MovieChat Forums > Orchestra Wives (1942) Discussion > The Nicholas Brothers *saved* this movie

The Nicholas Brothers saved this movie

posted 16 years ago by fast_fierce_and_funny
13 replies | jump to latest

I have to confess: I nearly didn't see this film. I hadn't gotten much sleep the night before and, frankly, I was wondering if it was worth my while to see it.

But when I looked at the cast list in the program, I saw "Nicholas Brothers" at the very bottom. Since I had heard of them, but had never seen them on the big screen before, I thought it might be worth the effort to view the film.

The movie itself was decent, with some good musical numbers, but I have to admit that towards the end, I was nodding off a bit. I kept looking around for the Nicholas Brothers, but they hadn't appeared yet. The movie had been playing for quite some time, so I was beginning to think I had misread the program and that they were actually featured in the other film on the double-bill The Glen Miller Story.

Just as I started to fade out......Bam! On came the Nicholas Brothers. And let me tell you: I was not disappointed.

Fred Astaire dances, right? Well, the Nicholas Brothers fly. No jive: check them out in this movie and you'll see what I mean.

As I say, the muscial numbers in this film are good, but the dance by the Nicholas Brothers goes a long way toward rescuing this film from mediocrity.

I can't believe their names were near the bottom (if not at the bottom) of the credits. But I guess that's how it was in those days.

This film has made me an instant fan of the Nicholas Brothers. I looked around a bit, and apparently they are even better in Stormy Weather. So someday, (please God) I hope to see that film, too.

[–] bradford-1 15 years ago

In the past year-and-a-half, I hope you've had a chance to see SUN VALLEY SERENADE, which preceded ORCHESTRA. The Miller Band, Milton Berle and the Nicholas Brothers appear, with the brothers (and Dorothy Dandridge) taking part in a spectacular "Chattanooga Choo-Choo."

[–] fast_fierce_and_funny 13 years ago

In the past year-and-a-half, I hope you've had a chance to see SUN VALLEY SERENADE, which preceded ORCHESTRA.

I was finally able to see Sun Valley Serenade near the end of 2010.

You're right: their dance number was a real show-stopper. I saw the movie four times and the audience was so enthusiastic, they applauded each and every time (as well they should!).

(We'll see if I ever get a chance to see Stormy Weather.)

[–] dioro 11 years ago

Stormy Weather isn't the best of films in terms of its storyline, but it is enjoyable for its song and dance numbers which are good. I especially watched it to see Fats Waller play and sing Ain't Misbehavin'.

[–] marhefka2000 12 years ago

I've seen both movies and you're right. Chattanooga Choo-Choo in Sun Valley Serenade was more spectacular than I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo. And seeing a young Dorothy Dandridge was an extra treat.

[–] eek-a-mouse 12 years ago

I've just sat through this very pedestrian film and can post just what you said verbatim. The Nicholas Brothers provided the explosion of brilliance near the end that made it worth sitting through!

[–] strntz 11 years ago

You guys are insane. The Nicholas Brothers were extremely talented and entertaining, but their 4 minutes on this film hardly *saved* it. If the film sucked, it sucked before and after they appeared. If the film was good, it was good with or without them. Personally, I'm glad they got that cameo.

[–] Piperson 11 years ago

They close the show because who could follow them? That's what I think anyway.
They are fabulous.

I enjoyed the musical numbers. I had seen the movie before so I was just fast-forwarding through the plot to watch the music. I had forgotten about the Nicholas Brothers so I was doubly thrilled to see them.

It isn't just the dancing (or flying) but the finesse, the way they tilt their heads. So charming and enjoyable.

[–] fast_fierce_and_funny 11 years ago

They close the show because who could follow them?

If my information is correct, it seems there was a very definite reason why the Nicholas Brothers were shown last. :(

After I saw this film again in 2011 (or '12, one of those), I was mooning around the front of the theatre looking at the stills the theatre had posted up in the poster cases (one of which, a real eye-catcher, showed the Nicholas Brothers in mid-flight; great stuff). Well, I got to talking to an old-timer who had seen this movie when it was originally screened back in the '40s in the southern US and, naturally, we got on the subject of the Nicholas Brothers, what with having seen them flying around the Silver Screen not ten minutes before.

According to what he told me, it wasn't uncommon for movie theatres in those days to censor films themselves (and not just in the south, either). However, in the case of this particular film when it was screened in the south, it wasn't unknown for theatres there to cut out the footage of the Nicholas Brothers entirely and simply end the film after the GM Orchestra had finished singing Kalamazoo.

(Think about it: from a film editor's perspective, the movie would still make sense, wouldn't it?)

Depressing to hear, certainly. However, I like hearing about things like that because it's an honest reflection on How the Past Was. If the old-timer with whom I spoke is correct, that's How It Was in the 1940's southern US.

[–] Piperson 10 years ago

Interesting story but you are right: it's better to know the truth despite how depressing it can be.

[–] bradford-1 10 years ago

Unfortunately, that's the way it was for most black performers in white musicals of that period: the Nicholases, Hazel Scott, Lena Horne, the Berry Brothers, et al. Their segments were usually set up so they had no real narrative function, just specialty numbers that wouldn't affect the plot if cut. Notice that the black artists rarely if ever played CHARACTERS, or interacted with the whites onscreen. Exceptions being the all-black "Stormy Weather" and "Cabin in the Sky" of course.

"May I bone your kipper, Mademoiselle?"

[–] antiphrasist 9 years ago

Although what you've said seems entirely plausible, Fayard (who provided commentary, along with Ann Rutherford, on the DVD) made no mention of it.

His, and his brother's, performance, was indeed a show-stopper - and there's a reason for that term. I think the poster previous to you was correct.

[–] pt100 9 years ago

For what it's worth, the great Russian ballet superstar mikhail baryshnikov once said that the Nicholas Brothers were the greatest dancers he had ever seen.

It is better to be kind than to be clever or good looking. -- Derek

[–] antiphrasist 9 years ago

Interesting. I thought he said Fred Astaire was the greatest dancer. Well, even so, there's surely no way the Nicholas Brothers could've escaped his mention; they were magnificent.