swing at the movies

Whether you are a movie fanatic like me, or just completely addicted to anything swing related, here are my top picks of period movies to transport you back to the era. Sit back and enjoy the mood, the costumes, the music, and (in some of them) some amazing dance scenes (which we have provided YouTube links for when we have been able to find them)

must see movies...

Hellzapoppin' 1941, Musical comedy, B&W

Notable only for the dance scenes, this movie showcases Whitey's Lindy Hoppers dancing the most famous and most spectacular Lindy Hop scene ever preserved on film. Choreographed by Frankie Manning, the hellzapoppin' sequence starts when musicians Slim Galliard and Slam Stewart, in workmen's garb, discover some musical instruments. They play a few tentative notes, and a spontaneous, swinging jam starts cooking. The music builds in excitement until four Lindy Hopping couples, dressed in overalls and uniforms, swing out into the cameras at a frenetic tempo. 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.

• Watch the Birdie - short scene with Dean Collins and Martha Raye
• Hellzapoppin' sequence - Dancers are William Downes (overalls) and Frances "Mickey" Jones (maid), Norma Miller and Billy Ricker (chef's hat), Al Minns (white coat) and Willa Mae Ricker, Ann Johnson (maid) and Frankie Manning (overalls). 

As a side note, the famous routine in Hellzapoppin' was originally danced and choreographed to a different song, but Universal Studios had a composer write new music. Here is a reconstruction with the original tune, Jumpin' at the Woodside

Swing Kids 1993, Drama

This feature film is based on the true story of the role that jazz music and dancing played in Nazi Germany.

As the Nazis begin tightening their grip on a pre-World War II Germany, the youth of the nation were pressed into joining a pro-Nazi Youth League called the Hitler Youth. Rebel teenagers, however, chose to defy Nazi directives and grew their hair long and listened to American music while calling themselves the "Swing Kids." The German teenagers' unabashed admiration for the likes of black Louis Armstrong, jewish Benny Goodman, and gypsy Django Rinehart was in direct defiance of the Nazis and their drive for "pure" Aryan dominance.

Peter Muller (Robert Sean Leonard) and Thomas Berger (Christian Bale) are two such young men whose rebellion against the conformity of Nazi Germany took the form of a love of American swing music, British fashion, and Harlem slang. But when an innocent prank forces Peter into the Hitler Youth, their friendship and their loyalties are put to the test against the seductive power of Nazism.

The Lindy Hop scenes in this film were choreographed by Otis Sallid and Ryan Francois. Sallid met Francois while working on the film Malcolm X. Both of these films have had an important influence on the revival of swing music and dancing among young people. The film is considered as being part of the Lindy Hop revival of the 1980s and 1990s, and is a "must see" for a swing dance enthusiast.

• Life Goes to a Party
• Shout & Feel It
• Sing Sing Sing
• Bei Mir Bist du Shon
  

Malcolm X 1992, Drama

In this film of the life of  the great African American activist Malcolm X, his early fascination with Lindy Hop is portrayed through exciting dance scenes (and some awesome zoot suits!).

The dancing was choreographed by Otis Sallid, with the legendary Frankie Manning acting as dance consultant to provide the authentic Lindy Hop styling, steps and movement.

Dancers include actors Denzel Washington and Spike Lee (director), the talented young Ryan Francois, and some of the all time Lindy Hop legends: Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Dawn Hampton, and Chazz Young.

transport yourself back in time...

Mrs Henderson Presents 2005, Drama, Comedy, Crime

Recently widowed well-to-do Laura Henderson (Judy Dench) buys a derelict London theatre and persuades impresario Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) to run it. Despite the fact the two don't get on at all they work together to bring to life a performance hall which goes down in history for, among other things, its all-nude revues.

The Majestic 2001, Drama

Set during the McCarthyism of the 1950s, Peter Appleton (Jim Carey), an ambitious but blacklisted Hollywood screen writer crashes his car, loses his memory and ends up in a small town where he is mistaken for a long-lost son. His "return" breathes new life into the town as Peter helps his "father" rebuild his old movie palace (The Majestic), and in the process finds new courage, love and conviction in his new life.

Pearl Harbour 2001, Action, War, Romance

The classic story of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour is told through the eyes of two boyhood friends Rafe (Ben Affleck) and Danny (Josh Hartnett), now serving as officers in the Army Air Corps.

After hooking up with Navy nurse Evelyn (Kate Beckinsdale), the young pilot Rafe is selected to fly with the British in Europe. When Rafe is shot down and presumed killed, Danny comforts Evelyn and the two draw closer. But when Rafe turns up alive, the two former friends become enemies, and it is through the turmoil of Pearl Harbour that the two reconcile their differences.

Charlotte Gray 2001, Drama, War, Romance

Set in Nazi–occupied France at the height of World War II, Charlotte Gray tells the compelling story of a young Scottish woman (Cate Blanchett) working with the French Resistance (Billy Crudup, Michael Gambon) in the hope of rescuing her Royal Air Force boyfriend (Rupert Penry-Jones) who is lost in France.

In Love and War 1996, Drama, War, Romance

Based on 18-yr-old Ernest Hemmingway's (Chris O'Donnell) real experiences as a young ambulance driver in Italy during World War I, this film chronicles his brief but intense love affair with nurse Agnes von Kurowsky (Sandra Bullock) who nursed him back to health in hospital after a devastating injury.

Directed by Richard Attenborough, this story is based on Agnes's recently discovered diaries. It is a moving drama about an extraordinary relationship that later inspired Hemmingway to write his classic 1929 love story, A Farewell To Arms.

Queen of Sheba's Pearls 2004, Drama

Set in the heady post-war England of the 50s, Queen of Sheba's pearls tells the story of young Jack following the inexplicable death of his beloved mother Emily on his 8th birthday. On the same day in 1952, Jack reaches his 16th year, and as he celebrates his birthday surrounded by his extended family, a stranger appears at the door whose appearance bears a startling resemblance to his dead mother and whose presence both baffles and unsettles the family.

Swing Shift 1984, Drama, Romance

In 1941 America Kay (Goldie Hawn) and her husband (Ed Harris) are happy enough until he enlists after Pearl Harbour. Against his wishes, Kay takes a job at the local aircraft plant where she meets Hazel, the singer from across the way to whom she hadn't previously been all that nice. The two soon become firm friends and with the other girls become increasingly expert workers able to ride the jibes of the male workforce. As the war drags on Kay finally goes on a date with her trumpet playing foreman (Kurt Russell) and the rest, as they say, is history.

This movie has authentic sets and costumes, awesome swing music, and some swing dancing - including this scene with Belinda Carlisle singing.

A League of Their Own 1992, Drama

Two sisters join the first female professional baseball league and struggle to help it succeed amidst their own growing rivalry. Starring Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, and Madonna who features in this swing dancing scene.

1941 1979, Comedy

Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring starred John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, this film is a comedy about a panic in the Los Angeles area that occurs after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Although it was not as financially or critically successful as Spielberg's films, it does have some swing dancing (try and ignore the horrendous dubbing in this clip).

for the swing clips...

Swing UK 1998, Comedy, Musical

Five down-on-their-luck working-class men in Liverpool fulfill their dreams and aspirations by starting a swing band. The band is organized by an ex-con who hires his former girlfriend (Lisa Stansfield) as the lead singer, and soon the band is on its way to becoming an overnight sensation.

The final scene features choreography by swing teacher Simon Selmon and extras drawn from regulars at London's 100 Club. Lisa Stansfield elevates the soundtrack with her gutsy singing of some now classic numbers that include Blitzkrieg Baby, Watch the Birdie and these other greats.......

• T'Aint What You Do
• Baby I Need Your Lovin
• Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens
• Mack the Knife

Swing US 2003, Drama

Anthony (Innis Casey) is a young man caught between his dream of being a full-time musican and pleasing his father (Tom Skerritt) and fiance. Encouraged by his great uncle, Anthony finds inspiration from a mysterious older woman (Jacqueline Bisset) in an out-of-this-world night club, who teaches him to follow his heart and find happiness through swing dancing.

This has some exciting swing dance sequences, and an eclectic mix of musical talents including retro swing band Jellyroll, and singer / actress Nell Carter in her final role.

• Movie Trailer from www.swingthemovie.com

Swingers 1996, Comedy

SWINGERS follows insecure and lovesick Mike (Jon Favreau) and smooth-talking Trent (Vince Vaughn), two retro-hip showbiz wanna-bes, as they make the scene at various clubs in Hollywood and Vegas with their cool threads and hepcat lingo. During their martini-fueled odyssey, the duo and their buddies struggle with life, relationships, and, of course, sex.

The fantastic soundtrack featuring Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and final scene where the protagonist finds his true love on an LA swing-club dancefloor did much to boost swing music and make the big-band sound are suddenly moderately hip again.

The Mask 1994, Action, Comedy

Mild-mannered bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carey) discovers a mysterious ancient mask that brings his inner most desires to life! When Stanley puts on the mask, he transforms into an uncontrolled zoot-suited green-skinned manic superhero who conquers the dance floor and wins the heart of beautiful Tina Carlyle while ridding the city of its gangster problem.

Jungle Book 1967, Animated

The Walt Disney classic story of Mowgli the jungle boy that remains one of their most popular, and contains two great swing songs!

• I Wanna be like You - written by Louis Prima who also voiced the orangutan King Louie. Also check out this rare footage of Louis Prima and the story behind the song

• Bare Necessities - nominated for a Best Song Academy Award, and later done by some of the greats. Here's a Louis Armstrong version from 1968.

Mullholland Drive 2001, Psychological Thriller

A David Lynch classic in which two beautiful women (one played by Naomi Watts) are caught up in a lethally twisted mystery and ensnared in an equally dangerous web of erotic passion. For the swing dancing, look no further than the opening credits.

Gap Commercial 1998

This commercial for Gap Khakis helped propel swing music back into the mainstream and publicized the swing revival of the late 90's

from the archives

Just a few of the many classic swing clips and great dancers from the day.......

• Day At The Races 1937 - Whiteys Lindy Hoppers. Dancers - Dorothy Miller (Norma Miller's sister) and Johnny, Norma Miller and Leon James, Ella Gibson and George Grenidge, Snooky Beasley and Willa Mae Ricker

• Keep Punching 1939 - Whiteys Lindy Hoppers perform the Big Apple which was choreographed by Frankie Manning, and Jitterbug Contest scene (later released as the short Jittering Jitterbugs in 1943). Dancers - Thomas "Tops" Lee and Wilda Crawford, William Downes and Francis "Mickey" Jones, Joyce Daniels and Al Daniels, Norma Miller and George Grenidge, Frankie Manning and Lucille Middleton

• Hot Chocolate 1941 - Duke Ellington with Whitey's Lindy Hoppers in this 'soundie'. In order of appearance - William Downes and Frances "Mickey" Jones, Norma Miller and Billy Ricker, Al Minns and Willa Mae Ricker, Ann Johnson and Frankie Manning.

• Boy! What a Girl! 1947 - The International Jitterbugs (formerly Whitey's Lindy Hoppers).

• Juke Box Joe's - Swing Dancing from the short Juke Box Joe's. Wingy Mannone's Mardi Gras Band with Carol Adams. Dancers include Lenny and Freda, Gil and Nikki Brady.

• Let's Make Music 1940 - Bob Crosby plays while Dean Collins & Bertha Lee demonstrate some Lindyhop.

• Swing Shift Swing 1942 - swing-shift factory workers dance some energetic lindy hop in this 'soundie'. (SOUNDIES were short musical filmclips that were played in jukeboxes in the thirties and forties.The device that played them used a mirror. The films were made in reverse and then their mirror images were projected to the viewers.)

• Swing Fever 1944 - Kay Kyser and his Orchestra with Marilyn Maxwell performing One Girl and Two Boys. Dancers are Jeanne Phelps Veloz, Don Gallagher, Lenny Smith.

• Ghost Catchers 1944 - Kirby Grant and his Orchestra with Ella Mae Morse and the Mel-Tones. Dancers - Johnny Archer, Venna Archer, Bob Ashley, Dean Collins, Gil Fernandez, Lenny Smith, Betty Stoy, Irene Thomas, Mike Tremini.

• Twice Blessed 1945 - Some square cats try their best in a swing dance contest. Dancers cutting a major rug - Hal Takier & Alice Scott, Lenny & Kay Smith, Wally & Mousie Albright, Freda Angela Wyckoff, Bob Ashley, Chuck Saggau.

• Untamed Youth 1957 - Dancers - Gil & Nikki Brady, Lenny Smith & Freda Angela Wyckoff.

• Groovie Movie 1944 Funny jitterbug instructional video