About
"Dance was the only thing I wanted to do. We're always in pain, but we knew what caused the pain, so it was good pain. So when a dancer complains that it hurts, that's all right. They know why it hurts. You suffer the hurt because the passion says you must do this. If you don't have that passion, take up plumbing or do something else."
In his five-and-a-half-hour interview, Tony Charmoli (1921-2020) speaks about choreographing television shows including Your Hit Parade, Alice in Wonderland, NBC Comedy Hour, The Dinah Shore Show, and The Danny Kaye Show, among others. He describes the process of creating a dance routine and rehearsal schedules, and speaks of the challenges of choreographing for live television. He also shares fond memories of some of the notable talents he's directed and choreographed for throughout his career, including Julie Andrews, Mitzi Gaynor, Dinah Shore, Danny Kaye, Cyd Charisse, and Carol Channing. Sunny Parich conducted the interview on December 12, 1997 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Tony Charmoli on teaching Shirley MacLaine "The hustle" among other dances
Tony Charmoli on dance numbers he choreographed for The Danny Kaye Show
Tony Charmoli on memories of working with Bob Fosse
Tony Charmoli on winning the DGA award for his work on a John Denver special with The Muppets
Tony Charmoli on Liberace's appearance on the Lily Tomlin special, Lily-Sold Out
Tony Charmoli on choreographing the show Your Hit Parade
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences
On joining the Air Force during WWII; on performing as a dancer for the troops during the war; on attending the Ted Shawn school of Dance
Chapter 2
On his move to New York in 1946; on studying at the American Theater Wing; on joining the Choreographers Workshop; on his first job on Broadway: Make Mine Manhattan
On his introduction to television and his first job in the new medium; on choreographing for the TV show Stop the Music; on choreographing for Your Hit Parade
Chapter 3
On choreographing for Your Hit Parade and challenges working in live TV; on choreographing for theater versus television; on creating new dance routines for the same hit song week after week
On the directors and producers he worked with on Your Hit Parade; on different dances he incorporated into the show; on working with the dancers and crew on the show
On interference from the sponsors and the network; on how rock music affected Your Hit Parade
Chapter 4
On the effect of Rock and Roll on the TV show Your Hit Parade; on why he left the show in 1955; on receiving an Emmy and a Dance Magazine Award in 1955; on participating in color experimentation for TV
On the process of choreographing a show; on the relationship between director and choreographer; on how he casts and works with dancers; on the relationship between music and dance
On the collaboration between the choreographer and the writer of a show; on his awareness of the Blacklist in the 1950s; on why he moved from New York to Los Angeles
Chapter 5
On his move to L.A. and choreography for Dinah Shore Show; on choreography for an hour long show versus a half hour show; on working with an assistant
On the guests he choreographed on The Dinah Shore Show; on working with guests who were untrained dancers; on dancing on the Dinah Shore Show
Chapter 6
On appearing on The Dinah Shore Show; on movie stars who appeared on the show; on the end of The Dinah Shore Show; on working on TV specials with many celebrities
On choreography for The Danny Kaye Show; on The Danny Kaye Show dancers
Chapter 7
On individuals he worked with on The Danny Kaye Show; on the end of The Danny Kaye Show; on choreographing for The Julie Andrews Show
On his transition into directing; on directing thirteen TV specials for the Ford Motor Company; on his directing style
On going back to choreographing for The Julie Andrews Hour
Chapter 8
On working with Julie Andrews; on meeting Mitzi Gaynor and choreographing and directing specials for her
On directing and choreographing the special Gypsy In My Soul for Shirley MacLaine
Chapter 9
On choreographing for Shirley MacLaine; on directing the Shirley MacLaine special "Where Do We Go From Here?"
On directing and choreographing for The People's Choice Awards; on working on Circus of the Stars; on directing Diahann Carroll on The Anthony Newly Show; on his demeanor as a director
On winning the DGA award for his work on a John Denver special with The Muppets
Chapter 10
On winning a DGA award for directing a John Denver special with the Muppets; on what makes a successful variety special; on choreographing for the Lily Tomlin special Lily-Sold Out
On choreographing Raquel Welch; on then-current projects; on directing the TV version of The Nutcracker; on the importance of working; on highlights of his career
On regrets he has in his career; on his influence for dance and choreography in TV; on what represents TV at its best; on how he envisions TV in the next century
Chapter 11
On how he would like to be remembered; on recollections of people he's worked with throughout his career
On commentary on B-roll footage - photos from his career
Shows
Anthony Newley Show, The
Tony Charmoli on directing Diahann Carroll on The Anthony Newly Show
Circus of the Stars
Tony Charmoli on working on Circus of the Stars
Danny Kaye Show, The
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of The Danny Kaye Show
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of The Danny Kaye Show with Danny Kaye
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for The Danny Kaye Show
Tony Charmoli on the writers on the Danny Kaye Show, such as Larry Gelbart, Mel Tolkin
Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The
Tony Charmoli on B-roll footage of The Dinah Shore Christmas Special
Dinah Shore Show, The
Tony Charmoli on moving to L.A. to work on The Dinah Shore Show
Tony Charmoli on some of the big stars who appeared on The Dinah Shore Show, particularly Frank Sinatra
John Denver Specials
Tony Charmoli on winning the DGA award for his work on a John Denver special
Julie Andrews Hour, The
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for The Julie Andrews Hour
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for the variety-series The Julie Andrews Hour
Julie Andrews Show, The
Tony Charmoli on working on The Julie Andrews Show with Julie Andrews and Gene Kelly
Julie Andrews Specials
Tony Charmoli on working on The Julie Andrews Special with Julie Andrews and Gene Kelly
Lily: Sold Out!
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for a Lily Tomlin special
Mitzi Gaynor Specials
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of Mitzi Gaynor on her special: Mitzi and a Hundred Guys
Tony Charmoli on meeting Mitzi Gaynor and choreographing and directing specials for her
Nutcracker, The
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of Mikhail Baryshnikov in The Nutcracker
Tony Charmoli on directing the TV version of The Nutcracker
People's Choice Awards
Tony Charmoli on directing and choreographing for The People's Choice Awards
Shirley MacLaine Special, The: Where Do We Go From Here?
Tony Charmoli on directing a Shirley MacLaine special "Where Do We Go From Here?"
Tonight
Tony Charmoli on appearing on The Tonight Show with Steve Allen
Your Hit Parade
Tony Charmoli on B-roll footage of Your Hit Parade dancers
Tony Charmoli on choreographing the show Your Hit Parade
Tony Charmoli on choreographing Giselle McKenzie for Your Hit Parade and the challenges of working in live TV
Tony Charmoli on receiving an Emmy Award and a Dance Magazine Award for his choreography on Your Hit Parade
Topics
Emmy Awards
Tony Charmoli on receiving an Emmy and a Dance Magazine Award for his choreography on Your Hit Parade
Tony Charmoli on winning an Emmy for choreographing and directing for a Mitzi Gaynor special
Tony Charmoli on winning and Emmy for directing and choreographing the special Gypsy In My Soul for Shirley MacLaine
Tony Charmoli on highlights of his career, including his Emmy wins
Hollywood Blacklist
Tony Charmoli on his awareness of the Blacklist in the 1950s
Industry Crossroads
Tony Charmoli on his awareness of the Blacklist in the 1950s
Memorable Moments on Television
Tony Charmoli on receiving a Dance Magazine Award on The Tonight Show for his choreography on Hit Parade and walking off The Tonight Show
Technological Innovation
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of the monolithic era of TV
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of the use of Chroma-Key while working with Dinah Shore
Tony Charmoli on his introduction to television and his first job in the new medium
Tony Charmoli on differences between choreographing for theater versus television
Tony Charmoli on participating in color experimentation for TV
Tony Charmoli on experimenting with Chroma-Key while working on The Dinah Shore Show
Tony Charmoli on how choreography evolved over time for television versus the stage
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for the variety-series The Julie Andrews Hour
Television Industry
Tony Charmoli on his awareness of the Blacklist in the 1950s
We Laughed
Tony Charmoli on receiving a Dance Magazine Award on The Tonight Show for his choreography on Hit Parade and walking off The Tonight Show
Professions
Dancer/Choreographer
Tony Charmoli on choreography for an hour long show versus an half hour show while working on The Dinah Shore Show
Tony Charmoli on having an assistant, Dick Beard, while working on The Dinah Shore Show
Tony Charmoli on preparing to choreograph a TV special and the editing process
Tony Charmoli on how choreography evolved over time for television versus the stage
Directors
Tony Charmoli on directing for TV
Tony Charmoli on his directing style
Tony Charmoli on his demeanor as a director
Tony Charmoli on winning the DGA award for his work on a John Denver special with The Muppets
Tony Charmoli on winning a DGA award for directing a John Denver special with the Muppets
Tony Charmoli on what's most important when creating a successful variety special
Tony Charmoli on why there are no variety specials today
Genres
Awards Shows
Tony Charmoli on directing and choreographing for The People's Choice Awards
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Tony Charmoli on choreographing Giselle McKenzie for Your Hit Parade and the challenges of working in live TV
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for an hour long show versus an half hour show while working on The Dinah Shore Show
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for The Danny Kaye Show
Tony Charmoli on Danny Kaye's writing team for The Danny Kaye Show
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for The Julie Andrews Hour
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for the variety-series The Julie Andrews Hour
Tony Charmoli on winning an Emmy for choreographing and directing for a Mitzi Gaynor special
Tony Charmoli on winning and Emmy for directing and choreographing the special Gypsy In My Soul for Shirley MacLaine
People
Steve Allen
Tony Charmoli on appearing on The Tonight Show with Steve Allen
Julie Andrews
Tony Charmoli on memories and thoughts about Julie Andrews
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of Julie Andrews
Tony Charmoli on working on The Julie Andrews Show with Julie Andrews and Gene Kelly
Tony Charmoli on working on The Julie Andrews Show with Julie Andrews and Gene Kelly
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for The Julie Andrews Hour
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for the variety-series The Julie Andrews Hour
Lucille Ball
Tony Charmoli on memories of Lucille Ball
Tony Charmoli on memories of choreographing for Lucille Ball and Danny Kaye
Tony Charmoli on directing and choreographing the special Gypsy In My Soul for Lucille Ball
Bob Banner
Tony Charmoli on memories of Bob Banner and how he began working on The Dinah Shore Show
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of Mikhail Baryshnikov
Tony Charmoli on directing the TV version of The Nutcracker with Mikhail Baryshnikov
Diahann Carroll
Tony Charmoli on directing Diahann Carroll on The Anthony Newly Show
Carol Channing
Tony Charmoli on memories of Carol Channing
Cyd Charisse
Tony Charmoli on memories of Cyd Charisse
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of Cyd Charisse
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of him in the director's chair thanks to Cyd Charisse
Tony Charmoli on directing Cyd Charisse in thirteen Ford Motor Company TV specials
Dorothy Collins
Tony Charmoli on Dorothy Collins singing the same hit song for 27 weeks in a row
Bill Davis
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for The Julie Andrews Hour with director Bill Davis
Doris Day
Tony Charmoli on working on a closed set with Doris Day
John Denver
Tony Charmoli on winning the DGA award for his work on a John Denver special
Tony Charmoli on winning a DGA award for directing a John Denver special with The Muppets
Nanette Fabray
Tony Charmoli on memories of Nanette Fabray
Tony Charmoli on memories of Nanette Fabray's appearances on The Dinah Shore Show
Sylvia Fine
Tony Charmoli on working with Sylvia Fine
Bob Finkel
Tony Charmoli on memories and thoughts about Bob Finkle
Ernest Flatt
Tony Charmoli on memories of Ernest Flatt
Bob Fosse
Tony Charmoli on Bob Fosse filling in for him on the Broadway tour of Make Mine Manhattan
Tony Charmoli on memories of working with Bob Fosse
Judy Garland
Tony Charmoli on memories of Judy Garland
Greg Garrison
Tony Charmoli on working with director Greg Garrison for a Danny Kaye special
Mitzi Gaynor
Tony Charmoli on memories and thoughts about Mitzi Gaynor
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of Mitzi Gaynor
Tony Charmoli on some of the big stars he's worked with including Raquel Welch and Mitzi Gaynor
Tony Charmoli on meeting Mitzi Gaynor and choreographing and directing specials for her
Larry Gelbart
Tony Charmoli on working with writers Larry Gelbart, Mel Tolkin, Paul Mazursky, Larry Tucker, Sheldon Keller, Billy Barnes and Earl Brown
Peter Gennaro
Tony Charmoli on memories of Peter Gennaro
Whoopi Goldberg
Tony Charmoli on working on Circus of the Stars with Whoopi Goldberg
Alan Handley
Tony Charmoli on memories of Alan Handley
Jim Henson
Tony Charmoli on winning the DGA award for his work on a John Denver special and working with Jim Henson
Betty Hutton
Tony Charmoli on memories of Betty Hutton's appearance on The Dinah Shore Show
Danny Kaye
Tony Charmoli on memories and thoughts about Danny Kaye
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of Danny Kaye and Juliet Prouse
Tony Charmoli on commentary on B-roll footage of The Danny Kaye Show with Danny Kaye
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for a Danny Kaye special
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for The Danny Kaye Show
Tony Charmoli on Danny Kaye's writing team for The Danny Kaye Show
Gene Kelly
Tony Charmoli on working on The Julie Andrews Show with Julie Andrews and Gene Kelly
Tony Charmoli on working on The Julie Andrews Show with Julie Andrews and Gene Kelly
Perry Lafferty
Tony Charmoli on memories of working with producers Perry Lafferty and Robert Tamplin on The Danny Kaye Show
Tony Charmoli on Perry Lafferty
Shari Lewis
Tony Charmoli on dancing with Shari Lewis on The Danny Kaye Show
Liberace
Tony Charmoli on Liberace's appearance on the Lily Tomlin special, Lily-Sold Out
Gisele MacKenzie
Tony Charmoli on memories and thoughts about Gisele Mackenzie
Shirley MacLaine
Tony Charmoli on directing and choreographing the special Gypsy In My Soul for Shirley MacLaine
Tony Charmoli on teaching Shirley MacLaine "The hustle" among other dances
Tony Charmoli on directing a Shirley MacLaine special "Where Do We Go From Here?"
Martha Raye
Tony Charmoli on memories of Martha Raye
Thomas W. Sarnoff
Tony Charmoli on memories of Tom Sarnoff
Dinah Shore
Tony Charmoli on memories of Dinah Shore
Tony Charmoli on B-roll footage of The Dinah Shore Christmas Special
Tony Charmoli on memories of Dinah Shore and choreographing for The Dinah Shore Show
Frank Sinatra
Tony Charmoli on some of the big stars who appeared on The Dinah Shore Show, particularly Frank Sinatra
Sid Smith
Tony Charmoli on memories of Sid Smith and Clark Jones
Barbra Streisand
Tony Charmoli on memories of Barbra Streisand's appearance on The Dinah Shore Show
Mel Tolkin
Tony Charmoli on working with writers Larry Gelbart, Mel Tolkin, Paul Mazursky, Larry Tucker, Sheldon Keller, Billy Barnes and Earl Brown
Lily Tomlin
Tony Charmoli on choreographing for the Lily Tomlin special, Lily-Sold Out
Gwen Verdon
Tony Charmoli on working with Gwen Verdon on The Danny Kaye Show
Bud Yorkin
Tony Charmoli on memories of Bud Yorkin