Strauss the Rage In Waltz Patterns

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 22, 27 January 1937, Page 11 (Supplement)

Strauss the Rage In Waltz Patterns

•CHAMPAGNE WALTZ" REVIVES COLOURFUL DANCES (State: Screening Soon). The pendulum of dance fashion nas reached the end of its swing. Jerky, jumpy dance steps are on their way out, superseded by the graceful Viennese wait. So declares Leßoy Prinz, Paramount Studio’s pugilistic little dance director who is anticipating the changing trend with a new waltz that is introduced to the screen in the Gladys Swarthout-Fred MacMurray musical “Champagne Waltz." “Styles in dancing as well as girls •iiangc every three months," said L’rinz, "but they follow a general rend. We are now going through a

transitional period that will see the end of jerky, graceless dancing. "The waltz has never gone completely out of popularity except in this country. Recently, it has started to come back over here and it will soon be the most popular type of ballroom dancing." The "Champagne Waltz" which makes its debut in the picture is a slightly modified form of the old Viennese waltz that lias enjoyed popularity in Europe since the Strauss era. Prinz has experienced unusual difficulties with the waltz because nearly all of the chorus girls are unfamiliar with it. Tap, soft shoe and ballroom dance choruses are easy to cast, but most of the girls used iu the picture had to be taught to waltz beforo they could even start rehearsals. Others prominently cast in “Champagne Waltz" are, Jack Oakie, Veloz and Yolanda, a new sensational dancing team; Herman Bing, Fritz Leiber, Vivienne Osborne, Frank Forest, and Benny Baker. Edward Sutherland directed this musical.