HOLLYWOOD’S DANCERS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21206, 31 August 1940, Page 13 (Supplement)

HOLLYWOOD’S DANCERS

JOAN CRAWFORD’S SHYNESS “SONJA HENIE A HUMMER” Cesar Romero is the best ballroom dancer in Hollywood, according to Joan Crawford, Loretta Young, Ginger Rogers and a dozen other dazzling damsels. “The smoothest dancer I have ever met,” says Cesar, “is Joan Crawford. She is my favourite partner for more reasons than I can enumerate. Joan is perfection. When we dance together, I feel as though we are one unit of action. She has perfect rhythm, balance and posture. She seems to know where we’re going before I do. I rarely have to give her the slightest signal pressure on the back or with my leading hand. Perhaps you won’t believe it, but underneath her womanly composure, she is as shy and self-conscious as a little girl. Answer to Dancer’s Prayer “Loretta Young is the answer to a dancer’s prayer. Man, she is lithe and willowy! I have yet to hear anyone v/ho has been lucky enough to dance with her complain about her style. I’ll never forget the first time we stepped onto a floor together. I didn’t know what time it was, where it was or what the orchestra was playing. All I knew was that we were floating around. “As for dancing with Marlene Dietrich, actually the first time I really had the opportunity was last night at a party given by the Jack Warners.” “She Has Everything” “She is a woman who has everything—culture, poise, allure. And her dancing has everything she possesses. I cannot understand where some people get the notion that she is cold and distant. She isn’t. There is not the least bit of aloofness about her. She follows every step without the slightest hesitation, indecision or error.” “Sonja Henie is a hummer when she dances,” he confided. “Slow music usually makes her sing softly. She’s a girl who is a spontaneous, tireless dancer. When my legs are wobbly, she still has energy to burn.”