Dance History Of The Peabody

By Melanie LaPatin

One of the lesser performed dances in modern ballroom today is the Peabody. Its curious history is shrouded in mystery. Although some say it was named after the Peabody Club (wherever that is) where it became popular, the better-known legend is that it was named after its creator, a fire captain (or police chief) from New York who had a penchant for patronizing the various dance halls on the island of Manhattan. The story goes that Brooklyn Captain (or Lieutenant, or Chief) William Frank Peabody was a rather portly gentleman. So large, in fact, that he could not dance with his partner in the normal fashion, so the women danced at his side. Given the look and feel of the dance, the story seems to be at least a definite possibility, however untrue it may be.

The Peabody began as a variation on the Foxtrot, which was created in New York by Harry Fox in a Manhattan theatre-turned-movie-house in 1914. Captain Peabody was said to be making the rounds at various Jazz clubs in the late teens to early 1920s. His derivative of a very fast Foxtrot is set to Dixieland Jazz or Ragtime music.

In many ways, the Peabody embodies the Golden Age of Ragtime. Its a fun, jaunty, even corny little dance that simply celebrates an evening out. Men traditionally wear old-style suits with derby hats and women wear long dresses as they jog around the room. The steps can be quite intricate but basically follow an open box pattern and it requires a decent amount of uncrowded floor space. Although there is a definite structure to the steps, the Peabody also lends itself to great improvisation " something that attracts many dancers from Times Square to the City by the Bay and beyond. It can be quite addicting to ballroom enthusiasts who gravitate to it for that very reason.

Although not as popular today as it once was, the dance is considered part of the American Smooth dance category in ballroom competitions. Back in the day (April 21, 1934 to be exact), the Casa Del Rey Nightclub in Newark, New Jersey held a large Peabody contest. James Cagney and Loretta Young dance the Peabody to the music of Darktown Strutters Ball in the 1931 movie, Taxi (not to be confused with the TV series starring Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito and Andy Kaufman). Although the movie labeled the scene a Foxtrot contest, the rapid dance is indeed more of a Peabody. More recently, the Peabody was featured on the popular television show, Dance Fever, in the 1980's.

Sadly, theres no way to prove whether Police or Fire Captain, or Lieutenant, or Chief Peabody ever existed. There is no mention of him at the time the dance was developed in any of the dance literature or Press articles of the day. It would be interesting to perform a search of the Brooklyn (or Manhattan, etc.) police and fire personnel records to see if a Peabody of any kind was ever a part of the force around 1920, assuming the records even go back that far. So far no one has found him, but thats no reason to let facts interfere with a great story. - 18418

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Looking for dance lessons nyc area? Visit DanceTimesSquare.com and work with the pros from So You Think You Can Dance! Receive a private dance lesson at their New York studio for $20!

An Array Of Excellent Hollywood Movie Outlines

By Crystal Rivera

We have some film reviewed in the following paragraphs. If you are looking for a movie download site here are some phrases to search. A good starting point might be "Online DVD Rental Service", after that try "Downloadable Movie Site" or "Download DVD Movies".

Nunzio: Retarded Brooklyn market delivery boy Proval envisions he's Superman and then falls in love with bakery associate Feldshuh. Soft tale improved by Proval's fine acting. Cast includes David Proval, James Andronica, Tovah Feldshuh, Morgana Baron, Vincent Russo, Theresa Saldana, and Monica Lewis. (87 minutes, 1978)

Air Force 1: Supercharged thriller in regards to aggressive Kazakhstani alarmists taking over Delta one and keeping the President, his family, and his entourage prisoner in midair. This film is an extreme, brutal, corner-of-your-seat popcorn fodder, anchored by Ford as a 2 fisted president who's not scared to quarrel. Cast includes Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close, Dean Stockwell, Wendy Crewson, Paul Guilfoyle, William H. Macy, Liesel Matthews, Xander Berkeley, Bill Smitrovich, Elya Baskin, and Jiirgen Prochnow. (124 minutes, 1997)

No End in Sight: Masterful monitor tantamount of the plethora novels that share on-the-record accounts from prior armed forces/protocol competitors to clarify how the Bush management jumped before it looked in 2003 before invading Iraq. A standout in what is already a litany of Iraq quagmire documentaries. (102 minutes, 2007)

Playing God: This film is a preposterous tale of drug addicted ex-surgeon Duchovny employed by gangster Hutton to be the personal crisis medical expert for his shot-up and sliced cronies. The improvised medical therapy is so entirely comical that it upstages the ridiculousness of the tale line. Why this film was ever made is genuinely a case for The X Files. Cast includes David Duchovny, Timothy Hutton, Angelina Jolie, Michael Massee, Peter Stormare, Gary Dourdan, John Hawkes, and Andrew Tieman. (93 minutes, 1997)

Horror Express: Cracketjack terror film, ingeniously orchestrated and well performed by the genre's megastars. Turn of the century chiller has a long iced up beast coming to life when being moved from Asia to the West. Lee and Cushing are adversary anthropologists aboard the train and Savalas is a power crazed Cossack officer. Cast includes Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Telly Savalas, Silvia Tortosa, and Jorge Rigaud. (88 minutes, 1972)

Straight Out of Brooklyn: The story of a black family's going nowhere existence in the ghettos of Brooklyn, N.Y., and the oldest son's plan to rob a local drug dealer to turn tings around for the family. Cast includes George T. Odom, Ann D. Sanders, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr., Barbara Sanon, Reana E. Drummond, and Mark Malone. (91 minutes, 1991)

A Scandal in Paris: Fashionable 8th century tale based on the recollections of the infamous Frenchman Eugene Vidocq, whose life of crime comes to a crossroads while he confronts a youthful lady who cherishes him. The clever script was tailor-made for Sanders. Cast includes George Sanders, Carole Landis, Akim Tarniroff, Signe Hasso, Gene Lockhart, Alan Napier, and Alma Kruger. (106 minutes, 1946)

The Eagle and the Hawk: Well generated anti war film with hesitant idol March, intimidating gunner Grant, everyone's buddy Oakie, and understanding city gal Lombard. Awakening John Mouk Saunders tale is still well timed. Cast includes Fredric March, Cary Grant, Jack Oakie, Carole Lombard, and Douglas Scott. (68 minutes, 1933)

Lilo and Stitch: Forlorn Hawaiian gal being brought up by her older sibling finds a doubtful buddy at the dog pound an alien whom she names Sew. In the mean time, ambassadors from Sew's world have arrived in this world to recover the damaging little creature. Gorgeous watercolor surroundings are simply spectacular. Cast includes Voices of Daveigh Pursue, Christopher Michael Sanders, Tia Carrere, Kevin McDonald, Ving Rhames, David Ogden Stiers, Zoe Caldwell, Jason Scott Lee, and Kevin Michael Richardson. (85 minutes, 2002)

Almost any film you can think of can be downloaded from a site online. Searching "Burn DVDs" or "Hollywood Movie Rentals" will help you find downloading information for movies. If you need to do more searches, use "Downloadable Movie". - 18418

About the Author:

MovieFlix is a streaming video movie download site. Warez Movie Downloads Netflix offers any member over 12,000 selections for unlimited viewing as streaming movie downloads. Type "Movie Rentals Online" into a search engine and you will see sites about movie downloading.

A Number Of Excellent Major Motion Picture Plot Summaries

By Erin Burgess

Some film reviews are listed below. If you want to locate a movie download site do a search online. You should have good luck with a search like "DVD Movie Rentals"; if not then try "Best Music Download Services" and "Movies Download".

Playing God: This film is a preposterous tale of drug addicted ex-surgeon Duchovny employed by gangster Hutton to be the personal crisis medical expert for his shot-up and sliced cronies. The improvised medical therapy is so entirely comical that it upstages the ridiculousness of the tale line. Why this film was ever made is genuinely a case for The X Files. Cast includes David Duchovny, Timothy Hutton, Angelina Jolie, Michael Massee, Peter Stormare, Gary Dourdan, John Hawkes, and Andrew Tieman. (93 minutes, 1997)

Sudden Impact: Fourth in the Dirty Harry series depends on a reliable recipe, as maverick cop gives us vicarious delight of doing in civilization's scum, although this entry is longer, and stupider, than need be. Locke plays a Lady taking out murderous reprisal on gentlemen (and one lesbian) who raped her and her sis years ago. Cast includes Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, Bradford Dillman, Paul Drake, Jack Thibeau, and Albert Popwell. (117 minutes, 1983)

It's the Rage: The lives of a group of seemingly distinct individuals are connected by personal problems which lead to resolutions with guns. This loud satire of individual and cultural brutality gets worse as it goes along, regardless of the attempts of an excellent cast. Cast includes Joan Allen, Jeff Daniels, Andre Braugher, Gary Sinise, Josh Brolin, Robert Forster, and Anna Paquin. (97 minutes, 2000)

Alien vs Predator: Lame tryefort to allure fans of the Alien and Predator films, with the scenario engaging an archeological journey to the ends of the world, a weird underground planet, and the presence of the catastrophic Alien and Predator beasts. Cast includes S. Anderson. Sanaa Lathan, Raoul Bova, Spear Henriksen, Ewen Bremner, Colin Salmon, Tommy flanagan, Joseph Rye, Agathe de la Boulaye, and Carsten Norgaard. (101 minutes, 2004)

Jurassic Park III: Amusing popcorn film that takes a recipe and plays it for all it's worth as professor-paleontologist Neill is convinced to lead an expedition to the prohibited island where dinosaurs wander, however obviously he hasn't been informed of the realities. The movie is full of scares, and lots of fun proving that a thriller kind doesn't have to be dumb. Cast includes Sam Neill, William H. Macy, Tea Leoni, Alessandro Nivola, Trevor Morgan, Michael Jeter, John Diehl, and Bruce A. Young. (93 minutes, 2001)

My Son the Hero: Epic film in regards to sinister Emperor Cadmus of Thebes, who challenges the lords and faces the fury of the Titans. Cast includes Pedro Armendariz, Jacqueline Sassard, Antonella Lualdi, and Giuliano Gemma. (122 minutes, 1962)

The Cheyenne Communal Club: Jimmy inherits and runs a bawdy home in the Old West. The film has lots of chuckles, although stereotypes are thick throughout the film. Cast includes Henry Fonda, James Stewart, Shirley Jones, Sue Ane Langdon, and Elaine Devry. (1003minutes, 1970)

Close Your Eyes: Scotland Yard investigator Henderson draws hypnothethapist Visnjic into a difficult case engaging a serial murderer and a little gal who's been shocked frombeing held hostage by him. Mixing occult factors with a whodunit, this unique, sincerely scary thriller stays on target right to the end. Cast includes Goran Visnjic, Shirley Henderson, Miranda Otto, Paddy Considine, Claire Rushbrook, Fiona Shaw, Coon Redgrave, and Sophie Stuckey (103 minutes, 2003)

The Proposal: Bulky soap opera set in the 1930s gives Branagh a thankless role as a minister with more ties than one might ever envision to prosperous Boston bigwig. Cast includes Kenneth Branagh, William Hurt, Madeleine Stowe, Blythe Danner, Rohert Loggia, Neil Patrick Harris, and Josef Sommer. (110 minutes, 1998)

These movies and thousands of others can be downloaded from the internet. Internet searches like "Internet Movie Rental" and "Download Internet Videos" will help you find film download sites. You can search "Buy DVD Online" if the others don't help you. - 18418

About the Author:

Netflix has teamed with Xbox 360 for streaming movie download applications. Movie Rental By Mail Get a DVD burner so you can store your movie downloads on DVD. The source of a movie download will determine the picture quality.

A Jumble Of Quick Major Motion Picture Summaries

By Celina Spencer

With a shop near every neighborhood, video stores have been the most convenient way to get movies for years. The next generation it seems will be getting their movies from movie downloads, avoiding any trips to the store. Below, is a sample of some of the movies you can find using movie download sites.

A Sound of Thunder: In Chicago, 2055, a corporation takes journeys back in time to seek dinosaurs. Preventative measures are taken, however of course something goes incorrect, and a small change in the past sends corrections down through time that our idols try to set right. It's simple to see why this prevailed on the ledge so long. Cast includes Edward Bums, Catherine McCormack, Ben Kingsley, Jemima Roper, August Zimmer, and Corey Johnson. (103 minutes, 2005)

The Perfect Storm: Three different storm systems are on a collision course in the ocean 200 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. The fishing vessel the Andrea Gail is on its way back from a few weeks of fishing in the North Atlantic. They are unwittingly headed right into the middle of this monstrous storm.

Clouds Over Europe: This 1950s B-film premise is excellent. 2008-fashion through the lens of a video camcorder clutched by a man who starts out shooting a buddy's goodbye reception and then gets snared up in "recording" everything that occurs. Runs on pristine adrenaline and by no means lets up, with some excellent stuns and a daunting being. Cast includes Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T. J. Miller, Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman, and Chris Mulkey. (85 minutes, 2008)

Aaron Loves Angela: New York style Romeo and Juliet located in Harlem, with black boy (Kevin) in love with Puerto Rican chick (Irene). This film is funny, bloody, dramatic, and has good music from Feliciano. Main cast members are Jr. Kevin Catches, Irene Cara, Ernestine Jackson, and Jose Feliciano. This film is directed by Gordon Parks. (1975 Romance)

The Mask: Mild mannered Stanley Ipkiss discovers an ancient mask. Once he puts it on he has incredible powers. This leads him to a crime spree, and a big increase in his self-confidence. When a big crime boss takes the mask from him, the town is in big trouble.

The Kingdom: This four hour film is essentially 4 Danish Television shows strung together, set and shot at the genuine Nationwide State Health center in Copenhagen. It is known as "The Empire'. As essentially every critic has pointed out, this is ER meets Double Summits, with crackpot physicians, supernatural goings-on, sex, black humor, etc. A should for those who imagine they've seen everything. Cast includes Ernst-Hugo Jaregard, Kirsten Rolffes, Ghita Norby, Soren Pilmark, Jens Okking, Otto Brandenburg, Baard Owe, and Solbjorg Hojfeldt. (271 minutes, 1994)

Rocky 3: Here the Italian Stallion is skilled by Apollo Creed after being dethroned by rude Clubber Mr. T. Stallone's got a triumphing recipe, however beyond belief. Cast includes Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Youthful, Burgess Meredith, and Carl Waters. (99 minutes, 1982)

Agatha: Unreal presumption on author Agatha Christie's renowned II-night disappearance in 1926. Redgrave is splendid in this sponging up yam, Hoffman oddly miscast as slick American journalist who tracks her down. Cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Vanessa Redgrave, Timothy Dalton, Helen Morse, Celia Gregory, and Paul Brooke. (98 minutes, 1979)

Rambo: Our hero is back. John Rambo is now in Thailand. He is living in solitude on his boat on a remote river. He is found by Americans that are helping supply food to a refugee camp. The roads are mined, and they need a ride up river to help the refugees. He then learns that the missionaries have been captured by the Burmese army, and need help. He has left the violence min the past, but now he must take action.

Remember, be creative and use phrases like "Purchase Movie Downloads". If the first search proves ineffective type in something different. "Movie Download Program" would be worth a try. - 18418

About the Author:

Everyone who watches a lot of movies should look into online movie downloads. Films Download Movie downloading is a hot activity; search "Rent Dvd Online" to learn about it. Will movie downloading take over normal DVD purchasing?

Opera Glasses and Reviews: The Phantom of the Opera

By Jeff Bridges

Phantom of the Opera is a marvelous performance that will send your feelings through an array of emotions from sadness, happiness, to fright. When planning on attending a performance of the Phantom of the Opera make sure you bring your opera glasses.

The Phantom of the Opera takes place in Paris in the nineteenth century. Two new opera house owners take over a theater that is thought to be haunted by a phantom. The phantom is said to be a man named Erik, a construction worker who helped build the hall. In reality Erik is not a ghost but is someone who was severely disfigured from birth and wears a mask on half of face to conceal his disfigured face.

The plot progresses when Erik appears to one of the stage performers Christine. He tells her that he has been sent to her by her dead father to give her voice lessons, and that he is an angel her father spoke of called The Angel of Music. The Phantom begins to give voice lessons to Christine though the walls of her dressing room, careful to never let her, or anyone see him. As the plot continues, Christine becomes an amazing singer, and quickly advances to being the star of the show.

During a performance one day, while on stage, Christine passes out and Raoul, a childhood friend of Christine who happens to be sitting in the audience comes to her rescue. Raoul falls in love with Christine, and begins to visit with her and bring flowers to her after many performances.

As Christine and Raoul start to fall even more in love, the Phantom; Erik watches and hears all that is happening, finally he decides to meet with Christine face to face. When he shows his face in her dressing room for the first time, he wears the mask that has made this play famous. He then abducts Christine, and takes her through winding tunnels down to his home in the secret catacombs of the opera house.

Christine becomes frightened and angered at Erik and wants to be let go back out into the world. Erik makes a promise to let her go after five days of being with him. Erik gives Christine a tour of his home which if very strange and horrific. Chills will be sent down your spine. Make sure you have your opera glasses out for this moment in the theatre.

During a powerful duet in the performance with Christine and Erik, Christine wonders who this phantom really is, and why he wears this mask over half of his face. Remember to use your opera glasses at this point, as Christine grabs his mask by surprise and takes it off. Erik, now upset, and feeling betrayed, decides that he will not release Christine, and that she will remain there with him always. You will feel at this point, the love that the Phantom has for Christine, and the deep desire he has to feel that love in return.

As the storyline carries on you will continue to be mesmerized by the music and wonderful performance that is given. But to see how The Phantom of the Opera ends, you will have to see it for yourself. This is one performance that you will want to see again and again. The wonderful storyline of the Phantom of the Opera with opera glasses is highly recommended. - 18418

About the Author:

Jeff Bridges has always loved the theater and opera, he currently helps run an opera glasses retail site where they sell opera glasses. Including Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!