Top 10 Best Swing Dance Scenes in Movies
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Date: 2023-11-21
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Comments and reviews: 30
Frank
As these clips show, the best movie swing dancing is from the swing dancing era of the 1930s and '40s. After that, the movies tend to forget the cool footwork and the swivels, and instead fill the screen with misplaced aerials, the flips and body tosses.
Sorry, but no genuine swing dancer would give Brendan Frasers act in 'Blast from the Past' (1999) better than a C-. It was clear he knew nothing about swing, and someone simply showed him how to do a couple aerials. I guess thats okay, because most of the post-1950s films tend to do even worse.
Check out Robert Redford, playing a World War II American soldier in The Way We Were (1973. He does a swing move, a simple turn. The camera cuts away, but then returns to him with his partner, and Redford does exactly the same move. Its as if Hollywood cant find a dance teacher capable of showing an actor more than one swing-dance move.
Now check out the swing-dance scene in Operation Mincemeat (2022, in which Kelly Macdonald, playing a World War II military intelligence worker, does some lame spins and uncoordinated footwork dancing with an American soldier in a London nightclub. When the dance is done, her boss, played by Colin Firth, compliments her as a demon on the dance floor, doing a lethal Lindy hop. But it wasnt swing dancing at all. It was awful.
Hollywood got it right in the 1930s and 1940s, when films gave us the full beauty and power of swing dancing. Theres no good reason todays movies cant do it again. There are great dancers, Lindy hoppers, swinging out right now, but Hollywood clearly hasnt bothered to look for them.
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As these clips show, the best movie swing dancing is from the swing dancing era of the 1930s and '40s. After that, the movies tend to forget the cool footwork and the swivels, and instead fill the screen with misplaced aerials, the flips and body tosses.
Sorry, but no genuine swing dancer would give Brendan Frasers act in 'Blast from the Past' (1999) better than a C-. It was clear he knew nothing about swing, and someone simply showed him how to do a couple aerials. I guess thats okay, because most of the post-1950s films tend to do even worse.
Check out Robert Redford, playing a World War II American soldier in The Way We Were (1973. He does a swing move, a simple turn. The camera cuts away, but then returns to him with his partner, and Redford does exactly the same move. Its as if Hollywood cant find a dance teacher capable of showing an actor more than one swing-dance move.
Now check out the swing-dance scene in Operation Mincemeat (2022, in which Kelly Macdonald, playing a World War II military intelligence worker, does some lame spins and uncoordinated footwork dancing with an American soldier in a London nightclub. When the dance is done, her boss, played by Colin Firth, compliments her as a demon on the dance floor, doing a lethal Lindy hop. But it wasnt swing dancing at all. It was awful.
Hollywood got it right in the 1930s and 1940s, when films gave us the full beauty and power of swing dancing. Theres no good reason todays movies cant do it again. There are great dancers, Lindy hoppers, swinging out right now, but Hollywood clearly hasnt bothered to look for them.
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Tim
When I started this video, I was hoping you'd include the scene withe Jean Veloz in Swing Fever. I'm gratified that you did. I had the privilege to dance with her in 2007 (or was it 2006) at the Spanish Ballroom at Echo Park near Washington DC. It was a joy, even though I could never rise to the skill she still had.
I'm kind of disappointed that you didn't call out Frankie Manning from Hellsapoppin', though. He had more influence on the spread of swing dancing out of Harlem that Jean Veloz. After attending an event that Frankie Manning attended, when I signed up for swing dance lessons in 2006, I told the lady that I wanted to be able to dance like Frankie Manning. She responded, You want to dance like an 83-year-old man? I replied, No. I want to dance like THAT 83-year-old man!
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When I started this video, I was hoping you'd include the scene withe Jean Veloz in Swing Fever. I'm gratified that you did. I had the privilege to dance with her in 2007 (or was it 2006) at the Spanish Ballroom at Echo Park near Washington DC. It was a joy, even though I could never rise to the skill she still had.
I'm kind of disappointed that you didn't call out Frankie Manning from Hellsapoppin', though. He had more influence on the spread of swing dancing out of Harlem that Jean Veloz. After attending an event that Frankie Manning attended, when I signed up for swing dance lessons in 2006, I told the lady that I wanted to be able to dance like Frankie Manning. She responded, You want to dance like an 83-year-old man? I replied, No. I want to dance like THAT 83-year-old man!
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8888barb
No 10 he has no frame, he has only learned the dance moves for the film. Needs a frame if he is going to do freestyle. Brendan Fraser also has no frame he has just learned the moves for the move. Swing kids, the crowd are good as they were well trained by renown Lindy Hop teacher and choreographer Ryan Francois but the male leads don't have a frame and couldn't free style. Swingers he has just learned the moves for the film and doesn't have a frame leaving the woman to spin on her own. Whities Lindy Hoppers originated the moves. Mostly from Frankie Manning. He and Pepsi Bethel choreographed the Lindy Hop scene in Malcolm X.
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No 10 he has no frame, he has only learned the dance moves for the film. Needs a frame if he is going to do freestyle. Brendan Fraser also has no frame he has just learned the moves for the move. Swing kids, the crowd are good as they were well trained by renown Lindy Hop teacher and choreographer Ryan Francois but the male leads don't have a frame and couldn't free style. Swingers he has just learned the moves for the film and doesn't have a frame leaving the woman to spin on her own. Whities Lindy Hoppers originated the moves. Mostly from Frankie Manning. He and Pepsi Bethel choreographed the Lindy Hop scene in Malcolm X.
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sandra
The first movie I ever remember seeing, I remember from the amazing jitterbug & Lindy Hop choreographies. I was 3 in 1942 & I can still recall the dance sequences. It might have been Hellzapoppin. I remember there were black and white dancers and musicians. It was a WW2 movie in black and white. I loved it. I am blessed with parents who could't afford a babysitter,
and went to the movies at last once a week, taking their baby, toddler, little kid with them. I became a singer and I credit it to Judy garland and the Andrew Sisters. I'm 83, still love to dance & sing.
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The first movie I ever remember seeing, I remember from the amazing jitterbug & Lindy Hop choreographies. I was 3 in 1942 & I can still recall the dance sequences. It might have been Hellzapoppin. I remember there were black and white dancers and musicians. It was a WW2 movie in black and white. I loved it. I am blessed with parents who could't afford a babysitter,
and went to the movies at last once a week, taking their baby, toddler, little kid with them. I became a singer and I credit it to Judy garland and the Andrew Sisters. I'm 83, still love to dance & sing.
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Judy
A wonderful compilation. I kept hoping to see Let Yourself Go from the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers film Follow the Fleet. I can see why it is not included--it is their attempt to capture that swing energy in a tap number, rather than portraying an actual dance hall. But the number does include shots of two other couples challenging the main pair with their steps, and according to Arlene Croce in her book Fred and Ginger they were top-notch amateurs. There is also the homage to the Lindy in the number Shorty George by Fred and Rita Hayworth in You Were Never Lovelier.
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A wonderful compilation. I kept hoping to see Let Yourself Go from the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers film Follow the Fleet. I can see why it is not included--it is their attempt to capture that swing energy in a tap number, rather than portraying an actual dance hall. But the number does include shots of two other couples challenging the main pair with their steps, and according to Arlene Croce in her book Fred and Ginger they were top-notch amateurs. There is also the homage to the Lindy in the number Shorty George by Fred and Rita Hayworth in You Were Never Lovelier.
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Mia
I'm so glad that Jean's routine made the list. She still had it up until her passing earlier this year. She reprised the girl and two boys routine [slightly modified] when she was 93 with the assistance of Steve Conrad (of Phoenix's LIndy Underground) and Joel Plys. Is wish you'd also included that when touching on the routine.
I was one of the lucky few who was able to attend a workshop a while back where we learned from her and Rusty Frank (her co-teacher. They even taught us the iconic tuck-turn to full-stop variation that was a signature of hers.
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I'm so glad that Jean's routine made the list. She still had it up until her passing earlier this year. She reprised the girl and two boys routine [slightly modified] when she was 93 with the assistance of Steve Conrad (of Phoenix's LIndy Underground) and Joel Plys. Is wish you'd also included that when touching on the routine.
I was one of the lucky few who was able to attend a workshop a while back where we learned from her and Rusty Frank (her co-teacher. They even taught us the iconic tuck-turn to full-stop variation that was a signature of hers.
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Trig
Absolutely, you missed the dance scene from the movie 1941 [1979] where a zoot-suiter impersonates a navy SP to get into a Jitter bug dance off which can only be attended by military personnel. Classic swing moves combined with humour and the main protagonist fending off the main rival for his girl's affections all the while dancing to an increasing tempo surely would have to rate in the top 2 of your list. and you missed it!
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Absolutely, you missed the dance scene from the movie 1941 [1979] where a zoot-suiter impersonates a navy SP to get into a Jitter bug dance off which can only be attended by military personnel. Classic swing moves combined with humour and the main protagonist fending off the main rival for his girl's affections all the while dancing to an increasing tempo surely would have to rate in the top 2 of your list. and you missed it!
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The
Totally agree with your #1 choice. I thought you made a mistake, thay are credited as The Congaroos, but that was just one of their many names.
I have never seen most of these films, always nice to learn a little movie history from MsMojo. Thanks.
Maybe in the mentions add Ginger Rogers from Bachelor Mother? Not a bad dance.
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Totally agree with your #1 choice. I thought you made a mistake, thay are credited as The Congaroos, but that was just one of their many names.
I have never seen most of these films, always nice to learn a little movie history from MsMojo. Thanks.
Maybe in the mentions add Ginger Rogers from Bachelor Mother? Not a bad dance.
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Peg202
I'm one of the weirdos who loves Spielberg's movie 1941 for it's totally off the wall over the top performances and set pieces, and one of my favorite moments is the dance at the USO club. A crazy ass swing dance ending in a brawl between Army and Navy that literally brings the house down!
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I'm one of the weirdos who loves Spielberg's movie 1941 for it's totally off the wall over the top performances and set pieces, and one of my favorite moments is the dance at the USO club. A crazy ass swing dance ending in a brawl between Army and Navy that literally brings the house down!
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TrashWerewolf
The fact that the final dance competition in the movie 1941 was left out, is criminal! Huge production piece that weaves in a love triangle plot as the dance competition is taking place! It's funny, has great, acrobatic dancing and athletic skill! Definitely a fun dance number!
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The fact that the final dance competition in the movie 1941 was left out, is criminal! Huge production piece that weaves in a love triangle plot as the dance competition is taking place! It's funny, has great, acrobatic dancing and athletic skill! Definitely a fun dance number!
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Cathy
I feel number 2 should have been number 1, although they were close. I think I heard somewhere that Jazz / Swing were considered an act of rebellion or subversion by the Nazis. Almost like the Resistance. That figures. They were against anyone having fun!
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I feel number 2 should have been number 1, although they were close. I think I heard somewhere that Jazz / Swing were considered an act of rebellion or subversion by the Nazis. Almost like the Resistance. That figures. They were against anyone having fun!
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Fred
Whitey's Lindy Hoppers are impressive. In fact, it was entirely because their routine in A Day At The Races blew my mind that I decided to buy this movie as a Christmas present for a friend of mine.
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Whitey's Lindy Hoppers are impressive. In fact, it was entirely because their routine in A Day At The Races blew my mind that I decided to buy this movie as a Christmas present for a friend of mine.
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jason60chev
The Buck Privates sequence was performed by Dean Collins and Jewel McGowen. She was one of the foremost Lindy Hop dancers, ever, but she passed at a very young age, in her 40s.
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The Buck Privates sequence was performed by Dean Collins and Jewel McGowen. She was one of the foremost Lindy Hop dancers, ever, but she passed at a very young age, in her 40s.
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Jon
Frankie Manning lead the Lindy Hoppers. I used to swing dance a lot in the 80's and 90's. Some of my friends went to workshops where Frankie still taught, in his 80's! Or 90's?
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Frankie Manning lead the Lindy Hoppers. I used to swing dance a lot in the 80's and 90's. Some of my friends went to workshops where Frankie still taught, in his 80's! Or 90's?
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Eddie
Believe it or not Jerry Lewis had one of the greatest Swing/Jitterbug dance routines with Sheree North in Living it Up. If you havent seen it, look it up. Hes incredible!
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Believe it or not Jerry Lewis had one of the greatest Swing/Jitterbug dance routines with Sheree North in Living it Up. If you havent seen it, look it up. Hes incredible!
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Richard
Swing dancing preceded the rock, 'n'roll dancing in the 50s. Both seriously cool, and requiring considerable athleticism and dexterity from its proponents.
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Swing dancing preceded the rock, 'n'roll dancing in the 50s. Both seriously cool, and requiring considerable athleticism and dexterity from its proponents.
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Simon
Wow. That was a great collection, i'm glad you showed Whitey's at the end, that really is acrobatics. Also what a fabulous soundtrack, really infectious.
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Wow. That was a great collection, i'm glad you showed Whitey's at the end, that really is acrobatics. Also what a fabulous soundtrack, really infectious.
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manuel
Forgot 1941 -crazy year in Hollywood - one of the most underated movies of Steven Spielberg. There is a scene of a dance contest that is incedible.
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Forgot 1941 -crazy year in Hollywood - one of the most underated movies of Steven Spielberg. There is a scene of a dance contest that is incedible.
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Andrew
I am happy to hear the swing dance scene from Buck Privates got an honorable mention as that is one of both my grandfather's favorite movies.
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I am happy to hear the swing dance scene from Buck Privates got an honorable mention as that is one of both my grandfather's favorite movies.
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Shelby
Spike Lees Malcolm X has an incredible Lindy Hop performance featuring members of Whiteys Lindy Hoppers and was choreographed by one of them.
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Spike Lees Malcolm X has an incredible Lindy Hop performance featuring members of Whiteys Lindy Hoppers and was choreographed by one of them.
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Aaron
Swing Kids was one of my favorite movies as a teenager. Looking back at it, you can Christian Bale develop his Bruce Wayne persona.
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Swing Kids was one of my favorite movies as a teenager. Looking back at it, you can Christian Bale develop his Bruce Wayne persona.
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Andres
I think you may have missed the greatest swing dance scene ever. The Red Blues scene from Silk Stockings featuring Cyd Charisse.
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I think you may have missed the greatest swing dance scene ever. The Red Blues scene from Silk Stockings featuring Cyd Charisse.
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Seve
Hi! As a student of Frankie Manning, I'm really pleased to see you acknowledge the Snowden/Whitey Dancers! Great selections here!
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Hi! As a student of Frankie Manning, I'm really pleased to see you acknowledge the Snowden/Whitey Dancers! Great selections here!
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Tessa
Seriously? People still swing dance, and I've seen a lot of these moves during the past 20 years. Plus these are all old movies.
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Seriously? People still swing dance, and I've seen a lot of these moves during the past 20 years. Plus these are all old movies.
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Nancy
I would add the jukebox scene in Asphalt Jungle - she is so wonderful in her solo dance and it is very much a part of the plot.
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I would add the jukebox scene in Asphalt Jungle - she is so wonderful in her solo dance and it is very much a part of the plot.
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Marina
I was so anxious about your choice for the first place, and I couldn't help shouting Yess! out loud. What else could be there!
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I was so anxious about your choice for the first place, and I couldn't help shouting Yess! out loud. What else could be there!
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Joanna
A few days late but the 1944 version of the Canterville Ghost with Margaret O Brien has an excellent amazing dance scene!
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A few days late but the 1944 version of the Canterville Ghost with Margaret O Brien has an excellent amazing dance scene!
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Jacqueline
Although not a movie, the swing dance scene in Laverne and Shirley between Laverne and Richie, is cute and funny.
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Although not a movie, the swing dance scene in Laverne and Shirley between Laverne and Richie, is cute and funny.
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Kimberly
I was so happy to see that you chose Hellzapoppin as number one. It is by far my favorite dance scene of all time!
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I was so happy to see that you chose Hellzapoppin as number one. It is by far my favorite dance scene of all time!
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Tom
The toe, heel crosses became the precursor to the Twist, which democratized open dance form for the less adept dancers.
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The toe, heel crosses became the precursor to the Twist, which democratized open dance form for the less adept dancers.
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