MovieChat Forums > Silk Stockings (1957) Discussion > While this is a mediocre film, the dance...

While this is a mediocre film, the dance sequences are miraculous

posted 16 years ago by tireless_crank
12 replies | jump to latest

While this is a mediocre film, the dance sequences are miraculous. The sequence with the silk stockings is as beautiful as any in film.
She completely takes over the dance numbers and honestly makes Fred Astaire look like a skinny, emotionless old guy.
Cyd Charisse's dancing has two characteristics that set her apart. First, she is completely fluid, one movement into the next without a hitch or stumble. She moves from dancing to sitting and it is impossible to tell any discontinuity. Second, she embodies completely different characters when she dances; compare the wood-nymph in the Silk Stockings sequence to the athletic woman in the Red Blues number. Other woman dancers, Ginger Rodgers or Anne Miller, are always the same person.

[–] midnitelamp 16 years ago

i agree.

[–] ksf-2 14 years ago

everyone is trying SO hard... too hard. these actors were mostly old-time black & white film actors, now in color...costumes and dance scenes are quite good (it WAS Astaire, after all) Interesting trivia on the imdb BIO pages for G Tobias and for P Lorre.

[–] surly_human_sidekick 14 years ago

Such dancing. It elevates the film above mediocre. Cyd Charisse is, without a doubt, my favourite film dancer.

[–] dmnemaine 14 years ago

Cyd Charisse and Jules Munshin actually appeared in more color films than they did black and white. Fred Astaire made quite a few color films (Blue Skies, Yolanda And The Thief, Easter Parade, The Belle Of New York, Three Little Words, The Band Wagon, etc.) throughout the 1940s and 50s. To call these people "old-time black & white film actors" is ridiculous.

[–] drewfbartlow 14 years ago

You make some interesting points, but Cyd Charisse, Ginger Rodgers and Ann Miller while all fantastic, made their names in different styles of dance.

It's kinda like comparing an opera singer to a pop singer to a blues singer. Do they all sing? Yes. Do they sing the same way? No.

You're comparing apples, oranges and bananas.

[–] Two-Spacer 11 years ago

Not to mention those fabulous legs!

[–] mandrake62 11 years ago

Cyd Charisse was definitely at the top of her game here whereas Fred Astaire was at the end of his dance career. Looked very tired in some of his dance sequences and lost that sense of joy he always had exhibited. I doubt he was very satisfied with his dancing. From what I can see looking at his Filmography, this was his last film that featured his dancing.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TANSD76 11 years ago

I'm not sure I'm prepared to disparage Ginger Rogers, but I agree that Charisse's dancing makes the film. I'd actually recommend just watching her dressing room scene, and maybe some of the other dance numbers if you have the time, instead of watching the film. Astaire and Charisse have no romantic chemistry. The plot drags. And I feel like her concerns as a woman and a Russian citizen were never satisfactory addressed or resolved. I forget the actual dialogue but she essentially accuses him of not respecting her position and asks him why she has to be the one to change everything about herself before they dramatically part ways. And he doesn't have a good answer and the film doesn't have a good answer. But yes, beautiful dancing. And expert costuming.

[–] Prismark10 9 years ago

The dance sequences are good but the film is too variable in quality.

Its that man again!!

[–] Errington_92 9 years ago

I agree with everyone regarding the dance sequences. The plot itself, especially the unsubtle Soviet mocking, quickly became tiresome.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.

[–] Eightythreeyearoldguy 8 years ago

I have good memories of this movie, especially of Peter Lorre's hilarious attempt at dancing in one sequence. Now I'll be showing this movie to my senior citizen movie group tonight and expect them to enjoy it.

Old age isn't for sissies--Bette Davis