VIDEO: "AN EVENING WITH FRED ASTAIRE," NBC-TV, 1958

[Marianne Spellman]

This is no novel statement, I know, but I believe that Fred Astaire was just the best dancer ever. Oh, he was, because even when compared with other highly-gifted, highly-skilled dancers, Astaire's skills were so off-the-charts as to be peerless. Why? All you have to do is spend a little time in observation. Astaire, with each and every routine he ever performed, wasn't just a brilliant and innovative choreographer or a tuned-in partner or a top technician. Watch, and you will see how all of him was at all times completely connected with the music. Not just his feet or legs or arms -- everything, down to the tiniest flip of a hand or dip of a shoulder, even his facial expressions. It is what made him appear so elegant and effortless. Everything in him was integrated, flowing, and near-flawless when he danced; when he moved at all, really. Even dancers with the strongest motivation, deep emotions, hardiest bodies, and most superior skills -- incredible, amazing performers -- can't quite get to Fred-level.

Fred Astaire was one-of-a-kind, and one of those extremely rare people who took their incredible natural gifts as far as it was possible to take them. For you today, I bring you the 1958 Emmy Award-winning NBC-TV special, "An Evening With Fred Astaire," in "living color." Spend an hour watching a artistic genius, nearly 60 years old at that time, and be very glad we had this guy around.

"An Evening With Fred Astaire," NBC-TV, October 17, 1958

[Rita Shibr]

Actually MA, this is just wanted I needed. It's a cold windy day here and I am down with a cold ... again. So Thanks for This, Love Fred Astaire also.

[Rita Shibr]

OMG five minutes in... LOVE IT! the old commercials and FRED! 

[Rita Shibr]

Ok some thoughts: how great this music sounds, and thinking it is a live studio band. How entertainment was purely just that, entertaining and adults were putting it on, Fred not young but totally cool. So many differences from today, where are these types of shows, dancing music?   Ok I will go away now..

[JMac1949 Memories]

Astaire and Jimmy Cagney were my favorite dancers... love the scenes from Yankee Doodle Dandy.  R&L ;-)

[Marianne Spellman]

Rita, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! I too watched the entire show last night and loved every bit of it.

[koshersalaami]

I'm about half way through it now. What's utterly freaking me out is he was just a bit older than I am now when he did this.

When Michael Jackson first made it big, as an adult, like when he was wearing one glove on the Grammies and doing the moon walk, Astaire was one of his fans. That's one way we were sure he really was good. And, if you look at him during that period, you will see similarities, in terms of that slim grace, crisp moves, and commitment of the whole body to everything.

[Marianne Spellman]

I hear ya, kosher...Astaire's fitness and fluidity in his "golden years" was astounding.

[koshersalaami]

I saw him more than a dozen years after this on Carson and he still did some dancing.

[Marianne Spellman]

I bet he danced every day of his life. :)