I had the good fortune to take lessons with Frankie Manning, one of the men in this video (in the overalls at 1:33). He told me stories about dancing every night at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. They had no AC so every hour he would leave to go home to get a new shirt. And yes, he said people did get hurt doing these routines. (I also was on a Lindy Hop team--one of our dances had 64 moves similar to these, one after another, non-stop!)
Every once in a while as a lindy hopper I revisit this video and am in AWE. I met Frankie Manning in Oakland in the early 2000s and he was still dancing.
I saw Hellz in a movie theater film festival many years ago . We shouted and applauded after this number and insisted it be replayed again immediately. The projectionist obliged. Nothing equal.
Happy Birthday, Frankie Manning...thanks for this video....Frankie is the one in the overall dancing it this video he choreographed for this movie....amazing dancer and dancing....they all were fabulous.....see you on the dance floor...urban ballroomer4life
this is a caliber that no longer exists ( yes people can dance, but as a group,this coordinated, and at THIS speed?). what a single amazing performance.
The Riverside Big Band that I played Bass Trombone in played for a Lindy Hop gig with Mr. Manning in the Detroit area about 15 years ago. He could still dance really well in his 80's. Very cool!
BRAVOOOOOOO to you my dear fellow for the projection of Frankie Manning!!! I saw it today, thanks to the Honor of Google-Doodle! I Hope someday I'll dance like Frankie.... like Crazy!!!!
Where did the talent go? It's eating fast food, and playing on it's phone, looking at what it's friends ate for breakfast on Facebook:( America was amazing.
Happy birthday Frankie. Those dancing skills are really amazing. You may just be like Michael Jackson with unique skills. I don't think anyone else nowadays can do that.
The Google home page logo took me here and I love the dance moves and there I was thinking that kind of dancing came out with the rock and roll dances in the late 50's, just goes to show you learn something new every day!
Yup, the things Stuff You Missed In History Class brings you to check out. That was way crazier than I was imagining something called the "Lindy Hop" to be.
WHEW!! I'm tired and worn out just after that viewing. Now "this" should be an Olympic event! It's always beyond all reason and amazing whom those with artistic goals and physical abilities are capable of achieving. Thanks for showing the rest us how it's supposed to be done. Everyone be careful out there...
One of the women lost her hat pretty early on and she caught it. But then she realized she wasn't going to be able to put it back on, jauntily flipped it to the side, and kept on dancing. Now that's some fast thinking on your feet!
Oh, they do. Maybe not exactly like this - there is no second Frankie Manning, but Frankie left a worldwide swing dancing community behind. Just search for "swing dancing " or go to herrang.com and you will find it.
speechless, I need a minute to catch my breathe and I was only viewing the video. Was that on fast forward? I am glad google posted Frankie Manning I learned a new dance I will not ever be able to do!
Did you SEE that killer move where she just rips off that annoying as fuck ribbon and the just smoothly moves into the next move? THAT my friend is real talent.
