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
• Rating: 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.com Sales Rank: #101,674 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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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

More than 60 Original Film Clips including Silent Films, Newsreels, Instructional Films, Feature Films This exciting new video/DVD offers an opportunity to see rare historical clips of 'dance in film' which have been lost to the public for years...until now! Highlights in the collection are: elegant performances from the silent film era by Irene and Vernon Castle who are the role models for modern ballroom dance, Black Bottom clips demonstrating colloquial roots, newsreels showing Charleston contests, excruciating couple dancing in the interminable dance marathons, and a variety of the finest clips available for the show stopping Lindy Hop, celebrated by the renowned Whitey s Lindy Hoppers! A nostalgic history lesson, America Dances! provides a fascinating record of some of the pivotal dance moments of our history, reflecting changing dance trends, expertise, and taste. A dance chronicle of our culture through the years, this retrospective spans the panorama from average Americans dancing in newsreels to top quality performers who have left a legacy of graceful dance moves across the ballroom floor. America Dances! offers the original movements and images of the people who actually created them. This is a collectible treasure, an original resource for both aficionados and scholars, to be preserved for future generations and ideal for viewing again and again.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	A techno geek (Kihei, Maui, HI USA) - See all my reviews

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Ersa (Sweden) - See all my reviews

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.

2 of 2 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	dance dude (ny) - See all my reviews

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!