Shall We Dance - Sammy Davis Jr. & Lionel Blair Tap Battle

We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Sammy's good friend Lionel Blair. Here is a terrific segment from their portion from the 1961 Royal Variety Performance, held at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

[beverlycooper-wiele]

No pyrotechnics, no moving stage sets; just two incredibly talented wowing us with their ability. Now THAT'S entertainment.

[robertasirgutz]

Priceless. Two legends. Blair is impossibly graceful.

[sopyleecrypt]

Rest In Peace dear old Lionel Blair. One of the last of his generation of showbiz dancers. Dancing with Sammy now 🌹

[Theoobovril]

Sammy....Davis..., Junior....the best showman to ever walk the planks.

OMG they were seriously brilliant entertainers, all round, fun, excitement, and heaven now has a duet about to be reignited.

[yournightmareracing]

Sublime
We will not see another like those two. How great it has been preserved for the ages to enjoy.

[martinsadl]

Just amazing talent from both men. That sort of live performance is rarely, if ever, seen today.

[dizzylizzy]

Which sad person didn't like this? Such fun to watch. RIP Lionel and Sammy.

[jndancer]

So glad I came across this! RIP Lionel Blair. What a showman!

[androod]

Amazing talents. RIP Sammy and Lionel, gentlemen both.

[lolacorinne]

I love this—thank you. The world needs more tap dancing.

[sarahtullamore]

RIP Lionel Blair. I had never seen this clip before. What an amazing performance from two great entertainers from another age. Fabulous!

[acbht]

What a wonderful way to remember Lionel Blair. Such exuberance, such talent, such fun! RIP.

[reddisa]

what a great entertainers and marvellous performance. They don't make them like that any more. RIP Sammy and Lionel

[carmelellis]

I can tell you now...Sammy didn't upstage Lionel, he held his own with a more understated performance that let Sammy take the lead and still managed to have stage presence in his own right...that takes talent, especially at the side of Sammy Davis Junior...RIP Lionel, this footage goes to show how talented he was and not just a regular on 'Give Us a Clue'. There was so much more to him x

[captpicard]

One of the last of that generation of Showbiz gone. Tarbuck probably the only one left now from that era.

[stuntjohn]

Thank you, that was beautiful.. They are back together now tapping for the angels.

[cocojo]

I can't believe I have never seen this one!!! That was AWESOME!!!

[greenbaron]

Two words to describe this. Amazing. Magic.

[mixtapesfrommylatepartner]

Can't help but smile. Brilliant stuff!