That's Dancing! (1985)

Sammy Davis Jr.: Self - Host

Photos 

Quotes 

• Sammy Davis, Jr. : I learned to tap dance by standing in the wings and watching other acts. And, of course, I learned from my Dad and my Uncle Will and they learned from other dancers. You see, dancing is a sort of a hand-me-downed art form. You learn it from someone else.

• Sammy Davis, Jr. : Style. Elegance. Charm. And class, personified. Yes! That's Fred Astaire!

• Sammy Davis, Jr. : You know, Busby Berkeley may have freed the camera to roam among his girls, but, it was Fred Astaire who taught it how to best capture dance on film. He insisted that his routines be photographed with as little editing or changes in camera angles as possible and that the dancer be shown always in full figure, from head-to-toe. In doing so, Fred almost single handedly revamped and restyled the movie musical.

• Sammy Davis, Jr. : When RKO Studio teamed Broadway star Fred Astaire with an up and coming young screen actress named Ginger Rogers, motion picture history was made. There would be no onscreen smooching for Astaire and Rogers. In their films, like "The Gay Divorcee", Ginger would resist Fred until the moment he holds her in his arms and dances with her and, then, well, audiences of the day were captivated by this new and graceful expression of - romantic love.

• Sammy Davis, Jr. : Among the great stylist of the 30s, Astaire and Rogers contributed more dancing of unsurpassed originality and execution than any other artists. Fred Astaire. Ginger Rogers. Nobody does it better.

• Sammy Davis, Jr. : Bill Bojangles Robinson. An idol, an inspiration of several generations of dancers. His control and balance were legendary. Each tap, clear and clean. His lightness and grace brought an end to the era of flat footed hoofing.

• Sammy Davis, Jr. : Among all the dancing ladies of the 1930s, Eleanor Powell was, to put it bluntly, the very best.

• Sammy Davis, Jr. : Eleanor Powell was a strong and powerful dancer; but, she always retained her femininity.

• Sammy Davis, Jr. : The Nicholas Brothers. During the 30s and the 40s, they became the most successful speciality team in movie history. Fayard and Harold Nicholas raised the flash act to new heights of elegance.

• Sammy Davis, Jr. : If you ever thought of trying to compare Ray Bolger's style to any other dancers, forget it! He was in a class by himself. A Broadway superstar. Actor. Singer. Dancer. And superb comedian. Ray Bolger could do it all!

• Sammy Davis, Jr. : In the world of dance when a performer appears alone, he must dominate the stage and he must do it completely - with technique, personality and panache - like Baryshnikov.