Collection documents the career of Jeni LeGon as a dancer, dance instructor, and actress.
Scope and Contents:
Collection documents LeGon's career as a dancer, dance instructor, and actress. Materials include biographical information, correspondence, photographs, early travel itineraries, schedules, personal calendars, printed advertisements, invitations to dance events, programs, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and awards. The collection is arranged into four series: Series 1, Biographical Information and Publicity, 1930s; Series 2, Theatre and Motion Picture Film, 1935-1945, undated; Series 3, Dance Instruction and Performances, 1953-2002, undated; and Series 4: Tributes and Awards, 1979-2002.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into four series:.
Series 1, Biographical Information and Publicity
Series 2, Theatre and Motion Picture Film, 1935-1945
Series 3, Dance Instruction and Performances, 1953-2002, undatred
Series 4, Tributes and Awards, 1979-2002
Biographical / Historical:
Jeni LeGon was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1916. Her long, successful career as an African American dancer and actress began in musical theatre and vaudeville. In the 1930s she traveled across the southern United States performing first with the Whitman Sisters company and then with her half-sister, Willa Mae Lane, as the LeGon and Lane song-and-dance team. By 1935, LeGon was working under contract with Fox Studios, RKO Pictures, and MGM performing with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Waters and Al Jolson, and Fred Astaire. Throughout the years she performed on Broadway and in other theaters and clubs including the Apollo, Cafe de Paris, Howard, Paramount, and Lincoln. Beginning in the 1950s she offered dance instruction in Los Angeles, California at the Jeni LeGon Dance Studio and Drama and Dance Playhouse; and in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she taught tap and pointe. She died on December 7, 2012 at the age of ninety-six.
Related Materials:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program Collection (AC0808)
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection (AC0491)
Program in African American Culture Collection (AC0408)
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theatre Collection (AC0540)
Provenance:
The collection was donated to the Archives Center by Jeni LeGon in 2002.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
More than 300 reels of 16mm black and white and color film, silent and sound, fiction and documentary motion picture film documenting jazz and related musical performances, social and popular dance styles and performances, jazz musicians, performance locales, and documentation of African-American popular culture. A list of featured performers in the collection is shown below. The films are frequently compilations produced by Smith for lectures.
Scope and Contents:
The collection consists of 352 reels of 16mm motion picture film. Most of the film is 16mm black and white and sound (composite optical track print), although a few titles are silent or in color. The collection is comprised of compilation reels created by Ernie Smith to accompany his lectures, topical compilation reels created by Ernie Smith, compilation reels created by the Archives Center, and single title reels. The Archives Center produced master and reference video copies using a wet-gate telecine film-to-tape transfer system. Titles were often combined to allow for increased ease of handling, storage, and duplication.
The collection is strongest in the areas of jazz dance styles including Lindy Hop and tap, overviews of jazz musical performers and styles; specific jazz musicians and performers including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Woody Herman, Artie Shaw, Bob Crosby, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Jack Teagarden as well as a wide range of female vocalists; and documentation of the New York jazz and club scene. The collection includes feature films and excerpts from feature films, Soundies and other film shorts, television kinescopes, and documentary films.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into one series and is not arranged in accordance with standard archival procedures. The breadth of the collection and the existence of so many multiple topic and/or performer compilation reels made it impossible to impose traditional archival series order. Therefore, each reel is described at the item level in the container list.
Biographical:
Ernest (Ernie) Smith began collecting jazz and jazz dance films during the mid-1950s. An Art Director for a New York advertising agency, Smith had a long-standing interest in jazz and jazz dance that began during his youth in Pittsburgh, Pa. Early on, Smith discovered that jazz music was best appreciated while dancing. He became an accomplished Lindy Hopper, frequenting both white and African American ballrooms.
His job at the advertising agency supported Smith's two passions - painting and jazz dance and music. Smith was also a film enthusiast so, in 1954, after taking a jazz class at the New School taught by Marshall Stearns, a leading jazz scholar, he began collecting examples of jazz and jazz dance on film. In the process of creating his film collection, Smith became one of the leading authorities on jazz and jazz dance films. He collaborated with Stearns on the 1964 book Jazz Dance, compiling the book's jazz dance film listing. He also wrote the extensive entry on jazz film for the 1988 edition of New Grove Dictionary of Jazz .
Smith built his film collection by identifying films of potential interest and acquiring them through trade and purchase. He created lecture reels on specific topics -- the history of jazz, social dance, tap dance, Duke Ellington, Lindy Hop -- and presented lecture/screenings nationally and internationally. He also provided footage for numerous documentaries and maintained active relationships with filmmakers, other film collectors, jazz scholars, the swing dance community, and musicians.
Ernie Smith donated his film collection to the Archives Center in 1993. He continues to lecture and participate in swing dance activities, but he devotes the majority of his time to painting and related artistic pursuits.
Provenance:
The Archives Center acquired the collection from Ernie Smith in 1993.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
African Americans in the performing arts -- 1930-1970 Search this
Genre/Form:
Motion pictures (visual works) -- 20th century
Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: b&w, a compilation reel created by Ernie Smith
1. Dance du Ventre (two parts)
Copyright: 1894
Corporate Creator: American Mutoscope and Biograph Co., Edison Mfg.
2. Cakewalk
Descriptive Summary: silent
Copyright: 1903
3. Uncle Tom's Cabin,
Descriptive Summary: silent, Tom and Little Eva in the Garden
Copyright: 1903
4. Ballyhoo Cakewalk
Descriptive Summary: silent
Copyright: 1903
Corporate Creator: Biograph
5. Country Cakewalk
Copyright: 1929
Song Title(s): "At a Georgia Camp Meeting"
6. The Whirl of Life, excerpt
Copyright: 1915
Corporate Creator: Cort Film Corp.
Director: Oliver D. Bailey
Performer(s): Vernon and Irene Castle
7. Untitled, silent, ca. 1920s
8. Charleston demonstration,
Corporate Creator: Pathe
9. New Orleans Jazz Funeral, excerpt
Copyright: ca. 1961
Producer: New Orleans Jazz Club
Performer(s): The Eureka Brass Band
10. Unidentified guitarist with a female dancer
11. "It's Easy to Shuffle Along", excerpt
Copyright: 1929
Performer(s): Nina Mae McKinney
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: b&w, a compilation reel created by Ernie Smith
1. St. Louis Blues, excerpt
Copyright: 1929
Corporate Creator: Gramercy Studios, RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
Producer: W.C. Handy
Director: Dudley Murphy
Performer(s): Bessie Smith and James P. Johnson
Song Title(s): "St. Louis Blues"
2. Black and Tan, excerpt
Copyright: 1929
Corporate Creator: RKO Radio Pictures
Director: Dudley Murphy
Performer(s): Duke Ellington, Arthur Whetsol, Otto Hardwick, Joe Nanton, Barney Bigard, Fredi Washington and the Ellington Orchestra
Song Title(s): "Black and Tan Fantasy"
3. "Rhythm is Our Business"
Copyright: 1937
Performer(s): Jimmy Lunceford and His Orchestra
4. "Reefer Man"
Copyright: 1933
Performer(s): Cab Calloway and His Harlemanics
5. Hollywood Hotel, excerpt
Copyright: 1937
Corporate Creator: Warner Brothers
Director: Busby Berkeley
Performer(s): Harry James, Benny Goodman Quartet with Teddy Wilson, Gene Krupa and Lionel Hampton
Song Title(s): a. "Sing, Sing, Sing", Goodman Quartet, solos by Krupa, James and Goodman b. "I Got Rhythm"
6. Reveille with Beverly, excerpt
Copyright: 1943
Corporate Creator: Columbia Pictures
Producer: Sam White
Director: Charles Barton
Performer(s): Ann Miller, Count Basie and His Orchestra
Song Title(s): "One O'clock Jump"
7. "Honeysuckle Rose"
Copyright: 1941
Corporate Creator: Official Films
Performer(s): Fats Waller
8. Hit Parade of 1937, excerpt
Copyright: 1937
Corporate Creator: Republic Films
Director: Gus Meins
Performer(s): Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: Hardwick, Hodges, Bigard, Carney (reeds), Stewart, Williams, Whetsol (trumpets), Nanton, Tizol, Brown (trombones), Ellington, Guy, Alvis, Taylor, Greer (rhythm), vocals by Ivie Anderson, Hayes Alvis, Rex Stewart and Harry Carney
Song Title(s): "I've Got to be a Rug Cutter"
9. Reveille with Beverly, excerpt
Copyright: 1943 Performance Date: October 8th, 1942
Corporate Creator: Columbia Pictures
Producer: Sam White
Director: Charles Barton
Performer(s): Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, (incl: Toby Hardwick, Rex Stewart,
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: b&w, a compilation reel created by Ernie Smith
1. Music in America, An amalgam of snippets, including: behind the scenes at Tin Pan Alley; Perry Como singing "Now"; "Your Hit Parade" excerpt; George Gershwin at the piano playing "I Got Rhythm"; Benny Goodman Orchestra; Dixieland Jass Band playing "Livery Stable Blues"; comments by narrator, "jazz is synonymous with cheap music"; a shot of some early books on jazz includingJazzmen and The Hot Discography; Benny Goodman as guest lecturer at Juilliard; Art Tatum at The Three Dueces; a scene at Eddie Condon's with Wild Bill Davison, Davie Tough and Brad Gowans.
2. "Honky Tonk Train"
Copyright: 1961
Performer(s): Meade Lux Lewis
3. "Things to Come"
Copyright: 1946
Performer(s): Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, Milt Jackson on vibes
4. "Back O'Town Blues"
Copyright: ca. early 1950s
Performer(s): Louis Armstrong All-Stars, vocal by Armstrong, Teagarden absent
5. The Sound of Jazz, excerpt
Copyright: 1957
Corporate Creator: CBS, The Seven Lively Arts (Studio 58)
Producer: Robert Herridge
Director: Jack Smight
Performer(s): Jimmy Rushing vocals, the Count Basie Orchestra, narration by John Crosby
Song Title(s): "I Left My Baby"
6. Charlie Parker-Dizzy Gillespie Quintet, ca. late 1940s
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: b&w, a compilation reel created by Ernie Smith
1. "Tacata" Performance Date: 1946
Performer(s): Dizzy Gillespie Quintet, incl: Leo Wright, flute and Lalo Schifrin, piano
2. The Sound of Jazz, excerpt
Copyright: 1957
Corporate Creator: CBS, The Seven Lively Arts (Studio 58)
Producer: Robert Herridge
Director: Jack Smight
Performer(s): Thelonious Monk
Song Title(s): "Blue Monk"
3. "God Bless the Child" Performance Date: 1950
Performer(s): vocals by Billie Holiday with the Count Basie Sextet
4. The Sound of Jazz, excerpt
Copyright: 1957
Corporate Creator: CBS, The Seven Lively Arts (Studio 58)
Producer: Robert Herridge
Director: Jack Smight
Performer(s): Billie Holiday vocals, the Count Basie Orchestra incl: Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster
Song Title(s): "Fine and Mellow"
5. The Sound of Miles Davis Performance Date: 1957
Producer: Robert Herridge Director Jack Smight
Performer(s): Miles Davis
Song Title(s): "So What"
6. "Rockin' Chair" Performance Date: 1950
Performer(s): Louis Armstrong-Jack Teagarden All Stars incl: Cozy Cole, Peanuts Hucko, Bobby Hackett, and others, vocals by Armstrong and Teagarden
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: 840f., b&w, a compilation reel created by Ernie Smith
1. Dance in Pajamas, silent
Copyright: 1903
Corporate Creator: American Mutoscope and Biograph Co.
2. 42nd St., excerpt
Copyright: 1933
Corporate Creator: Warner Brothers
Director: Lloyd Bacon
Performer(s): Ruby Keeler
3. Turn On the Red Hot Heat [probably from 52nd Street] Performance Date: 1937
Performer(s): Dorothy Salter, Maurice Rocco and dance company
4. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, excerpt
Copyright: 1938
Corporate Creator: 20th Century Fox
Producer: 20th Century Fox
Director: Allan Dwan
Performer(s): Bill Robinson and Shirley Temple
Song Title(s): "The Toy Trumpet"
5. Unidentified musical number and "Anchors Aweigh"
Copyright: 1945
Performer(s): Jean Aloise
6. Unidentified movie excerpt
Copyright: 1941
Performer(s): unidentified female dancer, Louis DaPron with Bill Wills and His Texas Playboys
7. "Truckin'"
Copyright: 1936
Performer(s): Ina Ray Hutton and Her All Girl Orchestra
8. "La Cucaracha"
Copyright: 1941
Performer(s): Rita Rio and Her All Girl Orchestra, vocals and dance by Rio
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: 918f., b&w, a compilation reel created by Ernie Smith
1. George White's Scandals of 1935, excerpt
Copyright: 1935
Corporate Creator: 20th Century Fox
Producer: George White
Director: Harry Lachman and George White
Performer(s): Eleanor Powell
Song Title(s): "It's An Old Southern Custom"
2. Born to Dance, excerpt
Copyright: 1936
Corporate Creator: MGM
Producer: Jack Cummings
Director: Roy del Ruth
Performer(s): sung by Frances Langford, Buddy Ebsen and the Foursome, danced by Eleanor Powell and Buddy Ebsen
Song Title(s): "Swingin' the Jinx Away"
3. King of Burlesque, excerpt
Copyright: 1935
Corporate Creator: 20th Century Fox
Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck
Director: Sidney Lanfield
Performer(s): Dixie Dunbar and Fats Waller
Song Title(s): "I've Got My Fingers Crossed"
4. Hey, Rookie, excerpt
Copyright: 1944
Corporate Creator: Columbia Pictures
Producer: Irving Briskin
Director: Charles Barton
Performer(s): Ann Miller
Song Title(s): "Streamlined Sheik"
5. Broadway Melody of 1940, excerpt
Copyright: 1940
Corporate Creator: MGM
Producer: Jack Cummings
Director: Norman Taurog
Performer(s): Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell and George Murphy
Song Title(s): "Begin the Beguine"
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: 1718f., b&w, a compilation reel created by Ernie Smith
1. Three teen-age "street boys"
Descriptive Summary: silent
Copyright: 1903
2. Cakewalk
Descriptive Summary: silent
Copyright: 1903 (see also 491.1(2))
3. "Tiger Rag"
Copyright: 1929
Performer(s): James Barton
4. Symphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro Life, (excerpt from 491.29)
Copyright: 1935
Corporate Creator: Paramount Pictures
Producer: Adolph Zukor
Director: Fred Waller
Performer(s): Snake Hips Tucker, Duke Ellington and His Orchestra incl. Greer, Hodges, Whetsol and Jenkins
Song Title(s): "Merry-Go-Round", part Four-Harlem Rhythm
5. "Harlem Harmony"
Copyright: 1932
Performer(s): Cab Calloway, introduction by James Wallington
Song Title(s): "Harlem Harmony"
6. Snow White (see also 491.187)
Copyright: 1933
Corporate Creator: Fleischer Studios, distributed by Paramount Pictures
Producer: Max Fleischer
Director: Dave Fleischer
Performer(s): Cab Calloway, voice of Betty Boop is Mae Questel
Song Title(s): "St. James Infirmary Blues", vocals by Calloway and Questel
7. "Christopher Columbus"
Copyright: 1937
Performer(s): Stringbean, Jimmy Lunceford and His Orchestra, (Willie Smith on alto sax)
8. "Nagasaki"
Copyright: 1934
Performer(s): Red and Struggie, Lucky Millinder's Orchestra
9. unidentified clip
Copyright: ca. early 1940s
Performer(s): Slick and Slack, (bass drum reads Chris and Crew)
10. "Solid Sending Soft Shoe Specialist"
Copyright: 1944
Performer(s): Rubberneck Holmes
11. Stump and Stumpy
Copyright: 1948
12. "Ain't Misbehaven"
Copyright: 1948 Performer(s) Patterson and Jackson
13. Raymond Kaylund
Copyright: 1941
Performer(s): Jimmy Lunceford and His Orchestra
Descriptive Summary: Same setting as #7, but noted as 1941
14. A Bundle of Blues, excerpt
Copyright: 1933
Corporate Creator: Paramount Pictures
Performer(s): Bessie Dudley and Florence Hill, Duke Ellington and His Orchestra personnel: Hardwick, Hodges, Bigard, Carney (reeds), Whetsol, Williams, Jenkins (trumpets), Nanton, Tizol, Brown (trombones), Ellington, Guy, Broad, Greer (rhythm)
Song Title(s): "Bugle Call Rag"
15. "Bugle Call Rag"
Copyright: 1938
Performer(s): Miss Harris
16. "It Don't Mean A Thing" and an unidentified musical number
Copyright: 1939
Performer(s): Miller and Rhodes, unidentified young female
17. Follow the Boys, excerpt
Descriptive Summary: An excerpt from a George Raft film.
Copyright: 1944
Corporate Creator: Universal Films Producer(s): Charles K. Feldman, Albert L. Rockett
Director: A. Edward Sutherland Performer(s):
Song Title(s): "Sweet Georgia Brown"
18. Al Minns and Leon James; Playboy Club Show, excerpt
Descriptive Summary: an excerpt from 491.5
Copyright: 1964
Corporate Creator: Playboy Magazine/Enterprises
Producer: Dan Schuffman
Director: Dan Schuffman
Performer(s): Al Minns and Leon James
Song Title(s): Camptown Races, "Charleston", "Stompin' at the Savoy", "One O'Clock Jump", "How High the Moon"
19. The Berry Brothers
Copyright: ca. late 1940s, early 1950s
Performer(s): Introduced by Phil Silvers, The Berry Brothers
20. Three scat-singing unidentified male dancers
21. Two unidentified male dancers
22. Jump rope dancer
Corporate Creator: Vitaphone, Warner Brothers
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: b&w, a compilation reel created by Ernie Smith
1. "Sweet Sue"
Copyright: 1929
Performer(s): George "Shorty" Snowden and dancers; Hotfoot Bennett and Lizzie Highfly, Albert Hemingway and Buzz Saw Mamie, Shorty Stump and Liza Underdunk, George Snowden, Chick Webb Orchestra
2. Dance contest at Savoy Ballroom
Descriptive Summary: silent
Copyright: 1938
Corporate Creator: Paramount News Feature
Performer(s): Leon James and the Roy Eldridge Orchestra
3. Life in Harlem-A Documentary Film of American's Negro Metropolis
Descriptive Summary: Savoy ballroom scene, excerpt from 491.13
Copyright: 1940
Corporate Creator: Harry M. Popkin
Producer: Edward W. Lewis
4. A Day at the Races, excerpt
Descriptive Summary: Barn dance scene
Copyright: 1937
Corporate Creator: MGM
Producer: Sam Wood
Director: Sam Wood
Performer(s): The Marx Brothers
5. "The Shag"
Copyright: 1937
Descriptive Summary: Arthur Murray and four couples demonstrate the Shag
6. Eight Raggle Taggles
Copyright: 1939
Corporate Creator: Pictoreel
7. "Broome Street"
Copyright: 1941
Performer(s): Glen Gray, Casa Loma Orchestra and the Broome Street Dancers
8. "The Arts - Swing King Gives Benefit Concert"
Descriptive Summary: described by Andre Baruch, silent
9. "Jive - The dance of the Rising Generation"
Performer(s): British Lindy Hoppers
10. "Hot Chocolate" (REVERSE IMAGE)
Copyright: 1941
Corporate Creator: Soundie
Producer: Sam Coslow
Director: Josef Berne
Performer(s): Whitey's Lindy Hoppers including Frank Manning, Al Minns, Billy Ricker, Norma Miller, Duke Ellington and His Orchestra with solos by Ben Webster and Harry Carney, "Cottontail"
11. "Sugar Hill Masquerade" (REVERSE IMAGE)
Copyright: 1942 Performance Date:
Corporate Creator: Soundie, Monoco Productions
Performer(s): Hot Lips Fuller and Rubber Arms Marshall, Walter Fuller and Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, Gene Krupa Orchestra with Roy Eldridge
Song Title(s): "After You've Gone"
12. Lindy Hoppers
Copyright: 1943
Performer(s): Leon James and others, Cootie Williams Orchestra
13. The Big Apple
Copyright: 1943
Performer(s): Whitey's Lindy Hoppers incl. Frank Manning, Norma Miller, Al Minns
14. Jammin' the Blues, excerpt
Descriptive Summary: excerpt from the movie
Copyright: 1944
Corporate Creator: Warner Brothers
Producer: Gordan Hollingshead
Director: Gjon Mili
Performer(s): dancers: Marie Bryant, Archie Savage, musicians: Lester Young, Ilinois Jacquet, Harry Edison, Jo Jones, Barney Kessel, Marlowe Morris, Gene Ramey
15. "Twelfth Street Rag", excerpt
Copyright: 1964
Performer(s): Al Minns and Leon James
16. "I'm Gonna Rock It Up at the Ball Tonight"
Copyright: 1950
Performer(s): Billy Haley and His Comets
17. The Sensational Congaroos
Copyright: 1948
Performer(s): Frank Manning and others introduced by Andy Kirk
18. Hellzapoppin', excerpt
Copyright: 1941
Corporate Creator: Universal
Producer: Jules Levy
Director: H.C. Potter
Performer(s): choreographed by Nick Castle and Frank Manning
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: 1162f., b&w, a compilation reel created by Ernie Smith
1. Small boy dancing on a barge
Descriptive Summary: silent
Copyright: 1893
2. Two young boys dancing on a flat-bed truck
Copyright: 1929
3. The Buck Dance
Copyright: early 1950s
Performer(s): Horace Sprott
4. Stair dance
Copyright: 1932
Performer(s): Bill Robinson
5. King for a Day, excerpt
Copyright: 1934
Corporate Creator: The Vitaphone Corporation
Director: Roy Mack
Performer(s): Bill Robinson
Song Title(s): "Old Folks at Home", "Old Black Joe", etc.
6. Tip, Tap, and Toe
Copyright: 1936
Performer(s): Sammy Green, Teddy Frazier and Raymond Winfield
7. Tip, Tap, and Toe
Copyright: 1944
Performer(s): Sammy Green, Teddy Frazier and Raymond Winfield with the Jack Teagarden Orchestra
Song Title(s): "Stompin' at the Savoy"
8. Ace Gibson and Eddie Thompson
Copyright: 1933
9. Varsity Show, excerpt
Copyright: 1937
Corporate Creator: Warner Brothers
Producer: Louis F. Edelman
Director: William Keighley
Performer(s): Dick Powell, John Bubbles and Buck Washington
10. Unidentified
Copyright: early 1960s
Performer(s): John Bubbles, dance and song later joined by Perry Como
11. Unidentified
Copyright: 1933
Performer(s): Sammy Davis, Jr., as a young boy
12. An All Colored Vaudeville Show
Copyright: 1935
Corporate Creator: The Vitaphone Company
Director: Roy Mack
Performer(s): The Nicholas Brothers
13. Stormy Weather, excerpt
Copyright: 1943
Corporate Creator: 20th Century Fox
Producer: William LeBaron
Director: Andrew L. Stone
Performer(s): The Nicholas Brothers, Cab Calloway Orchestra
Song Title(s): "The Jumpin' Jive"
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: 1068f., b&w, a compilation reel created by Ernie Smith
1. Steve Condos dancing with the Buddy Rich Orchestra, 1939
2. Movie excerpt featuring the Berry Brothers, 1950
3. "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise", Bill Bailey, 1952
4. Carolina Blues, excerpt
Descriptive Summary: a production number from the motion-picture
Copyright: 1944
Corporate Creator: Columbia Pictures
Producer: Samuel Bischoff
Director: Leigh Jason
Performer(s): Kay Kyser and His Orchestra with Harold Nicholas
Song Title(s): "Mr. Beebe"
5. Bunny Briggs, 1950
6. Jimmy Slyde, 1959
7. "The Lawrence Welk Show"
Copyright: 1964
Performer(s): Arthur Duncan sings and dances accompanied by The Lawrence Welk Orchestra
Song Title(s): "Happy Feet"
8. Camera Three
Copyright: 1965
Corporate Creator: WCBS-TV, New York State Education Dept. Performer(s): Honi Coles and Cholly Atkins
Song Title(s): "Doin the New Lowdown"
Descriptive Summary: an excerpt from 491.9
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Corporate Creator: Howard Productions, Samuel Goldwyn Co.
Producer: Samuel Goldwyn
Director: Roy del Ruth
Performer(s): The Nicholas Brothers
Song Title(s):
3. "Sheik of Araby", 1940?, production number from Tin Pan Alley? with the Berry Brothers or the Nicholas Brothers
4. Jimmy Slyde, ca. 1959
5. Bunny Briggs, ca.. 1954, with a Frank Sinatra introduction from the Rudy Vallee tv show
6. Coles and Atkins, Camera Three
Descriptive Summary: b&w, an excerpt, see 491.9
Copyright: 1965
Corporate Creator: WCBS-TV/New York State Education Program
Producer: Dan Gallagher
Director: Nick Havings
Performer(s): Honi Coles and Cholly Atkins Song Title(s):
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: 676f., b&w, demonstration of several dances, performed to the compositions below, respectively: Cakwalk, Charleston, Lindy Hop, Big Apple, How to Ask a Girl to Dance in 1935 and ditto 1945
Corporate Creator: Playboy Magazine/Enterprises
Producer: Dan Schuffman
Director: Dan Schuffman
Performer(s): Al Minns & Leon James with the Mae Barnes Trio and commentary by Hugh Hefner and Marshall Stearns
Song Title(s):
1. "Camptown Races"
2. "Charleston"
3. "Stompin' at the Savoy"
4. "One O'Clock Jump"
5. "Stompin' at the Savoy"
6. "How High the Moon"
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: 1596f., b&w, series of demonstrations and interviews including: children's tap dance class taught by Phil Black; The Capasetics; Third Generation Step; Maceo Anderson of the Four Step Brothers; Four Step Brothers dance routine; Maceo Anderson demo of Buck Dance; film clip of Bojangles; interview with John Bubbles; clip of Buck and Bubbles; Nicholas Brothers; Harold Nicholas and the Four Step Brothers; Nicholas Brothers film clips and dressing room interview; interview with Camden Richman; Honi Coles; Coles and Atkins dance to "Doin' the New Lowdown"; Cholly Atkins; Tap Jazz Percussion Ensemble
Copyright: 1980
Corporate Creator: Blackwood Films
Producer: Christian Blackwood
Director: Christian Blackwood
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: 1134f., b&w, series of demonstrations and interviews including: Tap Jazz Percussion Ensemble; Tommy Tune practicing at home; Jerry Ames interview; Lon Chaney interview and dance to "Perdido"; Buster Brown interview and dance; Ralph Brown; Chuck Greene; The Hoofers; Honi Coles; Phil Black and his tap dance class
Copyright: 1980
Corporate Creator: Blackwood Films
Producer: Christian Blackwood
Director: Christian Blackwood
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Descriptive Summary: 1020f., b&w, a brief history of tap with the steps being demonstrated by Coles and Atkins; tributes paid to Bojangles and Bubbles
Copyright: 1965
Corporate Creator: WCBS-TV/New York State Education Program
Producer: Dan Gallagher
Director: Nick Havings
Performer(s): Honi Coles and Cholly Atkins, commentary by Marshall Stearns
Song Title(s):
1. "Doin' the New Lowdown"
2. "Takin' a Chance on Love"
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
Corporate Creator: CBS: The Seven Lively Arts (Studio 58)
Producer: Robert Herridge
Director: Jack Smight
Performer(s): Count Basie Orchestra: Count Basie, Roy Eldridge, Freddy Greene, Eddie Jones, Jo Jones, Emmett Berry, Doc Cheatham, Joe Newman, Joe Wilder, trumpets: Benny Morton, Vic Dickinson, Dickie Wells, trombones; Earle Warren, Bene Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Gerry Mulligan, saxes. Red Allen Group, Nat Pierce, Danny Barker, Milton Hinton, Jo Jones, Red Allen, Rex Stewart, Vic Dickinson, Pee Wee Russell, Coleman Hawkins. Thelonius Monk, Ahmed Abdul Malik and Ossie Johnson Trio
Song Title(s):
1. "A Blues"
2. "Wild Man Blues"
3. "Rosetta" vocals by Red Allen
4. "Blue Monk"
5. "I Left My Baby (Standing at the Back Door)" vocals by Jimmy Rushing
Video reference copy
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the films are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
America's Jazz Heritage: A Partnership of the The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution provided the funding to produce many of the video master and reference copies.
