Though Vincente Minnelli's 1945 musical Yolanda and the Thief was and is one of Minnelli's, not to mention Fred Astaire's, least popular films, it contains a gem of a musical number that has garnered raves from day one...Coffee Time...
In 1945 no less than Bosley Crowther of The New York Times was impressed: "...a rhythm dance, done to the melody of Mr. Freed's Coffee-Time, puts movement and color to such uses as you seldom behold on screen." More recently, Stuart Klawans, film critic for The Nation, was equally enthusiastic: "Minnelli puts Astaire and Lucille Bremer into the midst of a mad pulsation of dancers in mocha and cafe au lait costumes, accented in yellow and periwinkle blue. The chorus swirls; the camera swirls; the gringo-Latin rhythms shift giddily, as Astaire and Bremer swing in and out of one of the most eccentric visions ever put on screen...Coffee Time is heaven itself, and a warm-up for the 18-minute ballet that Minnelli and Gene Kelly would create in An American in Paris."
The song Coffee Time was a reworking of an earlier tune by composer Harry Warren called Java Junction. His collaborator, producer/songwriter Arthur Freed, then created new lyrics for the updated melody. In the film, the routine begins as a fascinating contrast in rhythms with the orchestra playing in 4/4 time while the dancers dance in 5/4, and evolves into a spellbinding dance number featuring Astaire and Bremer.
The Coffee Time sequence is a visual carnival. Costumer Irene Sharaff developed its stylized combination of costumes and decor. She created coffee-colored outfits for the extras and, to set off the costumes, devised a pattern of rolling black and white lines on the dance floor that formed an optical illusion. With Fred Astaire, choreographer Eugene Loring devised a dance based on slow jazz rhythms. Minnelli's lighting and camera work added the finishing touches. The number goes through various incarnations and ends up a full-blown swing routine.
Watch Coffee Time here:
Very interesting article, Eve, and thanks for posting the clip. I've only seen the movie once (indeed, it's not one of my fave of Fred's). But I remember this number with its unique rhythms, colorful costumes, and that bizarre floor! It was fun to learn the background behind it.
ReplyDeleteWell written, informative, and intriguing write-up, Eve. And thanks for the link!
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about YOLANDA (though I'm liking it more lately), but not "Coffee Time." Lucille Bremer was a dancer before she was an actress (some would say she never became that much of an actress) and I was impressed with her graceful lightness as she danced with Astaire.
ReplyDeleteEve, this was an interesting post but I had a hard time watching the link because I can't stand to look at the black and white swirl floor. It really makes my eyes hurt. I think I do better with a solid floor, like a yellow brick road. :)
ReplyDeleteEve, I have never seen this movie before. I loved/loved the movie clip. I hope TCM plays it soon.
ReplyDeleteEve, thanks for the clip. I hated Yolanda and the Thief, and never got far enough into it to see this number. And I'm a HUGE Astaire lover. I agree about the floor. It was really spectacular, and if you look at it too long you get dizzy!
ReplyDeleteI thought about the dizziness some are feeling while looking at the "optically illusional" dance floor...maybe it's a good idea instead to focus on a particular object (sort of like looking at a fixed object when spinning around)...I suggest focusing on Fred Astaire -he's a cure-all as far as I'm concerned. TCM aired YOLANDA recently and I recorded it and had it on while I was cooking (possibly Thanksgiving) and it was then that I 'discovered' "Coffee Time." Hope most of you enjoyed the clip...and apologies to those who got queasy!
ReplyDeleteNo apology needed, Eve. I have a severe astigmatism and, since my forties, anything with a dark stripe or square against a white stripe or square is hard for me to look at. I haven't bought my husband striped dress shirts for a long time!:)
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