The Joy of Dance

Smile for a Saturday

These days, Hollywood lures people to the theaters with summer blockbusters mostly based on action and special effects. You cannot help but be in awe of the fantastic worlds these digital artists deftly and believably conjure. The evolution of technical wizardry over the decades is almost unbelievable. 

Part of movie magic has always been about leaving audiences in astonishment. Yes, films can be a quiet, reflective medium. They have the ability to take you close up to the performances of great actors with an intimacy — the tight shot — unachievable on stage. They can offer a place for silence and reflection. But films can also serve as portals to boisterous celebration. And special effects, in my opinion at least, are not limited only to computer graphics. 

I think back to the movies of the past and a genre that, while still practiced today, is not nearly as prevalent on screen: the musical. I would argue that there is something as awe-inspiring (a “special effect,” if you will) in what the human body can achieve with a blend of movement and dance as there is in resurrected dinosaurs. And I say that as someone who is both fascinated by dinosaurs and born with two left feet.

These thoughts emerged as we found a remarkable YouTube compilation of some of the most memorable dance sequences in the history of the silver screen. To see the artistry, the energy, the remarkable physicality, and the smiles on the faces of these dancers, we hope will bring a smile to your face as well. 

I tip my hat to the editor who put this together. Rather than just compiling an assortment of sequences, they found segments of old films and set them to Kenny Loggins’ classic song “Footloose,” featured in the 1984 movie of the same name. What is achieved is the feeling of a single performance stitched together from a rich variety of original material, sort of like a visual smorgasbord of fun. 

Watching these selections, especially for people of a certain age, will probably entail a fair amount of “name that film” and “hey, that’s (insert movie star name here).” It’s quite a trip — including down memory lane. It’s also, sadly, a reminder that there has not been enough diversity or representation on screen. But ultimately, we believe you will smile at the sheer joy of dance. You might also be inspired to rewatch some of these classics.