Hellzapoppin' lindy hop

The gold standard of swing dancing
oohahhsays...

Youtube comments:

From Hellzapoppin' (1941), the hilarious Hollywood production directed by H.C. Pootter and starring zany commdians Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson, this clip features Rex Stewart (co), Jap Jones (tb), Elemer Fane (cl), unknown (ts), Slim Galliard (p,g,tap-dancing), Slam Stewart (b), Cee Pee Johnson (d), The Harlem Congaroos (dancers, AKA Whitey's Lindyhoppers).

http://www.savoystyle.com/hellzapoppin.html
"This movie, based on a hit Broadway play, showcases Whitey's Lindy Hoppers dancing the most famous and most spectacular Lindy Hop scene ever preserved on film. The dancing was choreographed by Frankie Manning.

"The scene starts when musicians Slim Galliard and Slam Stewart, in workmen's garb, discover some musical instruments while supposedly delivering a package backstage. They play a few tentative notes, and a spontaneous, swinging jam starts cooking . More backstage 'workers' join the jam, including Rex Stuart on trumpet and C.C. Johnson on the 'bongo drums'. The music builds in excitement until, as if out of nowhere, four Lindy Hopping couples, dressed in overalls and uniforms, swing out into the cameras at a frenetic tempo. Each couple executes amazing acrobatic shines. Then the group unites for precision ensemble work filmed at an angle that emphasizes legwork and speed.

"The choreography and the dancing are as near to perfect Lindy Hop as you can see anywhere! The scene will take your breath away no matter how many times you see it. It is no wonder that this film was responsible for the simultaneous revival of Lindy Hop in Sweden and Britain in the 1980's.

"An interesting sidenote: Whitey's Lindy Hoppers' routine in Hellzapoppin' was originally danced and choreographed to different music, namely 'Jumping at the Woodside'. Universal Studios had a composer who was on staff write new music for the routine."

Harlem Congaroo Dancers
( aka Whitey's Lindy Hoppers)
# William Downes (overalls) and Frances "Mickey" Jones (maid).
# Norma Miller and Billy Ricker (chef's hat).
# Al Minns (white coat, black pants) and Willa Mae Ricker.
# Ann Johnson (maid) and Frankie Manning (overalls)

oohahhsays...

Frankie Manning is still alive. He actually doesn't look a whole lot older. See for yourself[1]. The guy worked for the US Postal Service after swing died. He was rediscovered in the mid-90s, and begrudgingly taught the current wave of swing dancers.

Frankie Manning is over 90 years old. He STILL DANCES. At 90. I honestly don't have enough words to describe how much amazing this gentleman is.

[1] http://frankiemanning.com/

siftbotsays...

Tags for this video have been changed from 'lindyhop, swing, dance, frankiemanning, slim' to 'lindyhop, swing, dance, frankiemanning, slim, 40s' - edited by swampgirl

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