tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post3858418764015302873..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: Celebrating Choreographer Jack ColeThe Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-16799754078963690102012-09-26T05:22:22.495-07:002012-09-26T05:22:22.495-07:00I just began practicing some choreography for my n...I just began practicing some choreography for my next dance show. My choreographer, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxfLopabe-WbAXSxgnVkLkA" rel="nofollow">Rich Morell</a> is trying to create a dance that appeals to all ages. I don't know how he is going to do it, but so far he has pulled it off. It is going to be so awesome once we have it down. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03317916518161319693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-81530679383984926892012-09-12T20:44:17.717-07:002012-09-12T20:44:17.717-07:00Becky, TCM has been airing an interview feature wi...Becky, TCM has been airing an interview feature with George Chakiris lately in which he talks about working on "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend." He echoes what Jane Russell said about Marilyn Monroe - that she rehearsed relentlessly - was a perfectionist, really. She may not have been the world's greatest dancer, but she was dedicated to giving it her best.<br /><br />By the way, welcome back to the blogosphere!The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-82419728361291481242012-09-12T17:47:07.263-07:002012-09-12T17:47:07.263-07:00Good assessment of a very talented man, Eve. I pa...Good assessment of a very talented man, Eve. I particularly love his choreography of Put the Blame on Mame, Heat Wave and Amado Mio. Heat Wave in particular is a very hot number (I know, bad pun, but true!) Of course, Diamonds is so iconic, and I love to watch for George Chakiris in the male dancers -- I've been in mad love with him since West Side Story.ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-81195410547136147452012-09-12T12:45:53.224-07:002012-09-12T12:45:53.224-07:00Dawn, I've yet to see some of the films I reco...Dawn, I've yet to see some of the films I recorded on Jack Cole's TCM night, but there aren't many Technicolor dance numbers that I like more than "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend." The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-38401661875821379892012-09-12T09:29:25.597-07:002012-09-12T09:29:25.597-07:00I'm a huge fan of musicals and of Jack Cole...I'm a huge fan of musicals and of Jack Cole's work. Thank you for spotlighting him..<br /><br />My favorite dance number of his is from, From Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09421976438809816553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-50677261353036468782012-09-11T21:50:34.608-07:002012-09-11T21:50:34.608-07:00Kevin, I've yet to see "Tonight and Every...Kevin, I've yet to see "Tonight and Every Night" - I recorded it last night but haven't had the chance to sit down and watch yet. Debra Levine's take on Cole's career - the difficult personality, that he was ultimately overshadowed by Bob Fosse - was fascinating. He seems never to have stopped working, though, and was teaching dance at UCLA at the time of his death. <br /><br />I read a tidbit about the "Heat Wave" number ("There's No Business Like Show Business") in a Marilyn Monroe bio. MM apparently threw some 'bumps and grinds' of her own into the routine - prompted by a signal from the sidelines by her drama coach, Natasha Lytess. It seems the signal came in the form of Lytess (how do I put this tastefully?) pointing in the direction of her crotch - indicating a certain kind of emphasis/motivation she felt was needed. The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-44652997713691640052012-09-11T13:00:37.453-07:002012-09-11T13:00:37.453-07:00A very underrated choreographer. Rita Hayworth'...A very underrated choreographer. Rita Hayworth's "You Excite Me", the opening number of "Tonight and Every Night", which TCM showed last night, is one of my all-time favorite dance routines, and one of the great numbers of the forties musicals. There's a bit of a sexual edge to Jack Cole routines that one doesn't find in other numbers of the time. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-14051731275797748232012-09-10T23:33:51.893-07:002012-09-10T23:33:51.893-07:00Dorian, TCM's tribute to Jack Cole tonight has...Dorian, TCM's tribute to Jack Cole tonight has certainly gotten me into a musical mood. I understand there's been a documentary in the works on Cole but that it has stalled for lack of funding. Hopefully this TCM showcase will help stir up interest - and money to fund its completion.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-21012960562610078452012-09-10T23:29:24.116-07:002012-09-10T23:29:24.116-07:00MCB, As far as I know, TCM hasn't featured cho...MCB, As far as I know, TCM hasn't featured choreographers in the way that you mention - as yet. Hopefully, this evening of Jack Cole films (and discussion) is only the beginning. I have gotten the impression from reading Debra Levine's articles and listening to her co-host tonight, that she is on a mission to raise awareness and appreciation of Jack Cole's contribution to modern dance in general and film in particular.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-32267725133286407682012-09-10T17:51:42.684-07:002012-09-10T17:51:42.684-07:00Eve, I must confess to you and our other friends a...Eve, I must confess to you and our other friends and fellow bloggers that I kinda dropped out of the movie musical habit for a while there (too busy to pay attention to musicals; I'm so ashamed! Can you ever forgive me?), but in the past couple of months, I've gotten interested again, with tonight's Jack Cole night particularly wowing me with its lively beauty, fun, and pizzazz! Love the dancing, love the post! Thanks for helping to show me the error of my minimal musical ways! :-)DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-36942002181858169382012-09-10T08:38:28.265-07:002012-09-10T08:38:28.265-07:00I particularly love the work that Cole did with Ri...I particularly love the work that Cole did with Rita Hayworth - she could dance and she had the ability to get across that eastern/ethnic vibe that he had going. I remember years ago watching "Cover Girl" and being primarily knocked out by the colorful dance routines (Rita's lush red hair and primal figure was the perfect focus). You can see where Jack Cole influenced a lot of other people, including the great Bob Fosse. I miss the wonderful jazz dance routines that artists like Jack Cole were able to create. I'd like to see TCM do a whole week on master choreographers for film. Maybe they already have - if so, I'm sorry I missed it.Motorcycle Boynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-63807079425207080392012-09-09T19:31:19.908-07:002012-09-09T19:31:19.908-07:00From what I've read, Jack Cole was well aware ...From what I've read, Jack Cole was well aware of how a good coach and a good director could make a not-very-talented dancer sizzle on the screen. Most consider "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" his masterwork on film - he not only choreographed the number but also directed it, with Howard Hawks's blessing. The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-47810965500172594142012-09-09T19:28:31.673-07:002012-09-09T19:28:31.673-07:00Thanks, CFB! Debra Levine's knowledge of Jack ...Thanks, CFB! Debra Levine's knowledge of Jack Cole is comprehensive - I'm sure she'll have much to say about his work and his place in the pantheon of modern dancer/choreographers (apparently Balanchine admired his work) tomorrow night on TCM. Can't wait.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-58345881572178515052012-09-09T17:17:21.780-07:002012-09-09T17:17:21.780-07:00I read an interview of Cole by John Kobal & he...I read an interview of Cole by John Kobal & he was very complimentary of Rita and her talents. He didn't pull any punches about many others, so you know he really admired her - dancer to dancer.FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-66442041801676573942012-09-09T12:22:56.113-07:002012-09-09T12:22:56.113-07:00One of the many reasons I like your blog is that I...One of the many reasons I like your blog is that I learn something new. I am not familiar with Jack Cole but having seen your short list of your work I'm clearly a fan of his without knowing it! Thanks for the heads-up about the special. Classicfilmboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278928051994100842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-47171441164348959682012-09-09T09:36:13.799-07:002012-09-09T09:36:13.799-07:00So true. I'd just become familiar with Jack Co...So true. I'd just become familiar with Jack Cole - he's often referenced and quoted in Marilyn Monroe bios, so Monday night's "class" on Cole is particularly timely for me. The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-62707494747416471342012-09-09T07:44:18.865-07:002012-09-09T07:44:18.865-07:00It will be interesting to hear Debra Levine talk a...It will be interesting to hear Debra Levine talk about Jack Cole... Gotta love TCM! Sometimes it's like taking a film studies class for free.Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.com