Tap *** (1989, Gregory Hines, Suzzanne Douglas, Sammy Davis Jr) – Classic Movie Review 10,710

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

Writer-director Nick Castle’s 1989 musical drama Tap stars Gregory Hines as footloose Max Washington, just released from prison, who can’t decide between a life of crime or tap dancing, and Sammy Davis Jnr as Little Mo, who tries to put him on the straight and narrow with a show involving Max.

After serving time for burglary, Max returns to his hoofer club haunt, where his old girlfriend Amy (Suzzanne Douglas) works at the club as tap instructor. She is none too happy to see him, and Max’s old crime cronies have another job for him.

There is a lot of pleasure to be had in this corny and clichéd but engaging tribute to tap from writer-director Nick Castle.

The two nimble star performances and some great dancing help along the lame, clod-hopping plot, and the old-time hoofer’s challenge dance is a showstopper. If only there were more dancing! The choreographers are Henry LeTang and Chester A Whitmore, with Alfred De Sio as tap dance consultant and Gregory Hines as improvographer.

Gregory Hines was a highly accomplished tap dancer.

Gregory Hines was a most celebrated and highly accomplished tap dancer and many of his films feature him dancing, and Taps is a good showcase for his tap dancing. He grew up as a member of the tap dancing act Hines, Hines and Dad with his older brother Maurice Hines and father Maurice Hines Sr, who joined the act as a drummer. After his debut as child extra in Finian’s Rainbow (1968), he starred in more than 40 films. Gregory won Broadway’s 1992 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for Jelly’s Last Jam. He died of liver cancer on 9 August 2003, aged 57.

It also features Savion Glover, Joe Morton, Dick Anthony Williams, Terrence E McNally, Howard ‘Sandman’ Sims [Sandman Sims], Bunny Briggs, Steve Condos, Jimmy Slyde, Harold Nicholas, Pat Rico, Arthur Duncan and Etta James.

Tap is directed by Nick Castle, runs 111 minutes, is made by Beco Films and TriStar Pictures, is released by TriStar Pictures (1989) (US), is written by Nick Castle, is shot in Technicolor by David Gribble, is produced by Fran Saperstein (executive producer), Gary Adelson and Richard Vane, is scored by James Newton Howard and is designed by Patricia Norris.

It is shot in New York City.

Two uses of the F word were cut from the UK cinema and video releases for a PG certificate, restored in the 12 rated DVD.

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