| | |  | Modern Dance | Home » » » AMERICA DANCES! 1897-1948: A Collectors Edition of Social Dance in Film | | | | | | | Description: | | The America Dances DVD presents original film clips of Americans dancing iconic, vintage dances. Dancetime Publications has culled fascinating, incredible footage from multiple archives and libraries to create this astounding collection. A collectible treasure, America Dances! is a fascinating, original-source record of pivotal dance moments reflecting changing dance trends, expertise, and taste. A dance chronicle of our culture, this retrospective spans the panorama from average Americans dancing in newsreels to top quality performers who left a legacy of their moves across the ballroom floor. These film archives show rare footage of the African American and Latin dance heritage. More than 60 film clips from silent films, newsreels, instructional films, and feature films comprise this 75 minute video. | | | Product Details: | | | Actors:
| Irene and Vernon Castle, Leon James, Al Minns, Whitney's Lindy Hop | | Director:
| Carol Teten | | Format:
| Color, DVD, NTSC | | Language:
| English | | Number of Discs:
| 1 | | Studio:
| Dancetime Publications | | Run Time:
| 75 minutes | | DVD Release Date:
| October 21, 2003 | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 6 reviews |
| | | | Used and New: | | | |
| All | |
| $26.94 | Used
- Good | | | $27.77 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | Used
- Acceptable | | | $29.99 | New | | | $32.96 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | Used
- VeryGood | | | $35.27 | New | | | $35.28 | New | | | $35.39 | New | | | $42.45 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $42.94 | Used
- Mint | | | $42.95 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $51.79 | New | | | $51.79 | Used
- Mint | | | $134.97 | New | |
| New | |
| $29.99 | New | | | $35.27 | New | | | $35.28 | New | | | $35.39 | New | | | $42.45 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $42.95 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $51.79 | New | | | $134.97 | New | |
| Used | |
| $26.94 | Used
- Good | | | $27.77 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | Used
- Acceptable | | | $32.96 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | Used
- VeryGood | | | $42.94 | Used
- Mint | | | $51.79 | Used
- Mint | |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 6 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 found the following review helpful:
 Throwing pearls before geeksDec 09, 2004
By A techno geek
This DVD presents and incomparable collection of historic dance clips. But whoever is behind Dancetime Publications hasn't got a clue about handling historical material. They ripped out the original soundtracks and replaced them with a ragtime piano track that has nothing to do with either the rhythm of the dancers or the music of the periods. Get this DVD --- because I know of no other source to see these dance clips --- but be prepared to turn the sound off, and wonder how anyone could have blown it this bad in their concept of historical preservation.
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
great collection of short clips, turn off the volumeJan 31, 2009
By underwater kiss
If you have never seen any vintage clips, this is a great collection. classic moves, and clear depiction of styles. But the soundtrack!
The solo piano presents such an utterly superficial (bordering on ignorant) impression of what the actual soundtracks might have been (swing, latin, etc.), that is better to just turn off the volume, it is that annoying. Obviously a big job for a pianist, but in this case, way too big a job for the talent available. If you are going to overdub a soundtrack, and charge your retail price, show some knowledge of the period musical styles!
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Enjoyable exposéAug 10, 2005
By Ersa
There are a lot of interesting authentic clips on this DVD. I consider this to be a must have for anyone who is lost in early 20th century social dancing. I have not seen most of these before. But the off beat piano track is a shame.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 See authentic dance history!Nov 21, 2005
By Wendy Brickman
"Wendy Brickman"
I just loved seeing the DVD, "America Dances! 1897-1948." Talk about "stepping back in time....this was literally what I did!. I got a kick out of seeing all of the historical dance film clips from the first part of the 20th century. I was able to view a rare 1897 film `Charity Ball', an early 1900s newsreel of young men and women doing a spontaneous "cakewalk", the legendary dance duo Irene and Vernon Castle, Charleston demonstrations from "The American Musical Theatre," as well as dance marathons, and innovative jitterbug contests. This video gave me both dance and history. It was a double treat!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
An inspirational treasury that scholars and choreographers will find usefulMay 11, 2009
By Midwest Book Review
America Dances! 1897-1948: A Collector's Edition of Social Dance in Film is an archive of American film clips featuring dance, many of which are originally from the era of silent movies. From the "Comedy Cakewalk" and "Two Step" of the early 1900's, to the many variants of the Charleston in the 1920s, the Lindy Hop and the Jitterbug in the 1930's, to Rumba, and Conga in the 1940s, and much more, a vast plethora of dance styles and highlights have been preserved for posterity. An inspirational treasury that scholars and choreographers will find useful, and that fans of dance are sure to enjoy. 75 minutes.
See all 6 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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