Lindy Hop and Jivers at the 1939 New York World's Fair

[Barndancer61]

I don't get the posters comment on saddle shoes being ahead of their time in 1939 when there are several pairs evident in this clip alone! This was exactly the time they became popular and would have been worn by many kids. I have seen footage from 1935 with teens wearing them, so the comment make little sense.

[ilovesidneypoitier]

Love this. Wish I was alive back then. Life before Pearl Harbor. War was only 2 years away.

[2reeler]

These are great 1939 home color movies! Seems like there are swing and fox trots mixed that they dance to.. Glenn Grey had such an exciting band back then, it must have been a blast! Thanks for sharing these!

[MsOldjazz]

thanks so much for posting.

[OonaCanute]

Thank you for posting this--I love all the girls dancing together (probably mostly) for lack of boys willing to dance. It's so much like today!

[robzrob]

Sad too - they had no idea what was coming.

[takpeh]

context:

Sep 1939 - Germany attacks Poland

Sep 1940 - US enacts DRAFT

Dec 1941 - Pearl Harbor attacked

[missapril1956]

Queens, the epicenter of style! Now I want some saddle shoes.

[USRoute66]

I so wish this had sound to it. Nonetheless, this one great film clip. Glen Gray always had a very solid orchestra, which could take off an swing with the best of them.

[bettiep]

this is so cool! Thank you for posting!

[crackedoreo]

this makes my sperm feel funny...

[PrometheanRising]

Nice. The two black women at around the 3 minute mark are swinging out. Sort of the signature step of Lindy Hop.