Dance on Film: The 1960’s
“Dance is like life. It exists as you are flitting through it, and when it’s over, it’s done. ”
West Side Story (1961)
America | Rita Moreno & George Chakiris
Flamboyant, fast and fun, this dance scene is well celebrated, and blends the story-telling from the song into the movements of the dance flawlessly. Choreographed by Jerome Robbins.
The Dance in The Gym | Chorus Line
An exhilaratingly colourful dance scene, full of people having an absolute ball! Choreographed by Jerome Robbins.
Bye Bye Birdie (1963)- Ann-Margret & Bobby Rydell
A light- hearted dance, often made up of small movements that are performed so precisely and with such character. Choreographed by Gower Champion.
Viva Las Vegas (1964)- Ann-Margret & Elvis Presley
Loose, free and iconic! This dance certainly shares the unfettered spirit of the sixties. Choreographed by David Winters.
Mary Poppins (1964)- Step In Time | Dick Van Dyke & Julie Andrews
An exciting and playful dance scene set on the rooftops of London, with chimney sweeps tapping, leaping and flipping all over the place. Choreographed by Marc Breaux.
Bande à Part (1964)- The Madison Dance | Anna Karina, Sami Frey & Claude Brasseur
The famous improvised -style dance scene that became a pop culture hit and went on to influence future dance scenes in films such as Simple Men (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994).
Sound of Music (1965)
16 Going On 17 | Charmian Carr & Daniel Truhitte
The sweet duet between two young lovebirds who after getting caught in the rain, dance around the gazebo. Choreographed by Marc Breaux.
Laendler | Julie Andrews & Christopher Plummer
An elegant and quite formal dance between the two characters as they start to realise that they love each other. Choreographed by Marc Breaux.
To Sir, With Love (1967)- Sidney Poitier & Judy Geeson
An endearing and innocent dance between a beloved teacher and his student.
The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)- Chorus Line
Some 1960’s fever dream, injected with a palette of bright springtime colours, creating a world where you couldn’t imagine anything bad happening to you. Choreographed by Norman Maen.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)- Music Box | Sally Ann Howes & Dick Van Dyke
Famously shot in one take, Sally’s prefect imitation of a mechanical doll is magnificent, contrasted by Dick’s ebullient clown. Choreographed by Marc Breaux.
Sweet Charity (1969)- The Rich Man’s Frug | Suzanne Charny & Ben Vereen
Incredibly cool, modern and quirky, the upbeat music and unusual choreography proves just how unrestrained the sixties were compared to previous eras. Choreographed by Bob Fosse.
