Notable Cast
Sammy Davis Jr. Davis achieved success on stage, in films, on radio and television and as an author. He sang, danced, acted, told jokes, did impressions and charmed his way into America’s entertainment legacy. In this clip, from 1954, Davis performs to one of his biggest hits, “Birth of the Blues,” on the classic TV show, the Colgate Comedy Hour.
This classic TV clip from The Big Party, initially broadcast on October 8, 1959 pairs two Gershwin tunes performed by Sammy Davis Jr., It Ain’t Necessarily So and Fascinating Rhythm. Davis’ skills as a celebrity and entertainer are clear in both numbers.
Frank Sinatra sings, “Love Me Tender” and Elvis Presley sings, “Witchcraft,” in a duet! From the 1960 Classic TV Frank Sinatra special on ABC, The show featured Elvis’s first TV appearance after being released from the Army.
A clash of the Titans! What more can you say!
From the Internet Archive copy of the December 14, 1952 episode of the Colgate Comedy Hour starring Abbott & Costello.
https://archive.org/details/521214AbbottCostelloMargaretWhiting
Fayard and Harold Nicholas, the Nicholas Brothers, began their careers at the Standard Theater in Philadelphia. Both parents were members of the house band, and the brothers grew up watching vaudeville acts come and go from front row seats.
Neither boy had formal training but were schooled by the many of the greatest African-American entertainers of their time. They performed regionally until 1932, when at the age of 11 and 18 years, they were hired to perform at the Cotton Club in Harlem alongside the likes of Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and tap legend Bill Robinson.
Throughout the thirties and into the forties the Nicholas brothers appeared in many Hollywood shorts, and had featured roles in several major movies. The peak of their film success came in the 1943 all-black film, Stormy Weather. Their performance in that film has been deemed, “the greatest dance number ever filmed” by Fred Astaire.
Although their dance genre is clearly linked to tap, the Nicholas brothers invented and perfected a dance form that combined classical tap, jazz, acrobatics and amazing athleticism. Mikhail Baryshnikov declared the Nicholas Brothers to be, “the most amazing dancers I have ever seen in my life — ever … Those guys are perfect examples of pure genius.”
Fayard and Harold Nicholas, the Nicholas Brothers, began their careers at the Standard Theater in Philadelphia. Both parents were members of the house band, and the brothers grew up watching vaudeville acts come and go from front row seats.
Neither boy had formal training but were schooled by the many of the greatest African-American entertainers of their time. They performed regionally until 1932, when at the age of 11 and 18 years, they were hired to perform at the Cotton Club in Harlem alongside the likes of Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and tap legend Bill Robinson.
Throughout the thirties and into the forties the Nicholas brothers appeared in many Hollywood shorts, and had featured roles in several major movies. The peak of their film success came in the 1943 all-black film, Stormy Weather. Their performance in that film has been deemed, “the greatest dance number ever filmed” by Fred Astaire.
Although their dance genre is clearly linked to tap, the Nicholas brothers invented and perfected a dance form that combined classical tap, jazz, acrobatics and amazing athleticism. Mikhail Baryshnikov declared the Nicholas Brothers to be, “the most amazing dancers I have ever seen in my life — ever … Those guys are perfect examples of pure genius.”
Classic movie actors and the roles they play, we all think we know them. Test you classic movie knowledge by matching the actor with the character they made famous in this free Word Match from Past Entertainment.
The stars of the classic movies were known for their off-screen romances. Find these silver screen stars in this word search puzzle from Past Entertainment.
Drag the puzzle pieces into position to solve this classic jigsaw puzzle image of candy
Entertainment from Yesterday, Today & Beyond
