Fred Astaire

So You Think You Can Dance Judges Favor B-Boy Jose

• Jul 15, 2010 08:26 AM ET
• by Natalie Abrams

Are the So You Think You Can Dance judges being too easy on break-dancer Jose Ruiz this season?

"I think we are, absolutely," says executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe.

So You Think You Can Dance's Alex Wong eliminated due to lacerated Achilles tendon

"The choreographers' job is to get them through, not to ...read more

Famed MGM Dancer Cyd Charisse Is Dead

• Jun 17, 2008 11:58 PM ET
• by movienews

Cyd Charisse who was known for her dancing in classic films with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly died Tuesday in Los Angeles She was in her mid-80s Her publicist confirmed to press that Charisse was admitted to the hospital Monday after suffering a heart attack and did not recoverA Texas native she got her start with the Ballet Russe but became known as a darling of the musicals of the 1940s and 50s Along with Rain Charisse starred in numerous classics including Ziegfeld Follies The Band Wagon and Brigadoon MGM was her home studio and she once described it as a fairyland says the AP Born as Tula Ellice Finklea Charisse married Nico Charisse in 1939 and then Tony Martin in 1948 She has two sons Tony Jr and NickySilk Stockings was the last of her dancing roles in films but she continued to act in dramatic roles making her Broadway debut in 1992 One of her more famous subsequent roles was as Dean Martins new wife in 1962s Somethings Got to Give which waread more

I just had to respond to ...

• Aug 31, 2007 04:00 AM ET
• by Matt Roush

Question: I just had to respond to Jena's comments about implausabilities in the "plot" of High School Musical 2. Let's remember it is a preteen movie from Disney. I've seen all the Astaire/Rogers movies and I have to say that the implausabilities in their plots (and they are legion!) do not dim their charm one bit! Answer: Excellent point. And to all you kiddies who haven't discovered Turner Classic Movies yet, we're talking Fred and Ginger here, the Depression-era precursors to Frankie and Annette — I don't think I've ever typed their names in the same sentence and doubt I'll ever do it again! Anyway, I can't remember how many times I've heard my mother remark how silly the plots of the Astaire/Rogers movies are, and yet who cares? As long as they keep dancing cheek to cheek, I'm in heaven. Also in reference to Jena's disdain for HSM2, here's this from Christine: "I have an 8-year-old in the house and had no choice but to watch the whole movie. I'm actually glad I did. I absolutel ...read more