As an outstanding Hollywood musical performer of the 1940s and early 1950s, Vera-Ellen managed to capture audiences' attention and imagination through the grace of her movements, dancing skills and elegant appearance. Her best-known screen works, as is common for Hollywood musical performers, include the films On the Town (1949) and White Christmas (1954). Nevertheless, Vera-Ellen's career in movies started much later than her career on stage and in the dance arena.

As an actress and dancer, Vera-Ellen became famous during the era of Hollywood movie musicals, when performers needed to be technically perfect. They had to demonstrate the necessary sense of tempo and timing and the capacity to create a charismatic image. Vera-Ellen's reputation as Hollywood's best dancer was supported precisely by these qualities. Vera-Ellen's unique feature was the capacity to look both elegant and athletic. She managed not to lose rhythm or control in her fast and graceful movements.

Early life and training

According to her biography, Vera-Ellen Westmeyer was born on February 16, 1921, in Norwood, Ohio. As a little girl, Vera-Ellen showed the capacity to perform. Like many famous dancers of that epoch, she went through thorough training, becoming a professional performer at a very young age. Later on, Vera-Ellen demonstrated the importance of discipline and strict training in her work – her style was characterized by precise and fast steps, quick turns and clear musical phrases. She became successful in Hollywood by using these skills and not just being photogenic.

By the time Vera-Ellen made her Broadway debut in Very Warm for May (1939), she was already in the pipeline, prepared to enter the world of Hollywood musicals. Working on stage helped her prepare for consistent performances and allowed her to gain experience in reading a number not only in terms of movements, but in terms of the whole performance. Thus, the audience had the impression of watching the complete scene regardless of whether the performer was in the chorus or whether the scene required the demonstration of romantic dance.

Hollywood musicals

Film producers understood that Vera-Ellen could be not simply in the ensemble of actors, but in the lead role in the dance number. This performer was capable of supporting the high energy levels characteristic of other major actors. Moreover, Vera-Ellen possessed such qualities, unusual in many Hollywood performers, as the precision of the style of performance and the strict control in the moves. Wonder Man (1945) was an example of the Hollywood production of the post-war era and allowed Vera-Ellen to demonstrate her skills and become famous.

Some of Vera-Ellen's best movies included the series of musicals that still form her screen persona. Among the films where she demonstrated all the charm of her performance were On the Town (1949), Three Little Words (1950), The Belle of New York (1952), and Call Me Madam (1953). On the Town (1949) is the movie where she played the role of a vibrant Hildy – a girl that worked as a taxi driver in the film filled with New York energy and wartime fun of the leave nights.

The last famous film where Vera-Ellen appeared was White Christmas (1954), which was filmed in 1954 and where she played the role of Judy Haynes, who performed in a sister act in the film. This film became the hallmark of Vera-Ellen's biography. White Christmas (1954) continues to remain on the list of favorite films because people always appreciate the polished performance and elegance of Vera-Ellen, along with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Though a Hollywood star does not need to show herself to attract the viewers' attention and draw their eyes in the process of performance, Vera-Ellen managed to dominate the scenes through her moves.

In general, some good ways to evaluate her performance include:

  • Dancing with Gene Kelly in On the Town (1949)
  • Appearance in The Belle of New York (1952)
  • Being a partner to Danny Kaye in White Christmas (1954)

Afterwards, Vera-Ellen worked in such a film as Let's Be Happy (1957), which can be considered her last feature film. In this period of time, Vera-Ellen could feel that the time of the classic Hollywood movie musical had been coming to an end. However, this era had already left an important trace in the history of movie musicals because the level of Vera-Ellen's skills could be appreciated at first glance.

Later years and legacy

Just like many famous stars, Vera-Ellen's reputation was significantly changed after she finished with movie musicals. Unlike many celebrities of her era, Vera-Ellen stopped being a popular performer and could not present herself in any other spheres except musical film, thus remaining an intriguing historical persona of the middle of the century.

For all her admirers, Vera-Ellen remains the embodiment of another type of star from past Hollywood, when actor-dancers were expected to combine athletic skills and elegance and to be technically perfect. For this reason her influence remains strong with those who appreciate classic Hollywood film musicals.

Today, Vera-Ellen is associated not only with a beautiful face, typical of old Hollywood, but with performances with impeccable technical skills. From her appearance on Broadway and up to her participation in White Christmas (1954), her biography demonstrates how a dancer can become a famous movie star.