Product Description

In 1927, two song and dance men, Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant, took four popular steps of the 1920's, strung them together and created the now legendary tap dance "The Shim Sham Shimmy." In February 1994, at age 87, Leonard created the Shim Sham II. To his utter joy, he lived to see his dance become the official "National Anthem" of tap. If you've been tap dancing for years or are just putting on your first pair of tap shoes, you'll be able to learn the Shim Sham Shimmy. In the Introduction, you will see a demonstration of the dance by a group of talented and ageless (7-75!) tappers and hear an introduction by Leonard Reed himself. In the lesson, tap dancer and preservationist Rusty Frank breaks down the Shim Sham Shimmy, the Freeze Chorus and the Shim Sham II, using the same accessible methods she's used in hundreds of tap classes. Now it's up to you, put the DVD in and start tapping.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #102922 in DVD
• Released on: 1995-01-01
• Formats: Color, NTSC
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 45 minutes

Features

• Original Leonard Reed's Shim Sham Shimmy
• also includes Freeze Chorus and The Shim Sham II

From the Director
Rusty Frank -- As a tap dancer, and the author of the book "TAP! The Greatest Tap Dance Stars and Their Stories 1900-1955," I have always had a great love and interest of the history of tap and especially those individuals who brought it all to life. The first interview I did for my book was with Leonard Reed, himself. I found him to be utterly amazing. He started in show business in 1922 as a Charleston dancer, began tap dancing in the mid 1920's, and then switched to producing and directing shows in the 1930s. He is the only living producer of the famous Cotton Club shows, and, believe it or not, continues to be active in show business to this day! At 93 (as of January 7, 2000), he is vibrant, full of an astounding wealth of information from his years in the business, and a genuine joy for anyone interested in the past of America's cultural history. It was really at a friend's urging (insistent nudging!) that I get together with Leonard Reed and record his version of the Shim Sham. It was my pleasure. So I gathered 60 of my nearest and dearest tap friends and fans for cast and crew, and the result is a delight for all. Not only did I "recruit" some wonderful young children from Alred Desio's classes, but also got two show business legends themselves to participate, tap dancer and legomania dancer Glenn Turnbull, and tap dancer and choreographer Miriam Nelson. Enjoy. [Los Angeles 2003]

Customer Reviews

One of the Best Tap Videos Available!!!
I'm a dance teacher at the University of Southern California (USC) specializing in American Vernacular Dances and a tap dancer as well. Having taught at dance festivals and tap seminars all over the world, I know the difference between good and bad teaching. This video is absolutely one of the best- produced and entertaining instructional videos I have ever seen. The fact that the video includes commentary from Leonard Reed himself is worth the price of the tape -- this man is a true living legend. But the instruction is top-notch, too. Rusty Frank is an acclaimed tap instructor and producer who really knows how to break steps down. I was very grateful to see her explaining and demonstrating the steps in such a personable fashion, and so clearly! She then repeats the steps from the reverse so the student can join in, and she does so (thank HEAVENS!) without calling out the steps over the taps. I have seen other videos where the teacher calls out the steps the whole time, making it difficult to hear the taps clearly, and Ms. Frank obviously knows how trying this can be. The music, which was apparently composed specifically for this video, is perfect too...just the right feel for this classic dance. Overall, I believe this to be one of the perfect beginners tap tapes. I have seen students who have never tapped before, master the Shim Sham with just this tape. Well done, Rusty Frank!

Easily to follow even if you're not a tap dancer!
When I bought this tape I was not a tap dancer and yet I made it through quite easily. Afterwards, when I started attending tap dance classes, I decided to show my teacher what I had learned with the tape, in order to check and see if I had learned it well and if it looked "real" or not. She was awestruck at how I had managed to do it with just a videotape and without knowing how to tap dance. The secret is a good teacher using a good method. I highly recommend it. You're gonna have a great time, for sure!

All tap dancers need this video!
For quite a while, I have been looking for a Shim Sham Shimmy video or clear written instructions on the dance. I am more than pleased with this video. It is wonderfully organized in an up-beat, easy-to-learn fashion. I have loaned this video to a 7 year old student and she had no problem following it. (But it's just as much fun for a 50+ student as well!) A great buy!