, and sometimes at the end of the clip you see the performers drop the facade of the character they're playing and just collapse with exhaustion - as Ginger does here. Shows you that it was not all cheerful fun & games making musicals, regardless of how lighthearted they may appear to the audience.
WONDERFUL clip! Thanks so much for posting it. I've watched all 10 of the Rogers-Astaire movies & knew Ginger got her first "break" by winning a Charleston contest as a teen. So it's neat to see her do the dance. Too bad it wasn't included in the film I would have loved to see it in its entirety.
Ginger was just amazing, even now, 13 years since she passed on; we are the worse off for not having her around.
Sleep in peace Ginger x x x x
Happy 101st Birthday to the talented Miss Rogers!
it's a shame the clip is so short, I could watch her Charleston all day.
One night I saw an interview with Ginger in which she said she got going in show biz, when as Virginia McMath, her real name, she won a Charleston contest. Guess this sequence probably had a lot of meaning to her.
This is a great Charleston vid. I personally can't believe she was able to do that in what looks like 4 inch heels. I've seen plenty of amazing Charleston performances, but they are usually done in flat shoes. Kudos to Ginger, I'm sure she would have preferred to do it in flats. :)
Charleston! Charleston! Such a wonderful song and dance!
Wow. Look at footwork near the end, the entire thing is a spectacle but that ending part is top notch dance skill rarity even today.
For Heaven's Sake Ginger, How could you be such a wonderful dancer??? Well, wonderful in everything, but as dancer!!! Geez... Ginger you're just perfect
this is so beautiful. the jazz era was just the best. we want more videos like this! pleasssssse
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
I've been a fan of Ginger's forever.
What a treat! Thank you for sharing!!
A great dance from the Texas State Charleston Champion. A wonderful lady and friend.
I have never thought of the Charleston as a sexy dance before but when Ginger does it is! She would have been around 31 in this clip, why did this end up on the cutting room floor, WHY??
@khany2k You may already have an answer to your question about what song this is. But, if not, the tune does have words and the title itself is "Charleston". Someone sang it in an old movie - can't recall which movie it's in. I love to watch Ginger do this dance - she is the greatest. Of course, Fred made Ginger look good, as someone has posted here, but hey, Ginger made him look good. Her very lovely femininity itself colored every dance she did with him. - Paula
I believe she always danced in heels. That makes her even more amazing as a dancer. She was a supreme actress in any genre.
Holy cow look at her go! This lady never ceases to amaze me
@TruthLightSeeker So very true. She was one phenomenal lady and one heck of a dancer.
Love this sooooo much!!!
she's so adorable!
after awhile of dancing in heels, you get used to it and then it's almost easier to dance in heels than flats. but i dont think i can explain why ginger is amazing!
wow. what brillience!
'
my oldest son is 20& he loves ginger!!!!!!!!!
wow!!! look at her go in those heels!! :o
This clip is one of my favorites too. I wondered why they cut the scene...notice the one-legged hopping portion of the choreography closer to the end - it doesn't really look good...and it looks like they only shot this as a master shot without other angles...
This was good. I love that dress.
LOVE IT!!!! and the dress too!
Lovely!
COOL!
Love Ginger with her short curly-haired Roxy Hart persona. Total turn-on.!
watching this now
i loved it
DAT DRESS
The 3 last secs are pretty scary with the sound thing and video cuts
@coconutgrove8 I couldn't agree more! Ginger was marvelous!!!
Daaaaamn old school Cypher hahaha that's awesome
She was incredible! I had no ide@!
all in heels :P
very good that a hold lot of shaking going on.
The #1 Dancing Anthem!!!
@laughland She also had dark hair, though straighter than this, in her academy award winning performance in and as Kitty Foyle.
This deleted 'Charleston' clip should have been left in "Roxie Hart". Ginger Rogers' dancing to it is remarkable. If only the partying guests could show some enthusiasm!
From what I discern, it originated in (and was named for) Charleston, South Carolina (NOT West Virginia).
she looked like she must have been dizzy at the end there
@betsybooth123 ......she probably shot this scene 15 times, and in heels! haha! Ginger, the best, without question. In her biography she said that in her films with Fred, at the end of the day she could pour blood from her shoes when she took them off.....that's A LOT of dancing!
Its "The Charleston" by Peter ...someone lol forgot his last name...He wrote it I think in 1923?? Anyways I love Ginger omg shes my favorite...and the way she moves those legs!
Ginger got into showbiz by dancing the Charleston.
NICE! =D
Fun!
We don't dance like *that* any more! ;o)
BTW, is it just my eyes or is this the thinnest she ever was on screen?
Thanks laughland for posting AND for weeding out the (grrrr) trolls.
The composer is James P. Johnson
@mrtakushi
I thought the same thing until I looked at the legs...those are definitley Ginger's legs.
incredible! I just have to laugh at how distinctly '40s her hair is though...:D
@mrtakushi
I thought the same thing until I looked at the legs...those a definitley Ginger's legs.
Ginger looks even thinner than she did in swing time and top hat... strange because its later than those two and in the barkleys of broadway (1949), she filled out much more
That's what the song is called, The Charleston. hey have the same tune because it's the same song.
@MsLoyal12 How was it horrible? Explain please.
@anikorising May I remind you not to call this great lady a b.... She was a lovely lady and a good friend.
People who danced this dance and then after that the jitterbug had the nerve to call Jive indecent!!!
and I can't even walk straight in heels!
Fun....Ginger Rogers was all about fun.
@vintagefan92: You can count me in on that, honey!
Excelent video, the charleston is funny
@mrtakushi ...That's Ginger alright with a curly hairdo. When she was in the midst of her intense practices with Fred, her dancing weight was 105 lbs @ 5'-41/2". She was often described as "elfin". When in 1949, in "Barclay's of Broadway", she became more womanly, the critics, now longer saw in her as the young waif, who danced so seemingly effortlessly with Fred. Rogers, forever fighting against type casting, never tired of changing her appearance. Sometimes it was disorienting for her fans.
and I can't even walk straight in heels !!
just like the rock songs do as well... especially with the electric guitar.
...like they said, " Ginger Rogers could do everything that Fred Astaire could do..only backwards and in heels! "
charleston
@lokotasioux Yes it is.
it´s the Charleston, a fox trot but i don´t know who is the composer
It's surprising just called "Charleston." There's many versions of this one, like "Back to Charleston" or "Old Charleston." But it's simple Charleston.
Who's this arrangement of the charleston by?
hahah ginger better do it!!!
The difference being that Hughes had every intention to marry Ginger, she turned him down because she thought him a bit cooky, how right she was!
I know! I don't remember Ginger being that tiny, I know she was slim but here she is REALLY skinny.
I wonder who (exactly) invented the Charleston?
God worked two miracles to wonder the humanity: The Comet Halley and Ginger Rogers. If He made The Comet come back to the Earth again and again, why He doesn't make the same with Ginger?
@greff - I was fascinated by HarrietNelson from Ozzie and Harriet Adventure doing the Charleston
to the Tutti Fruiti Episode - she was unbelievable and what great Charleston Number she performed.. Wow.. she wasn't only a greaqt singer but a dancer too! No wonder Ozzie fell for her.
@barcyorky Ginger broke her engagement with Hughes because she caught him with another woman.
I looked at that section. I didn't notice anything strange. Whatever it was, only experts such as yourself would have know. They should have kept it in. Could a modern day "bootlegger" not edit it back in? ;)
can someome tell me what the name of the song is and what band is playing ?
Her hair is dark in this movie, as it would be again in Kitty Foyle.
Como se llama esta cancion??
Watch the problem choreography between 00:27 and 00:34. Very unflattering coverage of a dancer and routine...so they tossed it out.
why do so many charleston songs have the same tune?
she was real?
Here you go... Ginger, Lucy and Lucie: watch?v=5YMPNNWnU7g
No offense, but you must be pretty jealous.
Fred Astaire who?
I like your vid clip and I've rated it as awesome. Please check out mine on some old cigarette cards of 1930's celebrities, including: Ginger Rogers,Shirley Temple, Joan Crawford, Gracie Fields,Kay Francis,Clark Gable,, Greta Garbo, Katherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers,Norma Shearer.
Yeah. As much as we like to think otherwise, Hollywood was just not romantic. They worked hard for the money. For all we know this could have been take 32. And there were no unions, so hours were sometimes unbelievable.
Ginger dated Howard Hughes but then so did most every other starlet in L.A. at the time.
Is it just me, or is she just unbelievably skinny?
great: just a little too clean and polished.
sidenote: teach me how to dougie...
nothing new under the sun...