Larry Billman
Acting
Biography
Larry Billman began his life as a musical performer on stage (Hollywood, Broadway, Las Vegas), TV and film, but his writing skills soon led him to Disney live entertainment. From 1969 to the present, he has written, directed and/or produced hundreds of live shows at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, as well as creating touring shows for the Disney Company. As creative director, he opened 7 non-Disney theme parks in Japan but returned as Creative Director for the creation of Tokyo DisneySea in 2001. He also has directed 6 editions of Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice and for the legitimate theater in the U.S., Germany and Japan. Author of Film Choreographers and Dance Directors (McFarland) and two Bio-Bibliographies for Greenwood Press about Fred Astaire and Betty Grable. In 1998, he founded the Academy of Dance in Film, a non-profit foundation dedicated to honor the art of film dance and choreography and has been an Associate Professor at Cal State Long Beach, USC and other universities in California on the subject. He recently did the audio commentary for "Top Hat" in the newly released WB "Astaire and Rogers" DVD set.
Known For
Intimate Portrait is a biographical television series on the Lifetime Television cable network focusing on different celebrities, which includes interviews with each subject. Among the people profiled were Grace Kelly, Natalie Wood, Carly Simon, Jackie Kennedy, Katharine Hepburn, Carol Burnett, Tanya Tucker, and Marla Maples.
Intimate Portrait
Taxi dancer Charity continues to have faith in the human race despite apparently endless disappointments at its hands, and hope that she will finally meet the nice young man to romance her away from her sleazy life. Maybe, just maybe, handsome Oscar will be the one to do it.
Sweet Charity
American sailor Charlie Madison falls for a pretty Englishwoman while trying to avoid a senseless and dangerous D-Day mission concocted by a deranged admiral.
The Americanization of Emily
Photographer Greg Nolan moonlights in two full-time jobs to pay the rent, but has trouble finding time to do them both without his bosses finding out.
Live a Little, Love a Little
Making-of documentary about the 1933 musical, 42nd Street.
42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage
Jack Benny presents a variety hour with a carnival theme that stars Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, Ben Blue, and Paul Revere and The Raiders. Cameos by The Smothers Brothers (as Joe-Joe, the two-headed boy), George Burns (as Martine, the Bearded Lady), and Dean Martin (as Rip Van Rinkle, the sleeping man). Songs include Lucille Ball singing "It's So Nice To Have a Man Around the House" and "Cleo" (to the tune of "Mame"), "Too Much Talk" and "Him or Me" sung by Paul Revere and The Raiders.
Carnival Nights
A cherished remembrance of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers reunited for the film, "The Barkleys of Broadway."
Reunited at MGM: Astaire and Rogers Together Again
The story follows one fateful day as a beggar-poet and his daughter cross paths with a wicked wazir, a wily temptress, a handsome prince, a magical curse, opulent sets and exotic adventure. Adapted from the Broadway musical.
Kismet
A racer in the motorcycle sport called 'sidehacking' goes on a rampage of vengeance when his fiancée is raped and murdered.
The Sidehackers
Short documentary about the Great Depression's impact on film, specifically Berkeley musicals.
Gold Diggers: FDR'S New Deal... Broadway Bound
Ann-Margret starts her journey to Hollywood from the countryside, traversing the Freeway until she gets to Hollywood.
Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love
A featurette about the distinctive film work of Busby Berkeley.
(buz'be bur'kle) n. A Study in Style
A featurette about 'Footlight Parade'.
Footlight Parade: Music for the Decades
Short documentary about the making of the Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers musical "Swing Time".
The Swing of Things: Swing Time Step by Step
A featurette about Busby Berkeley.
Busby Berkeley's Kaleidoscopic Eyes
A featurette that can be found on the Shall We Dance (1937) DVD.
They Can't Take That Away from Me: The Music of 'Shall We Dance'
In this documentary short, Astaire and Rogers experts and aficionados delve into the development of the legendary duo’s dancing partnership, focusing on Mark Sandrich’s “Follow the Fleet” (1936).
"Follow the Fleet": The Origins of Those Dancing Feet
A documentary that celebrates the standout moments of Danny Kaye’s career and takes viewers behind the scenes of the classic film On the Riviera (1951).
A Portrait of Danny Kaye
Short about the talent behind the musical film, Pigskin Parade, featuring Judy Garland in her first feature film.