Der Tänzer auf den Stufen

To criticize this picture for its lack of plot, strained dialogue and (some) stiff performances is, I think, to miss the point. Here are a number of legendary performers captured for the ages on film. As great as they were, none appeared in more than a handful of movies - and performed "specialty" numbers in virtually all of those.

Their greatest work was doubtless performed in stage shows and night clubs, but at least we have "Stormy Weather" - a variety show with its acts strung together by the thinnest of plots (typical, by the way, of many musicals of its time) and featuring the most talented black entertainers of generations.

Stormy Weather with Lena Horne, Cab Calloway, Katherine Dunham, and the Nicholas brothers is a wonderful "dance vacation" for Vintage, Swing and Tap dancers. It was also a rather rare opportunity to see Katherine Dunham on Video. The video I watched was clear and had excellent sound. It was an uplifting and delighful "Smorgasbord" of music and dance of the highest order. I presented it to a high school group for an historical event. They were amazed and fascinated with the performances. The guys especially were impressed by the Nicholas brothers dancing.

Stormy Weather (1943)

Don't watch this movie for its plot--it doesn't really have one. But in the style of more narrative musicals of the day, the many song numbers (20 of them) are strung together with a hint of a plot.

DO watch this movie, however. It has really amazing music, a lot of it adapted numbers by some of the best African American musicians from the time (Lena Horne and Cab Calloway star). You'll also see dancer Bojangles, and move lovers will recognize Dooley Wilson (from "Casablanca"). Jazz lovers might appreciate the Fats Waller presence for its history most of all.

And Horne, who sings and dances through much of the film, including a fabulous long arrangement of Stormy Weather that is somewhere between the great Arthur Freed/Gene Kelly choreographies and good old Busby Berkeley. In black and white.

You might think it's a shame the movie isn't more of a movie, holistically, but once you get over it and just realize its about some astonishing music, you're glad there isn't more stupid plot. The music sweeps everything else away.

I remember watching this for the first time when I was a kid. I was blown away by the Nicholas Brothers' dance, especially when they jumped down those stairs . . . and it still blows me away! Slim storyline, and Bill Robinson was way too old to play a romantic interest of the young Lena Horne, but a great look at some of the biggest African-American stars of the day: Katherine Dunham, the great Fats Waller (who died later that same year,) Cab Calloway. I could have done without the blackface makeup of the comedy team, even though their skit was amusing. And look for a young adult Stymie Beard (of the Little Rascals) with two lines as a stagehand who is directed by Bill Robinson to call half hour to showtime for the performers.

After watching the film Stormy Weather (1943), it was clear that the Hollywood movie making industry was headed toward a new era. The new era being that colored actors were recognized and not only that, spiced up the industry. This movie shied away from the usual parts actors of color would normally play, parts in which they were slaves or butlers and servants.

This truly showed the breakthrough of African Americans in entertainment and paved the way for how successful many have presently become. Specifically in this movie, it told the story of how a man of color worked his way literally from the bottom up. It began with Bill Williamson who came home from war in France, and was working in a basement restaurant when fate stepped in and reunited him with his love interest. It was because of Selina that he was working in the city hoping to step foot into the dancing business. When she recognized him, she insisted to the show's producer that he be put in the show. This was Bill's break that got him out of a basement restaurant to the "top" of a tree in production. This is where Bill made the most of this opportunity and showed off his abilities but in turn got him fired from the show. But that was all he needed and he was on his way to stardom.

Twentieth Century Fox really broke the mold with this movie in response to FDR's urging. It finally gave actors of color the chance to show off their tremendous talent also allowing them to have more of an equal role in society. Although there still were laws restricting the interaction between whiles and blacks in films, it certainly brought them out of the repetitive demeaning roles of slaves and servants. It was thrilling to be able to see the talents of these actors and all the skills offered through their dancing and singing abilities. All of the dance numbers and costumes really represented the time period. The way the dancers moved were both creative and unique, especially the indisputably impressive Nicholas Brothers.