I sat next to Fayard Nicholas at a Pioneer Broadcasters luncheon in April 2004, at the Sportsman's Lodge in Studio City, CA. My dad was in radio in the 1930's, at WFAA in Dallas, Texas, and in the movies and on TV in the 1940's and 1950's. The luncheon was in honor of Mickey Rooney. Mr. Nicholas was fun to talk to, witty, and charming. So was his wife, Catherine. I knew about Mr. Nicholas's career, but I didn't know what a fantastic dancer he actually was until I watched clips of him from old movies.
Pure genius! When I was young, many years ago, my dance teacher said Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly were the best dancers in Hollywood. I said, no, the Nicolas Brothers were much better. He smirked and said, 'but the Nicholas Brothers didn't have class.' I was too scared, young and dumb to make a response. Boy oh boy! What I would reply to that dance teacher today!
They had their own strengths. I'd say it's incorrect to attempt and place one above the other. Edit: After all these years, I want to revise my thoughts. As a non-professional, I don't know whose technique is better and whatnot. I think they're all great. Personally, I like the way Gene Kelly moves when he dances. But again, all are a treat to watch.
C k I would say there wasn't anything that fred A. or Gean K. could do that the nicholas brothers couldn't do, in my opinion no one could come close to the nicholas brothers.
Their mother went to great trouble to ensure her children were never dressed or considered in stereotypical fashion which this dance instructor was clearly doing. Even as children Fred Astaire considered them professional peers. Donald O’Connor noted they had had no learning curve. They were great from day one. Fred Astaire considered their performance in Stormy Weather the greatest dance performance ever recorded on film. Gene Kelly danced with them in The Pirate. He was slowing them down! Heck George Balanchine wanted to know where they’d studied ballet! They hadn’t but his confusion was understandable given their precision, use of arms leaping ability, conditioning, etc. Fayard was a self taught dance prodigy who taught his kid brother Harold. The rest is history.
@@rickharris1709 Acrobatic skill isn't all that's necessary to be a great. Sure, physically the nicholas brothers might've been able to do anything gene or fred could do. But they don't have the same dance style or singing voice. They're special in their own way.
The Nicholas Brothers were two of the greatest and possibly the greatest dancers in film history. They redefined dancing. I don’t think there is anyone today who even comes close.
May they never be forgotten. Hollywood should make a film about them so they can be introduced to generations who never heard of them. I remember what Bohemian Rhapsody did to attract younger generations to Queen's music....and that is much more recent history.
They just don't make entertainers like this anymore. The music was fantastic and the dancing was absolutely insane. I don't think I've ever seen anyone dance with that much intensity. That was straight up impressive
No dancer will ever come close to the Nicholas brothers' talent ! ❤❤❤ The greatest dancers of all time ! ❤❤❤ Perfection ! ❤ So classy ! ❤ Mind blowing !!! ❤❤❤
I just sat here with my jaw dropped for 30 seconds, no joke. I am absolutely obsessed with their dance in Stormy Weather, but this?? This is off the chain too!!! The way they combine all these amazing athletic tricks to the music, pulling them off so elegantly, is just so amazing. Will probably never be bettered. And you can really see the first inklings of breakdancing in this routine very clearly. WOW!!!!!
Even my mother who was a dance instructor agrees with me that these two men outdo any dancer since -- not only could they sing they could dance; NO! They were acrobats that could dance and sing!
3:12 Sooo, I obviously need to get my eyes checked because I refuse to believe what I just saw. That is the perfect example of raw natural talent mixed with incredible dedication and training.
+Manny Lloyd Actually, they were self-taught. Fayard, the older, led the charge: as a kid, he taught himself by watching dancers at the Cotton Club, then taught his little bro. Isn't that just mind-blowing?
This should be required viewing in schools. These two young men are absolutely dazzling! I love "The Jumping Jive" too, with Cab Calloway's vocal contortions always making me smile and laugh. It's fun and silly and clever and impossible all at the same time.
Fayard Nicholas gave a presentation to a group of students at UCLA in the late 1980s...A movie starring Gregory Hines had come out, with Mr. Hines doing a lot of tap dancing in it(he was probably the best tap dancer in those days). I had seen the movie and thought Mr. Hines was an incredible tap dancer, then Mr. Fayard Nicholas showed some of these old clips at his presentation and I was just blown away. Hearing him speak, his voice was like a friendly grandfather, hard to believe someone so good could be so free of arrogance, always remembered that.
And, that's why my favorite Nicholas Brother was Fayard. There's no denying that they were exceptional because, not only could they dance, they could also sing, all with such class. To me, they are the bar. But, I especially liked Fayard because he always came across as being very humble and friendly. And, that's a rarity, even then.
Sitting here tonight shaking my head...67 years old and only seeing the Nicholas Brothers for the first time. Jaw-dropping stuff. Fred, Gene, MJ...uh, who are you guys again?
Fred would say, "Nobody, man." He told the brothers they did the best dance sequence in the movies he ever saw (in their next film, STORMY WEATHER, of course).
+Traci Harting The Berry Brothers are Wonderful too. Makes you wonder who inspired who. There's so much talent but it's just not given enough opportunities to shine but we've always had it.
I've spent my whole life watching and following tricking, parkour, free running, gymnastics and every other sport I can find that involves crazy acrobatic movies... so I've seen literally thousands of people backflip off walls and I am telling you: this is the most aesthetically awesome wallflip I have ever seen. If anyone is wondering how it compares to all the people who can do that move today - it's amazing. His height is, as someone said below, ungodly; the way he takes a giant flying leap to reach the wall instead of simply taking a small step up like everyone else just makes it sooo smooth looking. It just has a nice rhythm to it: run, juuuuump, ba-dum two quick steps, fliiiiiip, land. Also that wall is truly vertical. Many people use a slightly slanted wall to get extra height and to make it generally easier to do but not this time. What a monster. Also it's a small thing, but after he does the crazy spinning jump at 2:53 (which is also really cool, btw) I really love the way he gets back up to the music. XD
LockeTricks don't forget tap shoes the and heel are covered with silver which makes them unbelievably slippery and the only thing that helps is tape which they dont seem to be using and if you want a reference for how slippery they are trying walking on a waxed floor with socks I've had moments in tap shoes walking around my school backstage and just slipping on my ass
I had to re-watch that twirl over and over. These guys are light years beyond Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, or Michael Jackson. No comparison to be made. All that grace and athleticism is so natural and they just radiate joy and charisma. Wish I had heard of them sooner.
TRADUIRE IN FRENCH! Nous avions également notre Glenn Miller en France: Ray Ventura et son grand orchestre, dont de nombreux films tels, Nous iront à Paris, à la mi-Août etc, à visionner, vous ne serez pas déçus!
King Slay the berry brothers were much better than the Nicholas brothers, James Brown, Michael Jackson put together times 10. now before you call me a liar just type in THE BERRY BROTHERS then click on DANCE ACT and also click on "BERRY BROTHERS" and watch them do fascinating rhythm and ask yourself COULD THE NICHOLAS BROTHERS OR ANYBODY ON PLANET EARTH DO THESE TWO ROUTINES? LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK?
Thank you sir!! And one day, we’ll be able to speak about our other contributions to the Country we love, without anybody being offended. We can say who started Rock and Roll without anyone feeling attacked. We know our contributions beyond Sports, Music and dance, but it’s hard for people to hear and accept when they thought we contributed NOTHING, and we understand that! We know Astaire and Kelly were very good dancers, but we know where they got those moves!! But again, we thank you, on their behalf!
I'm a 60's baby. But I am well versed when it comes to the Nicholas brothers. I used to sit up with my mom and watch them do their thing. They were so ahead of the time with their dance routines and skills. Much respect to the Nicholas brothers who paved the way for the many famous African American tap dancers.
I've loved the Nicholas Brothers for a long time. You can't beat them with Glenn Miller. What talent! So glad we can watch this instead of what's out there today.
2:53.. seriously???? jump and spin was graceful as ever, straight into smoove jazz split ON BEAT--which he landed with his back to the camera shot. so he managed to stick the turn around--also on beat... C'mon man! these men were the REAL DEAL..
Don't know when this video was made, but for me, its "timeless!"... no one else at that time could ever compare with these two brothers!.. thank God for "youtube" that these two dancing "giants" can still be seen!..
I must be going crazy!!!! They went through this whole routine PERFECTLY and did not break ONE sweat. How they still looking fine after all of that?!? Holy mother of everything I love lol.
How in the living hell did Harold do that!!!! 3:12, The height that he got on that was beyond earthly!!!. He landed on cue without pause ! On freaking believable!
+Mike William Mike, the Nicholas Brothers were unbelievable in Stormy Weather. The splits and spins they did, was INCREDIBLE, but when Harold walked UP the wall, I don't know, but that is hard to beat, if it can be beaten. That is just my humble opinion.
A number of their dance moves should be impossible for a man to perform and walk away from, yet the number continued and they had smiles on their faces. Even more impressive is that, despite performing these dangerous splits, often from high elevations, they both went on to father children. I'm agog! And very impressed with the artistry and athleticism!
OMG. Every time I watch the Nicholas brothers perform and watch them doing thos splits, I have to go see my chiropractor to get over it. Greatest dance team ever. The only dance number I can think of that would equal them in precision moves is "Begin The Beguine" with Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire. There are probably other dance numbers that I have never seen that could equal these.
Never grow tired of watching these guys, my mom enrolled me in classical ballet classes but by the time I was I teenager I 'discovered' these guys. Told my parents I wanted to dance like the Nicholas brothers and demanded they enrolled me in tap dance lessons instead, luckily they gave in. However, I never managed to master the utter brilliance of these guys.
NO FORMAL TRAINING. Started performing in teens. Magic, genius, beauty in motion...so much has been said in praise of these guys it's hard to find any new words. Bringers of joy.
Do you a mean a documentary? Because if they ever did a feature length film, all the dance sequences would have to be CD’d, because nobody in the world can dance like that.
This is my very first time seeing this performance and my very first day hearing of this talented duo (I just saw a video of them when they were younger and didn’t realize that these were the same guys at first) and my jaw literally dropped.
How ugly a thing is racism that it blind ignorant fools to all the artistic beauty in this world. Simply put had the nicholas brothers been white they would have been regarded as the greatest dancers ever. No less than the great fred astaire and the fabulous Mikhail baryshnikov rendered that verdict. Baryshnikov called them the best ever and it wasn't even close. It wasn't close. These two could do things no one else could two and made it look as easy as playing in a sandbox. Best dancers ever, hands down.
The greatest dancers ever. And many so called "credible" dance instructors never taught their students about them or showed their students any film of them. And you know why! Thankful for You Tube.
Just wish I could have met these guys and shook their hands and said thank you. When the Resurrections come along and we have perfect physicals restored, I sure would like to see these fellas dance again like days of old.
WOW!!!! is all I can say. I'm such a fan of the Nicholas brother tap dancing. The Nicholas brothers were phenomenal!!! in this video. What strength, power, stamina they had when they were young men. This type of tap dancing mixed in with break dancing is unbelievable. What a performance. Pure talent!
I just need people to understand: THEY SPUN....IN THE AIR...AND LANDED INTO A SPLIT. RAN OFF THE WALL....BACK-FLIPPED....INTO A SPLIT. They simultaneously jumped up 2 levels higher than themselves....and landed INTO A SPLIT. Okay, I'm done.
The Nicholas Brothers were unbeatable when it came to tap dancing and juggling. Amazing and impressive the capacity and lightness of both. Rest in peace both, and make many shows there.
I bet they've never took a vitamin or a red bull a day in their life. 😆 🤣 😂 I'm being silly...but Geez...the energy they had was unreal. They deserve more than a hand 👏 👏. There will never be another Nicholas Brothers act. None can compare and if you try...please take many seats
They dont even seem to sweat in the end.. anyone else would los his.. eh.. family planning by such artistry... stunning and astonishing! Cant find anything until today that comes close.
I came to this old footage of silver screen 1940s Hit , because of a Film I was watching called " AD ASTRA " 2019 Brad Pitt - Tommy Lee Jones & Donald Sutherland , It's is a great sci-fi movie 👍
11 thumbs down. boah... common. Thats high-class act/acrobatic. Call me names of people who can do this today. Today they would use fast cuts for a tap dance number. And this has nearly no one cut. Its simply: BRILLIANT
Wait...he did a triple pirouette straight down into a split, then rose back up 😮.... HOW!? I had to run that back in slow motion. 😲 THEN he did a flip off of the wall back down into a split?? I am deceased. 💀
The back flip off the wall and into a split with perfect musical timing, was done without CGI, wires, or anything!!! Unbelievable athleticism, (Parkour before there was Parkour). I wish that I was a time traveler!!!!!
I sat next to Fayard Nicholas at a Pioneer Broadcasters luncheon in April 2004, at the Sportsman's Lodge in Studio City, CA. My dad was in radio in the 1930's, at WFAA in Dallas, Texas, and in the movies and on TV in the 1940's and 1950's. The luncheon was in honor of Mickey Rooney. Mr. Nicholas was fun to talk to, witty, and charming. So was his wife, Catherine. I knew about Mr. Nicholas's career, but I didn't know what a fantastic dancer he actually was until I watched clips of him from old movies.
Pure genius! When I was young, many years ago, my dance teacher said Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly were the best dancers in Hollywood. I said, no, the Nicolas Brothers were much better. He smirked and said, 'but the Nicholas Brothers didn't have class.' I was too scared, young and dumb to make a response. Boy oh boy! What I would reply to that dance teacher today!
They had their own strengths. I'd say it's incorrect to attempt and place one above the other.
Edit: After all these years, I want to revise my thoughts. As a non-professional, I don't know whose technique is better and whatnot. I think they're all great. Personally, I like the way Gene Kelly moves when he dances. But again, all are a treat to watch.
C k I would say there wasn't anything that fred A. or Gean K. could do that the nicholas brothers couldn't do, in my opinion no one could come close to the nicholas brothers.
Their mother went to great trouble to ensure her children were never dressed or considered in stereotypical fashion which this dance instructor was clearly doing. Even as children Fred Astaire considered them professional peers. Donald O’Connor noted they had had no learning curve. They were great from day one. Fred Astaire considered their performance in Stormy Weather the greatest dance performance ever recorded on film. Gene Kelly danced with them in The Pirate. He was slowing them down! Heck George Balanchine wanted to know where they’d studied ballet! They hadn’t but his confusion was understandable given their precision, use of arms leaping ability, conditioning, etc. Fayard was a self taught dance prodigy who taught his kid brother Harold. The rest is history.
@@rickharris1709 Acrobatic skill isn't all that's necessary to be a great. Sure, physically the nicholas brothers might've been able to do anything gene or fred could do. But they don't have the same dance style or singing voice. They're special in their own way.
I'd kick that dance teacher's ass today! LOL
This isn't just excellence; this is genius. The Nicholas brothers are the highest expression of dance that I have ever seen.
The Nicholas Brothers were two of the greatest and possibly the greatest dancers in film history. They redefined dancing. I don’t think there is anyone today who even comes close.
The greatest
The greatest.
May they never be forgotten. Hollywood should make a film about them so they can be introduced to generations who never heard of them. I remember what Bohemian Rhapsody did to attract younger generations to Queen's music....and that is much more recent history.
They just don't make entertainers like this anymore. The music was fantastic and the dancing was absolutely insane. I don't think I've ever seen anyone dance with that much intensity. That was straight up impressive
No dancer will ever come close to the Nicholas brothers' talent ! ❤❤❤
The greatest dancers of all time ! ❤❤❤
Perfection ! ❤ So classy ! ❤
Mind blowing !!! ❤❤❤
They danced with elegance and grace.
You said it Rama!
The one and only Nicholas Brothers
@@tamaramadison7563 you can say that again !!
Their dance moves are out of this world, but can we talk about their SINGING as well? They had very smooth voices!
They were truly the best dancers in Hollywood. I only wish we had more videos.
The greatest performers of all time ...The Nicholus Brothers ❤❤
I just sat here with my jaw dropped for 30 seconds, no joke. I am absolutely obsessed with their dance in Stormy Weather, but this?? This is off the chain too!!! The way they combine all these amazing athletic tricks to the music, pulling them off so elegantly, is just so amazing. Will probably never be bettered. And you can really see the first inklings of breakdancing in this routine very clearly. WOW!!!!!
No Dancer today can duplicate these Dancers Pure Genius and Elegant
I never saw michael jackson walk up the wall. Though it was done in the movie 1941.
And and and THEN HE RAN UP A WALL!!!!!!
I think this is actually better than Stormy Weather/Jumpin' Jive in terms of dance moves.
Even my mother who was a dance instructor agrees with me that these two men outdo any dancer since -- not only could they sing they could dance; NO! They were acrobats that could dance and sing!
3:12 Sooo, I obviously need to get my eyes checked because I refuse to believe what I just saw. That is the perfect example of raw natural talent mixed with incredible dedication and training.
+Manny Lloyd Actually, they were self-taught. Fayard, the older, led the charge: as a kid, he taught himself by watching dancers at the Cotton Club, then taught his little bro. Isn't that just mind-blowing?
Makes it even more incredible that they had no professional training!
Manny Lloyd me too did it look like for 0.5 sec he levitated before reaching the pillar to do his no hands backward flip
You are absolutely correct and adorable
This should be required viewing in schools. These two young men are absolutely dazzling! I love "The Jumping Jive" too, with Cab Calloway's vocal contortions always making me smile and laugh. It's fun and silly and clever and impossible all at the same time.
Thankfully my history teacher showed us this and many more
Fayard Nicholas gave a presentation to a group of students at UCLA in the late 1980s...A movie starring Gregory Hines had come out, with Mr. Hines doing a lot of tap dancing in it(he was probably the best tap dancer in those days). I had seen the movie and thought Mr. Hines was an incredible tap dancer, then Mr. Fayard Nicholas showed some of these old clips at his presentation and I was just blown away.
Hearing him speak, his voice was like a friendly grandfather, hard to believe someone so good could be so free of arrogance, always remembered that.
And, that's why my favorite Nicholas Brother was Fayard. There's no denying that they were exceptional because, not only could they dance, they could also sing, all with such class. To me, they are the bar. But, I especially liked Fayard because he always came across as being very humble and friendly. And, that's a rarity, even then.
Lucky you to have him as a speaker at the university ❤
I love my brothers 🥰❤️🖤💚they are black excellence and black history forever 🥰❤️🖤💚
Sitting here tonight shaking my head...67 years old and only seeing the Nicholas Brothers for the first time. Jaw-dropping stuff. Fred, Gene, MJ...uh, who are you guys again?
Fred would say, "Nobody, man." He told the brothers they did the best dance sequence in the movies he ever saw (in their next film, STORMY WEATHER, of course).
Sun Search
WOW! a lot of talented dancers making the charts today.....but nobody will ever come close to this!
+Traci Harting The Berry Brothers are Wonderful too. Makes you wonder who inspired who. There's so much talent but it's just not given enough opportunities to shine but we've always had it.
I've spent my whole life watching and following tricking, parkour, free running, gymnastics and every other sport I can find that involves crazy acrobatic movies... so I've seen literally thousands of people backflip off walls and I am telling you: this is the most aesthetically awesome wallflip I have ever seen. If anyone is wondering how it compares to all the people who can do that move today - it's amazing. His height is, as someone said below, ungodly; the way he takes a giant flying leap to reach the wall instead of simply taking a small step up like everyone else just makes it sooo smooth looking. It just has a nice rhythm to it: run, juuuuump, ba-dum two quick steps, fliiiiiip, land. Also that wall is truly vertical. Many people use a slightly slanted wall to get extra height and to make it generally easier to do but not this time. What a monster. Also it's a small thing, but after he does the crazy spinning jump at 2:53 (which is also really cool, btw) I really love the way he gets back up to the music. XD
LockeTricks don't forget tap shoes the and heel are covered with silver which makes them unbelievably slippery and the only thing that helps is tape which they dont seem to be using and if you want a reference for how slippery they are trying walking on a waxed floor with socks I've had moments in tap shoes walking around my school backstage and just slipping on my ass
I had to re-watch that twirl over and over. These guys are light years beyond Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, or Michael Jackson. No comparison to be made. All that grace and athleticism is so natural and they just radiate joy and charisma. Wish I had heard of them sooner.
Rebueno.excelentes
TRADUIRE IN FRENCH! Nous avions également notre Glenn Miller en France: Ray Ventura et son grand orchestre, dont de nombreux films tels, Nous iront à Paris, à la mi-Août etc, à visionner, vous ne serez pas déçus!
@@susiewatkins1775 Michael Jackson has said he studied and patterned himself after these guys and Fred Astaire.
Two of the most brilliant hoofers to every lace up shoes.
More than hoofers...much, much more.
King Slay the berry brothers were much better than the Nicholas brothers, James Brown, Michael Jackson put together times 10. now before you call me a liar just type in THE BERRY BROTHERS then click on DANCE ACT and also click on "BERRY BROTHERS" and watch them do fascinating rhythm and ask yourself COULD THE NICHOLAS BROTHERS OR ANYBODY ON PLANET EARTH DO THESE TWO ROUTINES? LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK?
More than hoofers.
Blows my mind that I discovered for myself these guys by total accident. They should be more famous than Sinatra!
Unfortunatelly we all know the awful reason they aren't.
Their choreography and timing was impeccable and some of their dance seem to defy gravity. Such agility and grace.😊❤❤
i swear if Hollywood ever decided to make a film of these two great dancers it would have to be CGI'd
valerie campbell word!👍👍👍✊
Exactly! Uncasted...Nobody could imitate these sequences!
THe new generation of tap dancers are absolutely brilliant - unbelievable skills!!!!!! They just don't have the charisma
wow
Traci Mann True that!
STUNNING. Love their infectious energy, smiles, presence and uncanny precision and athleticism!
Thank you sir!! And one day, we’ll be able to speak about our other contributions to the Country we love, without anybody being offended. We can say who started Rock and Roll without anyone feeling attacked. We know our contributions beyond Sports, Music and dance, but it’s hard for people to hear and accept when they thought we contributed NOTHING, and we understand that! We know Astaire and Kelly were very good dancers, but we know where they got those moves!! But again, we thank you, on their behalf!
I'm a 60's baby. But I am well versed when it comes to the Nicholas brothers. I used to sit up with my mom and watch them do their thing. They were so ahead of the time with their dance routines and skills.
Much respect to the Nicholas brothers who paved the way for the many famous African American tap dancers.
I've loved the Nicholas Brothers for a long time. You can't beat them with Glenn Miller. What talent! So glad we can watch this instead of what's out there today.
2:53.. seriously???? jump and spin was graceful as ever, straight into smoove jazz split ON BEAT--which he landed with his back to the camera shot. so he managed to stick the turn around--also on beat... C'mon man! these men were the REAL DEAL..
The best dance duo ever. But I wonder how either of them could walk off stage after all of those splits. Wow what talent.
Don't know when this video was made, but for me, its "timeless!"... no one else at that time could ever compare with these two brothers!.. thank God for "youtube" that these two dancing "giants" can still be seen!..
I was in the 1940s
Says 1942
@@studyonline4763 The movie is _Orchestra Wives._ The whole film is online and on DVD.
I must be going crazy!!!! They went through this whole routine PERFECTLY and did not break ONE sweat. How they still looking fine after all of that?!? Holy mother of everything I love lol.
I think they were really Gumby dolls, humans just can't move like that 😉😁 Fantastic guys, really!!!
WOW WOW WOW! !! I got chills! ! No one not today comes close to the dance talent of these brothers! !! Awesome! !!
maureen buchser Totally agree!
Nothing like this today!! Golden age Talent!❤
I was born and raised in Kalamazoo Michigan and I still live there
The Nicholas Brothers are the tops in taps. Their parents stood by them and they all made it through the Great Depression fine.
They are the best
2:54 Harold’s spin into that split! Take the cake every time!
Am I the only one who thinks that the step they do on 1:32 is smooth as hell
It was!
Can you believe that talent? To this day they are awesome. Can you believe we watched more of Fred in that day when you had them?
How in the living hell did Harold do that!!!! 3:12, The height that he got on that was beyond earthly!!!. He landed on cue without pause ! On freaking believable!
+Soulgian Years of practice and muscles like spring steel.
+Soulgian It's like if Tony Jaa decided to take up tapdancing.
+Soulgian This is a great video, but check out"Cab Calloway Bill Robinson Nicholas Brothers Stormy Weather"
+Mike William Mike, the Nicholas Brothers were unbelievable in Stormy Weather. The splits and spins they did, was INCREDIBLE, but when Harold walked UP the wall, I don't know, but that is hard to beat, if it can be beaten. That is just my humble opinion.
Lyndia Black They were amazing. Even when they were older they could dance.
A number of their dance moves should be impossible for a man to perform and walk away from, yet the number continued and they had smiles on their faces. Even more impressive is that, despite performing these dangerous splits, often from high elevations, they both went on to father children. I'm agog! And very impressed with the artistry and athleticism!
Superb athletes with tremendous grace, style and timing. They are so good you almost don't believe what you are seeing.
OMG. Every time I watch the Nicholas brothers perform and watch them doing thos splits, I have to go see my chiropractor to get
over it. Greatest dance team ever. The only dance number I can think of that would equal them in precision moves is
"Begin The Beguine" with Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire. There are probably other dance numbers that I have never seen that
could equal these.
The rhythm, the smoothness the flow the timing oh my goodness
Never grow tired of watching these guys, my mom enrolled me in classical ballet classes but by the time I was I teenager I 'discovered' these guys. Told my parents I wanted to dance like the Nicholas brothers and demanded they enrolled me in tap dance lessons instead, luckily they gave in. However, I never managed to master the utter brilliance of these guys.
Best dancers in the world
NO FORMAL TRAINING. Started performing in teens. Magic, genius, beauty in motion...so much has been said in praise of these guys it's hard to find any new words. Bringers of joy.
They don’t make them like this anymore and talent like that doesn’t even exist today. This is a time gone by we will never see again. Love Them
Why hasn’t anybody ever did a movie on their lives! What fantastic sings and dancers 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Do you a mean a documentary? Because if they ever did a feature length film, all the dance sequences would have to be CD’d, because nobody in the world can dance like that.
The Nicholas Brothers were TREMENDOUS!!!! They have NO EQUAL!!! Oooooweeee!!!!
This is my very first time seeing this performance and my very first day hearing of this talented duo (I just saw a video of them when they were younger and didn’t realize that these were the same guys at first) and my jaw literally dropped.
Was the other one you saw "Lucky Numbers"?
How ugly a thing is racism that it blind ignorant fools to all the artistic beauty in this world. Simply put had the nicholas brothers been white they would have been regarded as the greatest dancers ever. No less than the great fred astaire and the fabulous Mikhail baryshnikov rendered that verdict. Baryshnikov called them the best ever and it wasn't even close. It wasn't close. These two could do things no one else could two and made it look as easy as playing in a sandbox. Best dancers ever, hands down.
The greatest dancers ever. And many so called "credible" dance instructors never taught their students about them or showed their students any film of them. And you know why! Thankful for You Tube.
I only found out about these guys today from a video on my Instagram feed. They are an absolute joy to watch.
I wince everytime I see the Nicholas brothers do the splits....... Outstanding dancers.
They just made my jaw drop! Amazing talent. Not sure anyone has ever equaled this wonderful talent.
They're so exciting. I would love to own a full collection of their dance segments. I love them!
Just wish I could have met these guys and shook their hands and said thank you. When the Resurrections come along and we have perfect physicals restored, I sure would like to see these fellas dance again like days of old.
These guys are freaks of nature, talent is off the charts.
Happy 100th birthday to harold Nicholas on March 27th 2021!
THE NICHOLAS BROTHERS GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE BADDEST BROTHERS THAT EVER COULD BE.
Great! I love Harold's spin in the air and splits at 2.53 and the steps off the wall - magnificent!
WOW!!!! is all I can say. I'm such a fan of the Nicholas brother tap dancing. The Nicholas brothers were phenomenal!!! in this video. What strength, power, stamina they had when they were young men. This type of tap dancing mixed in with break dancing is unbelievable. What a performance. Pure talent!
The off the wall moves from both brothers are outstanding .
PURE CLASS!!!
THIS NEVER GETS OLD TO WATCH!!! 💝💝💝💝💝
Wonderful!! There is NO one close to the Nicholas Brothers. Just the best.
Him RUNNING up the wall, doing a flip and landing perfect!!! OMG
And in tap shoes
I just need people to understand: THEY SPUN....IN THE AIR...AND LANDED INTO A SPLIT. RAN OFF THE WALL....BACK-FLIPPED....INTO A SPLIT. They simultaneously jumped up 2 levels higher than themselves....and landed INTO A SPLIT. Okay, I'm done.
I've never seen a dance dual dance quite like the Nicholas brothers. "Giving respect to all professional dancers."
The Nicholas Brothers were unbeatable when it came to tap dancing and juggling. Amazing and impressive the capacity and lightness of both. Rest in peace both, and make many shows there.
The Nicholas Brothers have great tap dancing talent! This performance was great to watch!
I bet they've never took a vitamin or a red bull a day in their life. 😆 🤣 😂
I'm being silly...but Geez...the energy they had was unreal. They deserve more than a hand 👏 👏. There will never be another Nicholas Brothers act. None can compare and if you try...please take many seats
What?! No CGI, no special effects - just pure talent!!!!
One has to ask why, in an age of musicals and dance movies, they were not massive stars. So talented. The answer of course is obvious.
This my first time seeing that they could sing also.
Where e're their imaginations soared, their bodies followed. True, quantum-leap artists.
I wonder what in the world where they eating back then!? So much energy! Electrifying and beautiful!!
Real Food. We're eating fake foods.
I could happily watch these two guys for hours and still want more!!!
How the hell are there two guys that can dance like this.
It don't get better than that...GREAT!
Completely out of this world!!!
They dont even seem to sweat in the end.. anyone else would los his.. eh.. family planning by such artistry... stunning and astonishing! Cant find anything until today that comes close.
Wow. Amazing dancing!! Fantastic.
I came to this old footage of silver screen 1940s Hit , because of a Film I was watching called " AD ASTRA " 2019 Brad Pitt - Tommy Lee Jones & Donald Sutherland , It's is a great sci-fi movie 👍
11 thumbs down. boah... common. Thats high-class act/acrobatic. Call me names of people who can do this today. Today they would use fast cuts for a tap dance number. And this has nearly no one cut. Its simply: BRILLIANT
Words are inadequate to describe how talented, graceful, athletic these men were. Thank you for this post.
Straight masters!!!
I am tired just from looking at them. But they were greatest ever. Real talk.
I’d pay $1000 to watch them live. Too bad this form of entertainment is long gone
Oh Thank God we have them forever on video!! They are and always will be the G.O.A.T.!!!
Wait...he did a triple pirouette straight down into a split, then rose back up 😮.... HOW!? I had to run that back in slow motion. 😲 THEN he did a flip off of the wall back down into a split?? I am deceased. 💀
The back flip off the wall and into a split with perfect musical timing, was done without CGI, wires, or anything!!! Unbelievable athleticism, (Parkour before there was Parkour). I wish that I was a time traveler!!!!!
Stormy Weather was awesome, but that flip off the wall into a split was Harold at his best.
The best of the best…too bad Hollywood didn’t give them a chance with more movies.❤❤
Astair and other white artists couldn't compare, that's why.
2:52 absolutely incredible 😮
I hope the Nicholas Brothers are on the Walk Of Fame because they were great and so.....talented.
If i ever did the "splits" like they do, id be in traction! I might never be able to walk again!
Wow they are good..just seen clip of them younger,gosh they are brilliant entertainers..
waauu. Maravilloso , me encantan como bailaban ❤
THE GREATEST DANCERS IN THE WORLD
How did Harold walk on the run on the wall 🤩
Legends !!!