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!

@CK-kd5pn

3 жыл бұрын

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.

@rickharris1709

3 жыл бұрын

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.

@rupertofhentzau920

3 жыл бұрын

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.

@CK-kd5pn

3 жыл бұрын

@@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.

@denverdubois5835

3 жыл бұрын

I'd kick that dance teacher's ass today! LOL

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.

@claudia27502

4 ай бұрын

The greatest

@brianhammerstein

4 ай бұрын

The greatest.

What?! No CGI, no special effects - just pure talent!!!!

Their dance moves are out of this world, but can we talk about their SINGING as well? They had very smooth voices!

No dancer will ever come close to the Nicholas brothers' talent ! ❤❤❤ The greatest dancers of all time ! ❤❤❤ Perfection ! ❤ So classy ! ❤ Mind blowing !!! ❤❤❤

@mdhbh

2 жыл бұрын

They danced with elegance and grace.

@maureentuohy8672

2 жыл бұрын

You said it Rama!

@tamaramadison7563

Жыл бұрын

The one and only Nicholas Brothers

@rama-annawallace2823

Жыл бұрын

@@tamaramadison7563 you can say that again !!

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

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.

@vickischultz7758

8 жыл бұрын

+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?

@luxvrana4798

7 жыл бұрын

Makes it even more incredible that they had no professional training!

@dsparrow82

7 жыл бұрын

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

@nancybogart3899

4 жыл бұрын

You are absolutely correct and adorable

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!!!!!

@tamaramadison7563

Жыл бұрын

No Dancer today can duplicate these Dancers Pure Genius and Elegant

@technicianbis5250

10 ай бұрын

I never saw michael jackson walk up the wall. Though it was done in the movie 1941.

@grindel324

7 ай бұрын

And and and THEN HE RAN UP A WALL!!!!!!

@ivanrorick

Күн бұрын

I think this is actually better than Stormy Weather/Jumpin' Jive in terms of dance moves.

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.

@casino_5

2 жыл бұрын

Thankfully my history teacher showed us this and many more

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!

WOW! a lot of talented dancers making the charts today.....but nobody will ever come close to this!

@ejdarly4733

8 жыл бұрын

+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.

STUNNING. Love their infectious energy, smiles, presence and uncanny precision and athleticism!

@marjorjorietillman856

2 жыл бұрын

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'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

@jdoggydog9812

5 жыл бұрын

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

@susiewatkins1775

3 жыл бұрын

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.

@tukela

3 жыл бұрын

Rebueno.excelentes

@philippekremer174

2 жыл бұрын

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!

@marieb0625

2 жыл бұрын

@@susiewatkins1775 Michael Jackson has said he studied and patterned himself after these guys and Fred Astaire.

i swear if Hollywood ever decided to make a film of these two great dancers it would have to be CGI'd

@kingheff2771

6 жыл бұрын

valerie campbell word!👍👍👍✊

@soulstrength

6 жыл бұрын

Exactly! Uncasted...Nobody could imitate these sequences!

@TraciMann

6 жыл бұрын

THe new generation of tap dancers are absolutely brilliant - unbelievable skills!!!!!! They just don't have the charisma

@jerryaiello7911

6 жыл бұрын

wow

@eyesthrurosecoloredglasses

5 жыл бұрын

Traci Mann True that!

Blows my mind that I discovered for myself these guys by total accident. They should be more famous than Sinatra!

@camd0407

4 жыл бұрын

Unfortunatelly we all know the awful reason they aren't.

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 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.

Two of the most brilliant hoofers to every lace up shoes.

@crawfb

7 жыл бұрын

More than hoofers...much, much more.

@oranpayne1007

7 жыл бұрын

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?

@elliotskydel641

3 жыл бұрын

More than hoofers.

This isn't just excellence; this is genius. The Nicholas brothers are the highest expression of dance that I have ever seen.

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?

@krasnykavkaz

7 жыл бұрын

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).

@manalcali153

6 жыл бұрын

Sun Search

WOW WOW WOW! !! I got chills! ! No one not today comes close to the dance talent of these brothers! !! Awesome! !!

@augustusblaire2524

9 жыл бұрын

maureen buchser Totally agree!

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!..

@nancybogart3899

4 жыл бұрын

I was in the 1940s

@studyonline4763

3 жыл бұрын

Says 1942

@Poisson4147

Жыл бұрын

@@studyonline4763 The movie is _Orchestra Wives._ The whole film is online and on DVD.

Their choreography and timing was impeccable and some of their dance seem to defy gravity. Such agility and grace.😊❤❤

Nothing like this today!! Golden age Talent!❤

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.

@chrystal0411

6 ай бұрын

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.

@josefinagarza241

Ай бұрын

Lucky you to have him as a speaker at the university ❤

Superb athletes with tremendous grace, style and timing. They are so good you almost don't believe what you are seeing.

Am I the only one who thinks that the step they do on 1:32 is smooth as hell

@BlackBerri83

5 жыл бұрын

It was!

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.

They're so exciting. I would love to own a full collection of their dance segments. I love them!

2:54 Harold’s spin into that split! Take the cake every time!

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.

@phoebegilliland8897

2 жыл бұрын

Was the other one you saw "Lucky Numbers"?

They just made my jaw drop! Amazing talent. Not sure anyone has ever equaled this wonderful talent.

Best dancers in the world

Great! I love Harold's spin in the air and splits at 2.53 and the steps off the wall - magnificent!

The Nicholas Brothers were TREMENDOUS!!!! They have NO EQUAL!!! Oooooweeee!!!!

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!

@lewisner

9 жыл бұрын

+Soulgian Years of practice and muscles like spring steel.

@ianjones9961

8 жыл бұрын

+Soulgian It's like if Tony Jaa decided to take up tapdancing.

@mikewilliam5315

8 жыл бұрын

+Soulgian This is a great video, but check out"Cab Calloway Bill Robinson Nicholas Brothers Stormy Weather"

@lyndiablack9098

8 жыл бұрын

+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.

@mikewilliam5315

8 жыл бұрын

Lyndia Black They were amazing. Even when they were older they could dance.

I wince everytime I see the Nicholas brothers do the splits....... Outstanding dancers.

The rhythm, the smoothness the flow the timing oh my goodness

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.

Him RUNNING up the wall, doing a flip and landing perfect!!! OMG

@iggyguy88897

3 жыл бұрын

And in tap shoes

Where e're their imaginations soared, their bodies followed. True, quantum-leap artists.

The Nicholas Brothers are the tops in taps. Their parents stood by them and they all made it through the Great Depression fine.

@williamscott4018

6 жыл бұрын

They are the best

PURE CLASS!!! THIS NEVER GETS OLD TO WATCH!!! 💝💝💝💝💝

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

Stormy Weather was awesome, but that flip off the wall into a split was Harold at his best.

It don't get better than that...GREAT!

Every swear word I know very well is my comment on this amazing god-damn shit. Hoiy schnickes. These guys are RIDICULOUS. I'd still go to the cinema if they made talkies like this!!

Why hasn’t anybody ever did a movie on their lives! What fantastic sings and dancers 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

@UWalvern0810

2 жыл бұрын

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.

I am tired just from looking at them. But they were greatest ever. Real talk.

THE NICHOLAS BROTHERS GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE BADDEST BROTHERS THAT EVER COULD BE.

Wonderful!! There is NO one close to the Nicholas Brothers. Just the best.

If i ever did the "splits" like they do, id be in traction! I might never be able to walk again!

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 was born and raised in Kalamazoo Michigan and I still live there

The off the wall moves from both brothers are outstanding .

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.

How the hell are there two guys that can dance like this.

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.

Love! I love this Era of entertainment! What a time is must of been! Style,mannars,clean cut handsome men n women!

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.

These guys are freaks of nature, talent is off the charts.

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.

Living on Saint Nicholas avenue in New York... This makes me proud.

OMG! I have been blessed to watch their magic. PEACE:-)!

The Nicholas Brothers have great tap dancing talent! This performance was great to watch!

Legends !!!

That’s what you call smooth!!!

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've never seen a dance dual dance quite like the Nicholas brothers. "Giving respect to all professional dancers."

Words are inadequate to describe how talented, graceful, athletic these men were. Thank you for this post.

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

I could happily watch these two guys for hours and still want more!!!

Early roots of Parkour w/some gr8 jazz and toe-tapping too.

Just love watching these great performers ! Supreme poetry in motion ! Just Amazing !

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..

I only found out about these guys today from a video on my Instagram feed. They are an absolute joy to watch.

NICHOLAS BROTHERS ARE LEGENDARY PERIOD

Always ...Classy !!!!!!!

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.

Absolutely awesome! Superlatives are inadequate. Even Fred Astaire would agree.

These Brothers Here are some Jumping Jive Brothers LOVE The Nicholas Brothers this takes me way back!

You could still feel the spirit of dancing

Supreme...lovely men too...good chaps...

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.

These guys pulled so much tail back in the day they're probably all of our granddads. Genghis Khan eat your heart out.

Marvelous trully unbelievable dancert that dance floor is still on 🔥!!!!!

@ 2:50 are you freaking kidding me? oh my god these dudes were talented! artistry and grace

BEST OF THEIR TIME IN THE WORLD IN CLASS, CHARM, GRACE, STYLE & SWAGGER AND THATS A FACT NOT FICTION. 👌🥇🏅🏆👑👑💎💎🥂💕😍 MPV!

I’d pay $1000 to watch them live. Too bad this form of entertainment is long gone

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!

tremendous talent

Music and dance bring people together.

Damn those boys can dance. What a performance.

Just beautiful.

The definition of class!

Oh Thank God we have them forever on video!! They are and always will be the G.O.A.T.!!!

OMG, that walk up the wall and back flip. 3:12

I think they were really Gumby dolls, humans just can't move like that 😉😁 Fantastic guys, really!!!

THEE BEST EVER ! No ONE CAN MATCH THIER TALENT!!!!!!!