Jack Cole, 1930s

He began as a Denishawn dancer and then moved on to nightclub work.  But it was film that captured his brilliance for all time.

He informed all those that would follow from Michael Kidd to Bob Fosse.  Gwen Verdon was his assistant for seven years.


In addition to his incomparable dance directing, his art direction of color palettes and sets his camera angles (most of these, by the way, going uncredited) make for some spectacular frames of film.  In an interview before her death Jane Russell said that during the dance numbers on "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"  Howard Hawks was rarely even present!

His last work was teaching at UCLA up until two weeks before his death.

Jack Cole 1971

He made 'em make you wanna make 'em!


As always I have combed many different sources before assembling this post, but if you want more info on Mr. Cole, one place stands above the rest.  It's Debra Levine's fine 'arts * meme'.  You will find it Here.