If you’re itching to see some fancy footwork, I recommend the following movies. You can find larger versions of the video covers by clicking on the thumbnails.
STRICTLY
BALLROOM (1993)
What can I say? Even if you don’t know a Bota Fogo from
a Telemark, you’re going to love this movie. And for those who are into
Ballroom, you’re guaranteed to recognize folks from your team or studio
here. As one reviewer put it, it’s "The ‘Rocky’ of romances." Put together
a talented but maverick Ballroom champ and an ugly-duckling beginner and
a hilarious supporting cast, and you’ll want to watch this over and over
and over…
FRED AND GINGER
In a class by themselves are the films featuring the
legendary team of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the couple that embody
Ballroom at its very best. Like me, you’ll probably be surprised at how
many of the songs we consider standards today were introduced in these
films. To say nothing, of course, of the breathtaking dancing.
FLYING DOWN TO RIO (1933)
THE
GAY DIVORCEE (1934)
TOP
HAT (1935)
ROBERTA (1935)
SWING
TIME (1936)
FOLLOW
THE FLEET (1936)
SHALL
WE DANCE (1937)
CAREFREE
(1938)
THE STORY OF VERNON AND IRENE CASTLE (1939)
THE
BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY (1949)
You can also find Fred doing his thing with other partners like Leslie Caron, Cyd Charisse and others in movies like:
DADDY
LONG LEGS (1955)
EASTER PARADE (1948)
HOLIDAY
INN (1942)
SILK
STOCKINGS
DIRTY
DANCING (1987)
Recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a re-release.
Excellent Ballrooming (mostly Mambo) from former jazz dancer Patrick Swayze
and partners Jennifer Grey and Cynthia Rhodes. If you’re a Ballroom dancer
and haven’t seen this in a while, you’re going to love how many times you’ll
say "Hey, I can do that!"
SWING
KIDS (1993)
A wonderful drama set in WWII Germany about teenagers
defying the establishment by listening and dancing to Swing music. Dazzlingly
acrobatic routines mixed in with great performances. Warning: this is not
the happy, faux-rebellious musical it seemed in the ads. It's a drama
with great dancing.
SHALL
WE DANCE? (SHALL WE DANSU?) (1996/7)
Oh, what a terrific film. Harried, overworked Japanese
businessman falls for an ex-champion he sees from a distance while commuting
home, and ends up a spectacular dancer. Note on the picture: I have
a poster for the movie, and the guy's a lot less two-left-footed.
DANCE
WITH ME (1998)
What is it about Ballroom that
lends itself to the passionate beginner/jaded expert romantic storyline?
Well, I'm not complaining. Spectacular DanceSport competition scenes
featuring some of the best in the business, and good work (dancing) by
the two leads.
of course, there’s also
LAMBADA (1990) [Choreographed and co-starring
Shabba Doo, from "Breakin’" and "Breakin’II:Electric Boogaloo"!! Sorry,
but *I* think that’s fun] and
THE FORBIDDEN DANCE (1990)
More films with dance scenes of note include:
SCENT OF A WOMAN (1992)
Al Pacino and Gabrielle Anwar give quite a Tango performance.
TRUE LIES (1994)
Arnold Schwarzenegger (of all people) one-ups Pacino
by dancing Tango with both Tia Carrere and Jamie Lee Curtis. And doing
it better.
MY BLUE HEAVEN (1990)
Rick Moranis and Steve Martin (with partners, not each
other) and a fun Merengue scene.
SWINGERS (1997)
Set in the trendy retro-lounge world. A fun movie (even
if the "money" and "baby" gets tired fast), but you've got to wait a while
for the actual swinging to start.
So get your butt to the video store already!