Top Three Flash Acts All In The Family

There were some spectacular tap dance acts in the 1930's and 1940's movie musicals that audiences of today may not be familiar with. I'd like to share some of my favorite brother groups from those days that were known as flash acts. Flash acts were just that: flashy acts with acrobatics and other exciting applause drawing moves.

1. The Berry Brothers
The Berry Brothers were actual brothers who did a lot of cane work along with acrobatics in their tap dances. The breakneck speed at which they approach their tricks is thrilling. Originally, the eldest two brothers performed at the Cotton Club and on Broadway. They were the first African American act at the Copacabana nightclub in New York City in 1929. They eventually added their younger brother and the trio proceeded to dance in a few Hollywood movies. Busby Berkeley is credited as dance director for this film. Date: 1941

The Berry Brothers in the 1941 film Lady Be Good.

2. The Four Step Brothers
The Four Step Brothers were not really brothers. As well as clever acrobatics, their act included "challenge" steps to try to outdo each other. There are so many ways they use their set and props during this number. They were the first African American act to perform at Radio City Music Hall. They were the first African American act to cross the color line on television, thanks to Milton Berle threatening to quit unless they be allowed to perform on the show he was hosting. Louis DaPron was choreographer for this movie. Date: 1942

The Four Step Brothers from the 1942 film When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again.

3. The Nicholas Brothers
The fabulous Nicholas Brothers were truly best friends and were not only a flash act, but often a class act as well. A class act exhibits precision and polish and elegance, in other words, class. These two certainly had the most polish of these three groups. They could both sing as well as dance. They had worked with George Balanchine, Cab Calloway and Gene Kelly to name a few. I love the way they hit their footwork with such energy and clarity. They must have had thighs of steel to pull themselves up out of their splits so smoothly. This incredible number was choreographed by Nick Castle. Date: 1943

Nicholas Brothers with Cab Calloway in "Jumpin Jive" from the 1943 film Stormy Weather.