Dance Scenes in Non-Dancing related Movies (My Top 10 Favorites)
Thursday, March 12, 2015
With energetic music, sharp choreography and maybe even subtle character interaction, who doesn’t love a good dance number? Well ... I obviously love dance scenes from movies. I love the energy, I love the style, I love the music, so why not celebrate this art with a countdown. However, there’s going to be a little twist to this list because I’m counting down my top 10 personal favorite dance scenes from movies that have absolutely nothing to do with dance or music. Their completely out of the blue, but just as entertaining as any classic dance number from a real musical.
10. “Anything Goes” from “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”
Those of you familiar with the Indiana Jones series know that the second installment titled “Temple of Doom” is the darkest and most sinister entry in the series, with the most disturbing imagery, scariest segments and harshest tone. So what could possibly be a more fitting way to open this film then a Broadway Style musical number that looks more fitting for something like “Singing in the Rain”. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an opening segment more out of place and tone then this opening song number titled “Anything Goes”, but that’s why it’s so brilliant. It’s the perfect bait and switch. It also serves as a proper introduction for the films lead heroin, and despite being so random and out of place with the overall tone of the film, it somehow just works.
Those of you familiar with the Indiana Jones series know that the second installment titled “Temple of Doom” is the darkest and most sinister entry in the series, with the most disturbing imagery, scariest segments and harshest tone. So what could possibly be a more fitting way to open this film then a Broadway Style musical number that looks more fitting for something like “Singing in the Rain”. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an opening segment more out of place and tone then this opening song number titled “Anything Goes”, but that’s why it’s so brilliant. It’s the perfect bait and switch. It also serves as a proper introduction for the films lead heroin, and despite being so random and out of place with the overall tone of the film, it somehow just works.
9. “Bustin' Surfboards” from “Pulp Fiction”
This is probably the most famous dance scene to ever be featured in a non-dance related movie. Why then is it only at number 9, because there’s eight others that I personally like more, but that’s not going to keep me from mentioning this on my countdown. When a notorious street gangster takes his girl friend out to dinner, she decides to liven things up by participating in a small dance tournament to win a gold trophy. Of course John Travolta is well know from classic musicals like “Grease” and “Saturday Night Fever”, so it’s no surprise that he shares the stage in this scene. The strait serious faces of our dancing duo perfectly offset the songs light hearted nature and the scene itself is a subtle detour into a cheerful place before some of the characters find themselves staring at deaths door. It’s simply a memorable moment from this Quentin Tarantino classic.
8. After Dark from “From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996)
Okay, so this particular dance number is very different, and much hotter than the others. The 1996 action horror movie “From Dusk Till Dawn” begins as a serious crime thriller, then mid way it becomes the equivalent of a drive-in monster movie. This random dance marks the transition between the two tones. With a seductive musical score, great staging, and the oh so attractive Salma Hayek leading the scene, it makes this pointless little dance scene one that’s easy to remember.
7. The Fox Chase from “Darby O' Gill and the Little People”
Disney has given us plenty of memorable song and dance numbers from their live action musicales, but one of their absolute best dance scenes comes from their 1959 Irish fantasy “Darby O' Gill and the Little People”. While the movie isn’t devoid of songs, it’s by no means a musical like “Mary Poppins”. Never the less, the stand out dance number occurs at the close of the first act, when the title character Darby O’Gill is invited into the cave of the Leprechauns. After winning their hospitality, he treats them to some music on his violin, a piece called “The Fox Chase”. What follows is a massive dance party on a small Leprechaun scale, they pool off crazy stunts, bounce all over the place, ride leprechaun sized horses, and it’s just a really fun scene. The music is lively, the effects are unbelievable, and it’s right up there with the “Stepping Time” scene from “Mary Poppins” as one of my favorite dance numbers to be featured in a family film.
Okay, so this particular dance number is very different, and much hotter than the others. The 1996 action horror movie “From Dusk Till Dawn” begins as a serious crime thriller, then mid way it becomes the equivalent of a drive-in monster movie. This random dance marks the transition between the two tones. With a seductive musical score, great staging, and the oh so attractive Salma Hayek leading the scene, it makes this pointless little dance scene one that’s easy to remember.
7. The Fox Chase from “Darby O' Gill and the Little People”
Disney has given us plenty of memorable song and dance numbers from their live action musicales, but one of their absolute best dance scenes comes from their 1959 Irish fantasy “Darby O' Gill and the Little People”. While the movie isn’t devoid of songs, it’s by no means a musical like “Mary Poppins”. Never the less, the stand out dance number occurs at the close of the first act, when the title character Darby O’Gill is invited into the cave of the Leprechauns. After winning their hospitality, he treats them to some music on his violin, a piece called “The Fox Chase”. What follows is a massive dance party on a small Leprechaun scale, they pool off crazy stunts, bounce all over the place, ride leprechaun sized horses, and it’s just a really fun scene. The music is lively, the effects are unbelievable, and it’s right up there with the “Stepping Time” scene from “Mary Poppins” as one of my favorite dance numbers to be featured in a family film.
6. “Staying Alive” from “Airplane!”
This will always be one of my favorite comedies ever, because it satirizes everything you can think of. When our lead passenger named Ted Striker has nostalgic flashbacks of when he met the girl he loves, we’re treated to a silly, energetic dance number that’s a direct spoof of “Saturday Night Fever”, right down to the white dance suit and music from the Bee Gees. The song “Staying Alive” has always been one of my personal favorites, and it’s even more fun when mixed with all the goofy comedy and over the top dance choreography that this scene provides. I would say that it’s my favorite dance parody of all time, but we’re only at number 6 on my count down, and there’s plenty of silly dance numbers on the way.
This will always be one of my favorite comedies ever, because it satirizes everything you can think of. When our lead passenger named Ted Striker has nostalgic flashbacks of when he met the girl he loves, we’re treated to a silly, energetic dance number that’s a direct spoof of “Saturday Night Fever”, right down to the white dance suit and music from the Bee Gees. The song “Staying Alive” has always been one of my personal favorites, and it’s even more fun when mixed with all the goofy comedy and over the top dance choreography that this scene provides. I would say that it’s my favorite dance parody of all time, but we’re only at number 6 on my count down, and there’s plenty of silly dance numbers on the way.
5. Johnny B Goode from “Back to the Future”
It’s a time honored tradition that any High School themed movie has a breakout dance number, and my personal favorite by far is Johnny B Goode from “Back to the Future”. When Marty Mcfly travels back in time and accidently prevents his parents from meeting, he has to use his sly wit and skill to get them to fall in love all over again, and his final touch to bring his parents back together involves an electric guitar and an enchanting dance. This really is one of the greatest dance numbers ever because it’s the climax of the movie, and even when Marty succeeds in getting his parents back together, he continues to rock on his guitar, as if to celebrate his triumph. That’s exactly how I’d describe this, it’s a triumphant finally with a Rock ’N good song to boot.
It’s a time honored tradition that any High School themed movie has a breakout dance number, and my personal favorite by far is Johnny B Goode from “Back to the Future”. When Marty Mcfly travels back in time and accidently prevents his parents from meeting, he has to use his sly wit and skill to get them to fall in love all over again, and his final touch to bring his parents back together involves an electric guitar and an enchanting dance. This really is one of the greatest dance numbers ever because it’s the climax of the movie, and even when Marty succeeds in getting his parents back together, he continues to rock on his guitar, as if to celebrate his triumph. That’s exactly how I’d describe this, it’s a triumphant finally with a Rock ’N good song to boot.
4. “Dancing with Elena” from “The Mask of Zorro”
This is just another perfect example of an adventure epic taking a little break from all the action and giving us an awesome dance number instead. When Zorro attends the party of his greatest enemy under the guise of a respectable gentleman, he takes full advantage of the situation by taking control of the dance floor and sharing a duet with his beautiful love interest Elena. This is just a really sexy scene, with excellent music, style and terrific choreography. James Horner conducted the music in this film, and his track for this dance is just the perfect variety of music to go with such spirited dancers. It’s short, it’s simple, it adds a little extra flavor to this awesome film and other adventure epics should really take notes from this.
This is just another perfect example of an adventure epic taking a little break from all the action and giving us an awesome dance number instead. When Zorro attends the party of his greatest enemy under the guise of a respectable gentleman, he takes full advantage of the situation by taking control of the dance floor and sharing a duet with his beautiful love interest Elena. This is just a really sexy scene, with excellent music, style and terrific choreography. James Horner conducted the music in this film, and his track for this dance is just the perfect variety of music to go with such spirited dancers. It’s short, it’s simple, it adds a little extra flavor to this awesome film and other adventure epics should really take notes from this.
3. “Twist and Shout” from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
Ferris Bueller is the cool teenage high school dude who can get away with anything. Cheat your way out of school for a day ... check, weasel his way into an expensive restaurant under the guise of a rich guy that had reservations ... check, get on top of a parade float dancing to music from the Beatles in front of a whole city of Chicago ... check and double check. Yes, Ferris Bueller’s parade float dance is one of the best, spontaneous dance scenes ever, emphasizing how untouchable he is while getting everyone in the city to twist and shout along with him in this upbeat musicale number. It’s hard to explain why, but there’s something relentlessly cheerful about seeing all the people of Chicago join Ferris in his dance, and to this day, it still puts a big grin on my face.
Ferris Bueller is the cool teenage high school dude who can get away with anything. Cheat your way out of school for a day ... check, weasel his way into an expensive restaurant under the guise of a rich guy that had reservations ... check, get on top of a parade float dancing to music from the Beatles in front of a whole city of Chicago ... check and double check. Yes, Ferris Bueller’s parade float dance is one of the best, spontaneous dance scenes ever, emphasizing how untouchable he is while getting everyone in the city to twist and shout along with him in this upbeat musicale number. It’s hard to explain why, but there’s something relentlessly cheerful about seeing all the people of Chicago join Ferris in his dance, and to this day, it still puts a big grin on my face.
2. “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire”
I don’t think there’s ever been a cooler way to wrap up a movie then with a fully choreographed dance sequence like this one featured at the end of the 2008 motion picture “Slumdog Millionaire”. The movie as a whole focuses on the drama and hardships of a young Indian boy who really hasn’t had the best life, but fortune smiles on him at the end when he win’s the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” and is reunited with the love of his life. The following dance number is his triumphant celebration that boasts incredible music and it’s the perfect offset to the films mostly down beat and realistic tone. Set to the Oscar Award winning song Jai Ho, this dance number serves as the Outro of the film, playing over the closing credits, but it’s the perfect high note to end the film on.
I don’t think there’s ever been a cooler way to wrap up a movie then with a fully choreographed dance sequence like this one featured at the end of the 2008 motion picture “Slumdog Millionaire”. The movie as a whole focuses on the drama and hardships of a young Indian boy who really hasn’t had the best life, but fortune smiles on him at the end when he win’s the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” and is reunited with the love of his life. The following dance number is his triumphant celebration that boasts incredible music and it’s the perfect offset to the films mostly down beat and realistic tone. Set to the Oscar Award winning song Jai Ho, this dance number serves as the Outro of the film, playing over the closing credits, but it’s the perfect high note to end the film on.
Before I revial my #1 favorite spontaneous dance number, here are my Honorable Mentions: Spontaneous dance numbers from ...
True Lies
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1
Napoleon Dynamite
Never Say Never Again
1. “Hey! Pachuco!” From “The Mask”
Lets wrap up my countdown with a dance number that’s positively S-S-S-S-SMOKIN! With Jim Carry’s bombastic energy, Cameron Diaz blowsy appeal, some seriously upbeat music and overall cartoony hummer, how could this not take my number one spot? The song titled “Hey! Pachuco!” was performed by Royal Crown Revue, the same talents who started the Swing Revival movement that renewed popular interest in Swing and jump blues music back in the early 90’s and late 2000’s. Of course, they hit it out of the park with this song, and everything else on display is nothing short of awesome. I love the energy, I love the angles, I love the choreography and I love the overall fun factor that’s put on MAX. This movie will always be a treasured gem from my child hood, and this is personally my favorite spontaneous dance number to be featured in a non-dance related film.
Lets wrap up my countdown with a dance number that’s positively S-S-S-S-SMOKIN! With Jim Carry’s bombastic energy, Cameron Diaz blowsy appeal, some seriously upbeat music and overall cartoony hummer, how could this not take my number one spot? The song titled “Hey! Pachuco!” was performed by Royal Crown Revue, the same talents who started the Swing Revival movement that renewed popular interest in Swing and jump blues music back in the early 90’s and late 2000’s. Of course, they hit it out of the park with this song, and everything else on display is nothing short of awesome. I love the energy, I love the angles, I love the choreography and I love the overall fun factor that’s put on MAX. This movie will always be a treasured gem from my child hood, and this is personally my favorite spontaneous dance number to be featured in a non-dance related film.
End