Archives Motion Pictures with Lindy Hop

SAVOYSTYLESHOP
Vintage Videos
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BIOGRAPHIES
First Generation:
Shorty George
Leroy Stretch Jones
Twistmouth George

The Golden Age:
Whitey's Lindy Hprs.
Sandra Gibson
George Grenidge
Leon James
Ann Johnson
Dorothy  Johnson
Norma Miller
Al Minns
Frankie Manning
Billy Ricker
Willa Mae Ricker
Russell Williams

History
African Roots
Reading


MOVIES
 After Seben
The Big Apple
Call Of The Jitterbug
Can't Top the LHop
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
Queen of Swing
Radio City Revels
Stompin' attheSavoy 
Swing Kids
Swingin'at the Savoy
Symphony in Black

History
African Roots
Reading


Hellzapoppin' 

1941
Directed by H. C. Potter
 





   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 http://www.savoystyle.com/instruction.htmlmusicians 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. 

There is also a short scene with Dean Collins and Martha Raye dancing Lindy Hop to the tune Watch The Birdie

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. Seen here is a reconstruction of the routine with the original music: Thanks to Dmitry Smolin.

Frankie
              Manning in Hellzapoppin


Harlem Congaroo Dancers
 ( aka Whitey's Lindy Hoppers) 
Lindy Hop 
  • William Downes (uniform) 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). 

  • A DVD of the full film Hellzapoppin' is available at SavoyStyle Swing Dance Shop.

    Written and researched by Judy Pritchett with Frankie Manning. May be reproduced only with explicit written permission.
    Last updated: 15 August 2011. Send your suggestions, corrections or comments to judyp@savoystyle.com