You've got to hand it to Gregory Hines for single-handedly forwarding the cause of dancing - and tap, in particular - in the face of indifference from the Hollywood studios and public alike. Undeterred by the lack of success of his earlier 'White Knights' and 'The Cotton Club', he puts his heart and soul into this rich blend mixing dance and a tale of urban struggle. The story is certainly no great shakes but the dancing is sensational (Hines is credited for 'improvography'). This ranges from a 'challenge' contest between tap greats Sandman Sims, Bunny Briggs, Jimmy Slyde, Steve Condos, Pat Rico, Arthur Duncan and Harold Nicholas to Hines' own 'Tap-Tronics' finale, in which his taps are connected with synthesizers to make rhythmic and melodic music. The director and screenwriter is Nick Castle, whose father choreographed Fred Astair and Gene Kelly in their hey-day.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes