Arthur Murray: How to Become a Good Dancer

September 28, 2011

Here are some scans from Arthur Murray’s book “How to Become a Good Dancer”. Originally published in 1938, Arthur Murray’s book illustrates the popular ballroom dance steps using the footprint diagrams he developed for his mail order dance instruction booklets in the 20’s.

My edition is from 1942, and the 200+ page book covers general dance technique, Fox Trot, Waltz, Tango, Rumba, La Conga, Samba, and finally, on four piddly little pages at the end, has the Jitterbug and Lindy Hop.

Interestingly, the steps as illustrated are not what you’d learn today in a jitterbug/swing dance class. There are some similarities, but the names of the dances/moves and even where to place beat 1 are different! This is a good reminder that we often view the past through our own experiences, or oversimplify it by thinking that one person’s experiences represents everyone. But this way of thinking about “how things used to be” isn’t usually accurate. If you danced at the Savoy Ballroom you would have one idea of Lindy Hop, but if you took a class from Arthur Murray you’d have a completely different understanding of the dance – both things you could have done in New York in 1938. Is one right and the other one wrong?

All swing dances used to be called the Jitterbug –

today we distinguish and separate the various forms much more.

Here, Shag is called a variation on the Jitterbug.

The photograph referenced in the above instructions.

This version of the Lindy Hop starts on the triple step (our modern beat 3) and

removes the rotation of the partners.

This version replaces the triple steps with a tap-step, but it’s still an 8-count basic.

“Sugars” are what we call swivels today.

CH 2011 – “A Day at the Races” Outfit

July 27, 2011

I only made one new outfit for Camp Hollywood this year, for Friday night. The theme was A Day at the Races but it was also the night of the Balboa contest finals, so I didn’t want to be too “theme-y”. I decided to wear some 30’s daywear but was still undecided as to exactly WHAT – until Kate posted some Summer Inspiration from 1938. The Sunback Dress (4th picture down, #7754) caught my eye and I knew that was the way to go.

I have a similar sundress pattern that I’ve made several times, so I grabbed that and headed to Jo-Ann’s – and actually found some cream rayon herringbone there! Miracles do happen. The striped fabric was hiding in the upholstery section, but it softened up after washing.

Sundress
Hollywood Pattern #1788 – c. 1939

Bolero
Simplicity #2762 – c. 1938

And here’s an action shot – the belt kept spinning around all night – I think I need a well-placed snap.
Doesn’t rayon just move the best though? 🙂

Photo by Alex Vasallo

And last but not least, here’s a video of the Balboa contest finals. Can’t leave that out, I guess!

Camp Hollywood 2011 – Balboa Finals

Video by Sandra Carranza

LOOK Ma – More Dancing!

July 21, 2011

Here’s the final installment from the Swing Issue of LOOK Magazine – September 27, 1938.

I wonder what happened with the photo contest – heck, I’d enter for $50 in today’s money!

[In the previous post] are the four basic movements in the LOOK Hop, a new swing dance created by vivacious Rita Rio, whose popular all-girl swing band has made a hit in movies, on the radio and in ballrooms.

Rita says much of the fun in dancing the LOOK Hop lies in working out additional steps after mastering the “L,” double O” and the “K”. [Below] she and her partner, Bill Furrow, demonstrate other steps.

LOOK will pay $50 to the amateur submitting the best set of pictures showing a couple doing the LOOK Hop.

“Gettin’ in the mood,” Rita calls this. So far, so good; it’s easy.

“The cuddle and coo” is an easy one, too, but from here on the steps get more complicated.

Allee-oop, and hang on tight; if the boy friend is husky, this is all right.

This looks as if it takes practice, but it also looks like lot of fun.

The secret of success in this “step” is for the girl to hold on.

In the spirit of the dance, now both partners take a look. You may go on from here.

How to Do the LOOK Hop

July 19, 2011

Rita Rio is back! This time she teaches you to dance the LOOK Hop.

I dare you to try this at the next dance you go to!

Band Leader Rita Rio Introduces the LOOK Hop – Try It

From Look Magazine, September 27, 1938

They Face, one arm overhead, one arm out, forming “L”. For 8 counts continue basic step: Jump with toes in, knees together, slightly bent; jump on toes, feet apart, knees straight.

Continuing basic step, girl turns back to partner as feet are apart, and both form an “O” with arms, the man’s to the right, the girl’s to the left.

As Toes are turned in on basic step, man drops arm in circle over partner’s head. Girl’s arms form “O” in front. Continue, reversing arms from side to side 8 times.

Girl Continues with back to boy, both standing on right foot, left leg extended to side, knee straight, right arm over head, left arm extended diagonally from shoulder to form “K”. Hop on right foot in circle for 8 counts.

Picture Definitions of Swing Terms Pt. 3

July 16, 2011

From Look Magazine, September 27, 1938

Irene Daye makes a lovely canary (girl vocalist) for Gene Krupa. Even tin ears (persons who dislike swing) like Irene, and of course rug cutters (swing dancers) do.

Speaking of swing, here’s Jack Benny as a squeaker (violinist), Dick Powell at the plumbing (trumpet), Bing Crosby drumming, Tommy Dorsey, chief ridesman (ace musician) behind Bing, and Shirley Ross at the 88 (piano). Peeking over Bing’s hat is Ken Murray. These spooks (white musicians) put out real gut-bucket (lowdown music) without groanbox (accordian) or grunt horn (tuba).

Hot Man (a musician who can swing it) Bunny Berigan can send (arouse the alligators) on an iron horn (trumpet), even if he closes his eyes when he hits a lick (a hot phrase in rhythm).

When you think of Eddie Duchin, you think of a moth box (piano), but Eddie here shows he’s at home on a woodpile (xylophone) too. He’s also an ace monkey hurdler (organist).

When you place a cat (swing musician) beside a doghouse (bass fiddle), anything might happen, even barrel-house (where every man swings for himself). However, Jimmy Dorsey’s ace drummer, Ray McKinley, sticks to his voodoo boilers (drums).

Picture Definitions of Swing Terms Pt. 2

July 15, 2011

From Look Magazine, September 27, 1938

Sliver-Sucker (clarinetist) Benny Goodman, and Skin-Beater (drummer) Gene Krupa get in the groove (hit their stride) at a jam session (musicians playing for their own amusement) after working hours.

Big Apple dancers will swing it anywhere, even if the music is nothing more than corn-on-the-cob (a harmonica) and a belly fiddle (guitar).

This is the Little Apple, a miniature version of the dance [above], and you don’t even have to leave home to do it if you have a platter (a record) made by hepcats (swing musicians).