MovieChat Forums > Cabin in the Sky (1943) Discussion > Who tap dances in the kitchen scene?

Who tap dances in the kitchen scene?


Is that Bill Bailey who tap dances in the scene in the kitchen when Joe gives Petunia the washing machine? I wasn't paying attention to the character's name. Thanks.

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I just happened to have this DVD in my player this evening so in response to this question I turned it on and went to that scene, but after playing the scene twice, I never noticed the character's name mentioned. So...try the commentary track. Not a word is mentioned about the actor there either, only comments on how tap dancing was viewed as buffoonery and notice his bright exaggerated smile. Some commentaries are great, some are generally worthless. Loved the movie though.

Off topic, I'd seen a movie reel clip many years ago of Lena Horne and Eddie Anderson hamming it up at a promotion or opening or something, and they did an impromptu version of "Life's Full of Consequence" for the public or press or whoever was there, and I just loved it. Never heard the song before, and it was so much fun watching them that I never forgot the words or the tune. Fast forward probably 15 years later and something reminded me of that song, and Googling it brought up "Cabin In The Sky", so I rented it and loved it. Lena Horne...it should be illegal to be that beautiful.

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I have to say Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson was really quite the dancer as well.

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Yes, that's Bill Bailey. He is listed in the opening credits as playing "Bill", but I don't know if his character's name is mentioned in the film, so that's a limited confirmation. But I've seen him in another film; that's definitely him. If you're a tapper the moon-walk (which step he's thought to have originated) is proof positive.

terry

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I believe that he is Henry Phace Roberts. He was also in Stormy Weather, and the Cotton Club as a dancer/hoofer. It's just a guess, but I do believe that it's him.

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Yes. Bill Bailey was the older brother of Pearl Bailey.

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Man! What timing!

I was just looking for the answer to this question.

Does someone know for sure?

Considering how much screen time he gets in the film, you would think he would get more definitive credit.

Does he look like Pearl Bailey?

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Hi,one can never be too rich or have too many friends. Neat,I wondered about that. Pearl Bailey said she had an older brother named Bill who danced,I always wondered if that was him.

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Although there's one vote here for Henry Phace Roberts, I did get a private message from a scholar who said, with certainty, that it is Bill Bailey. So, until someone can show me a photo proving it's someone else, I'm going with him. Thanks to those of you who did respond. The scene is a high-point in the movie.

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It is indeed Bill Bailey, brother of Pearl. I grew up in Washington, D. C. from whence they came, and where Bill was a minister in his later life.

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Here I am two years later; but thank you so much for asking this question
and getting a definitive answer!

I have wondered who this fantastic dancer was ever since I was about 5 years
old, seeing it for the first time on TV around 1953. I was already aware of
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson from the Shirley Temple movies;
as well as The Stormy Weather, along with the Nicholas Brothers.
To finally put a name with those fantastic feet is exhiliarating!

THANKS!!!

"OOO...I'M GON' TELL MAMA!"

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What about John William Sublett. You talk about tap dancing. What a great picture and what great entertainment. Too bad they were not able to make more of these pictures with these great entertainers.

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I also enjoyed the dancing of John Bubbles who plays Domino Johnson

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Looked like he was doing the moonwalk for a split second and Eddie was later doing what look a very basic version of the mashed potatoes..

Free your mind and your ass will follow

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