"There are countless horrible things happening all over the world and horrible people prospering, but we must never allow them to disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to sabotage and annoy them whenever possible." -Auberon Waugh
Friday, December 15, 2023
Happy Feet Friday
I knew Fred Astaire, in addition to being a dancer, was talented on the drums (with his hands and feet), but I didn't know he could play the piano, too. Here he is in a scene from Roberta.
Even in his later years, Fred was a pleasure to watch. I remember watching him on "It Takes A Thief", a TV series aired back in the day when TV was, y'know, entertaining.
Those people who started in vaudeville got skills which made them superstars and consummate professionals as the era of film took over. You can't reproduce the vaudeville school of hard knocks - it was too cruel for one thing, only the fittest survived.
His piano technique is interesting to watch. Like Chico Marx's (or Jerry Lee Lewis I guess) it's as much for the visuals as the sound.
Fred is wonderful! Thanks for this rousing clip.
ReplyDeleteEven in his later years, Fred was a pleasure to watch. I remember watching him on "It Takes A Thief", a TV series aired back in the day when TV was, y'know, entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThose people who started in vaudeville got skills which made them superstars and consummate professionals as the era of film took over. You can't reproduce the vaudeville school of hard knocks - it was too cruel for one thing, only the fittest survived.
ReplyDeleteHis piano technique is interesting to watch. Like Chico Marx's (or Jerry Lee Lewis I guess) it's as much for the visuals as the sound.