“Swing Out”, a documentary by Morgan Irish
Morgan Irish, a Film Studies Major (and graduate) of Asbury University, directed and produced “Swing Out“, a documentary that featured several Hepcats. The documentary was filmed in February and March 2013. The documentary was selected for the prestigious Highbridge Film Festival and was shown at that event on Saturday, April 20, 2013.
About the film, in Morgan’s own words: “The film represents to me more than just one girl learning to swing dance. The people met along the way, the love shown among all those involved and the lessons learned are things that I think are transferable to all who ever find themselves being challenged to meet a goal…” Mike & Mary Richardson and Owen & Christine Richetti were Morgan’s instructors for the dancing.
The film follows Morgan’s journey as she meets the challenge of participating in a Jam Circle!
Enjoy the film!
Vintage Video Clips
The most famous Lindy Hop ever captured on film (1941): Hellzapoppin’!
Dancers: Whitney’s Lindy Hoppers (Harlem Congaroo Dancers) in order of appearance:
– William Downes (uniform) and Frances “Mickey” Jones (maid).
– Norma Miller and Billy Ricker (chef’s hat).
– Al Minns (white coat, black pants) and Willa Mae Ricker.
– Ann Johnson (maid) and Frankie Manning (overalls).
Check out this same video of Hellzapoppin’, but with the choreography done to the original song, Jumpin’ at the Woodside, by the Count Basie Orchestra.
The famous Balboa clip from the 1943 movie short Maharaja. Dancers: Hal & Betty Takier.
Below is the re-creation of the Maharaja movie short by Jeremy Otth and Laura Keat, performed at the 2012 All Balboa Weekend.
Groovie Movie. A funny, cute and instructional movie short from 1944 about “Jitterbug” (Lindy Hop); dancers include Jeanne Veloz, Arthur Walsh, Charles Saggau and Irene Thomas.
Day at the Races. The famous Lindy Hop dancing by Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers from the Marx Brothers 1937 movie. The swing dancing starts at approx. 5:13 in the clip. This sequence, like the Lindy Hop sequence in Hellzapoppin’, had no relation to the main plot, so that part could be cut from the film when it was shown in segregated venues and in the deep south.
More vintage clips to follow…..
Videos of Birthday Dances
A birthday dance for Mike – he can still cut a rug with the youngsters! The song is “Frolic Sam”, by the Duke Ellington Orch., c. 230 bpm.
Check out this clip of a Hepcats performance group, The Rhythm Cats,
at Dayton Swing Smackdown back in 2012: (18) Dayton Swing Smackdown 2012 ~ Team Competition ~ Rhythm Cats – YouTube
More videos to follow……