Product Details

• Actors: Irene and Vernon Castle, Leon James, Al Minns, Whitney's Lindy Hop
• Directors: Carol Teten
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Dancetime Publications
• DVD Release Date: October 21, 2003
• Run Time: 75 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000U0GPO
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,753 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review

America Dances - 1897 through 1948...it's a collector's edition of social dance on film...over 50 historical dance film clips from the first part of the 20th century...we get a record of our changing dance trends... --KCBS Radio, San Francisco, CA

Product Description

The America Dances DVD presents original film clips of Americans dancing iconic, vintage dances. Dancetime Publications has culled fascinating, incredible footage from multiple archives and libraries to create this astounding collection. A collectible treasure, America Dances! is a fascinating, original-source record of pivotal dance moments reflecting changing dance trends, expertise, and taste. A dance chronicle of our culture, this retrospective spans the panorama from average Americans dancing in newsreels to top quality performers who left a legacy of their moves across the ballroom floor. These film archives show rare footage of the African American and Latin dance heritage. More than 60 film clips from silent films, newsreels, instructional films, and feature films comprise this 75 minute video.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Throwing pearls before geeks, December 9, 2004

By 

A techno geek (Hawai`i, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AMERICA DANCES! 1897-1948: A Collectors Edition of Social Dance in Film (DVD)

This DVD presents and incomparable collection of historic dance clips. But whoever is behind Dancetime Publications hasn't got a clue about handling historical material. They ripped out the original soundtracks and replaced them with a ragtime piano track that has nothing to do with either the rhythm of the dancers or the music of the periods. Get this DVD --- because I know of no other source to see these dance clips --- but be prepared to turn the sound off, and wonder how anyone could have blown it this bad in their concept of historical preservation.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars great collection of short clips, turn off the volume, January 30, 2009

By 

underwater kiss (ny) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: AMERICA DANCES! 1897-1948: A Collectors Edition of Social Dance in Film (DVD)

If you have never seen any vintage clips, this is a great collection. classic moves, and clear depiction of styles. But the soundtrack!
The solo piano presents such an utterly superficial (bordering on ignorant) impression of what the actual soundtracks might have been (swing, latin, etc.), that is better to just turn off the volume, it is that annoying. Obviously a big job for a pianist, but in this case, way too big a job for the talent available. If you are going to overdub a soundtrack, and charge your retail price, show some knowledge of the period musical styles!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable exposé, August 10, 2005

By 

Ersa (Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AMERICA DANCES! 1897-1948: A Collectors Edition of Social Dance in Film (DVD)

There are a lot of interesting authentic clips on this DVD. I consider this to be a must have for anyone who is lost in early 20th century social dancing. I have not seen most of these before. But the off beat piano track is a shame.