I have always been fond of dance movies (or movies in which dance plays a huge part), though I have only had a one-hour dance lesson, one that happened before a swing dance session. Now that I think about it, I had a one-hour line dance lesson also. So, two hours is the extent of my dance lesson experience.
My love of dance movies started with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly movies shown on TV. Like An American in Paris (Gene), Funny Face (Fred), Singing in the Rain (Gene). I only saw bits and pieces of the movie for which this title derives: Shall We Dance (Fred).
Which brings me to two of my favorite dance movies: Strictly Ballroom (Note: If you do not like spoilers, do not click on the trailer)
and Dance with Me. (Note: If you do not like spoilers, do not click on the trailer)
Now, you might wonder why movies like Step Up (and its sequels) didn’t make the cut. I never saw any of the Step Up movies. I know. ☹ What a Philistine.
Baz Luhrmann directed Strictly Ballroom, while Randa Haines helmed Dance with Me. The films couldn’t be more different. Yet they have ballroom dancing in common.
The thing that I love the most about these films is the dancing. You’re probably screaming, Oh my goodness, how profound! You have such a gift for stating the obvious! Seriouslly, I love the energy and beauty of the dances. When I’m feeling worked over by problems, I might watch either of the films entirely or dance sequences from either. There’s something about someone busting a move that feels freeing and also rebellious at the same time.
And now to segue to the winner of Through His Disciples’ Eyes by L. [Lori] Virelli! Jill Weatherholt, you can dance all the way to your mailbox because it is coming to your house!
Thank you to all who commented!
Do you have a favorite dance movie? Do tell below!
Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly movie posters found online. Other photos by L. Marie with the exception of the book cover, which is courtesy of the author.
El Space--The Blog of L. Marie 
I haven’t seen any Step Up movies either, so we can be Philistines together. I think my favourite dance moves come from Fred Astaire. Classic
Yes, Arlene, those are classics. They probably spurred many people to take dancing lessons! 😄
Never got into any dance movies. I vaguely remember my ex-wife getting me to watch one with Julia Styles a few times. Can’t remember more than that.
I’m glad you brought up the Julia Stiles movie, because I was trying to think of it also! I saw a scene from it but never saw the full movie.
Was it ‘Save the Last Dance’? I think that was it.
Glad you thought of it! That’s it all right! 😊
How’s about the original ‘West Side Story’? I enjoy expressions of all the arts in the making of movies…the reason I like Gene Kelley over Fred Astaire is precisely due to the music in “An American in Paris”.
Anyway, I’m a clodhopper, but love, love, love the freedom-feel of dancing while I’m attempting to do it!
A good one, Laura! And like you, it’s Gene over Fred for me. 😄 I watched An American in Paris a lot when I was a kid.
My favorite dance movie is Singing in the Rain. The dancing, the dialogue, the setting– it’s perfect.
Singing in the Rain is great, Ally. It has some of the most iconic dance and song sequences.
Dancing can get a bit boring to me if it goes on too long which is why I think I hated An American in Paris and found it incredibly boring.
😄😄😄 I see what you mean, Mark. I’m pretty sure my brothers and father would side with you. 😄
Lol, nice! Gimme singing all day long, but dancing has gotta be like something from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers to keep me entertained!
Another film I watched on TV growing up! 😊
I’m not familiar with Dance with Me or Strictly Ballroom, but my favorite musical is Meet Me in St. Louis.
As someone who never wins things, I was surprised to see my name. 🙂 Unfortunately, given my present personal circumstances I have no time for pleasure reading, so I can’t in good conscience accept the prize. I’ve read and enjoyed Lori’s books and I’m sure her latest release is a great read. As an author who has spent a lot of money mailing books for reviews, I know the importance of getting books out there. Hopefully, you can pass my copy along to someone who can help Lori with her promotion. I apologize for not mentioning this in my initial comment, L. Marie.
Will do, Jill! You know I understand! You’ve got your hands full. Peace to you!
Gosh, I loved those old dance movies. And I enjoy dance scenes in most movies, perhaps because I can’t dance. The last time I danced was at a friend’s son’s wedding and it was a slow dance. My husband didn’t want to dance at all. We just don’t have the grace in our limbs anymore. (Actually, I never had the grace … 😹)
I haven’t danced in a while either, Marie. But I enjoy watching people dance. My mom and I used to go to performances of a modern dance troupe in Chicago. 😊
That sounds like fun 🙂
😊
I’m pretty sure you know that Mennonites don’t dance. Back then, they didn’t, but maybe the rules have changed. I’m not especially coordinated, but dancing appeals to me.
Long ago, my husband and I went to a free salsa dance lesson, which I think was a “teaser” to induce participants to buy a dance membership. It was way over our skill-set, but we did get in some exercise.
Good one, L. Marie! 😀
Wow, Marian! Did you enjoy the lesson? A friend tried to teach a group of us to salsa. It was fun! 😊
I couldn’t get my body to cooperate with the instructions, so I didn’t enjoy the lesson very much. I probably should have taken it less seriously, and just laugh through my blunders. Hahaha!
I’ll bet you did fine, Marian! 😊
I loved Strictly Ballroom. Dancing is something I never learned, but wanted to. I got as far as one disastrous disco lesson back in college. Clumsy+directional dyslexia=2 left feet
Strictly Ballroom is fun! 😊 Ah, disco! Those were the days!
I loved Singing in the Rain. I noticed you left out the cult classic, Dirty Dancing.
Stay warm and dry out there. It’s some nasty weather. ☃
I didn’t mention Dirty Dancing, because that’s the favorite of one of my sisters-in-law. 😊 My two favorites are the ones I posted. 😊 But I have seen it and Footloose, Fame, and Flashdance and others.
Oh my, Flashdance & Fame. Forgot about those. Footloose I couldn’t stand. Dirty Dancing is more like a cult classic, and there is so much made famous from that movie (like the “baby in the corner” line) that I wondered what you thought of it. Singing in the Rain is still tops for me. 🙂
Yes, Patrick Swayze is a fave. 😊
I grew up in the era of musicals, many of them with big dance numbers. Every weekend there was a new musical to see at the Dream Theater downtown. Singin’ in the Rain was one of them. And Gigi and An American in Paris. Cyd Charisse and Leslie Caron were two of my favorite dancers. Also Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor. Even Esther Williams danced, though often in the water with her synchronized swimming.In those days, the featured dancers were often supplemented with a whole stage full of dancers.
There have been so many great musicals, Nicki! They are so enjoyable and uplifting. When I feel down, I enjoy watching a good dance sequence.
I love to dance and enjoy movies like those that have been mentioned. Love musicals, too. A show I used to watch all the time and miss is So You Think You Can Dance. So much fun to see all the different types of dancing. Not a movie though.
Have you taken ballroom dance lessons, Sharon? I might someday.
We took a mixed dance class at UTA when we were much younger. A lot of fun. We even had to switch partners.
Wow! That happened when I took swing dance. We had to switch.
It was always Gene Kelly for me, and always will be! I often watch some of the dance routines on youtube. My ultimate favourite is Singin’ in the Rain – so many great dances – but I also love Cagney dancing in Yankee Doodle Dandy, and the wondrous Ann Miller routine to Prehistoric Man in On the Town – what a woman! What legs! What a routine! And what a fab dress!!
I forgot about that Cagney movie. That was great! On the Town is great too!
I forgot about that Cagney movie. That was great! On the Town is great too!
I’ve never seen your two picks. I guess mine would be Flashdance ~ for the dancing and soundtrack . . . NOT for the plot line. 😀
I had the album back in the 80s! Such a great album! 😊
I love dance movies. Dirty Dancing is a favorite, along with many others from the 40’s to now.
That is my sister-in-law’s favorite, Jennie! 😊
😀