Ruth Leon recommends… Powell or Charisse?

Powell v Charisse

A delicious rivalry has emerged among my dance-mad readers following my assertion that Eleanor Powell was the greatest movie tap dancer of all time, Fred Astaire included. Outrage in the ranks! What about Cyd Charisse?, you cried. Surely she was more beautiful, more elegant, more smooth, more balletic,  and had better legs? Well, yes, she was all of those things.

But she couldn’t tap, her technique wasn’t up to a extended solo and, perhaps most importantly, she always had to have a male to lean on – Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly or a whole passel of fake boxers.

Eleanor Powell was more athletic, more complex, more acrobatic, more technically accomplished, could carry a long solo sequence on her own, choreograph it herself, and not even be breathing hard at the end. And there was nothing wrong with her legs either. As a dancer, Powell is in a class by herself.

On a scale of gorgeousness and charm, Cyd Charisse has it, no contest. And she’s no slouch as a dancer. She used her long limbs and beautiful line to give her choreographers the best moments of their lives. Here is a clip of some of her best dance numbers.

And I can’t resist giving you yet another clip of the great Eleanor Powell for comparison purposes even though you’ve had two in recent weeks. This time she’s brought a friend.

Read more