The 1930s and 1940s are often referred to as the Golden Age of Tap Dance, a period when tap dance took center stage in Hollywood musicals, vaudeville performances, and Broadway shows. It was an era of innovation, glamour, and show-stopping routines that defined an entire generation of entertainment. From iconic dancers like Fred Astaire and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson to unforgettable movie musicals, the Golden Age of Tap remains a monumental period in the history of dance.
Let’s take a deep dive into the Golden Age of Tap Dance, exploring its rise in popularity, the legendary performers who defined the era, and the influence this period still has on tap dancers today.
1. Tap Dance Finds Its Rhythm in Vaudeville and Broadway
By the early 20th century, tap had already made a name for itself in minstrel shows and vaudeville. Vaudeville, in particular, gave tap dancers a stage to showcase their rhythm and creativity to wide audiences. Tap’s early pioneers, like John “Bubbles” Sublett, brought a more syncopated, jazz-influenced style to the dance form, setting the stage for the era’s explosion of creativity.
During this time, tap was also gaining traction on Broadway, where it became a staple in musicals. Shows like 42nd Street and Anything Goes featured dazzling tap routines that captured the energy and excitement of the time. Tap had become a signature of American entertainment, blending African and Irish influences with the emerging sounds of jazz music.
2. Hollywood Takes Notice: The Rise of the Tap Dance Film
The 1930s were a time of rapid growth for the film industry, and with it, tap dance soared to new heights on the silver screen. Tap dance became synonymous with glitzy Hollywood musicals, where stars would dazzle audiences with their lightning-fast footwork and infectious rhythms. It was during this period that some of the most iconic tap routines ever captured on film were performed.
Fred Astaire, one of the most famous dancers of the era, became a tap legend with his smooth, ballroom-inspired routines. His graceful style revolutionised the way tap dance was seen in film. Astaire was known for his innovation, particularly in how he incorporated props into his performances—whether dancing with a coat rack or performing on an elaborate set, Astaire made tap dance a visual spectacle.
Equally significant was Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, who brought tap to the mainstream with his precise footwork and charm. Robinson is best remembered for his performance with a young Shirley Temple in The Little Colonel (1935), where the two performed the famous staircase dance routine. This groundbreaking moment not only displayed Robinson’s immense talent but also showed the world the beauty of tap’s rhythmic precision.
3. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers: The Iconic Dance Duo
While Fred Astaire’s solo work is revered, it’s his partnership with Ginger Rogers that truly defined the Golden Age of tap. The duo’s on-screen chemistry, breathtaking routines, and glamorous costumes captivated audiences in films like Top Hat (1935) and Swing Time (1936).
Astaire and Rogers brought a level of sophistication to tap dance, blending elements of ballroom dance with rhythm tap to create show-stopping numbers that were as elegant as they were exciting. Their collaboration demonstrated how versatile tap could be, seamlessly merging with other dance forms to elevate the art.
4. Gene Kelly’s Athletic and Groundbreaking Style
If Fred Astaire was known for his grace and elegance, Gene Kelly became the face of athleticism and bold innovation in tap dance. Kelly’s approach was distinctly different—he brought a more powerful, physically demanding style to tap, using his entire body in a way that made his performances feel larger-than-life.
Kelly’s most famous tap routine is undoubtedly from Singin’ in the Rain (1952), where he famously tap dances in the rain, splashing in puddles while performing intricate steps. The sequence is legendary not just for its joyful energy but for the way Kelly used the environment around him as part of the dance, furthering tap’s evolution as a versatile and expressive art form.
5. Eleanor Powell: The Queen of Tap Dance
While the Golden Age of Tap is often associated with male performers, Eleanor Powell was a trailblazer who earned the title of “the Queen of Tap Dance.” Known for her powerful, fast footwork and fearless energy, Powell stood out in a male-dominated field. She was the go-to female tap star of the 1930s and 1940s, performing jaw-dropping routines in films like Born to Dance (1936) and Broadway Melody of 1940.
Powell’s performances were marked by her unparalleled rhythm, athleticism, and ability to perform complex routines with a sense of ease and joy. Her famous tap duet with Fred Astaire in Broadway Melody of 1940 remains one of the most celebrated dance sequences in film history.
6. The Influence of Jazz Music on Tap Dance
One of the key factors that fueled the Golden Age of tap was the rise of jazz music. Jazz and tap dance are deeply intertwined, with both art forms drawing from improvisation, syncopation, and rhythm. Tap dancers of the Golden Age often performed to live jazz bands, further developing the connection between tap’s rhythmic footwork and the driving beats of jazz.
This fusion of music and movement gave rise to rhythm tap, a style that emphasizes intricate footwork and syncopation, transforming the dancer into both a performer and a musician. Dancers like John Bubbles and Bill Robinson pioneered this style, which continues to influence tap dance today.
7. The End of an Era and Tap’s Lasting Legacy
By the late 1940s and early 1950s, the popularity of movie musicals began to decline, signalling the end of the Golden Age of Tap. As Hollywood shifted its focus to different genres, tap dance took a step back from the spotlight. However, the dancers and choreographers of this era left behind a legacy that would continue to inspire future generations.
Performers like Gregory Hines and Savion Glover revitalized tap in the 1970s and 80s, infusing the dance form with new energy and keeping the legacy of the Golden Age alive. Today, tap dance is taught and performed all over the world, and the iconic routines from the 1930s and 40s remain timeless masterpieces.
Theative Performing Arts and the Legacy of Tap
At Theative Performing Arts, we celebrate tap’s rich history while embracing its vibrant future. Through our tap dance classes, students not only learn the technical skills of this incredible art form but also gain an appreciation for its roots in the Golden Age.
If your child is excited to tap their way into the future, sign them up for a free trial class today at theative.co.uk/book-a-trial.
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