When asked once about his favorite air-step, Manning described, "The one where you toss the girl around the back and throw her out really far, then pull her back over your shoulder catching her by the ankles."Īs time went on, fearless Frankie ended up joining the army and being drafted during World War II, causing a temporary end to his personal dance career and a permanent end to Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers.Īfter the war, Manning created a dance company, The Congaroo Dancers, and toured with musical legends like Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole. The Hellzapoppin' dance number was also choreographed by Manning. Manning and his partner, Ann Johnson, appear together at 1:55.Īs seen above, Frankie Manning was a crucial member and choreographer for Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, the professional performing troupe of Savoy Ballroom swing dancers, that was formed in 1935 by Herbert “Whitey” White.
Notice the powerful and energetic tosses and flips performed by both women and men, as well as the quick footwork. In the video clip below from the 1941 movie, Hellzapoppin, you'll see Frankie Manning and Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, a professional dance group, performing an athletic scene featuring some of Manning's iconic steps.
One of the most popular and energetic dances performed at the Savoy was the Lindy Hop. Sometimes known as the Jitterbug, the Lindy Hop would become Frankie Manning's signature style.Īfter a while of perfecting his dance styles, Frankie Manning created and debuted his famous "Air-steps", or aerial dance moves, during a competition at the Savoy. The Savoy was a place for people to learn, practice, compete, and hone certain dancing. The ballroom had a sprung floor that was replaced every three years to provide optimal dancing conditions.
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