FreeSwingDanceLessons.com - Hellzapoppin! Best Swing Dance Routine of All Time!

[JadeSauce]

freakin great!!

[sinisa234]

When I'm watching this, hip-hop seems stupid xd

[Prescrptionsforhappy]

My High school is doing a musical called Swing this and we are learning the lindy hop (this dance) and other swing dances.

;P

[101school101001]

They should Dance like this today XD

[lindyhop411]

@101school101001 They do.  Check out my videos, and google "Lindy Hop" and your city/state.

[101school101001]

@lindyhop411 okay.

[bjornsan]

The Swedish hip hop artist Timbuktu used this scene for the video to his song Dödsdansen (the Death Dance). That's how I found out about this.

[skunch]

1:34 qcb+K

[TheDayMang]

Absolutely crazy. Our generation is obese as shit

[spucy]

@TheDayMang It's ridiculous. Kids ought to be doing stuff like this, but most of them couldn't keep up or are far too heavy to lift.

[superbambino24]

aye dios mio, and they say breakdancing dangerous?

[TheZo4725lol]

Wow..people back then use to be drinking they milk huh ?

[grrlzrule1]

is this scene sped up or something? because they really are moving pretty inhumanly fast sometimes

[lindyhop411]

@grrlzrule1 Nope, that's Lindy Hop, and that's how fast swing dancing can be danced.

[Szpondt]

@lindyhop411

It's amazing for sure, although you can tell that the "free style" has been rehearsed (notice the spotter's preparedness at 1:18, 1:28, and 1:48), even though it might have been based off original free style of the dancers.

In any case, it's going too fast for those follows to be totally following. Even the best follows couldn't respond with such excellent accuracy to such speed.

Great fun to watch, though!

[lindyhop411]

@Szpondt Well ofcourse practicing the choreography makes the dancing cleaner, but that doesn't mean they follows aren't following. If I follow tried to back lead anything at a fast tempo, then it wouldn't work. Just because the moves aren't thought up by the leader in that instance, doesn't mean that the follow isn't following.

[Szpondt]

@lindyhop411

Yes, of course you're right - I probably should have more clear - here's what I think :: no doubt the follows are truly following, but they also had a good idea what to expect from their leads and surely had practiced the routine (or one roughly akin to it) several times. My point is that at such high speed and with such high accuracy, it's clear that the the follows were familiar with what was coming.

Again, though - great fun to watch and some of the best stuff I've ever seen!

[Latty2cute]

ABSOLUTELY FREAKIN PURE AMAZING.DANCING

[Wesside007]

This dance will revive when cops and white people disappear

[lindyhop411]

@Wesside007 Lindy Hop is actually very popular today, and going stronger than ever. See my videos.

[jacobthm]

There's a reason coke and speed were legal back then...

[rdgfx3]

They're untamed wild beasts. The three white corporate fucks at the end are scheming to exploit these young wild dancers for all their potential earnings, I'm sure.

[lindyhop411]

@rdgfx3 Actually, this dance scene had nothing to do with the plot of the movie. We are lucky that someone made the right choice to recognize how amazing Whitey's Lindy Hoppers were, and put them on film, so that we'd always know where swing dancing really came from.

[fanirama]

Wow..look at them.. having so much fun and so happy even though they were oppressed back then and were made to be slaves.

[pyropunk20072000]

those cook/maid outfits are sluttier than what girls wear nowadays.......Me Gusta

[purpletonic]

@pyropunk20072000 Compared to a figure skaters outfit? Or maybe ballet attire. Seems to be about the same amount of fabric

[Tillhony]

Black people used to be awesome when they were still trying to get their rights..

[Shippoyasha]

Absolutely incredible considering that on-stage injuries were barely treated or paid for at the time. It was such a risky thing to do in more ways than one.

[lindyhop411]

@Shippoyasha Actually, the only person who got injured was Frankie Manning (the guy that got kicked in the butt). They did so many takes, and he told his partner to really kick him every time to make sure it looked real.

[beefbaron]

Mind. Blown.

[mobabur94]

pro

[betterliving420]

I burst out laughing at the only three white people who show up at the end, applauding the dancing negro folk.

[yosefthemountainman]

Why are they all dressed in service uniforms?

[purpletonic]

@yosefthemountainman Um....that's what we did back then...Wasn't much else to do.

[MrMediumMonster]

Amazing.....



[TomConger]

Man, it looks like she gets him right in the nuts, at 2:00.

[Latty2cute]

HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY CRAP

[Latty2cute]

That was freakin AMAAAAAZING. That real authentic vibes, music and dancing...not like the crap we are forced to digest nowadays...BRAVO

[MousePADDING]

@1:00 minute to 1:03, the girl is giving the guy a blowjob.

[meridious3]

I call this move "The Fella'she" @ 1:00

[shoseki]

@meridious3 She holdin' on wit her TEETH

[burpethead]

The American mood was so happy in the 1940's {:o)

[JeefCakes]

Splendid

[TheDayMang]

Holy shit

[1nightstorm]

This is the coolest dance scene of any era I have ever seen on film! Many thanks for sharing this gem :)

[MostfashionableOne]

Dancers today would throw their backs out for good if they attempted this.

[lindyhop411]

@MostfashionableOne Have you seen my videos? :-)

[tatripp]

this is an amazing video

[Katfireblade]

People are always talking about how obesity wasn't a problem in the past--I think we've just seen a functioning example as to why.

[mrwells2001]

Wow! Those dancers defy gravity , I 'm speechless .

[zappa666999]

that is fucking amazing wish i could dance especially like that^^

great vid.

[Goatsemen]

Blacks have always been stylin in their music

[carmensensei]

wow! Amazing!

[pressleybby]

you have to be fearless. I wonder how many times they've been dropped.

[elevenbravo01]

HOLY SHIT!!! I DARE DANCERS OUT THERE TO REPLICATE THIS ROUTINE!!!!

[lindyhop411]

@elevenbravo01 They did. Look up "Frankie 95 Hellzapoppin". The guy that choreographed this died just before his 95th Birthday, but a party/memorial was thrown nonetheless, and a group of dancers recreated several of his famous dance scenes, including this one.

[Pawsky2]

I've never seen such reckless disregard for a woman's well-being in my life!

1st place!!

[Ariena1]

LOL that look's like so much fun!! i agree best dance scene ever!

[eslubin]

this is so great

[tracegnet]

I've always admired Astaire but man this is da bomb, totally awesome thats dancing unbelievable I'm really blown away!!

[chrisinnes]

that's crap i can well do that it's properly easy

[Littled1980]

Hammer!!!!

[ddsharper]

yet another dance that started in the ghetto and spread around the world.

[stazzou]

damn, this is dancing :o

[yoseph89]

HOLY ****  --RESPECT

[Pockler]

WOW! I need to learn how to swing dance...

[ahntopws]

hey jemini whats witht he Nigga word? c'mon man they deserve the respect to be called at least Guy or dudes in videos just like everybody else. ^_^ besides this guys are the best!

[Jemini29944]

Did this nigga just do a 'Hurricane Kick' at 1:33. Damn, this was back when black people shook their bodies instead of their asses.

[BobbyDrake00]

did anyone know where i can find this clip remixed with DJ Assault Ass n tities?

[sturdle]

good grief!!!!!

[lsc10s]

That's somebodie's Grandma!

[guatay]

If you're 50 or older, better not try it.

[dggd]

Well, one of those dancers is 90 and STILL DOING IT AND TEACHING! Many of them made it to 95! So when they were in their 50s and 60s, they were like teenagers, dancing their butts off. I should know, I learned from them, as did many of us who are now 50 Plus! Swing dancing keeps you young! Of course, we cut down on the aerials a bit... LOL!

[guatay]

@dggd

AMAZING!!

My hat's off to them! Maybe I'll give it a try, but I'd need to start at entro level, LOL! God Bless!!

[lightcache]

amazing :) AMMMMMMMAAAAZZZING :)

[urundulblue]

I'd really like to know if there's a name to the piece of music and would I be able to dl it from itunes? I really like it!

[KarentheGreat247]

love it (except for the costumes of course) but omg the dancing, it's just so awesome.

[TRUCKEEDOG666]

Dumb white people at the end, applauding.

[zooloo24]

One of the best dance scenes on film.....ever!

[WellHelloDali]

I can't even dance like that in my dreams! :P

[ZoRRoDerZoRRionarer]

:D niceeeee :D

[karlita810]

thts a lot of energy

[smoothietrouble]

wow they brave!!!!

[LoveTHYconan]

OMG! this is absolutely amazing!!! everyone is flying and bouncing off eachother! it almost doesn't seem real, it's like a cartoon come to life! :D

[snoshuu]

All I can say is WOW!!!

[eugenerichard]

wow, that's like really really dangerous lol

[73yanin]

yo no se si ellos disfrutarian bailando asi pero para mi gusto poco elegante

[eltatayo1]

crazy stuff,, this is just amazing.!!

[helloguyshowareyou]

Cool!

[LangeDeMusique]

Love it. :D

[DallasFiveTwo]

I'm completely in awe......planning on taking a class, and I thought I might need to look at this a little more to get more of a feel. I'm tired already........hadn't done anything yet.

[ViNTAGExLACE]

amazing, wish people now would dance that way! :( i like to see beyonce do THAT!!

[bruisedxashes]

i wasn't aware that swing could be so violent...i couldn't stop watching it..

[leesterg]

My grandfather said that when he was a young man, the first time he went to Harlem in New York back in the forties--this was the norm for weekend dancers at the famous Savoy Club. He said there would be these fierce competitions of dancers. Also, just imagine the men dancers were also dressed up in suits and the women had on evening ware and high heels. Now ain't that a killer!

[issyvoo2]

Learn as much from your grandfather now as you can, not just about dance but about everything. His story about the clubs is wonderful.

[MusicFanOnline]

@issyvoo2 Soo, soo true and a really good comment! I learned a lot from my Italian grandmother in Italy but didn't talk enough with my American grandfather before he died to learn about his life and how things were like back then here in the U.S. Sometimes, when I listen to swing music, I wonder if my grandfather liked some of the same songs that I do and if he danced to them.

[bushuraloser]

I see london I see france

i saw many underpants

[bmxnj9]

Forget dancing witht the stars this is the real thing right here!!!

[cinerama62]

1:07 Holy Shit!

[novania2580]

wooooooooooow amazing

[chilaneran]

how wonderfully crazy.

[Antony1748]

this reminds me of cebradita

[MeanietheBlue]

He's still immortal, if you ask me.

Condolences to all family and friends, for the loss of a truly magnificent person and the world's finest cultural ambassador.

[carmic191]

Rest in peace...there is going to be some amazing dancing up in Heaven!!

[swingthing]

R.I.P. Frankie Manning who died this morning of complications of pneumonia

[livnthedreeme]

This is amazing...true talent..

[theeSpiffy]

This is real dancing. That bumping and grinding jizz these days is just plain whack.

[xMiZZxARiCAx]

Amazing dancing! What year was this in?

[Streamline09]

1941

[fephisto]

Before breakdancing....they did better actually.

[sjkfestival]

i really do want to accuse somebody of speeding this up- but i'm not sure it would be accurate for me to do so.

[Success2gether]

It crossed my mind too.

[rackfocus]

If you watch their lifts, you can tell it isn't sped up.

[tryingtobereal]

It can still hold someones attention after all these years.

[ladyirish1860]

I'm exhausted just watching this!!! Zowee!!!!

[xXxDeathMonkeyxXx]

O.O HOLY CRAP looked like the girl was gonna smash her face on the floor or sometin

[NoName21234]

Wow, this was excellent!! Ya gotta give extra props to the men because those were some tall ladies to be throwing around like that! =)

[gibbonsinthelibrary]

The movie is "Hellzapoppin!" It's really hard to find.

[StewedTomato]

If you were fat or overweight this would kill you!!!

[jazzieDfizzle]

amazing :]

[snickle13]

it is a physical imposibility not to give this five stars.

[melijorge]

Hi there! I really like this kind of videos and I wonder if you have this in digital vertion..and if u do could you send it by mail? me and my family loves it! we'd really apreciate it...tx

[tripletwin]

My enjoyment of the amazing dancing in this clip was greatly undercut by the outfits worn by the dancers. Notice how they're all dressed in the uniforms of menial workers (e.g., maids, waiters, porters, etc.). It's a sad reminder of just how limited the opportunities were for black performers.

[Judith4080]

TRIPLE TWIN

At least your word is WERE not TODAY

THIS IS THE BEST OF THE BEST JITTERBUG DANCING OF ALL TIME!!!!

[issyvoo2]

It's very telling isn't it? At the end of the clip, the white guys say, "Too bad they're not in the show." Too bad indeed! If we ever needed proof of racism, it's that guys like this weren't bigger stars than Astaire and Kelly.

[jmshaw357]

You're saying the white guy is a racist because he admires the blacks dancing?

Are you saying that blacks should be respected because they are superior DANCERS??? Who is the racist, dork? You are undoubtedly a whiney Lib and as such are the main reason blacks have been kept in the basement for all these years. How do blacks commonly vote--Republican? Not since the first world war. Nice goin, racist Libs.

[issyvoo2]

That's not what I was saying at all! I was saying that these particular dancers should have been bigger stars than they were and that racism deprived them of the fame they deserved. Do I believe that all blacks are good dancers and all whites are not? Of course I don't. That would be moronic. Again, these specific dancers are amazing. You're right that the world is full of racism and their lack of fame is a case in point. My comment is not.

[turtlegurllie13]

is this from a movie??

one word....

amazing!

[StewedTomato]

One way to keep fit , or have a heart attack!

[anynamewilldo500]

My fav is at 1:38 when he throws her over his shoulder. Those cats can jive!

[anynamewilldo500]

I should have said 1:48

[howedelamitri]

OMG, good call! That gave me goosebumps and a shot of adrenaline. The whole routine kicked butt, but that was a badass move! whoah! I could watch that stuff all day. Now that's entertainment!

[jedirhythm]

this is so FUN that i laughed until i cried. it's seriously rad but also funny how they look like they're roughhousing and doing tae kwan do.

[lilcoco77007]

Amazing!

[Keezie27]

That was great! I'm tired just watching the vid lol

[Diddleywah]

Fantastic - Physical Fitness and co-ordination at its best!! Luvved it! MF

[lionheartninja]

break dancing even before break dancing :D

[SnypeDeezy]

like below..this is incredible and beyond words

[beatlebijou]

Jesus Christ.

This is beyond words. :]

[SpeedTriple59]

Man thatwas so coool im knackered just watching this fantastic piece of history, thank you for posting this....

[DjDedan]

best dance routine ever caught on film... and the camera work is perfect...

[Mikeyt369]

November 4th, here we come!

[MRain65]

Holy shit, this is awesome. Those aerials are just crazy.

[vidamate09]

this is what dance is all about!!!!!!

[feeleffect]

Where is lindy hop around at. Certainly no one young is doing this (That I know of) and the older generation..... Can they still do this today? If they are still alive.

[desertrose1112]

Oh it's alive still! just search lindy hop on youtube and you'll find some new videos from groups from around the globe! dance is making a comeback, thank goodness!

[DjDedan]

frank manning, the last guy with the overalls is still around, not sure about any of the other ones. he's also the one who made the air steps as well as took the dance posture horizontally... he's got a book out that's incredible...

also a lot of the flavor and spirit of the dance is alive in forms of contemporary dance such as lofting... which has strong jazz foundations... look it up!

[prholific]

that is smothing else. wow

[casoesteviano]

Woooooooooooow! incredible!

[renderizer01]

Whew! Leaves me breathless...that's the real Lindy Hop: alive an' hopin'!

[richardpacyisgod]

i was totally born in the wrong era. this is awesome. i wish stuff like this was still massive

[1arta1]

me too :( i wish to live in those times... today what people do in clubs i can't call dancing...

[antesrock]

wuuaaauuuuh !!! :O

[morecowbell5000]

Man them cats can move!

[IbraheemalZawahiri]

man, this black stuff is so cool! i mean, almost all GREATtalents are/were black: little richard, james brown, ray charles...

[Citadel1221]

true talent is such a rarity, this is wonderful, I would love to meet these people today (in their old age) and say to them, 'you r truly an artist!'

[videomuppet]

There are two of them still around (Frankie Manning, and Norma Miller)

Both are amazing people.

Frankie still dances and teaches, and will be ninety five this year.

[aeari123]

true talent

[dobos27]

Wow! Simply amazing. So glad this clip is here for everyone to see.

Just see the kids today trying to do this.

Unbelievable, what talent..

Thanks so much for the video...

[ShelleShelleKitty]

The best dancing ever! Am sure glad this was flimed and posted!

[llamaperpango]

Woah. At 1:41, that's one strong chick. o_o

[Xeria]

this is crazy good

[damowatt]

Wowsa!

[mikecee907]

Prototypes for what they call B-Boying nowadays....

[AncientHunter101]

man those black kids sure can move!!!

[Ezu8T]

so can the white ones you know...

[weehuffybastard]

i prefer a nice restrained waltz myself the devils work i tell you

[dollygiles]

then stay with your waltz

you don't know dancing if it came and put it's foot up your a@%.

weehuffBASTERD

[treemonisha2006]

That's what's poppin!

[kitnammm]

holy shyt that was too sick