Hellzapoppin' (1941) - Slim Gaillard & Slam Stewart - The Harlem Congeroos

[SpeedTriple59]

Awesome this should have been the highlight of the film...Cant believe these moves watch the dvd over and over..

[RAMLIA1]

Marvellous!

[TroyOi]

Of the thousands of videos I've seen on YouTube, this is the one I keep coming back to, time after time.

Heck, if I made it a point to watch this every morning, I'd never need caffeine again!

[eelpieballox]

STUNNING which ever way you look at it,,

[baficchio]

simply the best.....without words

[danielmatatodo]

i come here just for Rosario Dawson!! : )

[gregoryagogo]

@danielmatatodo That's nice.

[JRebel617]

Yes I'm black and I rap but I'm so glad blacks brought America away from compositional music, they brought emotion and feeling into music. I love the blues and jazz. Through music blacks expressed themselves and America learned to express themselves as well. The beat generation, hippies and all the other counter culturalism movements after the liberation of blacks were caused mainly from the influence of music, it literally change America! Blacks play a huge role on why America is America today!

[TheFinlandnator]

@JRebel617 The black population of USA also formed the genre of "detroit techno", the root of all modern techno, house, trance etc. in the 80's.

[early60srcool]

I don't care if you speed it up, slow it down I don't care if it's choreographed or was improvised. It is some fabulous dancing!!! Period. I wonder what folks' opinions would be if Fred and Ginger were doing It. Don't hate-Appreciate!

[sonique25]

no mames que perfección

[eluminatefilms]

@trailertrashrnr what's done for the movie camera is not gonna be the same as what's done in a hot shot contest. The style, lighting & precision for a film would be far greater. My point was they're dancing the dance these cats came up with in the 30's right now -- it didn't die. We dancers know these were giants as the musicians were -- the top dancers of top ballroom at the height of the swing era. I've taken classes from one of the guys, Frankie Manning - he loved that we were still swinging.

[gregoryagogo]

@eluminatefilms Yes, the magic of editing definitely sends this clip into a new dimension!

[HoosierJ219]

" I can't believe people used to do this... so cool!"

Guess what... they still do

[VanCephus]

This dancing is utterly ridiculous. Some of these moves are so fast they are a blur that I would have to slow down to figure out what they were doing. It's like slowing down a Charlie Parker or John Coltrane recording to figure out what they were doing. I'll have to do it 1 frame at a time.

[gregoryagogo]

@VanCephus Totally redic! That's the point!

[playgirlc]

there was a period of time in the mid-late 1980s i used to bump into slim all over the place in london, just walking around, and got to know him on nodding terms, bless 'im! good memories and a great perfomer!

[arashtony]

Phat!

[VonNashman]

Wow

[bassbob42]

We stand on the shoulders of giants....

[YaaNia]

This was truly amazing! I see elements of current Dancehall in there! Just wow, so much energy! I can't believe that was 1941!

[YaaNia]

this is AMAZING. I see elements of from the swing dancing that are currently in Dancehall. Sooooo much energy! WOW

[robertsrashad]

Swing Dancing, a great part of American history. I can't believe people used to do this... so cool!

[gregoryagogo]

@robertsrashad People still do it!

[eluminatefilms]

@robertsrashad ... it's definitely still happening: search for Fast Swing Dancing - ULHS 2006 for example

[trailertrashrnr]

@eluminatefilms I looked it up. what the're dong is not any where near this class of dancing

[rhombus0ne]

@trailertrashrnr This May, I heard Norma Miller herself say that she was so excited to watch all the dancers the night before, because we've really gotten it. We're dancing the lindy hop, and making it exciting. And btw, she's one of the dancers in this clip.

[Baalaaxa]

This is totally crazy. And absolutely awesome. Gotta love the dancin' back in the old days.

[AngryKiko]

@ jacobization.... They're BLACK??? I can't tell without the Technicolor. Great stuff, but it looks exhausting.

[darkmaste81]

Holy shit amazing. Smiled the whole time watching this.

[hznfrst]

WOW!!



[StruggleBunnies]

This was filmed 70 years ago. If these are twentysomething peoples, they'd be in their 90's and could still be alive.

[zoatebix]

@StruggleBunnies Yeah! Frankie Manning (the guy in the overalls; the lead of the fourth couple to dance) was with us (and dancing!) until 2009. Norma Miller (the partner of the guy in the chef's hat, Billy Ricker) is definitely still alive. I don't know about the rest.

[StruggleBunnies]

@zoatebix Your knowledge of the dancers/actors amazes me.

Thank you so much for responding to my comment.

I'd love to see a documentary or at least interviews of the people in entertainment from this era.

Oh, the stories they could tell.

[gregoryagogo]

@StruggleBunnies Documentary, "This Joint Is Jumpin'" talks of this dance team, and I believe one of 'the guy's' is in it.

[StruggleBunnies]

@gregoryagogo While I didn't find "This Joint is Jumpin" yet, I did find many other interesting things. Including the great Harold Lloyd, on your page.

Two of my favorite movies are from this era. "Casablanca" and "My man Godfrey",

Glad people like you are preserving the past like this.

[gregoryagogo]

@StruggleBunnies You have to netflix it or buy it!

[StruggleBunnies]

Play it again slam.

[hellzfire82901]

lol that was awesome



[Unconnectedable]

Rosario Dawson sent me.

[ChrisEllisMusic]

woah!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!

[nirvgardengod]

sort of a harlem cirque de solei

[debbiedeepr85]

Amazing!!!



[spencerhollis]

WOW!amazing.

[Ace2548]

Incredible piece of American History, and even more incredible dancing!

[rdstrcmmndr]

Wow! The dancing was incredible.

[tgfasmo]

thats the shit!!! amazing

[ForeverNoobie]

Holy sh** Rosario knows how to choose em. Best thing I've seen all year.

[coneoftrance]

thanks for this Ms. Dawson!!

[sarcasm2k]

Rosario sent me

[gregoryagogo]

@sarcasm2k Who is Rosario?

[msdjlove10]

@gregoryagogo and actress! she put your video on her playlist, it's on the youtube homepage

[sarcasm2k]

@gregoryagogo Actress Rosario Dawson. She mentioned this video in a curator's spotlight. Check out the youtube frontpage :-)

[Monkey15dk]

@gregoryagogo he meant Rosario Dawson... she mentions this video aside from others as her favorites...

[MyLifeAzKim]

@gregoryagogo Rosario Dawson the actress

[SkySho116]

@gregoryagogo Rosario Dawson mentioned she liked this video. You know the thing where celebrities mention the Youtube videos they like? Well, it's her turn. She's on the home page, now.

[MarthaChloeeee]

@gregoryagogo rosario dawson... the actres.. she had this video of all her favorite youtube vids..

but personally i dont think it matters who sent who. just saying..

[gregoryagogo]

@MarthaChloeeee Just wondering why all of a sudden there's a bunch of people mentioning this actress...

[johnycage180]

@gregoryagogo

Rosario Dawson

/watch?v=ULaSB0L3VvU&p=0723C79­3864F3726

[lancer7610]

@gregoryagogo Rosario Dawson actress

[kowboy702]

@gregoryagogo dawson...actress....u n00b

[Icebrrg]

@gregoryagogo Rosario Dawson. Look her up. She's kind of a big deal.

[gregoryagogo]

@Icebrrg LOL... I did. Name, face does not ring a bell! I don't pay attention much to modern pop culture! Her like only one movie title looks familiar!

[gregoryagogo]

@sarcasm2k She was right in doing so! Hope YOU enjoyed it!

[Yesy8472]

wow the dancing!!

[texasaggie85]

tom and jerry music

[SandmanZimm]

Is this Lindy Hop?

[gregoryagogo]

@SandmanZimm Yes it is!

[SandmanZimm]

@gregoryagogo HOT DOG! That's some good dancing

[Gangreen167]

WOW!!!!

[gabK008]

wtf that was epic

[demvids]

@defton24 i was thinkin the same thing..Lol!

[demvids]

this kinda proves that hip hop has always been around

[defrancotv]

ORIGINAL BREAKDANCERS.

[Mrlanceypancey]

holy shit they just throw women left and right.

[JackieBorelli]

rosario dawson sent me! =)

[JackieBorelli]

wow!! there's a difference between swing dance & "fling" dance, lol, that got a little violent there. still absolutely incredible!!

[beatlemania871]

Well we found break-dancings' roots.

[CaptainRioDijon]

Rosario Dawson sent me!

[brahminbull]

Just clicked on to test out my phone's hotspot using youtube and got mesmerized. Thanks for pointing this out Rosario!

[logicg]

cono that was amazing!!!

[cmfernandez9283]

How is this even possible, Ive never seen anything like this today. Where is the art in our modern arts? Thanks to Rosario Dawson for recommending this vid.

[GerryK61]

Wow!

Now that's dancing

[inputmodule]

this is mind blowing.

truly amazing

[gregoryagogo]

@inputmodule The whole movie is amazing. Non-stop antics and thoroughly entertaining!

[AveryMilieu]

Dynamic.

[smiki1118]

Best freaking improvvisation i've ever seen.

[gregoryagogo]

@smiki1118 Best really planned and choreographed "improvisation"...

[tigereign]

@gregoryagogo planned and choreographed improvisation? that doest even make sense

[gregoryagogo]

@tigereign I know, huh... well, it has the feeling of "on the spot, imporov" but like all dancers there's lots and lots of practice to make it look spontaneous! It takes lots and lots of practice to make it look effortless like this, and a little editing help.

[purpledynasty]

Much of the dance portion seems to have been shot with only a single take each. There is a sequence of three takes that seems to comprised the bulk of entire dance.

[FuckedReality2492]

Ahhhh!!! the pinnacle of Rad! Thx again Kerouac

[oldsyphilitic]

Slim Gaillard and Slam Stewart performed under the name of Slim and Slam and made some wonderful recordings. Have a listen to 'Palm Springs Jump' an absolute classic. Thanks for the lovely posting.

[Steppenwulf79]

bring back those roaring fourties!

[superjules]

This is equal parts amazing and horrifying

[gregoryagogo]

They're musicians before "actors" LOL

[OllieOxenFrass]

haha everyone knows how to play an instrument what a coincidence

[fancynot]

great moment of fun/time speed ***** THANKS !

[danoinreno]

way cool !!

[BeautifulTo1122]

wow I'd love to see that on Dancing with the Stars! haha

[casuco]

Don't try to do this at home!

[gregoryagogo]

@casuco Where else would you do it without making a fool of yourself where people can see you?!

[cha5]

Screw Ballet, give me Lindy Hopping!

[evlisp]

Yep.... They'd win the X factor.............

[TheyCallMeGroucho]

Wow! Those are some complex dance movements, especially by the ladies...quite impressive.

Larry, Taiwan

[gregoryagogo]

@TheyCallMeGroucho It IS over the top! The black folks had to make their 3-4 minutes in the move count!

[TheLopezski]

I agree, Gregory. But you would never see that sort of thing in a movie made today. Very clear social roles based on race in this film. The show that they're putting on in the story line is made up completely of white performers. This routine by black performers is clearly recognized as the highlight of the film, yet they were placed in subservient roles.

The dancers themselves recognized this and have spoken to it on occasion.

[gregoryagogo]

@TheLopezski That's why it's an old movie! We have come along way, baby!

The really sad part is that back then this scene would have been edited out completely for our southern neighbors!

Boy did they miss out!

[TheLopezski]

Sure, Gregory. But if you get caught goofing around on the job most people don't scamper off in fear - you apologize and get back to work.

[gregoryagogo]

@TheLopezski This is a comedy... they scampered off in a slapstick sort of way in line with their dance. 

[TheLopezski]

The worst part of the scene is that the servants run away afterwards knowing that they could get in serious trouble for dancing on the job. But right after this scene the characters who are seen clapping at the end of this clip say some very complimentary things about the dancers. There was a recognition and respect amongst performers but the producers were still worried about marketability.

[gregoryagogo]

@TheLopezski That's a normal thing... You don't goof around "on the job"...

[frew111e]

Anyone know the name of the original track in the movie (not the "Jumpin' at the Woodside" version) and where I can get it?

Thanks

[TroyOi]

According to her Wikipedia entry, Norma Miller. who is now 90 and apparently still going strong, is one of the dancers here. Might anyone know which one she is?

[Pinky39559]

Despite only one scene , awesome and tight as it was , with African Americans , even though they were stereotyped in their roles , Hellzapoppin was a great movie , mixing in musical numbers with Zucker-Abraham-Zucker ( ie : Airplane ! , The Naked Gun ) style visual comedy .

[ethnotime]

Wow! The music is awesome, but the dancing is out of this world! Seriously aggressive and energetic. Love it. Thank you for posting.

[basidiomycet]

Elmer Fane, clarinet? The sound being dubbed anyway, I'd say this sounds like Artie Shaw (who would probably not been allowed to "fraternize" with African American artists on screen)

[gregoryagogo]

Musical scenes in movies were always recorded first, then they pretended to play to the record to make the film portion. These are the real musicians, playing along with a recording of themselves. Some folks were better at matching their record than others... that's why it doesn't look quite right at times. The likelihood that Artie Shaw dubbed in for this little movies slim, to me.

[gregoryburrows]

stunning great stuff but the stereotypes are scary...maids, cooks, servants...safe for us white folks back then. MIles Davis would roll in his grave watching this!

[gregoryagogo]

Not only that, it's the only scene in the movie with blacks in it. I'm certain, that this scene would have been edited out for our "friends" down in the south. Boy did they miss out!

[gregoryburrows]

it wasn't just down South Gregory, I'm afraid....my people up here in the North were/are plenty racist too. It's better but not over yet. But this is a great study though, even besides the incredible dancing--perpetuating myth that Black folk were more sexual, servile, always happy/grinning...

[TroyOi]

@gregoryagogo I disagree, Gregory. I don't think Southerners at that time had any problem with blacks appearing in films, just blacks appearing alongside whites as equals, or in any roles that didn't suit their "allowable" stereotypes.

What interests me more is to know to what extent the South drove the whole Hollywood machine, given the latter's desire to go after the widest market, and hence appeal to the lowest common denominator. Who knows how different the films might otherwise have been?

[gregoryagogo]

Information from TCM says otherwise. The blacks were kept in only certain scenes so it could be easily edited out. That's why people like Lena Horne would come on, sing, then that was it!

[fourpreps]

@gregoryburrows

Miles lived that era so he knew what was up. I'd hazard to say like everyone else he probably marveled at the talent that was on screen and pitied the fact they could go no further.

That was incredible.

[JonnyDurango]

goodbye culture....hello "reality" tv and video games

[intothetopcorrupt]

exactly what crossed my mind

[Airclot]

@JonnyDurango Nothin wrong with video games.

[JonnyDurango]

@Airclot yeah nothing wrong with huffin gas and watching paint dry either....same fucking thing

[Airclot]

@JonnyDurango Oh I get it. You time traveled from the past. Well, welcome to the future.

[VanCephus]

@JonnyDurango Right on Jonny. The dumbing down of society is so sad. I'm so glad my family exposed me to what I consider real culture as opposed to what I euphemistically refer to as bovine effluvium, better known as B.S. (bull substance).

[piment88]

amazing........

[gregoryagogo]

The whole move is totally worth buying the DVD! Funny funny funny!

[Streamline09]

RIP Frankie Manning!

[BrkCityFG9]

this is awesum!!!

[rlholo]

My God! The strength this would require... at 4:00 he's throwing her around like she's a styrofoam prop!!

[tensorveli]

@rlholo It doesn't take all that much strength. Good balance, a firm base, and know how is about it. I do most of these, and I am anything but strong.

[repeatclicks]

Very true. Dancing is all about balance and a firm foot.

[noisyfan]

You're probably right -, here we have REAL LIFE on one hand, and VIRTUAL LIFE on the other, each one in his own right! And if the latter one pleases and excites us, it's areal work of art.

[gregoryagogo]

Definitely!

[noisyfan]

They truly got EVERYTHING it takes!

You couldn't possibly learn how to perform like this even in a top Academy teaching Jazz Shows!

Looks like they invented all of this RIGHT ON THE SPOT, without ever rehearsing!

noisyfan from Germany

[gregoryagogo]

It's impossible to dance this fast for more than a minute or two... remember this is a movie and there are many takes for this scene alone! Through the wonder of editing, this scene flows like one dance. Also they danced many more minutes extra for the parts they didn't use, or the parts they had to retake!!!

[gregoryagogo]

I wonder how many times they did that routine to capture each camera angle!

[songplugger]

Thanks for uploading a HIGH-QUALITY clip of this classic, FIERCE number!!!!

[gregoryagogo]

Sure!!  The DVD is really cheap on amazon! Well worth having the whole movie in you collection! It's loaded with fun stuff!