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Bertye Lou Wood, Cleo Hayes, Marion Coles, Fay Ray, Elaine Ellis ... see more see more... , Geri Kennedy

The Silver Belles are one of America's most unusual and inspiring dance troupes. Comprised of five women between the ages of 84 and 96, The Silver Belles are veteran tap dancers and chorus girls who f... read more read more...irst got to know one another when they performed in some of New York's hottest nightspots during the Harlem Renaissance of the '30s, sharing stages with the likes of Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Jimmie Lunceford. The dancers -- Bertye Lou Wood, Cleo Hayes, Elaine Ellis, Fay Ray, and Marion Coles -- toured the country with different shows and entertained American troops in Europe during World War II, but when Big Band jazz fell out of favor and nightclubs stopped using chorus dancers, most of the women took up other work. But the women stayed friends, and in 1985 the retired hoofers decided to put their tap shoes back on. With the help of their manager and friend Geri Kennedy, they've been performing regularly for over a decade, keeping the traditions of jazz dancing alive and challenging stereotypes about the elderly. Been Rich All My Life is a documentary which looks at the illustrious past and surprising present of The Silver Belles, and offers a glimpse at these five remarkable women as they share their love for dance and confront the challenges that still face them. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

61% liked it

947 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

29 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 21 min.

Directed by: Heather MacDonald

Release Date: July 21, 2006

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DVD Release Date: November 21, 2006

Stats: 38 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (38)

  • marevalo83
    April 18, 2010
    marevalo83
    An endearing look at some of the original Harlem showgirls, putting on a repertoire from their 1930s dance ensemble. Upllifting and fascinating look into the early half of the 19th Century entertainment business in NYC.
  • clooneyfan
    May 12, 2007
    clooneyfan
    I wasn't too interested in the old footage and history. Watching the Silver Belles (80+ year old women) dance was pretty cool. Would have like to seen their entire performance.
  • sloan013
    March 11, 2007
    sloan013
    Great documentary about the dancers of the 40's and the Harlem night clubs they worked out of.Mostly its about women who lived thru some of history's best and worst times and what great lives.Please listen to their stories we can learn so much from them and nothing lasts forever.

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Critic Reviews

Sam Adams
September 28, 2006
Sam Adams, Los Angeles Times

MacDonald seems less interested in the Silver Belles' past than their inspirational present. Eventually, the inevitable broken hips and dizzy spells take their toll, but those who remain seem determin... Full Review

Michael Phillips
September 7, 2006
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

It's a modest but highly enjoyable tribute. Full Review

Janice Page
August 4, 2006
Janice Page, Boston Globe

If you only watched the first half of Been Rich All My Life, you might walk away thinking it's a so-so documentary about another fascinating, underreported piece of Harlem history. And you'd be at lea... Full Review

Peter Rainer
July 27, 2006
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

The film could be more adept and probing, but the ladies -- Cleo Hayes, Marion Coles, Elaine Ellis, Fay Ray, and Geri Kennedy -- are delightful. Full Review

Frank Scheck
July 26, 2006
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

A richly uplifting if somewhat rambling portrait of indomitableness in the face of old age and infirmity, Been Rich All My Life will be inspirational to young and old alike.

Lisa Schwarzbaum
July 22, 2006
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Good times and bum times, they've seen it all and they're still here. Lucky us. Full Review

Rafer Guzman
July 21, 2006
Rafer Guzman, Newsday

Been Rich All My Life has a soft, golden glow, but it could have been much richer. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
July 21, 2006
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

These women deserve some fond acclaim for their attempts to conquer age. Full Review

V.A. Musetto
July 21, 2006
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

Under director Heather Lyn MacDonald, the film is generic and uninspired, better suited to public TV than the big screen.

Elizabeth Weitzman
July 21, 2006
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

Though the stripped-down style of Heather Lyn MacDonald's documentary doesn't quite do justice to her fabulous heroines, the extraordinary energy of the five former chorus girls she profiles provides ... Full Review

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