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Eleanor Powell: The Queen of Tap

By joayala

  • Early Life

    Born Eleanor Torrey Powell in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her parents had divorced when she was a baby, but her mother told her that her father had died. Powell started studying ballet at the age of six.

  • Early Gigs

    Eleanor was on a family trip to the beach when Gus Edwards, an Atlantic City club owner, saw Powell's playful acrobatics. He recruited her (at 12 years old) to open for his dinner show.

  • "The Optimists"

    At about the same time that Powell began to study tap dancing, she joined the musical revue "The Optimists" at New York City's Casino de Paris theatre.

  • Broadway debut

    Powell made her Broadway debut in "Follow Thru," dancing to the song "Button Up Your Overcoat." However, when she signed a Hollywood contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) her career was officially set to take off. Powell was most known for her vigorously athletic, rapid-fire, machine-gun footwork.

  • Hollywood Star

    Because of Eleanor's increasing success and obvious talent, it was inevitable that Hollywood would woo her. Powell made her first movie appearance in George White's "Scandals of 1935."

  • MGM Studios

    Powell signed a Hollywood contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and first danced onscreen as a featured performer in "George White's Scandals" (1935). Powell became a major movie star in her own right.

  • Films

    Within a few years, Powell ranked as MGM’s top female dancer. She demonstrated an assertive, athletic style of tap dancing that was unique among other female dancer of the era. Her works throughout the time include "Born to Dance" (1936), "Broadway Melody of 1938" (1937), "Rosalie" (1937), and "Honolulu" (1939).

  • "Broadway Melody of 1940"

    "Broadway Melody of 1940"
    Because of her dominating style and commanding virtuosity, Powell was not generally cast opposite male dancers. She was usually placed in roles in which her “independent woman” persona was showcased in solo dance routines. However, Powell cemented her position in the screen's top rank of dancers in "Broadway Melody of 1940" when she danced with Fred Astaire. In the "Begin the Beguine" finale, she matched Astaire step for step in grace, poise and artistry.

  • "Lady Be Good"

    Directed by Busby Berkeley, Powell danced the beautiful "Fascinatin' Rhythm" in a top hat and tails. The piece climaxed with her being thrown head over heels along a long passage of male dancers.

  • Continuation of High Quality Work

    Powell's output continued into the following decade with "Ship Ahoy" (1942), and "Thousands Cheer" (1943).

  • Leaving MGM and Starting a Family

    Leaving MGM and Starting a Family
    Powell left MGM to start a family and the same year married Canadian-born leading man Glenn Ford. In 1945 her son, Peter Ford, was born. He later became an actor himself.

  • Disappointing Film

    Powell created "Sensations of 1945" which ended up being a flop. Her success began it's slow decline at this point. After the film, she retired and focussed on raising her son, Peter.

  • Guest Star Appearance

    After returning to her private life, Powell emerged to guest star on an episode of '"Four Star Revue" with Danny Thomas and June Havoc.

  • Ordained a Minister

    Powell was ordained a minister of the Unity Church. She was able to devote herself to charitable organizations and religious work.

  • TV Host

    TV Host
    Some of the religious work Powell did included hosting a Sunday morning TV program for young people from 1953-1954.The show was called "The Faith of Our Children" and focused on the spiritual formation of children. The show won an Emmy Award.

  • Divorce

    Eleanor and Glenn Ford divorced in 1959, and it was not a friendly one. After the divorce, Powell began working as a nightclub entertainer in order to make money, playing in New York and Las Vegas.

  • Live Performances

    While working as an entertainer, Powell's live performances continued well into the 1960's. During this time she also made guest appearances on television, including on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Hollywood Palace.

  • Ellie Award

    Powell received an award in her name and her honor, the Ellie Award, from the National Film Ceremony, for her outstanding contribution to the film musical.

  • Death

    Death
    Eleanor died in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 69 from ovarian cancer. Her remains were placed in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood. Powell was inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame in 2002.