Marge And Gower Champion Shine In Their Enchanting “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” Routine

Marge and Gower Champion brought their extraordinary dance talent to several memorable movie musicals, becoming icons of the genre. Their dynamic performances lit up the screen in films like Show Boat (1951) or Everything I Have Is Yours (1952). But one of the most memorable ones is in the film Lovely to Look At (1952).

The dance scene performed by Marge and Gower Champion in Lovely to Look At (1952) is one of the standout moments in the film. The dance was choreographed by Hermes Pan. The music for the famous dance scene is “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” This romantic song, composed by Jerome Kern with lyrics by Otto Harbach, originally appeared in the 1933 musical Roberta.

The Champions, renowned for their graceful and captivating dance style, deliver a performance that blends elegance, precision, and charm. The scene is set in a dreamy, elaborate ballroom setting, which adds to the sophistication and romanticism of their dance.

In this sequence, their choreography features a beautiful mix of ballroom and ballet-inspired movements. Gower’s strong yet fluid leading is perfectly complemented by Marge’s graceful and refined movements. Their chemistry on screen makes the performance feel effortless, almost like a conversation through dance.

One of the reasons this scene is unforgettable is the way it reflects the glamorous and stylish nature of the musical era in the early ’50s, combining stunning costumes with fluid movement and intricate footwork.

The video was reuploaded after around six decades and received countless positive comments. One wrote, “One of the most beautiful songs ever recorded along with the two dancers who truly showed us how a lovely song can be performed with Magical and Grace. Combining Exquisite Beauty and love together!”

Another chimed in, “This was the best part of that movie, along with Kathryn Grayson singing the song. I just love these two dancers.”