The Nicholas Brothers

Dalton showed me this clip from the film Stormy Weather, which is a 1940's Hollywood musical based on the life of the dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Black musicals and the famous prohibition era Cotton Club in NYC gave African-Americans a rare opportunity to showcase their talents. In the Cotton Club, they were expected to create a jungle atmosphere to enertain the all white audience. The club featured many great African-Americans including Al Jolson, Duke Ellington, Billie Holliday, and Louis Armstrong. This clip features a gnarly dance routine from the Nicholas brothers all in one take.