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Home » Blogs » Lyle Masaki's blog » So You Think Two Men Can't Dance? Six scenes to prove Nigel wrong...

So You Think Two Men Can't Dance? Six scenes to prove Nigel wrong...

by
Lyle Masaki

The recent controversy over So You Think You Can Dance's audition by a same-sex pair and the homophobic treatment they received by both the show and judge Nigel Lythgoe got us thinking of the rare earlier times pop culture has given us scenes of two guys dancing together. (Yes, Lythgoe has apologized since his coarseness aired, but why pass up a chance to revisit some fancy footwork?)

So enjoy these six two-man dances that managed to sidestep the homophobic knee-jerk reactions seen on SYTYCD, and also proved that two guys dancing can be fun, touching, and downright sexy.

Police Academy's Blue Oyster Bar tango
1984

Many of us may remember the gay bar from the Police Academy movies as being a bad gay punchline, but rewatching the scene where two of the bad cops are sent there as a prank and wind up being tangoed by the local leather daddies is actually much more level-handed than you might think. The trapped straight guys actually seem oddly invigorated by being led in the dance, and one even pulls off an impressive full-body dip!

Dancing with the Stars does the "Mango"
April 2, 2008

In one of the campiest episodes of the ballroom dancing reality show (I repeat, the campiest episode of a ballroom dancing reality show) Kyle Minogue performed and, with his usual dance partner unavailable, Steve Guttenberg danced the tango with Jonathan Roberts. The women in the audience seemed to go wild at the sight, making it the most-watched moment of hoyay in the show's history.

Chuck vs. the Tango
February 8, 2007

While tracking an assassin named "La Cuidad", Chuck had to blend in at an art aution and gala where he expected that he would need to perform the tango to be able to blend in. Captain Awesome offered to share some of the moves he learned in Buenos Aires, though he didn't teach Chuck how to lead ... good thing La Cuidad knew how to switch roles when she ended up dancing with him.

Moulin Rouge!
2001

There was a strong gay sensibility to Baz Luhrmann's jukebox musical (even if the movie didn't have any major gay characters) and it also gave us two instances of men dancing together.

When Christian (Ewan McGregor) first visited the Moulin Rouge, a flood of images conveys the sensory overload that he initially feels, one of those images being a couple of heavily-tattooed men dancing together. Later on, the movie offered its campiest number when Harold Zidler distracted The Duke with a performance of "Like a Virgin" and a dance number featuring a chorus line and Zilder wearing a table cloth as a wedding veil.

Beautiful Thing
1996

Sometimes two guys dancing together is totally gay ... and incredibly sweet and tender, like in the moving coming-of-age film Beautiful Thing. The movie's final moment has Jamie and Ste slow dancing together for all their neighbors to see as Cass Elliot sings "Dream a Little Dream of Me", an emotionally powerful ending. The sight of Jamie and Ste dancing together was such an iconic image it was used as the cover for some versions of the soundtrack and home video packaging.

Ray's Male Heterosexual Dance Hall
1987

In this Oscar-winning short film, a laid-off executive learns that the hot new place to network is Ray's Male Heterosexual Dance Hall, where powerful businessmen slow dance to old tunes, discussing deals as the classic music plays. This short has plenty of familiar faces including David Rache, Sam McMurray and Fred Willard, and the fact that it plays the situation without a sneer is the key to its success.

That's just a handful — any favorite man-dances we missed?

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    • Submitted by
    Lyle Masaki
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 15:26.
    TAGS :: 
    db's picture

    Men dancing together

    Submitted by
    db (3165 points) (658 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 15:59.
    If I may, check out the tango between Rudolph Nureyev and Anthony Dowell in "Valentino" and otherwise dreadful movie. 
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    Gravity81's picture

    How could you forget...

    Submitted by
    Gravity81 (117 points) (27 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 16:01.

    ...the final scene of my favorite movie, "Big Eden"? Pike and Henry dancing and kissing? ...Big EdenBig Eden

     

    PS: couldn't figure out how to enlarge the pic

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    David Ehrenstein's picture

    "Happy Together"

    Submitted by
    David Ehrenstein (7805 points) (1725 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 16:04.
    The tango of Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung Chi-wai.
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    Brian Juergens's picture

    OH!

    Submitted by
    Brian Juergens (1205 points) (6471 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 16:08.
    That's such a good one. Hot damn that's an amazing movie...
    Average (2 votes):
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    adriskrayzee's picture

    My favorite.

    Submitted by
    adriskrayzee (235 points) (57 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 16:13.

    Jack/Jack on Torchwood.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynGDwltHYa0

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    dpc's picture

    so sweet

    Submitted by
    dpc (36 points) (9 posts)
    on Sat, 2009-05-30 20:32.
    I saw this on youtube before the series started in the US on BBC America. I loved it so much that I watched the show, and even though I disliked the show more and more every week (I know--a lot of people love it, but doesn't do much for me) I kept watching to get to this scene. It's so beautiful and sad and touching that it made the whole season worth watching. The actor playing the other Jack (the not-JB/guest star Jack) was amazingly charismatic. How could he not be a huge star yet??
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    atweaver's picture

    QAF

    Submitted by
    atweaver (365 points) (69 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 16:23.
    What about the prom dance between Justin and Brian in the last episode of season one?  Although, I liked the dance in season two when they danced to Chicitita better.
    Can miles truly separate you from friends?  If you want to be with someone you love, aren't you already there? --
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    Flame's picture

    Absolutely! http://www.you

    Submitted by
    Flame (100 points) (35 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 16:59.

    Absolutely!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J013iLyNRrk

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    larwil's picture

    Dance Man

    Submitted by
    larwil (50 points) (10 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 16:28.

     

    Here is a playlist of same sex male dancing including Ballet and ballroom competition.

    http://www.youtube.com/my_playlists?pi=0&ps=20&sf=&sa=0&sq=&dm=0&p=CF3C2D2B296217A9 

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    musikfreak19's picture

    i agree....qaf

    Submitted by
    musikfreak19 (20 points) (6 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 16:32.
    Brian and Justin's dance during the prom is definitely a great moment. That is still one of my favorite scenes from Queer as Folk.
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    nordic balance's picture

    Tommy Blacharz & Max Pitruzella - French Boys Lindy Hop

    Submitted by
    nordic balance (not verified)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 16:39.

     

    Tommy Blacharz & Max Pitruzella - French Boys Lindy Hop

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGaniQwoEiQ

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDhui3j1ruE

    Just imagine them in showier outfits.

    "Heterosexuality is not normal, it's just common." (Dorothy Parker)

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    larwil's picture

    Travis Wall and Ivan Koumaev

    Submitted by
    larwil (50 points) (10 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 17:12.

     

     

    Here are two of the best know dancers ever on SYTYCD, together, doing a fantastic improv. comtemporary lyrical hip-hop.  Last year Travis. who was one of the tryout's choreographers actually did a comtemporary dance in drag. I took it to be a defiant act because of all the remarks made by Lythgoe over the years.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJkWvXxyXbU  

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    AnotherGayRyan's picture

    thanks for sharing that...

    Submitted by
    AnotherGayRyan (60 points) (15 posts)
    on Wed, 2009-05-27 16:40.
    i'm so happy that SYTYCD introduced a whole new generation to dance, and to Travis for that matter, despite whatever Lythgoe says or does.  He's a dinosaur in the dance world, just like Len Goodman.  Old dogs, old tricks...
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    j U d E's picture

    BIG EDEN!

    Submitted by
    j U d E (3081 points) (793 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 17:18.

    Yes! THat's the first I thought about.

    There is also "Wedding Wars" with John Stamos and Sean Maher and Eric Dane.

    ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 

    R.I.P. - Heath - R.I.P. - Heath - R.I.P. - Heath - R.I.P. - Heath - R.I.P.

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    j U d E's picture

    BIG EDEN!

    Submitted by
    j U d E (3081 points) (793 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 17:31.

    Sorry, double post.

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    Jonathan's picture

    1998's Tango

    Submitted by
    Jonathan (915 points) (191 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 17:40.

    This scene from 1998's Tango directed by Carlos Saura

    http://fr.truveo.com/Tango-Saura-Julio-Bocca-Carlos-Rivarola/id/2359729230

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    Campion's picture

    am I Dreaming ?

    Submitted by
    Campion (1339 points) (281 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 21:01.

    Was not a major scene but I seem to have a memory of a same sex male dance taking place on Northern Exposure. Did the two gay guys have a commitment ceremony ? Just seem to recall my jaw hitting the floor and thinking I can't believe they are showing this and how romantic. So, am I dreaming or does anyone else recall this ? ?

     

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    Patrick's picture

    hot male male ballet

    Submitted by
    Patrick (50 points) (10 posts)
    on Tue, 2009-05-26 21:30.

    This pair of male ballet dancers is amazing to watch:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf7iv9TImt4&feature=channel_page

      

    Also, don't forget about the Swan Lake production with male swans. 

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    dback's picture

    Here's a clip from "Swing Kids" I mentioned earlier

    Submitted by
    dback (1757 points) (360 posts)
    on Wed, 2009-05-27 00:30.

    Starts around the 7:15 mark or so.  Robert Sean Leonard and Christian Bale.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU61EFPsA2Q

    And let us not neglect to mention Matt Alber's swoon-worthy "End of the World" video. 

     

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    afhickman's picture

    Let's hear it for the boys!

    Submitted by
    afhickman (3715 points) (770 posts)
    on Wed, 2009-05-27 03:19.

    afhickman

    How about Kevin Bacon and Christopher Penn in "Footloose"?

    "The mountain has wings."

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    belinda's picture

    I agree.......

    Submitted by
    belinda (665 points) (138 posts)
    on Wed, 2009-05-27 10:24.

    Cap.Jack/Jack in Torchwood.(it really touching my heart and i watch it couple time)and Beautiful Thing,it really sweet.another one is movie Edward II and his lover.(it little sad but funny.)

    so i don't think that male and male dance together is  disgusting.and it depending how you view or think about this thing. 

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    brc cole's picture

    What about...

    Submitted by
    brc cole (10 points) (2 posts)
    on Wed, 2009-05-27 10:37.
    the party scene in Philadelphia when Tom Hanks and Antonio Banderas slow dance in their navy costumes. I remember that one.
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    Whitetee's picture

    Kyle Minogue?

    Submitted by
    Whitetee (3088 points) (667 posts)
    on Wed, 2009-05-27 11:50.
    Do you mean Kylie? ;)
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    Nukely's picture

    Links to same sex dancing

    Submitted by
    Nukely (3426 points) (1195 posts)
    on Wed, 2009-05-27 21:15.
    SAME SEX DANCE

    In many cultures the sexes did not mix in dancing and often each sex had its own type of dance. I would love to see the history of Male / Male or same sex dancing explored on a program (Logo anyone?).

    When I first think of same sex dance, I think of European folk dance, which like the square dance is most often performed with at least 2 couples. But the Morris Dance can be performed by two men: Extreme Morris Dancing on YouTube. The idea behind Morris Dancing and other combat dances is to incorporate slap, kick and stick (sword) dancing to ridicule rivalry or replicate fighting and demonstrate prowess.

    Folk dancing is rather hip in the U.K. (Alternative Morris Dance on YouTube) now that the Punk Rockers are performing folk dance as well as hippies. (Street dancing by Gog Magog Molly at Ely Folk Festival July 2007 on YouTube)
    Just an aside: Gog Magog are the best Molly dancers that is if, like me, you have a soft spot for dread locked hippy boys who wear skirts and outrageous make up. They have women in the troupe, too, but Molly Dancing was originally performed by men: out of work farm laborers who would dress up in garish costumes (often women's clothing) and terrorize their employers during a festival shortly after christmas, like trick or treaters, begging for food, money or beer. I can't help but fantasize about being amongst the bored plow boys who danced for their supper during the lean days of winter.

    Ballroom is traditionally a male-female pair. Let's not forget that the original Tango was always danced by two men but in contemporary Ballroom the Tango and all other dances are a man and a woman just like Olympic Figure Skating is a man and a woman. A show with a male/male couple (dancing with the Stars) might unduly favor the men like having a male/male couple in a mixed-double tennis match. I would love to see a show with all male/male and female/female couples competing. That would be cool. But a single male/male couple might be like a Jerry Springer oddity in the bad way.

    I've always dreamt that someday their would be samesex dance categories and figure skating categories.

    TANGO
    I had written about the fact that the Tango was originally danced by two men. I was asked for a list of Male/Male tangos by a good friend, here's the list I came up with.

    All links below are links to YouTube vids.

    Argentine Tango exhibition in Tokyo
    Lalo & Luis #1
    One of the most sensual stylings of the Tango you will ever see. If you're curious why people go gaga over this dance, look no further.

    Lalo & Luis #2
    If you only watch one of the video links provided, watch this one. Bloody hell is right.

    If these guys had auditioned for Lythgoe, what slurs would his creative mind have come up with, I wonder?


    Two Handsome men dancing at a street event.

    Argentine Tango Augusto and Miguel
    I love these boys

    Augusto Balizano y Miguel Moyano
    The same couple. They show the imbalance of Ballroom pairings, the follow (the smaller man) needs to be much more athletic.

    Ave. de Mayo on May 24, 2008 at this street festival in BA
    Looks like Augusto and Miguel


    QueerTango Café: Fund Raiser for Tango Con*Fusión
    This dance explors switch lead
    Debbie Goodwin and Pier Voulkos have a women's, Tango dance company Tango Con*Fusión, I believe they are located in California, but it's hard to say from their info.

    palabras tango oblivion

    LGBT Argentine Tango
    Castro Street demo provided by A Little Tango who offer instrution to the GLBT community.

    Ballroom is big in Japan.
    In case you didn't know.


    You can also search YouTube: Tango Gay.
    There are too many to list.

     

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    Mynna's picture

    What about Tom Hanks and

    Submitted by
    Mynna (80 points) (17 posts)
    on Thu, 2009-05-28 14:53.
    What about Tom Hanks and Antonio Banderas in Philadeliphia. Absolutely beautiful and heart breaking.
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