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

During the end credits, the photograph of Bill Bailey animates to show him backsliding (i.e., moonwalking).

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Connections

Features Sun Valley Serenade (1941)

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Soundtracks

"Cheek to Cheek"
Danced by Gregory Hines and Suzzanne Douglas
Orchestrated by James Newton Howard
Written by Irving Berlin

User Reviews

Who cares about the hokey premise?

If you like tap dancing, this is one of the rare opportunities to see tap legends like Jimmy Slyde, Sandman Sims, Henry LeTang, and Harold Nicholas along with latter-day tap wizards Gregory Hines and Savion Glover and icon Sammy Davis, Jr. Dianne "Lady Di" Walker even has a cameo appearance.

This movie is glued together with a questionable plot and some illogical excuses to tap dance. But who cares? Once these folks are dancing, nothing else matters.

P.S. Look (and listen) for the incomparable Etta James singing in the club scene.