Research Catalog

Dance of the ages

Title
Dance of the ages [electronic resource]
Publication
1939, c1989.

Available Online

NYPL Digital Collections

Details

Additional Authors
  • Shawn, Ted, 1891-1972
  • Mumaw, Barton, 1912-
  • Overlees, Frank
  • McCormack, Wilbur
  • Landers, Dennis
  • Hearn, Fred
  • Fitz-Simons, Foster
  • Delmar, Frank
  • Delmar, John
  • Meeker, Jess.
  • Owen, Norton.
  • Honsa, Ron.
  • Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers.
  • Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.
Description
2 streaming video files (NTSC) (75 min.) : sd., b&w.
Uniform Title
Dance of the ages (Choreographic work : Shawn)
Note
  • Originally photographed in summer 1939 as a 16 mm silent film at the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Lee, Massachusetts. Sound version produced in October 1988 with the addition of piano accompaniment edited to fit the movement. Produced by Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Inc. Project director: Norton Owen. Musical director/pianist: Jess Meeker. Technical consultant: Ron Honsa.
  • Choreography: Ted Shawn and others (see below). Music: Jess Meeker.
  • Performed by Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers: Barton Mumaw, Frank Overlees, Wilbur McCormack, Dennis Landers, Fred Hearn, Foster Fitz-Simons, Frank Delmar, and John Delmar. For Shawn's taped remarks on this film, see *MGZT 7-44 Shawn, Ted. Dance of the ages: commentary.
Access (note)
  • Patrons can access streaming video file only at the Library for the Performing Arts.
Funding (note)
  • Preservation of this video was supported by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Contents
  • CONTENTS. - Reel 1 (56-1/2 min. total): Part I, Fire (18 min.): Movement quality based on the element fire; level of human culture - tribal; archetype - the shaman-priest. Primitive hunting dance and feast, ensemble. The shaman, Shawn. Fanning of the flame and fire dance, ensemble. High priest and initiate (Fire purification), choreographed by Mumaw; danced by Shawn and Mumaw. Dance of the priests of fire, ensemble. Part II, Water (13 min.): Movement quality based on the element water; level of human culture - city-state; archetype - poet-philosopher. Prelude: Brook and river, choreographed and danced by Overlees. The sea, water rhythms and patterns, ensemble. The poet-philosopher, Shawn and ensemble. Water patterns, vortex and storm at sea, ensemble. Ascent by evaporation, ensemble. Part III, Earth (25-1/2 min.): Movement quality based on the element earth; level of human culture - democracy; archetype - politician-demagogue. Prelude: Spirits of the earth, choreographed and danced by Mumaw. Mass, ensemble. Vegetation, ensemble. Animal study, choreographed and danced by Hearn. Labor unaided, ensemble. The village craftsmen, ensemble. The ward heeler, Shawn and ensemble. The political machine, Frank Delmar, John Delmar, and ensemble. Sport, choreographed by McCormack; danced by Mumaw and McCormack. Entrance and dance of the demagogue, Shawn and ensemble. Marching men, ensemble. Carnage, ensemble.
  • Reel 2 (18 min.): Part IV, Air: Movement quality based on the element air; level of human culture - beyond democracy; archetype - the creative artist. Prelude: Birth-struggle and freeing of men, Shawn and ensemble. Air, ensemble. Flight, ensemble. On a hilltop, choreographed and danced by McCormack. The whirlwind (Dance of the liberated soul), 3 men. Elevation, choreographed by Shawn and company members, ensemble. Finale: Approach to the fifth element, Shawn and ensemble.
Call Number
*MGZIDF 7992
OCLC
NYPY906036810-F
Title
Dance of the ages [electronic resource]
Imprint
1939, c1989.
Restricted Access
Patrons can access streaming video file only at the Library for the Performing Arts.
Funding
Preservation of this video was supported by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Local Note
Former call number: *MGZIC 9-2203.
Connect to:
NYPL Digital Collections
Local Subject
Motion pictures. Dance of the ages.
Added Author
Shawn, Ted, 1891-1972, choreographer, dancer.
Mumaw, Barton, 1912- choreographer, dancer.
Overlees, Frank, dancer.
McCormack, Wilbur, choreographer, dancer.
Landers, Dennis, dancer.
Hearn, Fred, choreographer, dancer.
Fitz-Simons, Foster, dancer.
Delmar, Frank, dancer.
Delmar, John, dancer.
Meeker, Jess. Composer. Instrumentalist
Owen, Norton. Director
Honsa, Ron. Consultant
Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.
Added Title
Dance of the ages (Choreographic work : Shawn)
Research Call Number
*MGZIDF 7992
*MGZIC 9-2203 (former)
View in Legacy Catalog