June Mansfield-Miller Henry Miller is a world famous author. His most acclaimed books Tropic of Cancer (1934) and Tropic of Capricorn (1939) broke with accepted literary norms especially those associated with describing sexual acts. Because of that, they were banned in the U.S. until 1961. During this period in order to survive, he became an occasional choreographer thanks to June Mansfield, a professional dancer he met in 1923. She was 21, he was 32 and married but subsequently divorced, leaving his wife and young daughter to marry Mansfield.
Mansfield is credited not only for introducing Miller to a wilder side of life that influenced his writing but also to the Charleston and the Lindy. Both were surprised how good he was at dancing. Before long they were winning dance contests around Manhattan and Harlem. Legend has it that Owney "The Killer" Madden, owner of the Cotton Club, hired him to choreograph one of the club's revues, 1931's "Rhyth-mania." Miller, however, insisted he remain uncredited, fearing critics wouldn't take his writing seriously. Furthermore, the Scronch, originally attributed to the legendary Lindy Hopper Shorty George Snowden, is generally believed to have been Miller's creation, a version of which is shown above.
Miller and Mansfield are also credited as being the first white couple to add air-steps to their jitterbug routine. Some historians believe this is the only film showing Miller lifting Mansfield over his head during an event at the 1939 New York World's Fair (lower right at beginning and ending of clip-- and in the frozen image below).
Mansfield is credited not only for introducing Miller to a wilder side of life that influenced his writing but also to the Charleston and the Lindy. Both were surprised how good he was at dancing. Before long they were winning dance contests around Manhattan and Harlem. Legend has it that Owney "The Killer" Madden, owner of the Cotton Club, hired him to choreograph one of the club's revues, 1931's "Rhyth-mania." Miller, however, insisted he remain uncredited, fearing critics wouldn't take his writing seriously. Furthermore, the Scronch, originally attributed to the legendary Lindy Hopper Shorty George Snowden, is generally believed to have been Miller's creation, a version of which is shown above.
Miller and Mansfield are also credited as being the first white couple to add air-steps to their jitterbug routine. Some historians believe this is the only film showing Miller lifting Mansfield over his head during an event at the 1939 New York World's Fair (lower right at beginning and ending of clip-- and in the frozen image below).
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