The glamour of Hollywood has sent out its siren call to movie star wannabes of all kinds for generations. They make their way to the Gold Coast with little more than dreams in their pockets. Most never make it, some get steady work, and some really make an impact. So when Sol Ruddosky made it to Tinsel Town in 1936, he was determined to be in the latter category. At age 19, he was already quite well known as an accomplished dancer around the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York. He started taking dance lessons at 14 in his home town of Newark, New Jersey and was a wizard at the Lindy Hop. Named Dancer of the Year in 1935 by one of America's most prestigious magazines, The New Yorker, Sol felt it was time to head out to Hollywood to try his luck. Upon arrival, he wasted no time and soon found a job as a janitor in a local diner.
The movie studios hired hundreds of dancers to support the myriad of musicals they were churning out at the time. Most dancers never made it out of the chorus. Determined to make a name for himself, Sol literally did just that, and took Dean Collins as a stage name. He worked at the diner and made his way through numerous dance contests, working on his craft. In 1939, RKO pictures hired him for a movie called Let's Make Music as a choreographer. He would eventually teach routines to such notables as Shirley Temple, Cesar Romero and even famed dance instructor Arthur Murray.
Dean went on to work in nearly 40 films as a dancer or chorographer, or both. He had the good fortune to team up with Jewel McGowen - known to this day as the greatest female Swing dancer in history. Not only was she incredibly smooth and light on her feet, she was absolutely gorgeous. The two danced in numerous contests and movies for 11 years, including the 1941 Abbot and Costello comedy, Buck Privates, which also starred the Andrews Sisters.
Despite his movie successes, it was the dance contests that made him a star. He became famous for his variation on the Savoy Style Lindy and it eventually became known as the West Coast Swing. And because he was a choreographer for the silver screen, his dance became popular as it was shown to people around the world. From American soldiers to Europeans, everyone wanted to learn the new dance and in 1988 the State of California declared the West Coast Swing as the official state dance.
The West Coast Swing is a "slotted" dance, so dancers move within an imaginary rectangle. So with that box you can easily claim your own part of a dance floor, but if the floor is less crowded you can move that rectangle at will. So if you ever find yourself doing the West Coast Swing, remember Dean Collins! Maybe you can create the next dance craze!
The movie studios hired hundreds of dancers to support the myriad of musicals they were churning out at the time. Most dancers never made it out of the chorus. Determined to make a name for himself, Sol literally did just that, and took Dean Collins as a stage name. He worked at the diner and made his way through numerous dance contests, working on his craft. In 1939, RKO pictures hired him for a movie called Let's Make Music as a choreographer. He would eventually teach routines to such notables as Shirley Temple, Cesar Romero and even famed dance instructor Arthur Murray.
Dean went on to work in nearly 40 films as a dancer or chorographer, or both. He had the good fortune to team up with Jewel McGowen - known to this day as the greatest female Swing dancer in history. Not only was she incredibly smooth and light on her feet, she was absolutely gorgeous. The two danced in numerous contests and movies for 11 years, including the 1941 Abbot and Costello comedy, Buck Privates, which also starred the Andrews Sisters.
Despite his movie successes, it was the dance contests that made him a star. He became famous for his variation on the Savoy Style Lindy and it eventually became known as the West Coast Swing. And because he was a choreographer for the silver screen, his dance became popular as it was shown to people around the world. From American soldiers to Europeans, everyone wanted to learn the new dance and in 1988 the State of California declared the West Coast Swing as the official state dance.
The West Coast Swing is a "slotted" dance, so dancers move within an imaginary rectangle. So with that box you can easily claim your own part of a dance floor, but if the floor is less crowded you can move that rectangle at will. So if you ever find yourself doing the West Coast Swing, remember Dean Collins! Maybe you can create the next dance craze!
About the Author:
Tony and Melanie have been performing, coaching, creating and developing fantastic choreography for over 30 years. The own NYC's premier dance center If you interested in learning more history of any dances make sure you check out their website. They are currently teachingdance lessons in NYC
