The Peabody: A Dance History

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. - 18780

About the Author:

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An Array Of Quick Movie Plot Summaries

By Therese Ferrell

We have reviews of some movies listed below. You can use a search engine to find movie download sites. You can try to search a term like "Movies And Download", if you want some more, use "Buy DVD Movies" and "DVD Movie Downloads".

The Hills Run Red: Civil War Western of stolen payrolls. The movie is badly dubbed and loosely performed. Cast includes Thomas Hunter, Henry Silva, Dan Duryea, and Nando Gazzola. (89 mnutes, 1966)

Killpoint: Boring, one dimensional action film with cop Fong and agent Roundtree on the track of gunrunners. This films is action packed and brutally vicious. Cast includes Leo Fong, Richard Roundtree, Cameron Mitchell, Pile Perforate, and Wish Holy day. (89 minutes, 1984)

Digby the Bigest in the World: Meager comedy fantasy regarding fluid Venture X, which causes sheepdog Digby to grow to large scales. Poor visual effects, too. Cast includes Jim Dale, Spike Milligan, Milo O'Shea, Angela Douglas, and Norman Rossington. (88 minutes, 1974)

Rhinoceros: Eugene Ionesco entry in "Show of the Ludicrous" makes remorseful shift from the stage to the big screen as sales rep Crazier declines to comply by turning into a mess. The entertainers try. Cast includes Nil Mostel, Gene Crazier, Karen Black, Robert Weil, Joe Silver, and Marilyn Chris. (101 minutes, 1974)

The Indian Fighter: Stimulating account of Douglas leading wagon train through rampaging Indian nation. A powerful werstern with a storng cast. Cast includes Kirk Douglas, Walter Matthau, Elsa Martinelli, Walter Abel, and Lon Chaney. (88 minutes, 1955)

Holes: Boy from an offbeat family is sent to an odd desert camp where it's trusted that digging holes will develop one's character. As he gets to know the other black sheep amid the kids and staff pieces of his life start to come together and make sense. Cast includes Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Patricia Arquette, Tim Blake Nelson, Dule Hill, Henry Winkler, Nate Davis, Rick Fox, Scott Plank, Eartha Kitt, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, and Brenden Jefferson. (118 minutes, 2003)

Lawrence of Arabia: Blockbuster biography of enigmatic adventurer T. E. Lawrence is that rarity, an epic film that is additionally proficient. It loses some steam in the second half, however stilI a knockout, particularly in 1989 reissue rendition, which repaired numerous cuts made over the years. Cast includes Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Claude Pours, Anthony Quayle, Arthur Kennedy, Omar Sharif, and Jose Ferrer. (216 minutes, 1962)

Rhapsody: 3 way romance amid opulent Taylor, violinist Gassman, and pianist Ericson. Cast includes Elizabeth Taylor, Vittorio Gassman, John Ericson, Louis Calhern, and Michael Chekhov. (115 minutes, 1954)

Slave Girls: Too glamorous Andress seized by locals and painted in arrangement for sacrifice in a scene essentially equivalent to that prompted by ex-spouse John Derek for current spouse Bo years later in Tarzan, The Ape Man. Cast includes Ursula Andress, Stacy Keach, Claudio Cassinelli, Antonio Marsina, and Franco Fantasia. (93 minutes, 1978)

Did you find something good to see? To learn more about movie download sites search "Fast Movie Downloads" or "Movie Download Site". If neither of those work use "Film Downloading". - 18780

About the Author:

As people learn about movie downloading it will become a popular way to get movies. Video A typical movie download might take up 600-700 MB of hard drive space. With the right set up you can burn your movie downloads to DVD to play on your TV.

Save Money And Time, Download Movies Easily

By Mark Rivas

You'll be amazed at how much money and time you'll be able to save as you learn how to download movies quickly via your Internet and your home PC.

Of course, saving money and time by not driving to the video rental store is one way, after all, you won't have to spend time browsing the video store for the title that you want only to find out later that it are already gone.

You'll find it just doesn't have been with online movie downloads. Whether you're purchasing the movie, have rented it for 24 hour viewing, or decided to let it stream in to your computer, you'll find your title is always available.

Which means you get to watch the movie you want, when you want, which is a big time saver because you never have to browse for another movie.

Of course when it comes to browsing for the movies you think you want to see, you're going to save time by using download movies sites then as well. You'll sit down at your computer, make sure that you are already hooked to the Internet, go to your favorite online movies site, and enjoy browsing the easy way.

Of course, if you already know the title, it is just a few minutes and you'll be watching your movie. If you're not sure what you want, many of these online movie download sites have an easy browsing system for the latest titles, classics, and even children's titles. Some of them actually have a search bar were you could type in your favorite movie star, or browse a specific type of movie or a particular distributor.

Now that you understand more about how to save money and time with downloaded movies, it's time to start looking for the online movie site that offers the type of downloaded movies that will suit your needs.

As you're probably aware of, there are several different ones that are a reputable online movie sites that allow you to join for a service fee, allow you to watch streaming movies online, or allow you to purchase your movie for later transfer to a DVD.

Many of these types of online movies sites have all different types of titles for your favorite movie viewing, they often have trial offers and other types of specials as well. You can choose to pay a monthly fee, a rental fee, or actually purchase your movies to watch over and over again.

You'll also see many different types of free online movie sites available. Many of these make their money through a variety of different advertising, sometimes you're going to find that the movie links may not work. There's also a good chance that you're going to be downloading a bit of software, but if you want free movie downloads, some of these online movie sites that offer free movies can work.

When it comes time to save money and time, stop thinking traditional, look to those movie websites in order to download movies for immediate viewing. It only takes a few moments with a fast Internet connection, and of course, if you have a slower one, you can start the download while you start dinner.

The best part is, your movies will be available for immediate viewing, or you can transfer your movie to a DVD for later viewing, watch a movie through streaming movies videos, or save it to your computer for when you have time to watch and all of that saves you money and time. - 18780

About the Author:

So providing a person with a BitTorrent, for example, would be no different than providing a person with a car. Movies Dvd Then with clever program designs, like BiTorrent, movie download times became reasonable, and they have become very popular. You can store movies on an external hard drive, or burn them to DVDs so you can watch them anywhere.

See Your Beloved Films From Your IPhone Today

By Janet P Phillips

Now you can have a handy motion picture player that you can take with you anywhere. You can watch films while you are waiting in line, in the air on a plane, riding the bus or even riding shotgun in a car (you really shouldn't view a movie while you are driving!)

The most portable and handy disc player to ever come along is the iPhone. The iPhone has the ability of allowing you to download many motion picture that you want and you can watch it whenever you like and anywhere your heart wishes.

There are a couple of distinct ways to get your films onto your iPhone. You can download the films from the Internet. It is smart to go through a sound membership site to do this even though there are sites that suggest to get you the movies for without charge. The problem with these at no cost sites is that they are flouting copyright laws and offering bootleg movies. They can also transmit viruses, adware and other objectionable things to your computer and even to your iPhone.

You can also reassign the films that you already have possession of to your iPhone so long as they are on Disc's. You will first need to translate the Disc to an mp4 format so that your iPhone can read it. There are countless software programs that will allow you to do this. Just search for it online and try to discover one that will let you test it before your buy it so that you can make sure that it is easy and efficient and works well for you.

After you have changed the movie then you will need to put it on iTunes so that you can then relocate it to your iPhone.

You can get the films that you wish for but you don't already have by finding a good membership site to download from. Make sure the site is of good standing. Many of the P2P and torrent sites are offering illegally copied copies of the movies and breaking copyright law. A good membership site predictably charges a very affordable fee and they will allow you limitless downloads for the duration of your membership.

Did you know when you download straight away to your iPhone you save time and money because you do not have the mp4 transfer step to contend with? Also your membership will last for a year or so and during that time you can download many great films.

Once you learn how it is easy and convenient to have the downloaded movies right on your iPhone. You can view it anytime and any place. - 18780

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Uncover at no cost movie and film download services online plus set up your lawful and expedient movie downloads - for more information about free movie downloads click the link.

A Collection Of Short Hollywood Movie Overviews

By Vicky Patel

For years now, the video store was the way to get movies. These days you can stay at home and get movies form a movie download site. Just about any movie every made can be attained through a movie download site now. Check out these samples.

Alaska: Adolescent venture yam on a grand scale, as a brother and sibling take off looking for their dad and his downed plane. Structured like an old grade-B melodrama, however implemented with conviction contrary to magnificent, snowy landscape and characterizing an irresistible polar bear who befriends the youngsters. Heston, whose child prompted the drama, plays a mean, cunning poor gentleman. Cast includes Thora Birch, Vincent Kartheiser, Dirk Benedict, Charlton Heston, Duncan Fraser, and Gordon Tootoosis. (110 minutes, 1996)

Age of Consent: A set-upon actor flees to the quietude of Australia's Awesome Impediment Reef, where he's empowered by a feisty youthful gal whom he convinces to pose often nude for hi Cast includes Basic amiability and pretty landscape help make up for awkward comedy alleviation and holes in tale and characterization. Cast includes James Mason, Helen Mirren, Jack MacGowran, and Neva Carr. (103 minutes, 1975)

Lovers: Aristocrat Mastroianni has a fictional spouse; an organ grinder persuades prostitute Mori to "impersonate" her. While it's not stupid, it's unexciting. Cast includes Marcello Mastroianni, Claudia Mori, Lino Morelli, Plant life Carabella, and Adriano Celentano. (93 minutes, 1976)

Only You: Likable confection in reference to a youthful female who invests her entire life looking for her exact mate-whose name was summoned up in adolescence on an Ouija board; destiny and happenstance bring her to Europe to meet her "other half." Tomei's sincere and appealing behavior makes the far-fetched tale work. Controller Jewison grants a dreamy travelogue of Italy photographed by Sven Nykvist, no less as her backdrop. Like numerous modern-day romantic comedies, this one invokes an earlier one Roman Holday to rationalize its presence. Cast includes Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey, Jr., Bonnie Seek, Joaquim De Almeida, Fisher Stevens, and Phyllis Newman. (108 minutes, 1994)

A Fan's Notes: Bewildered, football-infatuated author gets to be disenchanted with the Incredible American Fantasy of prosperity and compliance, and ends up in psychological health center. Unlucky misfire of Frederick Exley's highly considered novel. Cast includes Jerry Orbach, Burgess Meredith, Patricia Collins, Julia Ann Robinson, and Rosemary Murphy. (100 minutes, 1972)

Born in East L.A is about a Third-generation American Hispanic gets snared in an immigration war minus J.D. and is deported to Tijuana. It takes a tiresome hour and a half of monitor time to get back. Nothing offensive although additionally nothing particular; Rodriguez's dull-witted comedy alleviation is a precise drag. Cast includes Cheech Marin, Daniel Stem, Paul Rodriguez, Jan-Michael Vincent, and Kamala Lopez. (87 minutes, 1987)

Malcolm X: This movie chronicles the life African America leader Malcolm X. He was a controversial leader of the black movement in the 1950's and 1960's. He became a Muslim, and then a Muslim leader He was eventually assassinated in New York in 1965.

Hot Shots Part Deux: More action films are being spoofed in the second film in the Hot Shots series. Topper Harley is asked to lead a rescue mission to save a rescue mission who went into Iraq to rescue hostages. This poof film takes shots at Rambo, Robocop, Terminator 2 and more.

Casualties Of War: This Vietnam movie was based on actual events that occurred in 1966. We follow a squad of soldiers as they deal with all the difficulties of the war in Vietnam. In the film a full account of different war events are portrayed, the rape and murder of a young village girl is the most disturbing.

See if "Movie DVD Video Rental" gets you to a good download site. Try a different search if the first one does not provide good information. You might find what you are looking for with a search like "Movie Rentals". - 18780

About the Author:

With the right tools you can then burn your downloaded movie to a DVD. Movie Download File Movies, games and music are all popular P2P downloads. If you need to download a film search "Download Movies On Line" to learn how.