On Monday, September 10, 2012 Turner Classic Movies will dedicate an evening to the brilliant creativity of Jack Cole. The evening features four films choreographed by Cole — he himself dances in two of them. I co-host the September broadcast with TCM’s Robert Osborne.
Films on the slate:
- Tonight & Every Night (1945) – 8 pm ET, 5 pm PT
Full of dance; full of Rita Hayworth. Features the great Marc Platt and Cole himself dances. He jitterbugs! - On the Riviera (1951) – 10 pm ET, 7 pm PT
Wonderful dance numbers, Gwen Verdon sparkles, and “Happy Ending” is a masterpiece. - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1952) – 11:45 pm ET, 8:45 pm PT
Jack Cole catapults Marilyn Monroe into the stratosphere with “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” — and Jane Russell’s no slouch either. - Les Girls (1957) – 1:30 am ET, 10: 30 pm PT
Cole contributes dance sequences of Cukor-esque sophistication — and he choreographs for Gene Kelly.
It will be a joy to co-host with Robert Osborne. I interviewed Robert last December as a journalist bobbling in the Caribbean on TCM Cruise.
For four years I have researched Jack Cole and written about him. I have thought deeply about this foremost American dance artist. He changed my life as a dance critic and now I get to honor him. I’m thrilled!
I just returned to Los Angeles from Atlanta where I taped the program. The footage is now awaiting editing and broadcast. Please stay tuned for further announcements … and don’t touch that dial!
Like this? Read more:
- arts·meme’s thread of Jack Cole coverage here
- Jack Cole & Marilyn Monroe in the Los Angeles Times
- Jack Cole at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in The Huffington Post
I thought you did admirably, Debra. We managed to see parts of the first three films, the production
numbers mostly. It was nice to see Gwen Verdon back in the day, as well as Beatrice Kraft in the Danny
Kaye India sequence. Bill, when he was still in high school, ushered for ‘Kismet’ pre-Broadway at the
old Philharmonic on Pershing Square in L.A., with Alfred Drake et al, and Beatrice Kraft doing her thing a la
Cole. Steve Reeves was in it too.
I AGREE WITH LIZA GENNARO. SHE’S MODEST IN NOT MENTIONING HER FATHER PETER GENNARO, ONE OF THE GREAT JAZZ DANCERS OF ALL TIME
JANE GOLDBERG
Hi, Debra! This looks like great fun. I’m posting this on InfiniteBody: http://infinitebody.blogspot.com/2012/07/tcm-and-las-debra-levine-pay-tribute-to.html
Cole was a mad genius. I trust you’ll deal with the fact that Bob Fosse began his career as a Jack Cole dancer before inventing a style all his own. Cole’s stylistic signature is all for the place. Especially as regards Marilyn Monroe. One of my favorite Cole numbers is here —
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy0ShN89lc4