This film features exceptional African American women tap dancers whose active careers spanned the 1920s-1950s. Restricted to few roles, often unnamed and unaccredited, these women have largely remained anonymous within (and outside) of the entertainment industry—sometimes even within the communities in which they reside. Historic film clips, photographs, and dancers’ own vivid recollections provide a dynamic portrait of veteran women “hoofers” prominent during the golden age of swing and rhythm tap. Scenes include historic footage as well as more recent (1995) performances by Edith “Baby Edwards” Hunt, Libby Spencer and Hortense Allen Jordan, with LaVaughn Robinson, Germaine Ingram, Delores and Dave McHarris, Kitty DeChavis, Isabelle Fambro, the cast of “Stepping in Time,” and other artists. Additional resources include a documentary photography exhibition.
Watch the entire film on Folkstreams here.