Eleanor Powell was an actress and dancer best known for her assertive and aggressive style of tap dancing. She was not usually cast against male dancers because of her dominant style and virtuosity but was cast in roles that showcased her virtuosity in solo dances.
During the 1930s and 1940s, she performed several tap dance numbers in films. Dance Masters of America selected her as the ‘World’s Greatest Tap Dancer’ in 1965. Despite her immense popularity, she only acted in 14 movies during her entire career.
Dancing career
At the age of six, Powell began studying ballet and dancing at nightclubs. She had danced at various nightclubs in Atlantic City when she was a teenager. Upon turning 16, she learned tap dancing and soon joined ‘The Optimists’ at Casino de Paris theater in New York City.
Her dance style developed while studying tap, and she eventually brought it to Broadway. Powell’s powerful footwork earned her much recognition at this time, and in 1935 she moved to Hollywood. During the Golden Age of Hollywood, she was known as one of the top dancing stars at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Acting career
She made her screen debut with ‘George White’s 1935 Scandals’ in 1935. Additionally, she performed in many musicals in the 1930s that were specially tailored to her talent, such as ‘Born to Dance (1936)’, ‘Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937)’, and ‘Rosalie (1937).’
Powell showcased her tap dancing skills in the 1940 film ‘Broadway Melody of 1940’, part of the Broadway Melody film series. The movie’s tap sequence ‘Begin the Beguine’ went on to become one of the greatest tap sequences in Hollywood. In 1943, she left MGM after performing only one specialty number in the film ‘Thousands Cheer.’ Powell performed her athletic dance moves in ‘Sensations of 1945’ a year later. Unfortunately, the film was not a commercial success. In the late 1940s, she also appeared in a few documentaries. The romantic comedy ‘Duchess of Idaho’ was her last collaboration with MGM. She practiced day and night to ensure that it looked perfect on-screen despite her brief appearance in the musical.
Her last film appearance was in the 1955 short film ‘Have Faith in Our Children.’ In 1974, a documentary called ‘That’s Entertainment’ and its sequels titled ‘That’s Entertainment Part II’ and ‘That’s Entertainment!’ reintroduced her to film audiences. III.’ Powell made her last public appearance in 1981 during a televised celebration of Fred Astaire, where she received standing ovations.
Television career
Eleanor Torrey Powell appeared as a guest artist in an ‘All-Star Revue’ episode in May 1952. Furthermore, she hosted the Emmy Award-winning television show called “The Faith of Our Children.” Her son also appeared in the front. Additionally, she appeared on a few other television shows such as ‘The Hollywood Palace’ and ‘The Ed Sullivan Show.’
Personal life
Eleanor Powell married Canadian-American actor Glenn Ford in 1943. The couple had a son named Peter Ford, who became an actor and singer. After the couple divorced in 1959, she reportedly moved in with her son.
Eleanor Powell’s death
Powell died of ovarian cancer at the age of 69 on February 11, 1982. She was interred in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. She is survived by her son, Peter Ford.
Below are some gorgeous photos of the legendary Tap Dancer when she was young.
#1 Eleanor Powell, with James Stewart, 1936.
#2 Eleanor Powell in a scene from the movie ‘Rosalie’, 1937.
#3 Eleanor Powell and George Murphy dance in a scene from the film ‘Broadway Melody Of 1940’, 1940.
#4 Eleanor Powell with Joseph Rivington Renolds, 1943.
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Are you naming the character because that’s Red Skelton!
#5 Eleanor Powell in Broadway Melody of 1938.
#6 Eleanor Powell with James Stewart during a shooting break, 1937.
#7 Eleanor Powell arrives in Los Angeles, California aboard The Express Train Super Chief and posing with the Driver, 1936.
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I love this photo of Starlet Eleanor Powell with the Super Chief train!
#8 Eleanor Powell with Fred Astaire, 1940.
#9 Eleanor Powell finishes her ‘warmin’ up’ routine by strutting off the stage with a quizzical look.
#10 Eleanor Powell with Robert Taylor in the movie ‘Broadway Melody of 1936’.
#11 Eleanor Powell in a scene from the movie ‘Lady Be Good’, 1941.
#12 Eleanor Powell with Ann SOrther and Buddy Crawford at the restaurant, 1941.
#13 Eleanor Powell greets fans during the Hollywood Chirstmas Parade in Los Angeles, 1940.
#14 Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire dance in a scene from the film ‘Broadway Melody Of 1940’
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THis is just a publicity shot from the film. She never wears this dress in her dance(s) with Astaire.
#15 Eleanor Powell and Fred Astair share a smile at the table in a scene from the film ‘Broadway Melody Of 1940’,
#16 Eleanor Powell talking to Ilona Massey.
#17 Eleanor Powell has her hands added to cement in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, 1973.
#18 Eleanor Powell in a scene from the movie ‘Broadway Melody of 1938’.
#19 Eleanor Powell and Ilona Massey in a scene from the movie ‘Rosalie’, 1937.
#20 Eleanor Powell with Nelson Eddy in a scene from the film ‘Rosalie’, 1937.
#21 Eleanor Powell with Nelson Eddy, from the film ‘Rosalie’, 1937.
#22 Eleanor Powell, terrified, sits on Robert Taylor’s lap in the movie ‘Broadway Melody of 1938’.
#23 Eleanor Powell and George Murphy dancing in a scene from the MGM musical ‘Broadway Melody of 1938’.
#24 Eleanor Powell descends a staircase lined with trombone players in the musical ‘Born To Dance’, 1936.
#25 Eleanor Powell performs to the tune of a brass band on the deck of a ship in the musical ‘Born To Dance’, 1936.
#26 Eleanor Powell and James Stewart attract a nosy crowd in a scene from the musical ‘Born To Dance’, 1936.
#27 Eleanor Powell plays nightclub hoofer Nora Paige in the musical ‘Born To Dance’, 1936.
#28 Eleanor Powell in a scene from the movie ‘Born to Dance’, 1936.
#29 Eleanor Powell attracts the attention of James Stewart in the musical ‘Born To Dance’, 1936.
#30 Eleanor Powell in a scene from the movie ‘Born to Dance’, 1936.
#31 Eleanor Powell thinks of new tap dance moves for the 1936 film Born to Dance, 1936.
#32 Eleanor Powell Smiling, 1936.
#33 Eleanor Powell with James Stewart,, Sid Silvers, Una Merkel, Frances Langford and Buddy Ebsen, 1936.
#34 Eleanor Powell with the cast of ‘Born to Dance’, 1936.
#35 Eleanor Powell gives a salute with many other performers in a scene from the film ‘Born To Dance’, 1936.
#36 Eleanor Powell, 1936.
#37 Eleanor Powell with James Stewart and Sid Silvers, 1936.
#38 Eleanor Powell kicks her leg in a scene from the film ‘Born To Dance’, 1936.
#39 Eleanor Powell applying the makeup on her face, 1935.
#40 Eleanor Powell stars as tap-dancing sensation Irene Foster in the musical ‘Broadway Melody of 1936’.
#41 Eleanor Powell practices her intricate routines atop the roof of Hollywood’s tallest hotel, 1935.
#42 Eleanor Powell wearing a white satin formal gown, 1935.
#43 Eleanor Powell and Robert Taylor hold eachother in a scene from the film ‘Broadway Melody Of 1936’.
#44 Eleanor Powell with Raquel Torres, and Binnie Barnes, join each other for tea at the Trocadero, 1934.
#45 Ann Sothern on the phone while Eleanor Powell listens in a scene from the film ‘Lady Be Good’, 1941.
#46 Eleanor Powell with Norman Taurog at ‘Broadway Melody 1940’
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Eh?? You’re kidding on that caption, right?
#47 Eleanor Powell greets fans during an event in Los Angeles, 1940.
#48 Eleanor Powell wearing a wool coat, 1940.
#49 Eleanor Powell in a black lace top, 1940.
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This is from THE DUCHESS OF IDAHO (MGM, 1945), one of Powell’s last film appearances.
#50 Eleanor Powell poses for a publicity in 1940 in Hollywood.
#51 Eleanor Powell tars in the MGM film ‘Broadway Melody of 1940’
#52 Eleanor Powel with Fred Astarie dancing, 1940.
#53 Eleanor Powell in a scene from the movie “Honolulu”, 1940.
#54 Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire perform a dance together. From the 1940 film Broadway Melody of 1940.
#55 Eleanor Powell with George Murpy, 1940.
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This is actually from BROADWAY MELODY OF 1938 (MGM, 1938).
#56 Eleanor Powell in a scene from the movie ‘Lady Be Good’, 1940.
#57 Eleanor Powell with other dancers, 1940.
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This is from SHIP AHOY (MGM, 1942).
#58 Eleanor Powell in her home, 1943.
#59 Eleanor Powell and Glenn Ford in the movie ‘You Have Seen Their Faces’, 1943.
#60 Eleanor Powell tap dances as Ginny Walker in Sensations of 1945.
#61 Eleanor Powell, 1947.
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Not with that hairstyle. This is likely 1937-8.
#62 Eleanor Powell with her husband Glenn Ford and their son, 1948.
#63 Eleanor Powell makes a cameo appearance in Duchess of Idaho, 1950.
#64 Eleanor Powell in a customized matador’s costume, raises her right arm high in the air and holds a red and white feathered cape, 1955.
#65 Eleanor Powell with the award, 1951.
#66 Eleanor Powell with Arite Shaw, 1939.
#67 Eleanor Powell with composer Cole Porter and dancer Fred Astaire, 1939.
#68 Eleanor Powell rehearsing with Fred Astaire, 1939.
#69 Eleanor Powell holding a bouquet of flowers following a performance on the stage, March 21st 1949.
#70 Eleanor Powell and Robert Taylor in a scene from the movie ‘Broadway Melody of 1938’.
#71 Eleanor Powell and George Murphy dancing, 1938.
#72 Eleanor Powell and George Murphy in the MGM film ‘Broadway Melody Of 1938’
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Eleanor Powell ranks up there with the greatest performers, then and now, ever so gorgeous but also radiates a lovely human presence. My mother performed with Four Pips & and Drip, a tap and Song group, in the USO during WWII in the South Pacific. Eleanor was her favorite.
When I saw this film, I thought both of them were a sweet couple!