The work of art has undergone significant changes as a form throughout the 20th century. This is probably due to the blurring of the boundaries between different types and types of art, as a result of which the audience often deals with interdisciplinary art, combining several areas simultaneously. Movies, music, dance – all these arts can mix freely, coming together in beautiful and full-fledged multimedia combinations.
Looking at the scene from the movie “Robin and the Seven Hoods” in which Sammy Davis Jr. sings the Bang Bang song, it is impossible not to be amazed at how easily dance and music are realized in the film medium. This film belongs to the musical genre, in the plot of which songs characterizing the hero or the plot situation are introduced, accompanied by dance numbers. The performance includes singing, tap dancing, work with scenery and interior items (Warner Archive, 2017). Nor should one underestimate Davis Jr.’s acting, its high expressiveness required to produce a striking and entertaining effect. The actor’s dance and his interaction with objects deserves special respect due to the fact that Sammy was deprived of one eye – his left eye is glass. This damage, affecting the perception of distance and depth, did not prevent him from dancing a brilliant number and even performing acrobatic tricks with amazing grace.
This musical number can be compared with the performance of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. In addition to the high vocal data of both artists, it is impossible not to note their acting skills (Frank Sinatra, 2016). The lightness of intonations and liveliness of the performance, their ironic interaction with each other, turn the song into a full-fledged show-stopper, a bright and enchanting number with a cathartic ending. The ability of performers to interact with each other deserves special attention. One can recall the cover version of this song recorded by Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, in which even more attention was paid to artistry and playful mini-dialogues between the performers. All this speaks of the impossibility of separating the arts and the need for an artist to be not just a singer, but also an actor and dancer in order to successfully express himself in the world of modern culture.
Works Cited
“Bang! Bang! (Sammy Davis Jr.) | Robin and the 7 Hoods | Warner Archive.” YouTube, uploaded by Warner Archive, 2017, Web.
“Frank Sinatra ft. Ella Fitzgerald – The Lady Is A Tramp (Official Video).” YouTube, uploaded by Frank Sinatra, 2016, Web.