Throughout the writing, our challenge remained how to relentlessly search out and present to the world “Ellie Powell” behind the mask of “Eleanor Powell.”
—Paula Broussard
Having turned the final page of Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance, I can attest that co-authors Broussard and Royère have triumphed over their challenge by giving readers this intimate biography of Eleanor Powell—a dance legend from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Drawing on old correspondence, studio production records, celebrity testimonials, and other rare documents to craft their detailed narrative, Broussard and Royère meticulously chart Eleanor’s journey from a child prodigy on Broadway to Hollywood’s preeminent female tap dancer. They highlight her breakout role in Born to Dance (1936) and her seminal collaboration with Fred Astaire in Broadway Melody of 1940, which cemented her as a rare talent blessed with technical prowess, rhythmic musicality, and stalwart drive; in other words, a female rival capable of matching Hollywood’s top male dancers. Broussard and Royère conclude with Eleanor’s brief retirement, tumultuous marriage to Glenn Ford, and triumphant return to the spotlight after a sixteen-year hiatus. All at once a storybook and historical text, this biography unfurls with vivid prose and a rich catalog of facts to pull back the curtain on Eleanor Powell—the sensational star—to reveal Ellie—the human being, the inspirational woman worth remembering.
Individuals who admire Tom Cruise’s work ethic, Meryl Streep’s genre-straddling capabilities, and Emma Watson’s charm and civic engagement will enjoy getting to know Eleanor Powell through this biography. A fair warning, though, to readers who prefer to peruse a book rather than roll up their sleeves and dig in: while an achievement as a whole, Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance can be, at times, a dense read. Structured like a musical, complete with an overture, acts, and finale, this book presents an impressive amount of information. It includes numerous synopses of Eleanor’s films, summaries of her training and preparation for roles, and reviews from critics of her performances. With every project they cover, Broussard and Royère ask readers to traverse pages that detail not only a full list of cast members but also the cities and venues Eleanor visited on tour.
However, at the same time—and here’s what makes getting stuck in the weeds worthwhile—Broussard and Royère weave in exclusive and intimate pockets of Eleanor’s personal life amidst their history lesson. The result? A moving and comprehensive portrait of Eleanor’s existence, one that reflects all the colors of life, not just the joyous hues captured on camera. While Broussard and Royère take pains to highlight Eleanor’s flamboyant style, impressive skill, and slew of accomplishments, they forefront Eleanor’s almost uncanny resilience and adaptability: the true markers of her success.
This book demands your attention because it reveals this indelible aspect of Eleanor’s character. It sheds light on Eleanor’s fighting spirit and chronicles how she went toe-to-toe with profit-hungry studio executives, a philandering husband, and even the limitations of her own body—battling bleeding toenails, swollen feet, torn ligaments, and near-collapse to carry out fifteen-hour workdays months on end so that true art could make its way into the world. Despite being beholden to MGM’s sweatshop atmosphere and breakneck production schedules, Eleanor, often described by Broussard and Royère as a “dancing workhorse” (178), leveraged her valuable talents and curiosity about the filmmaking process to occupy a unique position of influence for women of the time. This includes her role as the leading choreographer of routines and a crucial collaborator during post-production in the editing of dance sequences.
With the recent rise of female-centric storytelling and female-led projects within the film industry, notably Barbie (2023) and The Substance (2024), Broussard and Royère’s biography of Eleanor Powell comes at an opportune time: a moment when modern audiences are hungry to learn from—and be inspired by—female performers who blaze trails and set precedents for what women can achieve through film, on stage, and beyond. If you’ve made it this far and are still wondering “What can I learn by reading about Eleanor’s life and career?” consider this: Eleanor Powell teaches us how to create with passion— with vigor and rigor and love—despite obstacles and setbacks. But, most important, she gives us the courage and strength to pivot when circumstances beyond our control change—to seek new opportunities where we can shine.
As a soon-to-be-college-graduate, I am better for having met Ellie. Knowing her, I feel compelled to follow my heart in my next phase of life. I am emboldened by the memory of this woman—equally dazzled by her professional victories as by the love and appreciation she showed toward her single mother, only child, and closest friends and colleagues throughout her life. In most cases, I’d advise that you should never meet your heroes, lest you risk disappointment. Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance is not such a case. While learning about Eleanor Powell is a thrill, meeting Ellie is to be enchanted—an opportunity not to be missed.
Author Biography
Abbie Reams is an undergraduate student at Georgia Tech studying Literature, Media, and Communication and Marketing. She enjoys reading, hiking, lattes, and (of course) movies. Passionate about storytelling, she strives to share narratives that inspire and unite people, recognizing their power to drive meaningful action and change.
Book Details
Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance, Paula Broussard and Lisa Royère (2023)
Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 360pp., ISBN: 9780813197883 (hbk), $40.00
