After Seben (1929)

AFTER SEBEN (1929)
Paramount Famous Lasky Corp.
Director: S. J. Kaufman
Story: James Barton
Cast: James Barton – Emcee and Solo Dancer (in blackface)
“Shorty George” Snowden – Third Male Dancer (Called “Shorty Stump” in the film)

The film is set in a fictional Harlem nightclub. it features Chick Webb playing for the major dancers of the Savoy Ballroom. Three couples perform the latest dance styles of 1929. You may have heard Norma Miller talk about her first entree into the Savoy dancing with Twist-mouth George. He is the lead in the second couple. The last couple is Shorty Snowden and his partner Maddie Purnell. All three couples were part of Shorty's dance team.

Note how Snowden introduces Breakaway steps to the closed-form Charleston and you’ll feel like you are witnessing the birth of the Lindy Hop, which, in fact, was the name that Snowden gave to the dance he was doing. The couple exit exuberantly with a Cake Walk.

Music by the Savoy Ballroom house band, Chick Webb and his Orchestra.

The emcee is white vaudeville comic and eccentric dancer James Barton performing in blackface. He had a long career in film and tv, and is best remembered as Kit Carson in ‘The Time of Your Life’ (1948).