An early
sound short set in a Harlem nightclub, featuring white vaudeville comic
and eccentric dancer James Barton performing in blackface. He had a
long career in film and tv, and is best remembered as "Kit" Carson in
'The Time of Your Life' (1948). Three Savoy Ballroom couples perform
the
latest dance styles, primarily Charleston. The last couple is Shorty
Snowden and his partner. They are just terrific, although their
style
clearly looks dated to us.
Note how Snowden
introduces Breakaway
steps, to the closed-form Charleston and you'll feel like you are
witnessing
the birth of the Lindy Hop, which, in fact, was the name that Snowden
gave
to the dance he was doing. The couple exit exuberantly with a Cake Walk.
Music
by
the
Savoy
Ballroom house band,
Chick Webb and his Orchestra.
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