John Brascia, Dance Hero Who Never Was.

I just finished watching White Christmas (1954) and was once again struck by the dancer who partnered Vera-Ellen for much of the movie, John Brascia. He had the athleticism of Gene Kelly and the precision of Fred Astaire and was apparently only twenty-two at the time. It's unclear to me how his prominent role came about, though I did a little digging, but he was brought from Broadway by the choreographer of White Christmas, Robert Alton. Brascia appears to me to have been taking over some of the functions intended for Fred Astaire, though Fred dropped out early on after reading the script. Donald O'Connor was then signed but also dropped out, because of illness. Danny Kaye then signed but, even though he did a very respectable job in the "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing" and "Choreography" numbers, his casting seems to have necessitated that there be someone with better dance chops on board for the more high-octane numbers, specifically the ones where Vera-Ellen really lets loose. And I guess that's where John Brascia came in. Why this featured role never led to big things for him is a mystery to me. He seems to have finished out his career as an actor, mostly in relatively undistinguished films, with the exception of an outstanding dance number with Cyd Charisse in Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956). One thing we love about film is that it preserves history, but it's a shame that there wasn't more of his history to preserve.

Look at the way he and Vera-Ellen move together in this brief but high-powered number. It's also notable how the smiles never waver even during the most strenuous moves. That really shows dancers in control.



And again as he takes over about half-way through as the dancer in the light green suit:



And here as he literally jumps into the frame through the floor in Danny's "Choreography" number:



Finally, here's that partnering with Cyd Charisee. He got to dance with two of the best, so it's only natural to wonder what might have been.