Swing dancing is a group of dances that developed with the swing style of jazz music in the 1920s-1940s, with the origins of each dance predating the popular "swing era". Since the early days of the silver screen, the film industry has been entranced by the allure of clapping hands, swaying hips and clicking heels of the swing, and the slew of and movies that were at once defined by the coolest moves on the hottest nights where the swingingest cats fell in love. Here are a few legendary films that capture the spirit of swing dancing, and give you an insight into the cultural sensation that rocked the nation.
Swing Kids (1993) Swing Kids Set in Nazi Germany and Berlin in the 1930s, Swing Kids gives the historical background of some young Germans who want to move against the Nazi regime, but are unable to overturn it. But for these “Swing Kids,” dance is not just a recreational activity; it’s a form of rebellion, a celebration of freedom and individuality in a society that seeks conformity. The film's dance scenes, put together by the gifted Ryan Francois, provide a rousing demonstration of this youthful defiance. The visceral energy and desperate joy of the young dancers stand in stark contrast to the terrifying rigid order of the Nazi party as it attempts to control all forms of joy, to all art, by attacking its source: the human origin."These young people express their revolt against the totalitarianism of their leaders through their participation in Swing, especially since it is banned by the authorities.
Hellzapoppin' (1941) This timeless comedy is a series of slapstick and musical numbers, but its swing dance scene is what can not be forgotten. With a cameo by the incomparable Whitey's Lindy Hopper, this dance number is a jaw-dropping combination of athletics, and art. The dancers, among them Frankie Manning and Norma Miller, do a series of jaw-dropping aerials and tricky footwork that look as though they’re defying gravity. The performance, mainly unrelated to the film's plot, is a showcase both of the sheer talent and improvisational abilities of the Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, a group of black dancers out of the Savoy Ballroom that was instrumental in the popularization of the Lindy Hop.
A Day at the Races (1937) The Marx Brothers wreak their slapstick havoc in this 1937 comedy, but it’s the film’s “All God’s Children Got Rhythm” sequence that really pops. Again with the fantastic Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, this sequence is just a pure joyous explosion of swing music and dance. The infectious energy of the dancers can be felt as they leap, twist, and turn with elegance and ease. The scene was so spectacular that it was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Dance Direction, a reflection of the extraordinary skill of the dancers and the rising popularity of swing in the public eye.
Buck Privates (1941) In this Abbott and Costello farce, two inept salesmen accidentally achieve greatness when they find themselves in the service after enlisting in the army by mistake. Although the movie is mostly a vehicle for the comedians' routines, a delightful scene in which they dance the jitterbug perfectly encapsulates the era. The dance number, performed to “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” is a rollicking, high-spirited affair, with soldiers and hostesses hoofing it up with no small degree of panache. This scene is a cute, carefree little look at the social life of the 1940’s, when swing dancing was a way of life for people of all walks of life.
Jammin' the Blues (1944) This so short film is a gorgeous atmospheric homage to the world of jazz and blues. Jammin’ the Blues was directed by Gjon Mili and showcases several jazz greats of the day, such as Lester Young and Red Callender. The movie also features an amazing dance number with Marie Bryant and Archie Savage, who engage in a smoldering, sophisticated jitterbug. The Choreography is a contrast to the cartwheel style of the Lindy Hop, a smooth and close style of dance that truly represents swing. Perhaps most notably for this period, the film is shot with an innovative cinematography and moody lighting that gives a real atmosphere to it -- something that director Bud Yorkin would take with him to his subsequent television work. Jammin’ the Blues is a work of art.
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