Marathon dancing is a dance activity that became popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Many unemployed people competed in the contests in order to achieve fame or win monetary prizes. [1]
One notable account of marathon dancing comes from the early chapters of Anita O'Day's memoir, High Times Hard Times: "It seems unbelievable now but there were once fifteen thousand people-- promoters, emcees, floor judges, trainers, nurses, cooks, janitors, cashiers, ticket-takers, publicity agents, promotion men, musicians, contestants and even a lawyer-- whose main source of income over a number of years came from endurance shows."[2]It is worth pointing out that in the early 1900's both the Waltz and the Tango were considered scandalous dances because they involved physical contact between partners during the dance.
See also
- "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" (movie - 1969)
- They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (novel)
References
- ^ "Dance Marathons" by Renee Camus, in: U.S.A. Twenties, Grolier, 2004 hardcover ISBN 0717260194, 2005 paperback ISBN 0-7172-6013-5
- ^ High Times Hard Times, Anita O'Day, pg. 34.
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