Edited by Stuart Math, Tap Dance History – From Vaudeville to Film is a one-of-a-kind collection of rarely seen original film footage from Soundies and short films of the 1930’s and 1940’s. The films come from the private collection of Mark Cantor’s Celluloid Improvisations Music Film Archive, a collection of the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.

Every selection has been carefully researched by Andrew J. Nemr of The Tap Legacy™ Foundation and was selected to educate and enlighten dance professionals and aficionados. The narration adds background information on the legendary performers such as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Bill Mahoney, The Berry Brothers, Slick and Slack, Juanita Pitts and Stump and Stumpy. Photographs courtesy of The Rusty E. Frank Dance Archive and The Tap Legacy™ Foundation. The following Acts in this collection include, Slick and Slack: It Happened in Harlem (1945), Stump and Stumpy: “Boarding House Blues” (1948), The Berey Brothers: “Boarding House Blues”(1948) and much much more!

If you are interested in our DVD collection, this film can be purchased on DVD in the 3-DVD Set – African American Dance Influences: Streets to Stage.

To read more about the film and get a behind the scenes look, stay tuned!