Cyd Charisse - Frankie and Johnny

Recently the great dancer Cyd Charisse passed away. Cyd Charisse was one of the stars in the era of movie musicals in the 1940's and 1950's. Read her obituary in NY Times.

Here is a video clip from the film Meet Me In Las Vegas from 1956 where Cyd Charisse dances to the song Frankie and Johnny sung by Sammy Davis Jr.

I love the precision and quality in the dancers movements. What a great choreography. It's credited to Hermes Pan according to the Internet Movie Database (but the poster on Youtube says Eugene Loring).

Last summer I posted a clip where Cyd Charisse dances in the film Party Girl.

What do you think of the dance scene with Cyd Charisse? Please comment.

Anita O'Day: Honeysuckle Rose

Here is a video clip with another example of Anita O'Day's fantastic phrasing when she sing Honeysuckle Rose (1956) with the Buddy DeFranco Quartet.



At your own risk: Have you ever listened closely to the lyrics of Honeysuckle Rose? It's full of double meanings. A fair warning: if you have done this once, you will loose your innocence.

What do you think of the video clip where Anita O'Day sings Honeysuckle Rose? Tell me.