Top 10 Difficult Dance Scenes That Used Elaborate Props

#10: Mein Herr

Cabaret (1972)

If youve ever been to a dance or fitness class, someones probably told you to squeeze your core, and honestly, the Kit Kat Klub dancers must have cores of steel. The way they position themselves across those chairs, at all kinds of angles and balances, without even the tiniest leg wobble, is sensational. Fosses choreography is all about control, style, and tiny, sharp gestures like a flick of the wrist or tilt of the head. Some of the positions look downright uncomfortable, and the strength and control required are next-level. They make it look graceful, beautiful, and effortless, but trust us, its a real endurance test. Better to grab a comfy seat and watch the pros.

#9: Me Ol' Bamboo

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

Dick Van Dyke himself has called this the hardest dance he ever had to learn, and unsurprisingly, it took more than a few takes to get it close to perfect. The dance relies on tight synchronicity, so even the teeniest mishap would be glaringly obvious. Making it even trickier, dancers often had to move around each other or handle props together, so timing and placement are absolutely crucial. And think about what Van Dyke had to pull off: hes trying to blend in, but it also has to feel rough around the edges, since hes spontaneously jumped in. Fair to say hed found his fallback career if being an inventor hadnt panned out.

#8: Turbos Broom Dance

Breakin' (1984)

This film is packed with standout choreography, but few moments had audiences as glued to their screens as Turbos gravity- and logic-defying broom dance. His moves in this sequence helped cement the film as one of the dance flicks of the decade. And for a movie so grounded in reality, this routine took things to some alternate universe where brooms make for great dance partners and can seemingly move on their own. Sure, it was the 80s, so the special effects werent exactly flawless. But watching Turbo lose himself in the groove while the broom floats *ahem* independently was a brilliantly creative touch and a fantastic testament to the power of dance.

#7: Sunday Jumps

Royal Wedding (1951)

Fred Astaire had many great dance partners, but this one might just be his most memorable, sorry, Jane Powell. Apparently, the idea behind this sequence was Astaires way of poking fun at performers, like himself, who famously abided by grueling routines, often to the frustration of their (human) dance partners. The magic of this number lies in how convincingly he makes the hatrack seem alive. It almost seems to respond to him and dance back. Of course, its not the only inanimate object he dances with. However, what sticks with us most is how he makes the rack feel like way more than just a place to hang your hat.

#6: Getcha Head in the Game

High School Musical (2006)

Legendary choreographer Kenny Ortega calls this his favorite number from the HSM franchise. Inspired by his mentor Gene Kelly, he loved being able to fuse dance and sport. On one side, he had these insanely talented young performers who were totally new to the world of basketball. On the other, he had a bunch of sportsmen who wouldnt know a dance step if it two-stepped right across their toes. But Ortega pulls it all together so seamlessly, you can barely tell the athletes from the dancers. The performers are impressively in sync, and the way those bouncing basketballs lock perfectly with the music is pure artistry and technical genius. Talk about a slam dunk!

#5: The Bottle Dance

Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

Although dance is a big part of Jewish weddings, sorry to disappoint, its highly unlikely youll see anyone donning bottles at one. This was a Jerome Robbins original, well, kind of. For research, he attended some Jewish celebrations and spotted a guy goofing around, pretending to be sloshed with a bottle perched on his head. Thats when the lightbulb went off. Whether on stage or screen, this dance has a level of control and poise that never fails to amaze. And believe it or not, sometimes theres no Hollywood trickery helping them keep that perfect bottle balance. If we tried, wed probably look like wed emptied every bottle ourselves, if you get what we mean.

#4: Let's Call the Whole Thing Off

Shall We Dance (1937)

Ginger Rogers is credited with saying she did everything her male partners did, just backwards and in high heels. Well, in this number, they upped the ante together by doing it all on roller skates. Fred and Ginger are already in a league of their own when it comes to dance, but even they were more accustomed to having their feet on solid ground rather than rolling around. Yet they glide around in perfect harmony as if they were born to skate. Also, who else could make falling look so elegant? Its not the only roller-skate number we love, but its extra level of coordination gives it an edge over Its Always Fair Weather and Xanadu.

#3: Singin' in the Rain

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

As we saw with Astaire earlier, Gene Kelly is another performer who can bring inanimate objects to life with his creative genius. Hes danced with a mop, a broom, on top of newspapers, and of course, with an umbrella. Do movie dance sequences get more iconic than this? Co-choreographed, directed, and performed by the man himself, while some shout their love from the rooftop, Kellys Don Lockwood sings and dances it out in the rain. His umbrella becomes more than just shelter; its a prop, a partner, and part of the performance. And dont pretend you havent been tempted to splash in puddles, umbrella in hand, after watching him make it look so fun.

#2: Let's Say It With Firecrackers

Holiday Inn (1942)

Now were just showing off! It might be the holiday season, but Astaire brings the heat to Holiday Inn literally. In this scene, Ted breaks into an impromptu tap dance routine accompanied by firecrackers. He really went high stakes with this one, chucking down the explosives despite the very real risk of setting the set aflame or giving that cigarette in his mouth a little too much light. Yet the pairing of choreography and firecrackers couldnt be more perfect. Reportedly, Astaire spent three days in rehearsal and two in front of the camera, shooting 38 takes. The sparks were apparently amplified in post, but its still jaw-droppingly spectacular to watch.

#1: Barn-Raising Dance

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

In the dance-off to win all dance-offs, the brothers go head-to-head with their rivals in this outstanding display of artistry and athleticism. Michael Kidd was well known for his high-energy, character-driven choreography, but here he truly outdoes himself. The dance features gymnastics, log-rolling, and plenty of other unbelievable physical feats. The dancers barely pass a prop without turning it into part of the routine, and yes, this goes on for nearly seven minutes. Its just creativity and showmanship at its finest. No wonder the ladies choose the Pontipees! They throw in everything and the kitchen sink. And frankly, if there had been a kitchen sink, theyd have danced on it too.

What movie dance scene do you think incorporated props exceptionally well? Let us know in the comments