Maria Tallchief Movies
- 2006
- Add The Art of the Pas de Deux, Vol. 2 to QueueAdd The Art of the Pas de Deux, Vol. 2 to top of Queue
The pas de deux -- a dance for a ballerina and danseur noble, comprised of an entrée, adagio, a variation for each performer, and a coda -- represents one of ballet's most revered and enduring forms. The home video release The Art of the Pas de Deux pays homage to that form by compiling into one 85 minute program twelve of its most legendary enactments. Included here are: Galina Ulanova and Yuri Zhdanov performing the dance in Juliet's bedroom from Prokofieff's Romeo and Juliet, as choreographed by Leonid Lavrovsky c. 1954; Maria Tallchief and Rudolf Nureyev performing a pas de deux from Helsted and Paulli's Flower Festival in Genzano, as choreographed by Erik Bruhn, based on Bournonville, c. 1962; Maya Plisetskaya and Vladimir Vasiliev in 'The Queen-Maiden and Ivan' dance from Shchedrin's The Little Humpbacked Horse as choreographed by Alexander Radunsky, c. 1961; Nina Ananiashvili and Aleksei Fadeyechev in the Act I pas de deux from Glazunov's Raymonda, as choreographed by Petipa and revised by Yuri Grigorovich, c. 1993; Dame Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes in the "Prince & the Firebird" pas de deux from Igor Stravinsky's Firebird, as choreographed by Michel Fokine c. 1961; Alicia Alonso and Azari Plisetsky in the Act II pas de deux from Adam's Giselle, as choreographed by Alonso after Coralli and Perrot, c. 1963; Maya Plisetskaya and Nikolai Fadeyechev in the 'Don José Pas de Deux' and 'Carmen' from Shchedrin's Carmen Suite, as choreographed by Alberto Alonso c. 1969; Erik Bruhn and Maria Tallchief dancing the 'Grand Pas' from Minkus' Don Quixote, as choreographed by Petipa c. 1961; Vladimir Vasiliev and Natalia Bessmertnova in 'The Reunion of Sparcacus and Phyrgia' pas de deux from Khachaturian's Spartacus, as choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich c. 1977; Jacques d'Amboise and Lupe Serrano; Jacques d'Amboise and Lupe Serrano in the 'Black Swan Pas de Deux' from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, as choreographed by Petipa and Ivanov c. 1960; Dame Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes in the 'Cinderella and the Prince' pas de deux from Prokofieff's Cinderella, as choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton c. 1957; and Patricia McBride and Reid Olson in the Tchaikovsky pas de deux, as choreographed by George Balanchine c. 1984. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Filmmakers Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine explore the remarkable history of the legendary dance troupe Ballets Russes in this meticulously researched documentary that traces the evolution of the group from their 1909 debut performance in Paris until their final 1962 show in Brooklyn, NY. Performing at venues both large and small, the Ballets Russes opened the world's eyes to the art of dance in a manner never even conceived by vaudeville. Detailing everything from the involvement of such legendary artists as Picasso and Matisse to the quarrels between choreography giants George Balanchine and Leonid Massine -- and including interviews with such historical Ballets Russes dancers as Yvonne Chouteau, Raven Wilkinson, and other surviving members of the troupe -- this documentary pays tribute to some of the biggest names in the world of dance while simultaneously showcasing the remarkable influence that Ballets Russes had on generations of dancers. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1999
This video features Russian-born ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev performing some of his signature roles. Nureyev was born in 1938, and made his professional debut in 1958. His graceful and athletic style captivated ballet audiences. In 1963, while dancing in Paris, he defected from the Soviet Union. He remained a force as a dancer and teacher until his death in 1993. Nureyev dances here in Flower Festival in Genzano, Le Corsaire, Diana and Acteon, La Esmerelda, Black Swan, and Swan Lake. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Ballet and modern dance (a closely related artform) owe an unpayable debt to the Russian emigre choreographer George Balanchine (1904-1983). In addition to being a master teacher, a famously demanding and perfectionistic director of both the School of American Ballet and the New York City Ballet, as a choreographer he developed a new language of dance expression which was less ethereal, more immediate, than the previous century's classical ballet. In so doing, he created a uniquely "American" ballet, and established America as a powerhouse in the ballet world. He was a friend of the great artists of his era, from composer Igor Stravinsky to poet W.H. Auden. This documentary includes film of some of the works he choreographed, as well as reminiscences of some of his dedicated dancers. His troubled personal life is only glancingly alluded to: the focus of this documentary is on his transcendent artistry. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maria Tallchief, Mary Ellen Moylan, (more)
- 1962
This compilation brings into a single release the most compelling clips of ballet dancers from the classical music television program The Voice of Firestone, which ran on NBC from September 1949 through June 1954, and ABC (intermittently) from June 1954 through June 1963. Highlights include the American broadcast debut of Rudolf Nureyev; a pas-de-deux between Melissa Hayden and Jacques d'Amboise; a performance by Maria Tallchief; and much more. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jacques D'Amboise, Carla Fracci, (more)
- 1952
Who else but Esther Williams could star in a romantic drama (with musical numbers) bearing a title like this? In Million Dollar Mermaid, Williams plays Annette Kellerman, a real-life Australian swimming star who took up the sport as a child to strengthen her legs, which were severely weakened by a birth defect. The treatment proves effective, and as she grows to adulthood, Annette shows that she has the talent to be a champion swimmer, though she prefers to follow her dream of becoming a ballet dancer. When Annette's father Frederick (Walter Pidgeon) accepts a position in London teaching music, Annette opts to go with him, and along the way she meets James Sullivan (Victor Mature) and Doc Cronnol (Jesse White), the joint-owners of a boxing kangaroo they intend to exhibit in London. James is already aware of Annette's abilities as a competitive swimmer, and he offers to be her manager and help her earn a living from her aquatic skills. At first Annette isn't interested, but when Frederick's job falls through and she can't find work as a dancer, Annette reluctantly agrees to work with James. He arranges a publicity stunt in which Annette swims 30 miles down the Thames River, which attracts the avid attention of the British press and wins her some work as a dancer. Convinced that the big money is in America, James persuades Annette to travel with him to the U.S., where she creates a scandal in Boston by staging another long swim in a one-piece bathing suit, considered shockingly-revealing at the turn of the Century. The stunt nearly lands Annette in jail, but she escapes the long arm of the law and becomes the star of a water ballet revue. Annette had fallen in love with James, but after an argument, he resigns as her manager and Annette takes up with Alfred Harper (David Brian), the male lead in her show. Annette and Alfred agree to marry while working on a movie together, but James returns on the last day of shooting, determined to win back the heart of the woman he loves. Legendary choreographer Busby Berkeley staged the film's elaborate water-ballet sequences. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Esther Williams, Victor Mature, (more)
