If you’ve never seen the duo dance act of The Nicholas Brothers, you’re in for an astonishing surprise. And if you have seen them, you’re once again in for an astonishing surprise. Nothing about their style of dancing had ever been seen before or has since been replicated. The brothers–Fayard (older, taller) and Harold (younger/shorter) were revered by dancers across the spectrum–Astaire, Kelly, Barishnikov (!), all named the brothers as their favorite dancers. Above is probably their greatest number–it’s the take-off from Cab Calloway’s ‘Jumping Jive’ from the film ‘Stormy Weather’. Below is them ten years earlier–they’re kids really–in a Vitaphone short called ‘Pie Pie Blackbird’, which is definitely a subject for further research. Their style is already formed in the earlier appearance though it’s not yet as daring and acrobatic as it was soon to become. For an excellent summary of their lives and career click on this Wikipedia article. While the short film from the early thirties will make you smile, the number from ‘Stormy Weather’ will make you gasp. The elaborate, acrobatic crotch-tearing splits they perform are done with an ease and seeming lack of effort that is a true wonder. Once somebody asked Fayard Nicholas how they were able to perform so many extreme splits without getting hurt or feeling pain. Fayard answered: ‘Oh, it hurt plenty!’