I'd rate him a 17.

Vastly underrated genius. Made Gene Kelly look like a hack hoofer.

His biggest problem he didn’t have the MGM machine behind him. I think Donald made dancing look like fun!!!

@@MirlitronOne A "Hack Hoofer"?

Publicly perhaps, but everyone in Hollywood knew he was the real deal.

Yes. He was every bit as good a Astaire or Kelly. MGM had an embarrassment of riches with those three.

Well then, why don't you work on correcting this shameful injustice?

I agree, he was every bit as good as the others of the day. I emjoyed watching him as much as them. Those were the days.

He was easily right up there with Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.

Gene Nelson too.

@@jeanesingsjazz yes I agree loved him dancing in the station after his trip to Kansas City 😀

We were fortunate to grow up watching these brilliant artists!

I'd rate him a 17.

Danny Kaye, too!😊

He was as light on his feet as Fred Astaire, always a pleasure to watch.

Danny Kaye did have his own TV show in the 60's, which ran for several years. It's how I learned about him. Only later did I realize he'd been in movies, too!

Oh yes! Danny Kay!

Me, too! Isn't he marvelous?!

I caught the exact same move and watched it several times and marveled at the strength and body control needed to accomplish that feat.

What's it called

If it is the move at 1:28 secs, it is like a stag stand, arabesque, then into a backward roll on the balance beam. It is not too difficult - the moving leg counterweights the body - but he does do it beautifully smoothly. The way he dances on a wet surface really impresses me. That takes great control. If you haven't seen it, check out his Make 'em Laugh routine from Singing in the Rain. Now THAT is athletic!

Gene Kelly was full of power as he danced, like a jungle cat. You can see his limbs look like an explosion that was reined in, ready to burst. Donald O'Connor was fun and fast. He seemed to so much enjoy what he was doing, and didn't want to sweat the small stuff. Not that he was sloppy, because he was always on his mark, but he let himself flail around and play while he danced. Fred Astaire was smooth. He glided around and it was as though the air parted to let him through. Kelly seemed to show the discipline of dance and the results of hard work. O'Connor played with dance like it was a toy. But Astaire was dance itself.

@@DanYHKim2I give your comment a 10 out of 10. They all had talent. But you left out Danny Kaye. He was and still is in league with those you mentioned.

I'd rate him a 17.

It's from There's No Business Like Show Business. Such a fun movie!

Careful. Don’t take your eyes off of them.

😂

My first thought was Pygmalion, but I definitely can’t un-see that now. Guess that’s a good thing, since I can’t blink. 🤣

Maybe a bit.😮

I don’t we needed O’Connor to prove the point. Ever see Astaire dance?

Fair enough, although I haven't really seen much of him, I'll be honest.

And a better singer than both put together. Fine tenor voice.

And the humor of …Donald O'Connor (can't think of anybody to compare him to)

And VERY few cuts. Mostly long takes.

More athletic than Astaire, more graceful than Kelly. Loved all three, but for simple enjoyment, I will take O'Conner. Kelly is my least favorite of the three.

My 11 year old daughter loves watching singing in the Rain- and Donald O Conner is her fav!!

Yep. Never had formal dance training. He grew up around it, picked it up from pros in theater wings and backstage joints, then put it to the test in front of paying customers at big cities and little hick towns everywhere.

Now that you mention it, I wonder if they wore gauze "eyelids"