There are the Castles, the Murrays, Astaire and Rogers. And then there are the Champions - Marge and Gower Champion. They are the last great dance team. The top.
Just a quick post about their memorable "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" number from Lovely to Look At (1952).
The lady has resisted the gentleman's overtures until now, but everything - the music, the atmosphere, her own emotions - conspires against her and she gradually relaxes and goes with the flow. He has already told her that "dancing is the whistle stop before romance," so she knows what she's getting into here. In fact, it's her suggestion to dance in the first place.("You practically have me on the floor already. So why don't we do it the right way?")
After the fun little polka, after the kiss that transports them from a cafe and into outer space, they slowly sway. This little movement is one of my favorite parts of the number. It introduces a completely new dance and a new theme - romance among the stars.
How many times does Gower pick Marge up off the floor, making it appear as if they are both floating in the air? I haven't counted, but it's a lot of times. What strength they both have. What athleticism.
And they do it all without forgetting to act, which is nice since, unlike onstage, we are seeing closeups of people who are supposed to be carried away by love. Grimaces, grunts and contorted faces would take me right out of the moment, thank you very much. But nope, we get beautiful faces on talented people. You feel as though you're right there with them, truly dancing with the stars.
Update
I've just found this trailer for a documentary featuring Marge Champion and dance partner Donald Saddler. Released in 2009, the 21 minute film is called Keep Dancing.
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| Turnbaugh / Vander Veer Productions |
After celebrated careers, legendary dancers Marge Champion and Donald Saddler became friends while performing together in the Broadway Show Follies (2001). When the show closed, they decided to rent a private studio together where they have been choreographing and rehearsing original dances ever since. At 90 years old, they continue to pursue their passion for life through their love and mastery of dance. It is this passion that has allowed them to persevere through times filled with great joys and heartbreak....Sounds great!
One of my all-time favorite dances. So blissfully romantic! Thanks for reminding me of it tonight. :) It's a very enjoyable film -- my teenager loves it so much I got her a Warner Archive copy for Christmas. (Shhhh!)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Laura
Lovely clip, and your description is terrific, so right on the mark. Such artistry. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteGower has been gone for 30 years, in spite of being two years younger than Marge, but last I heard, she was still teaching dance in NYC. Give somebody a lesson for Christmas!
ReplyDelete(Well, maybe a master class. Marge and Donald Saddler hang out together, I think.)
I had never heard of the Champions before. I loved the clip you posted and also the related clip from the same movie, "I won't dance" :)
ReplyDeleteGower and Marge were such a beautiful dance duo. I often wonder why they divorced. I've never been able to find anything on them, but a dance teacher of mine-who danced with greats like Merce Cunningham- said he was playing around with a show girl.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame because I can never find many of their dance numbers on Youtube.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteYou are right - it is romantic. I think knowing that they are actually married, a team, enhances that bliss.
Your teenager has good taste, by the way. :)
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Jacqueline,
What kind words. Thank you.
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joem18b, I hadn't heard that she was teaching dance in NYC. That would be a thrill.
I had heard that she is still dancing and has made a documentary called "Keep Dancing" with Saddler.
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Clara,
They are so cute and funny in the "I Won't Dance" routine. I'm glad you like it. Here's a little more about the Champions from Streetswing.com.
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jnpickens,
According to John Anthony Gilvey's bio of Gower Champion - Before The Parade Passes By [which I highly recommend for its detail in describing the numbers themselves], the Champions broke up due essentially to their leading separate lives. By the late 1960s, Gower had a bi-coastal career, and Marge was raising the children alone in California.
Marge says in her interview with Gilvey that leading separate lives is very dangerous for a marriage. She continues, "Each time [that we] get back on the same side of the country, it takes a little bit longer to meld because each one has filled in those periods of separation and loneliness with other activities. At that point, you really don't see what's important and what isn't."
It all gets worse for their family after that - he doesn't see his children much; they separate; he gets into the counterculture movement and experiments with everything and everyone, including other women.
Start with Chapter 13, page 202 on this subject.
Java, how nice to see a tribute to the Gowers! They get overlooked too often when folks discuss the great dancers of the classic film era.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rick.
ReplyDeleteJust watching "Lovely to Look At" on TCM. Came to the dance "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" and wanted to look up something about Gower and Marge. So nice to see other people have appreciated their talent!!
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteIt is thrilling to know there are fellow Champion fans out there! Thank you so much for leaving a note.
You might be interested to know that Marge is still going strong. The dancer was recently seen in the audience of a Tommy Tune show. The following BroadwayWorld.com article has a picture of her from August 2011:
http://boston.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Coverage-Tommy-Tune-Steps-in-Time-at-The-Colonial-Theatre-20110812
You'll have to scroll down the page to about halfway.