1930-1943: Busby Berkeley's Kaleidoscopic Dances
The choreography of Busby Berkeley was like a dance in a kaleidoscope, so high was the mathematical accuracy of complex rhythmic movements.
Busby, the son of actress Gertrude Berkeley, first appeared on stage at the age of 5. He became the choreographer of numerous Broadway musicals, gaining fame as the director of spectacular grandiose dance numbers with complex, geometrically accurate rearrangements of the corps de ballet.
The year is 1934. Busby Berkeley stands at the end of a tunnel of dancers on the set of the movie "Ladies".
Later, Berkeley transferred his stunning style to the big screen, being a dance choreographer for Eddie Cantor musicals.
The year is 1935. Lines from the pianists in the musical interlude from the film "Gold Diggers of 1935".
Expanding beyond the boundaries of the stage, he used top-down angles to turn groups of dancers into kaleidoscopic works of art.
The year is 1933. A musical number from the movie "Parade in the footlights".
During the 30s, Berkeley worked with the Warner Brothers studio, first as a dance director, and then as a director.
The year is 1933. A musical number from the movie "Parade in the footlights".
In 1939, he switched to collaboration with MGM studio, and later with 20th Century Fox.
The year is 1933. The musical number "To remember the forgotten men" from the film "Gold Diggers of 1933".
His personal life was as complicated as his choreography.
1941. James Stewart is surrounded by dancers in a scene from the movie "Ziegfield Girls".
Berkeley was married six times and was tried for involuntary triple murder as the culprit of a car accident in 1935, but was acquitted.
1941. Dancers descend next to the stairs in a scene from the movie "Ziegfield Girls".
By 1962, when he left show business, Berkeley had almost 80 films on his account.
The year is 1932. Dolores del Rio performs a Polynesian dance staged by Busby Berkeley in the film "Bird of Paradise".
The year is 1935. Dancers during the filming of the film "Passionate about the theater".
The year is 1943. Berkeley puts on a scene with Judy Garland, Tommy Dorsey and Mickey Rooney in the movie "Crazy Girl".
The year is 1930. Busby Berkeley poses with a group of dancers.
The year is 1970. Busby Berkeley.
Keywords: Dance | History | World | Musical | Kaleidoscope