Expert: Jim Kason - 4/9/2010

Question
From when I was younger, I remember seeing a segment from a documentary showcasing the old musicals (Gene Kelly, Jerry Lewis, etc.) that has been stuck in my mind since then.
I cannot remember the actor/dancer or the name of the movie, but it featured a tap dance segments where the dancer appears to dance up the walls and on the ceiling. I remember the documentary talking about how it was done, but for some reason I can't find any information on it whatsoever, not even a video on Youtube.
I hope that you will be able to help me, because I would really like to see that segment again.
Thanks in advance, Ted

Answer
Hello Ted,

Thanks for your question.  It was an easy one for me, since I've been a Film Musical fan ever since I was a child,...and that particular film was always a favorite of mine.

The actor/dancer was the famous musical film star, Fred Astaire,....and he did his "dancing on the ceiling and walls" musical number
in an MGM film called "Royal Wedding" (1951), also starring Jane Powell.    The song was "You're All The World To Me",...and was also featured in MGM's collection of favorite musical numbers,  "That's Entertainment."

The number was shot by a single camera that was fastened to the floor of a square-shaped room that was able to revolve in a full circle.  Everything in the room was nailed down.   When the room rotated to the right, the camera and the cameraman moved with it, ( so that they were now sideways, etc.)     Fred Astaire, in front of the camera, was always dancing upright , while the Room was doing the revolving.

You can watch the whole scene and number on YouTube, at:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8n7WQIXQDs&feature=related

And, "Royal Wedding" is available on both VHS and DVD at Amazon.com.

Sincerely,

Jim K.