Born on April 12, 1923, we’re going to dive a bit into Ann Miller!
I first saw Ann in On the Town and the thing that impressed me most about her was, obviously, her tap dancing. Prehistoric Man is nothing short of spectacular. I always thought of her as the female counterpart to Gene Kelly because of the sheer power and speed that she can put behind her moves. She was a force to be reckoned with for sure! My next two favorite performances of hers are Easter Parade and Kiss Me Kate.
Fun Facts
Her real name is Johnnie.. not kidding.
Her father expected a boy and apparently just went with it.
She invented pantyhose.
Every time she wore a dress to dance on screen, they had to sew her stockings into the costume, which was a really annoying process because they had to be redone every time there was a run or any problem. At one point, she suggested to the supplier of her stockings that he add a piece at the top, so it could be worn as a single piece.
She was discovered by Lucille Ball and talent scout Benny Rubin.
When Ann was doing a show in nightclub (at just 13!), she was discovered by Lucille Ball and given a contract with RKO in 1936. At the time, she claimed she was 18 and I guess they believed her? LOL
Best-known Films
Check out my article above about On the Town. It mostly focuses on Betty and Frank, so let’s dive a bit into Ann’s character here. She played an anthropologist that they find at the museum, having taken up the profession to get men out of her system. Unfortunately (or fortunately) for her, Ozzy (Jules Munshin) resembles the prehistoric man, so she is unable to resist.
Ann also said in an interview that one of the takes from this number was ruined because during one of her spins, her costume hit the dinosaur, bringing it down unscripted. It falls at the end anyway, but they had to put the whole thing back together (which took quite a while) to continue on.
If you purchase this film, I may earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate: DVD, Bluray, or rent/stream!
Easter Parade
This film is another one of my favorites. Even though she causes a bunch of trouble for Don (Fred Astaire), her leaving frees him up to meet Hannah (Judy Garland). Let’s take a minute to appreciate the number Shaking the Blues Away. She had to perform this in a back brace because her husband at the time threw her down the stairs. She was also pregnant and lost the baby. What a jerk.
This number is stunning, but it’s sad when you know her state of mind at the time of filming. She still delivers a stunning performance, which is as impressive as it is heartbreaking.
If you purchase this film, I may earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate: DVD, Two-Disc Special edition DVD, Bluray, or rent/stream!
Kiss Me Kate
I love her so much in Kiss Me Kate. I think she’s adorable! Never mind the show-stopping number Too Darn Hot. Ann also said this was her favorite role!
Her and Tommy Rall have an undeniable chemistry and I never tire of watching the two of them together. Here’s an example!
If you purchase this film, I may earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate: DVD, Bluray, or rent/stream!
Others Not to Miss
She was so young in this one! She pulls it off so well though. Check out my article above, which features a section about her.
If you purchase this film, I may earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate: DVD, Bluray, or rent/stream!
Hit the Deck
These three together are so much fun!
If you purchase this film, I may earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate: DVD, Bluray, or rent/stream!
Although primarily a vehicle for Frank Sinatra and Kathryn Grayson, the highlight of this film in the dance sequence with Ann, Ricardo Montalaban and Cyd Charisse. Check it out below and don’t forget to follow my YouTube channel!
If you purchase this film, I may earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate: DVD or rent/stream! Also available in a box set with It Happened in Brooklyn, Step Lively, Double Dynamite and Higher and Higher.
What if…
She’d never been in Easter Parade?
Cyd Charisse was supposed to play Nadine, but she had torn a ligament in her knee and had to drop out. While Cyd has the dancing chops, Shaking the Blues Away would not have been in this movie or it would have been completely different. Cyd is more of a ballet dancer, where Ann is a strong tap dancer. It would not have been the same at all.
She and her mom hadn’t lied about her age.
If they had told the truth about Ann’s age, she may have missed out an impressive career. You Can’t Take it with You, where she plays the wife of almost someone twice her age (15), won an Oscar for Best Picture, which helped put her on the map. Would she have been able to gain the momentum she needed for stardom?
She hadn’t invented pantyhose
I mean… this is a pretty innovative product. Would it have taken longer to develop if she hadn’t thought of it?
If you like alternative history or biographical/historical fiction, I write that as well under the pen name Dottie Fray.
Happy birthday, Ann!
She was fantastic! I even love the soup commercial she did and there’s an incredible video of her getting ready for a TV performance on YouTube.