Vaudeville produced every kind of dancer from the Classical exoticism of Isadora Duncan to the waltz clogging of Pat Rooney to the bouncy tapping of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. One school of dance that was popular in the 1910s and 1920s was the idea of bringing interpretation to dance and particularly to ballet. Anna Pavlova had…Continue Reading Ruth St. Denis: Mystical Pioneer of the Dance by David Soren
Topic: Dancers
Sonia Serova: Greek Dance Come to Life by David Soren
This series comprises five items related to modern dance, most including musical scores. Sonia Serova (1889-1943) trained in dance at the Wordsworth School in London, and was influenced by ancient Greek sports and vase paintings, as a disciplined approach that countered the then-popular trend for “aesthetic” dancing. Her style of modern dance was known as…Continue Reading Sonia Serova: Greek Dance Come to Life by David Soren
The Dolly Sisters: Vaudeville’s Most Famous Female Duo by David Soren
Rose “Rosie” Dolly (October 25, 1892 – February 1, 1970) and Jenny Dolly (October 25, 1892 – June 1, 1941) and Janka (later known as Yansci or Jenny) Deutsch were twins born on October 25, 1892, in Balassagyarmat, Hungary. Their family came to America in 1905 and they both began to study dance, becoming prolific…Continue Reading The Dolly Sisters: Vaudeville’s Most Famous Female Duo by David Soren
Joe Frisco: The First Jazz Dancer by Barbara Quintana-Bernal
Joe “Frisco” Rooney, was born as Louis Joseph in Milan, Illinois in 1889, and died in Woodland Hills, California in 1958. Joe was not one of the most famous entertainers or dancers in American History, but most of his legacy was left as stories from other show people across the country. Joe Frisco was basically…Continue Reading Joe Frisco: The First Jazz Dancer by Barbara Quintana-Bernal
Julia Rooney (1887–1990): 80 Years in Vaudeville by Frank Cullen
Like many performers, Julia Rooney came from a showbiz family. Her father was Pat Rooney Sr, (1848–1892), a young, short and slight Irish immigrant who boxed and wrestled his way in America to become a famous singing and clog-dancing veteran of variety saloons. Later, he led his own variety troupe, earning as much as a…Continue Reading Julia Rooney (1887–1990): 80 Years in Vaudeville by Frank Cullen
Julia Rooney and the Dancing Rooneys by Frank Cullen
Julia Rooney (1887–1990) has left her family scrapbook to the American Vaudeville Museum and her famous family connections ensure that her gift, now in the University of Arizona collection, is virtually a who was who of vaudeville. Like many performers, Julia Rooney came from a showbiz family. Her father was Pat Rooney Sr, (1848–1892), a…Continue Reading Julia Rooney and the Dancing Rooneys by Frank Cullen
Joe Cook: The One-Man Vaudeville Show by David Soren
Of all the forgotten geniuses of vaudeville, Joe Cook (born Joseph Lopez in Evansville, Indiana 1890 – died New York State, May 15, 1959) is arguably the greatest. A master of versatility, he could sing, dance, act, juggle Indian clubs, perform acrobatics, rotate another human with his feet while lying on his back, tightrope-walk, mime,…Continue Reading Joe Cook: The One-Man Vaudeville Show by David Soren
Doreen Rae: Fanchon and Marco Star by David Soren
“ Feature movies were often accompanied by Fanchon and Marco prologues known as “Fanchon and Marco Ideas”, theme shows like this one known as “Baby Songs” Pearl Hoff’s family came to Long Beach from Toronto. She first performed at age five as “Lil” Miss Long Beach. By age seven she was performing on the Pantages…Continue Reading Doreen Rae: Fanchon and Marco Star by David Soren
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers: Elegance in Partnered Dance by Frank Cullen
Fred and Ginger are the screen’s most famous dancing partners, yet each had careers beforehand on the stage. Fred Austerlitz (1899-1987) of Omaha, Nebraska partnered with sister Adele (initially the more famous of the two) in vaudeville and on the stage in musicals such as, The Band Wagon, before signing with RKO. Fred was not…Continue Reading Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers: Elegance in Partnered Dance by Frank Cullen
Fred Astaire: 1930s Iconic Dancer by David Soren
The University of Arizona has a considerable collection of Fred Astaire sheet music from his earliest days partnering with sister Adele Astaire through his golden period with RKO Pictures. Fred Astaire (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was considered the most graceful partnered dancer in vaudeville, theater and movie history. He was not, as…Continue Reading Fred Astaire: 1930s Iconic Dancer by David Soren