Boy we were some dancing fools in the 80s! You couldn’t wield jazz hands without smacking a film about someone who has just had to get their groove on. My love of folks dancing and occasionally singing on film can be traced back to one film – well a collection of films – called, That’s Entertainment, where I was introduced to classic dance happy films and all those great dance sequences. My favorite being Bobby Van hopping himself from one end of town to the other. So what are your favorite dance sequences from 80s films? I’m not all that jazzed – ha – to see the Fosse rehash awaiting me in Burlesque so I thought I’d revisit the 80s where jazz hands still meant something!
“Never Gonna Give You Up” – Travolta and Rhodes. – Staying Alive
The only 80s dance sequences I know better than this one is the zombie walk from Thriller and the chair dance from Flashdance. Oh the hours lost leaping in the air in pretend slow motion to the dulcet strains of Frank Stallone and Cynthia Rhodes. This might come to a shock to you, but Bob Mackie designed the costumes!
“Breakin’ Final Dance” – Turbo, Ozone & Kelly – Breakin’
I have lost count of the number of times I’ve won over a room of crusty, white folks with my heartwarming breakdancing and body rocking. Lost count, I tell you!
“Footloose” – Kevin and Co. – Footloose
I don’t know what John Lithgow was so worried about; that’s some of the most unsexy dancing in the history of teenage dancing. At most, someone’s feet might get a little sore, but nobody’s gonna get hot and heavy after witnessing this dancing. I see Kevin kept the best moves for himself!
“He’s a Dream” – Alex – Flashdance
Xena knows I was too old to be reenacting this dance sequence in my then boyfriend’s backyard with a portable CD player, his nephew’s slip-n-slide, garden hose and metal folding chair. I’m sure all that screaming, “Dammit, you came in too early with the bucket again!” was not making matters any better. Only in sunny, southern California!
