Eleanor Powell: My Old Friend and New Inspiration

Many years ago, I created a composite character for a show I was working on that drew inspiration from women entertainers of the early twentieth century, including Eleanor Powell. The more-than-triple-threat performer was a proficient ballet dancer, gymnast, actress, and singer (though much of her singing was dubbed in the final edits of her films). As part of my current education in tap dance, I'm rekindling my studies of this iconic artist as I work to reconstruct some of her choreography.

Like many Hollywood actresses of her time, she learned to tap in order to make herself marketable in the industry. It's important to recognize that, because tap dance is an art form born in communities of color, white performers learned their skills from black dancers who were often denied the opportunities to bring their art form to the mainstream. Eleanor Powell learned to play tight rhythms utilizing quick heel movements from one of her most important mentors, John "Bubbles," who is often credited with creating the "rhythm tap" style.

My favorite Eleanor Powell number is her infamous pinball machine dance, seen in the film Sensations of 1945. She combines her athleticism with rapid-fire high-heeled taps and interacts with a surreal, cartoon-like Hollywood set to deliver an impressive, irreverent, quirky specialty number.

Since I don't have access to a human-sized pinball machine nor the budget at this time to build one of my own (though it is tempting to steal the pylons that have been in front of my house for awhile and attach large touch-lights to the tops), I decided to look at some of Eleanor's choreography that didn't depend on sets, bands, partners, or props. I found a nightclub routine that showcases her rhythmic work, and have studied it, but am having a little trouble seeing through the grain of the very old film.

I decided to look at another solo piece that utilizes much of the same choreography (and from what I can tell, the same music) and am still working to dissect the complex paddle-and-roll-type combinations.

I'm finding that the steps I've extrapolated so far from these videos are making appearances in my personal improv sessions, to various styles of music. I've worked the Eleanor-inspired material in heels, and to my own surprise, I can lift my toes when manipulating the shoe just right. In flats, these steps make me feel more like Bubbles himself.

If anyone out there knows anything about this nightclub routine, or, if you have leads on other videos of her more obscure work, please feel free to leave a comment or contact me.