Classic Character - Tommy Rall

Speaking of Kiss Me Kate, it's time to mention another classic character, a dancer who I think is one of the best ever to be in movies, and that's Tommy Rall.  Other dancers are probably more well-known, for example Bob Fosse, but for my money, this guy was better.  He had an athleticism and a masculinity to his dancing that is just so watchable.  You could tell he really loved to dance, and there was no pretense to it (which is my biggest beef with Fosse).  This is particularly evident in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", probably his best-known performance.

Check him out in these movies:

Kiss Me Kate (1953) - Rall plays Bill/Lucentio, the gambler and rake who steals the heart of Ann Miller's Lois Lane/Bianca.  He's got several awesome numbers, but to see him on his own, look for the number "Why Can't You Behave?"  Totally incredible

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) - Rall plays Frankincense Pontipee, who's always fighting over his fantastical bible name.  If you really want to see some fantastic dancing, check him out in the barn raising sequence.  He totally steals the number from everyone else.

My Sister Eileen (1955) - Here he has a bit part as a rake out to take advantage of little sister Eileen (Janet Leigh).  Not as much dancing in this one, but again, he steals the scene and makes Bob Fosse's character look positively boring.