102 y/o Dancer Sees Herself on Film for the First Time
Alice Barker was a chorus line dancer during the Harlem Renaissance of the the 1930s and 40s. She danced at clubs such as The Apollo, Cotton Club, and Zanzibar Club, with legends including Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.
Although she danced in numerous movies, commercials and TV shows, she had never seen any of them, and all of her photographs and memorabilia have been lost over the years.
With the help of Mark Cantor of http://jazz-on-film.com we finally our hands on three “Soundies” Alice appeared in, and were able to show them to her for the very first time. She had never seen herself in motion in her life!
If you’d like to send Alice fan mail we would love to see her get the adoration she deserves after so many years! (We’ll do our best to read some of your comments to her as well.):
Alice Barker
c/o Bishop Henry B. Hucles Episcopal Nursing Home
835 Herkimer Street
Brooklyn, NY11233
For more info about the dancers of the Harlem Renaissance, we recommend the lovely documentary “Been Rich All My Life” —several of the women in the film danced with Alice back in the day!
I may be insensitive right now, but I just realized that I don’t want to
end up like this. I’d rather die young than grow old and vegetate in a
hospital bed like that.
This just made my day!!!
Beautiful, she was a wonderful dancer. Great video.
simply a great video
Beautiful! Chicken little has a new fan!
I don’t know why but I cried like a little bitch. This video made me feel
sad and happy at the same time. I should record more. Thanks to whoever
made this meaningful video. I hope she stays healthy and strong. God bless
her.
My great grandma past away at the age of 102 I miss her a lot I jus loved
watching u dance u jus made my day ☺
She’d be my waifu even when she looks like that, 10/10 IGN hahaha, she’s
still pretty at that age though
That last sentence made my heart drop and I just clapped. This was
absolutely amazing.
one of the best things i’ve seen on a screen in a long time.
how come she’s turned from mixed race to white with old age is that normal
Sorry, but if i ever get to this state put a fucking bullet through my
skull.
teary eyes.. Life is precious.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
A wonderful lady what beautiful memories for her relive.
Aahh life…. Life is wonderful when you can reminisce… Life is
precious.. Enjoy it all.. Bad good all..
Awh, she’s beautiful. Glad that she was able to watch them!!
damn she was sexy as hell. RESPECT!
Just beautiful this short. And wonderful to see those ole jazz clips. Wow
those legs.