Cast of College Swing (1938)

Cast of College Swing (1938)

Discover something new.  Fall in love with something once forgotten.  And get inspired by some of these rare vintage swing and lindy hop clips.

Hellzapoppin’.  Groovie Movie.  After Seben.  Keep Punching. Buck Privates.  Maharaja Soundie.  All the Cats Join In.  Don’t Knock the Rock.  These are just a few of the most well known vintage swing and lindy hop clips.  There are a number of famous dance clips which we all love and regularly draw from for inspiration in our dancing and performances.  But every once in a while, it’s nice to unearth a new gem or dust the cobwebs off of a forgotten vintage dance scene from an obscure movie to discover new dancers, new moves and new styling choices.  Thankfully, there are individuals out in the world mining through film vaults to preserve and share these fractured and precious pieces of our history.  An amazing dancer/teacher/writer from Washington DC, Bobby White, recently discovered some VERY rare stock footage of swing dancers from the 1940s which sent a number of dancers into a frenzy.  The mystery of who is dancing in the clip continues, but the extended shots show moves that were known of but never before seen executed by dancers in their prime.  In light of this discovery we at Atomic Ballroom want to celebrate the unique, rare, lesser known, and forgotten swing dance clips of yesteryear!

Check out these Rare Vintage Swing & Lindy Hop Videos!!

 

Jitterbugs (1943) – Laurel & Hardy Film

 

Ghost Catchers (1944) – Film

 

Dancers in the Dark (1932) – Film

 

Basin Street Boogie (1939) – Will Bradley Soundie

 

Boardwalk Boogie (1941) – Will Bradley Soundie

 

Juke Box Saturday Night (1942) – Glenn Miller Soundie

 

Swing Cat’s Jamboree (1938) – Film feat. Louis Prima

 

‘Break Dancing’ to A Night in Tunisia (30s?) – Mills Brothers Film

 

Jack You’re Playing the Game (1941) – Delta Rhythm Boys Soundie

 

WWII Sailors Jitterbug

 

Ragg Mopp (1951) – The Treniers Soundie

 

Rhumba Boogie (1950) – Chuy Reyes Soundie

 

‘Can I Steal a Little Love’ from Rock Pretty Baby (1956) – Film

 

National Library of Sweden (1944) – Check out this really cool clip of Swedes doing the lindy hop!

 

Rare Dancing Cartoons

I’m Just a Jitter Bug (1939) – Walter Lanz, Oswald Rabbbit

 

Poopdeck Pappy (1940) – Popeye the Sailor

 

Boogie Woogie Man (1943) – Walter Lanz, Swing Symphony

 

Jitterbug Jive (1950) – Popeye the Sailor

 

Some may relish the small details like shoulder shakes and hand gestures, while others may appreciate the opportunity to ‘try-on’ a variety of fashion and dance styles. But mostly, they’re really fun!

This is just a short list to get you started on your own adventure! So check out your local library, museum or film archive for more rare lindy hop and swing dance clips! If you have uncovered a rare vintage swing dance clip and would like to share it with the rest of us, please leave a link in the comments section!