Clap Yo’ Hands – Fred Astaire & Kay Thompson
An evening pause: From the 1957 musical Funny Face. I only saw this film for the first time last week, and as I watched this scene I was most amused by Astaire’s dance moves in the second half of this number. “Why, Astaire is doing Gene Kelly!” I exclaimed to Diane.
Both men had their own styles. Kelly was into grand film presentations, acrobatics, and the soft shoe. Fred Astaire was into dance, in all its forms. If you are familiar with Kelly’s dance style you will see immediately how Astaire is parodying it, but with great respect.
Astaire’s partner in this number is Kay Thompson, in her only starring movie role. Thompson had an amazing artistic career, from writer (the Eloise children’s books) to vocal coach for Judy Garland and Gene Kelly to recording artist to night club performer. It is a shame we don’t have more films of her singing and dancing.
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There was a documentary about the Eloise character not long ago
Great clip! Thanks for posting.
Astaire’s guitar rif while gesticulating on the floor was obviously influenced by seeing Marty McFly perform at the Enchantment Under the Sea ball too I think. : )
That’s Fred Astaire? I thought I’ve seen all his movies.
I don’t recall ever seeing him with a beard.
Allan–
sorta like Maynard G. Krebbs…
MDN-
hilarious!
I had seen this movie a long time ago, and I didn’t remember that number. Agree with you, Bob, that at one point Fred is doing a bit of a dancing homage to Gene Kelly. But one other thing occurred to me: To my knowledge, this is the only time onscreen that he is the supporting performer in a duet; Kay Thompson is obviously the lead. The closest other instance to this, I think, was that fabulous duo of “Begin the Beguine,” in The Broadway Melody of 1940, where Eleanor Powell matched him step for step and practically stole the show.
Definitely worth a look in this context: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKWWr2wqYPw&pp=ygUrZnJlZCBhc3RhaXJlIGVsZWFub3IgcG93ZWxsIGJyb2Fkd2F5IG1lbG9keQ%3D%3D
Great clip but that beard was scary.