Saturday you say? You dancing? Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell. 'Begin the Beguine' Tap dance duet

You Asking?

I’m Asking!

I’m Dancing!

but here Fred and G . . . . . .. nope

 Fred Astaire, but it’s not Ginger Rogers…it’s Eleanor Powell.

Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell. 'Begin the Beguine' Tap dance duet

Do you want to watch two of the best tap dancers? It’s Fred Astaire, but it’s not Ginger Rogers…it’s Eleanor Powell.

Eleanor Powell, born this day, November 21, 1912 – February 11, 1982.

Eleanor is remembered for her tap dance numbers in musical films in the 1930s and 1940s, she was one of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s top dancing stars during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

She was one of the only leading ladies in the Golden Age of Hollywood who, even when partnered with a man, was not secondary to him – she held her own.

This “Begin the Beguine” number in Broadway Melody of 1940 is considered a highlight of film history.

Fred Astaire praised her talent, stating she “really knocked out a tap dance in a class by herself.” Fred was somewhat intimidated by Eleanor, who was the only female dancer ever capable of out-dancing Astaire. He stated, “Eleanor Powell, one of our greatest talents, is a bit too powerful for me. I love Eleanor Powell, but she dances like a man.” She was such a great dancer, Fred never worked alongside her again.

Eleanor retired from film in the mid-1940s after marrying actor Glenn Ford to focus on raising their son. Following their 1959 divorce, she had a successful comeback headlining nightclub acts and appearing on television.