Miriam Nelson, a Tap Treasure
Miriam Nelson, a Tap Treasure
This November, producers Avi Miller and Ofer Ben of Tradition In Tap, honored Miriam Nelson for her contributions to tap in New York City to a sold out workshop. Many of the traditional tap hoofers did not know Miriam Nelson but she has had a huge influence on the development of the uniquely American art form of tap.
Nelson began taking tap classes in Chicago, before her family moved to New York where she studied tap dancing with Ernest Carlos. Well known New York tap teacher, Phil Black, who attended the workshop, said he also studied with Ernest Carlos.
Nelson explained that her big-time performance career began at the age of 14, when she borrowed a pair of toe shoes to audition for Billy Rose’s “Casa Manana.” While she didn’t get the part in “Casa Manana,” she ended up with another act. Eventually, in later years, she did end up playing “Casa Manana.”
After moving to New York, she was in six Broadway shows in four years: “Sing Out the News” 1938, followed by “Yokel Boy” and “Very Warm for May” in 1939, “Higher and Higher” and “Panama Hattie” in 1940, and “Let’s Face It” in 1941. She earned $35 a week, plus five dollars for being captain, and five dollars for special line work. Some of the chorus girls she worked included June Allison and Vera Ellen.
Nelson met and married ice skater and dancer Gene Nelson. While Gene Nelson was in the Signal Corps, she moved to Hollywood. On her first day in Hollywood she ran into a former dance friend from New York who invited her to lunch at Paramount and see all the stars. She dressed to the nines. After lunch and seeing many stars, she heard someone say, “Hey, Franklin [her maiden name], you want to go to work?” The offer was from an old former friend who had now become the President of Paramount Studios. She was taken upstairs and she signed a seven year acting-dancing contract for $75 a week -- lots more that the $35 she was used to making as a dancer. Some people spend lifetimes seeking a career in show business in Hollywood. By Nelson’s second day in Hollywood, she had a seven year contract. Several movies featured her. When her husband, Gene Nelson, was signed by Warner Brothers, she assisted with choreographing many of his routines and those of Doris Day.
One of her special jobs was to dub the sounds of the tap dancers after the filming. The sounds of the taps were never recorded live because there was too much noise on the set. She dubbed tap sounds for many stars.
After divorcing Nelson, she sought to return to choreography and began attending classes taught by Louis Da Pron. Calling her to the front of the class one day, he asked “Do you want to work?” He had received a call from CBS offering him a choreography job, but he could not take the job because he was going to Vegas with Donald O’Connor. He offered her the job and she took it.
The CBS show was with Red Skelton and was a one time thing. However, at the end of each show they ended up handing her another project, and she stayed with CBS for the entire season.
As a choreographer, in addition to staging movies and television shows, Nelson has also staged nightclub shows for many stars and many special projects, including the opening of Disneyland.
Author, dancer and producer Rusty Frank nominated Miriam Nelson, now eighty-eight years old, to Avi Miller and Ofer Ben for the Tradition In Tap awards and conducted the history panel.
Contributing to the panel were Dianne Walker, Jason Smith, Hank Smith, Debbi Dee and Ray Hesselink.
Dianne Walker presented the award plaque to Nelson. “I am so honored to meet all of you and it is a real thrill for me,” Nelson responded. “I am very grateful.” She gave a special thanks to Ray Hesselink for his help to her in the classes.
In addition to the award to Nelson, Michela Lerman presented a special plaque in honor of Buster Brown. At the time Brown was honored, the plaques did not exist and Brown has since passed away. Shawn Garfield, Buster’s son, accepted the award.
Dianne Walker presented a special award to Rusty Frank, on behalf of Tradition In Tap, for her book and for her work in the tap field that includes many instructional videos.
At the Traditions in Tap workshops, Debbi Dee, Rusty Frank, Ray Hesselink, Dianne Walker, Karen Callaway Williams and Miriam Nelson, all conducted Master Tap Classes.
The Participants Showcase was held at the Theatre at St. Peter’s Church with Germaine Salsberg serving as master of ceremonies.
During the award presentation, honoree Miriam Nelson was asked what tap meant to her. She replied simply, “Happiness.” And happiness is what this talented and special woman has brought to those who love, honor and respect the art form known as tap dancing.
Read more of Melba Huber’s columns on www.melbasdance.com