BIOGRAPHIES
First Generation
Shorty George 
Leroy Stretch Jones
Twistmouth George

The Golden Age
Whitey's Lindy Hprs
Tiny Bunch
Sandra Gibson
George Grenidge
Leon James
Ann Johnson
Dorothy  Johnson
Norma Miller
Al Minns
Frankie Manning
Mildred Pollard
Ruthie Rheingold
Billy Ricker
Willa Mae Ricker
Harry Rosenberg
Russell Williams 

MOVIES
 After Seben
The Big Apple
Call Of The Jitterbug
Can't Top theLindyHop
Cootie Williams
Cottontail
Day At The Races 
Chicago &
All That Jazz 
Frankie Manning
 Instructional Videos 
Hellzapoppin'
Hot Chocolates 
Jammin'the Blues 
Jittering Jitterbugs
Killer Diller 
Malcolm X 
Manhattan 
Merry-Go-Round
The Policy Man
Radio City Revels 
The Spirit Moves 
Stompin' at the Savo
Swing Kids 
Swingin'at the Savoy 
Symphony in Black

After Seben                                   
                                                                                                   

Short. 
1929 
Paramount Famous Lasky Corp.
Director: S. J. Kaufman
Story: James Barton 

Cast

James Barton -
     Emcee and Solo Dancer (in blackface)
"Shorty George"  Snowden -
     Third Male Dancer (Called "Shorty Stump" in the film) 

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. 



Written and researched by Judy Pritchett with Frankie Manning (C)1995,1996,1997. May be reproduced only with explicit written permission. Last updated:17 May 2010. Send your suggestions, corrections or comments to judyp@mcn.org