World of Dance judge Derek Hough is a diverse entertainer, so it’s fitting that among his favorite movies are West Side Story, Singin’ In The Rain, and The Band Wagon. In this latest Flick City installment, Hough briefly discusses his love for each film. Check out the video below!
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A transcript of Derek Hough’s thoughts on The Band Wagon, West Side Story, and Singin’ In The Rain is followed by the video:
“West Side Story is so great. What I love about West Side Story is the masculinity and the style of dancing. The sort of gusto (and) the way they moved. Singin’ In The Rain was just a classic that I love. “Make ‘Em Laugh” and “Moses Supposes” and the athleticism of Donald O’Connor. Just the swag of Gene Kelly, he just had this thing about him.
Honestly Michael Jackson’s stuff in the past was always creative and innovative and fun, but again a lot of inspiration – like The Band Wagon. What a great one. Michael Jackson was inspired by The Band Wagon with “Smooth Criminal.” It’s always great to go back to the classics. They’re timeless.”
It’s great to see Hough pay homage to Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor (if we had more time I’m sure he would have mentioned Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Rita Moreno, and even Richard Beymer!). Are these films among your favorite films and/or musicals, feel free to comment below!
I had no idea that The Band Wagon inspired Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” Here’s a video that shows how Jackson was inspired by the film:
Last but not least, I’m on a huge pop trip, and I really dug Hough’s interpretation of Shawn Mendes’ “In My Blood” mixed in with a bit of “Falling Slowly” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run.”
World of Dance airs Sundays on NBC (8 pm et/pt).