Acting

Bill Robinson

Born May 25, 1878 · Richmond, Virginia, USA

Died November 25, 1949 · aged 71

According to one jazz dance source, Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson was the chief instigator for getting tap dance "up on its toes." Early forms of tap, including the familiar "buck and wing", contained a flat-footed style, while Robinson performed on the balls of his feet with a shuffle-tap style that allowed him more improvisation. It obviously got him noticed and it certainly made him a legend. Born…

Known For

That's Dancing!

That's Dancing! · 1985

That's Dancing!

MovieDocumentaryMusic

A documentary film about dancing on the screen, from its origins after the invention of the movie camera, over the movie musical from the late 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, up to the break dance and music videos from the 80s.

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm · 1938

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

MovieDramaFamily

Rebecca's Uncle Harry leaves her with Aunt Miranda who forbids her to associate with show people. But neighbor Anthony Kent is a talent scout who secretly set it up for her to broadcast.

The Little Colonel

The Little Colonel · 1935

The Little Colonel

MovieFamilyMusic

After Southern belle Elizabeth Lloyd runs off to marry Yankee Jack Sherman, her father, a former Confederate colonel during the Civil War, vows to never speak to her again. Several years pass and Elizabeth returns to her home town with her husband and young daughter. The little girl charms her crusty grandfather and tries to patch things up between him and her mother.

The Littlest Rebel

The Littlest Rebel · 1935

The Littlest Rebel

MovieComedyDrama

Virgie Cary's father, a rebel officer, sneaks back to his rundown plantation to see his dying wife and is arrested. A Yankee officer takes pity and sets up an escape. Everyone is captured and the officers are to be executed. Virgie and Uncle Billy beg President Lincoln to intercede.

Up the River

Up the River · 1938

A group of prison inmates pass the time playing football and romancing ladies in this prison escape crime musical screwball comedy that was apparently a wacky spoof of the crime movies that were so popular in the 1930s. It seems to be completely forgotten today, except by major film buffs.

Stormy Weather

Stormy Weather · 1943

MovieComedyDrama

The relationship between an aspiring dancer and a popular songstress provides a retrospective of the great African-American entertainers of the early 1900s.

In Old Kentucky

In Old Kentucky · 1935

In Old Kentucky

Horse trainer Steve Tapley is caught between the feuding Martingale and Shattuck families. He sides with young Nancy Martingale and her grandfather Ezra, and the feud is to be resolved by a horse race between the favorites of each family. Unfortunately, the Martingale's horse, Greyboy, only runs well in mud. And it hasn't rained in a long time.

The Big Broadcast of 1936

The Big Broadcast of 1936 · 1935

The Big Broadcast of 1936

Two-bit radio station owner Spud Miller doubles as the station's sole announcer. On the verge of bankruptcy, Spud is receptive to the wacky notions of George and Gracie, who've just invented a television device that can pick up and transmit any signal, any time, anywhere.

Filmography

Sort

That's Dancing!

That's Dancing! · 1985

That's Dancing!

MovieDocumentaryMusic

A documentary film about dancing on the screen, from its origins after the invention of the movie camera, over the movie musical from the late 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, up to the break dance and music videos from the 80s.

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm · 1938

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

MovieDramaFamily

Rebecca's Uncle Harry leaves her with Aunt Miranda who forbids her to associate with show people. But neighbor Anthony Kent is a talent scout who secretly set it up for her to broadcast.

Aloysius

The Little Colonel

The Little Colonel · 1935

The Little Colonel

MovieFamilyMusic

After Southern belle Elizabeth Lloyd runs off to marry Yankee Jack Sherman, her father, a former Confederate colonel during the Civil War, vows to never speak to her again. Several years pass and Elizabeth returns to her home town with her husband and young daughter. The little girl charms her crusty grandfather and tries to patch things up between him and her mother.

Walker

The Littlest Rebel

The Littlest Rebel · 1935

The Littlest Rebel

MovieComedyDrama

Virgie Cary's father, a rebel officer, sneaks back to his rundown plantation to see his dying wife and is arrested. A Yankee officer takes pity and sets up an escape. Everyone is captured and the officers are to be executed. Virgie and Uncle Billy beg President Lincoln to intercede.

Uncle Billy

Up the River

Up the River · 1938

A group of prison inmates pass the time playing football and romancing ladies in this prison escape crime musical screwball comedy that was apparently a wacky spoof of the crime movies that were so popular in the 1930s. It seems to be completely forgotten today, except by major film buffs.

Memphis Jones

Stormy Weather

Stormy Weather · 1943

MovieComedyDrama

The relationship between an aspiring dancer and a popular songstress provides a retrospective of the great African-American entertainers of the early 1900s.

Bill Williamson

In Old Kentucky

In Old Kentucky · 1935

In Old Kentucky

Horse trainer Steve Tapley is caught between the feuding Martingale and Shattuck families. He sides with young Nancy Martingale and her grandfather Ezra, and the feud is to be resolved by a horse race between the favorites of each family. Unfortunately, the Martingale's horse, Greyboy, only runs well in mud. And it hasn't rained in a long time.

Greyboy

The Big Broadcast of 1936

The Big Broadcast of 1936 · 1935

The Big Broadcast of 1936

Two-bit radio station owner Spud Miller doubles as the station's sole announcer. On the verge of bankruptcy, Spud is receptive to the wacky notions of George and Gracie, who've just invented a television device that can pick up and transmit any signal, any time, anywhere.

Specialty

Just Around the Corner

Just Around the Corner · 1938

Just Around the Corner

MovieComedyMusic

Penny helps her idealistic architect father get his dream of a slum clearance project; The little miss dances with Corporal Jones.

Samuel G. Henshaw

One Mile from Heaven

One Mile from Heaven · 1937

One Mile from Heaven

A female journalist travels to a new neighborhood after getting a (false) lead and is surprised by what she finds.

Officer Joe Dudley

Dixiana

Dixiana · 1930

MovieComedyMusic

A circus performer falls in love with the son of a plantation owner in antebellum New Orleans. When the young man's stepmother objects to the wedding, the couple break apart and go their separate ways for a time. Also in the mix are two circus comics who feud over the heart of another Southern belle.

Specialty Dancer

Dancetime Tap Dance History

Dancetime Tap Dance History · 2011

Dancetime Tap Dance History

Tap Dance History: From Vaudeville to Film is a collection of rarely seen original film footage from Soundies and short films of the 1930's and 1940's.

Harlem Is Heaven

Harlem Is Heaven · 1932

Harlem Is Heaven

MovieDramaMusic

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson made his movie acting debut in this 1932 film, featuring Putney Dandridge, James Baskett (Oscar winner for "Song of the South"), Cotton Club dancer Anita Boyer, Henri Wassell, Alma Smith, Bob Sawyer, and composer/bandleader Eubie Blake and his orchestra.

Bill