Tap (1989)

Just released from prison, Max Washington must decide which of his previous professions to return to burglar or tap dancer.

Director:

Nick Castle

Writer:

Nick Castle

Stars:

Gregory Hines, Sammy Davis Jr., Suzzanne Douglas

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gregory Hines	...	Max Washington
Sammy Davis Jr.	...	Little Mo
Suzzanne Douglas	...	Amy Simms
Savion Glover	...	Louis Simms
Terrence E. McNally	...	Bob Wythe
Joe Morton	...	Nicky
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Francis
Bunny Briggs	...	Bunny
Steve Condos	...	Steve
Arthur Duncan	...	Arthur
Pat Rico	...	Pat
Howard 'Sandman' Sims	...	Sandman
Jimmy Slyde	...	Slim
Harold Nicholas	...	Harold
Jane Goldberg	...	Dancer

Storyline

Max Washington has just been released from prison after serving time for burglary. He returns to his old hangout, a hoofer club. (Tap dancer club). His old girl friend, Amy, who still works at the club as a Tap instructor, is less than thrilled to see him. Her father, Little Mo, is happy to see him, because he has plans for a show involving Max. In addition, Max's old partners in crime have another job they want him to do.

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Plot Keywords:

dancer | tap dancing | mother son relationship | african american | father daughter relationship | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes, no matter what, you can't escape the rhythm.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 February 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Dança de Duas Vidas

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$9,114,702 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beco Films, TriStar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Jimmy Slyde finishes his set during the challenge dance, he winds up on the opposite side of the room from Little Mo and stays there. But when Little Mo reacts to the set-up of Harold Nicholas' jump, Slyde is standing next to him again.

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Crazy Credits

Improvography by Gregory Hines.

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Connections

Featured in Century of Black Cinema (2003)

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Soundtracks

"All I Want Is Forever' Performed on soundtrack background by [link=nm0852510] (as James "
J.T." Taylor) and Regina Belle
Written by Diane Warren

User Reviews

Dancing - Superb; Story - Stinks

If it wasn't for the fact I've always enjoyed watching a good tap dancer, from Fred Astaire to Bill Robinson to Gene Kelly on here to Gregory Hines, I wouldn't have sat through all 111 minutes of this turkey. That's what the story is - a turkey with a bunch of angry, surly, unlikable characters who are no fun to listen to. The script is not the best, either.

What this REALLY is - and this part I like - is an excuse for Hines and fellow hoofers to strut their stuff. In fact, Hines puts on one of the best exhibitions of tap dancing I have ever seen. What's really fun is to see him and a some old men, former great dancers in their day, all together in a number or two. That's great stuff.

So, if want to enjoy some super dancing, check this out, but if you want a good story, pass it up.