Contributed (drawn from the Spam-o-sphere) by an old mate – Rod
| REAL STARS…
James Cagney and Bob Hope at a Friar’s Club Meeting back when actors were real performers, Bob Hope was 52 and James Cagney was 56. For the young folks, here is something you probably have never seen before and, unfortunately, you may never see again. For us older folks, this is the best of the best, and we had it for many years! This is a side of these two entertainers you hardly ever saw but it shows you their enormous talent. Bob Hope, the best of the comedians, and Jimmy Cagney mostly cast as the bad guy, gangster in the movies. Enjoy! |
Window Dresser's Arms, Pig & Whistle 
It’s very interesting. I didn’t even know that Bob Hope could dance. However, it is very interesting to compare the pair of them. Bob Hope is not a natural dancer, he relies on muscle and sheer bravado. Whereas James Cagney dances well within himself and he holds himself like a ballet dancer. I’ll bet when they both pulled up James Cagney was the man feeling a lot less puffed out than Bob Hope. Cagney did it at a canter; hope was doing it with difficulty.
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Sorry, that was meant to be Hope.
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‘SHOE: To be fair we don’t get to see more than one or two facets of any actor’s abilities. The movie directors would be terrified to put on a musical with Mat Daemon in the starring role. They think it would be too against type.
Conversely there are many fine actors who excel at stage work as well as in front of the camera. I should be able to think of a couple, but my mind is having a senior’s moment’.
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Hope and Cagney, what a lovely couple, and they for sure can dance…they don’t make blokes like that anymore.
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Pfffft! What gush!
You call that dancing?
Pass me the ouzo and give me some space, I’ll show you dancing!
Pffft!
🙂
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Here’s the ouzo (virtual), here’s the s p a c e. I’m waiting!
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O.K. Atomou, please submit a video!
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Alas, my ouzocam is busted!
I can only offer yez a virtual one.
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OMG ! I saw that film way way back and remember thinking how terrific Cagney was – gave me a whole new feel for the ‘bad guy’. They were good but more so as they were dancing so well on a long table way off the ground. They made it look easy.
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Thanks for noticing, Viv. It looks like a bloody substantial “table” if you ask me :-).
BTW, we have autumn coming up apace and I was wondering whether you have any change of season recipes you might want to share with our patrons. It’s been a while since we ventured into the kitchen chez Pig’s.
Regards,
Emm.
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I’ll put it on my list of ‘to dos’. Actually I’ll start drafting a few thoughts etc.
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Muchos
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It really goes to show just how well grounded many of those great actors were. Not many these days can sing, dance, play an instrument, do comedic roles, etc.
Thanks, Emmjay.
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After watching this three or four times, Big, I am convinced that these guys can float on air ! Amazing – and stamina…..
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Big M, I suspect modern actors can sing, dance, play instruments, do comedic roles etcet… I more suspect it is in the hands of ‘fashion’ what actors are called on to portray. The industry is obsessed at the moment with digital technology and animation as well I was thinking so vast amounts of time and space and money are consumed by mastering techniques that go on behind scene.
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