A wonderful swing sequence from the movie Hellzapoppin’ with the Harlem Congeroos (aka the Harlem Congaroos) a group of swing dancers from Harlem who also went under the name Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers.
The Congeroos were a Lindy Hop performance group led by Frankie Manning after he returned from serving in World War II in 1947. The group originally got its start in 1939 as the primo group of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. After playing the Cotton Club in Harlem, they danced in the movie Hellzapoppin’ and in the soundie Hot Chocolates.
The musicians in the film include Slim Gaillard – piano, guitar; Slam Stewart, bass;
Rex Stewart, trumpet; Elmer Fane, clarinet; Jap Jones, trombone and CP Jonstone, drums.
Hellzapoppin’ is a Universal Pictures adaptation of the musical of the same name directed by H.C. Potter. The cast includes Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson (who produced and starred in it on Broadway), Martha Raye, Mischa Auer, Shemp Howard, and The Six Hits.
Check out the video of the athletes (don’t try this at home):
Is there anyone who can add some context to the debate between the naming of the dancers The Harlem Congeroos Vs The Harlem Congaroos?
