Earl "Snakehips" Tucker (1905–1937) was an American dancer and entertainer. Also known as the "Human Boa Constrictor", he acquired the nickname "snakehips" via the dance he popularized in Harlem in the 1920s called the "snakehips (dance)".
Tucker frequented Harlem music clubs and was a regular at the Savoy Ballroom. He built his reputation by exhibiting his odd style of dance, which involved a great deal of hip motion. Tucker would make it appear that he was as flexible as a snake, and eventually the dance became his calling card. He became popular enough to eventually perform at Connie's Inn and the Cotton Club. The snakehips dates back to southern plantations before emancipation.
Riding this wave of popularity, in 1930 he appeared in Benny Rubin's 16 minute short film "Crazy House", a comedic introduction to residents at the fictitious "Lame Brain Sanitarium". Tucker's 2 minute dance number, performed in a shiny white shirt and shiny, baggy gold pants, displays his amazing dance innovations, his style a precursor to modern street and stage dance. His name appears in the opening credits only as "Snake Hips". In 1935, Tucker appeared in a short film called Symphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro Life. The film was inspired by a Duke Ellington composition, and included clips of Ellington composing, as well as Billie Holiday singing and Tucker doing the snakehips.
Earl "Snake Hips" Tucker doing his Eccentric Dance Act.
published: 18 Jan 2008
Earl Snake Hips Tucker - Symphony in Black 1935
This film of extraordinary historic and aesthetic interest features Duke Ellington at the piano presumably composing the title symphony, cross cut with shots of a band playing the music. Includes the numbers "Jealousy", and the four parts of the composition in order: "The Laborers", "A Triangle (Dance, Jealousy and Blues)", "A Hymn of Sorrow" and "Harlem Rhythm". In the second part an uncredited 18-year old Billie Holiday sings the blues while watching a couple dancing Lindy Hop in silhouette behind a window shade. Dancers are unknown. Also on the film is the eccentric dancer (that's a style, not an opinion) Earl "Snakehips" Tucker demonstrating his gifts in an appropriately surrealistic film sequence. Not to be missed.
If you want to know more about SavoyHop visit:
w: https://www.savoy...
published: 06 Jul 2013
BluesSHOUT! 2013 - Gala Performance - Earl "Snakehips" Tucker
Forrest Rogers Marcovitz performs a piece by Earl "Snakehips" Tucker.
published: 14 May 2013
The Only Footage of Ken “Snakehips” Johnson Dancing
This is a clip from the 1935 movie “Oh, Daddy!”, you can watch the full length movie for free on YouTube here, and this scene starts at 21:31. Here’s the link to the movie: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=28cSAvvGwIY
published: 18 Aug 2021
Legendary Dancer Earl "Snakehips" Tucker in 1930
Legendary dancer Earl "Snakehips" Tucker performs his eccentric dance in the 1930 film Crazy House.
Tucker was born in Baltimore in 1906. An actor and dancer, Tucker's unique style brought him success, earning him roles in a number of movies. Tucker passed away at the young age of 30, a few months before his birthday in 1937, but his unorthodox and beautiful dancing will live on forever.
Learn authentic vintage jazz dances with JazzMAD London:
www.jazzmad.co.uk
published: 08 Nov 2016
Earl "Snake Hips" Tucker
published: 04 May 2011
Earl "Snake Hips" Tucker "Human Boa Constrictor" HISTORY OF DANCE
published: 20 Jul 2022
"Snake Hips" Ann Pennington in 'Happy Days' (1929)
published: 13 Sep 2017
Earl 'Snake Hips' Tucker (1930)
Earl 'Snake Hips' Tucker performing in 1930
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This film of extraordinary historic and aesthetic interest features Duke Ellington at the piano presumably composing the title symphony, cross cut with shots of...
This film of extraordinary historic and aesthetic interest features Duke Ellington at the piano presumably composing the title symphony, cross cut with shots of a band playing the music. Includes the numbers "Jealousy", and the four parts of the composition in order: "The Laborers", "A Triangle (Dance, Jealousy and Blues)", "A Hymn of Sorrow" and "Harlem Rhythm". In the second part an uncredited 18-year old Billie Holiday sings the blues while watching a couple dancing Lindy Hop in silhouette behind a window shade. Dancers are unknown. Also on the film is the eccentric dancer (that's a style, not an opinion) Earl "Snakehips" Tucker demonstrating his gifts in an appropriately surrealistic film sequence. Not to be missed.
If you want to know more about SavoyHop visit:
w: https://www.savoyhop.com
f: Like us at https://www.facebook.com/SavoyHop
t: http://savoyhop.tumblr.com/
This film of extraordinary historic and aesthetic interest features Duke Ellington at the piano presumably composing the title symphony, cross cut with shots of a band playing the music. Includes the numbers "Jealousy", and the four parts of the composition in order: "The Laborers", "A Triangle (Dance, Jealousy and Blues)", "A Hymn of Sorrow" and "Harlem Rhythm". In the second part an uncredited 18-year old Billie Holiday sings the blues while watching a couple dancing Lindy Hop in silhouette behind a window shade. Dancers are unknown. Also on the film is the eccentric dancer (that's a style, not an opinion) Earl "Snakehips" Tucker demonstrating his gifts in an appropriately surrealistic film sequence. Not to be missed.
If you want to know more about SavoyHop visit:
w: https://www.savoyhop.com
f: Like us at https://www.facebook.com/SavoyHop
t: http://savoyhop.tumblr.com/
This is a clip from the 1935 movie “Oh, Daddy!”, you can watch the full length movie for free on YouTube here, and this scene starts at 21:31. Here’s the link t...
This is a clip from the 1935 movie “Oh, Daddy!”, you can watch the full length movie for free on YouTube here, and this scene starts at 21:31. Here’s the link to the movie: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=28cSAvvGwIY
This is a clip from the 1935 movie “Oh, Daddy!”, you can watch the full length movie for free on YouTube here, and this scene starts at 21:31. Here’s the link to the movie: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=28cSAvvGwIY
Legendary dancer Earl "Snakehips" Tucker performs his eccentric dance in the 1930 film Crazy House.
Tucker was born in Baltimore in 1906. An actor and dancer,...
Legendary dancer Earl "Snakehips" Tucker performs his eccentric dance in the 1930 film Crazy House.
Tucker was born in Baltimore in 1906. An actor and dancer, Tucker's unique style brought him success, earning him roles in a number of movies. Tucker passed away at the young age of 30, a few months before his birthday in 1937, but his unorthodox and beautiful dancing will live on forever.
Learn authentic vintage jazz dances with JazzMAD London:
www.jazzmad.co.uk
Legendary dancer Earl "Snakehips" Tucker performs his eccentric dance in the 1930 film Crazy House.
Tucker was born in Baltimore in 1906. An actor and dancer, Tucker's unique style brought him success, earning him roles in a number of movies. Tucker passed away at the young age of 30, a few months before his birthday in 1937, but his unorthodox and beautiful dancing will live on forever.
Learn authentic vintage jazz dances with JazzMAD London:
www.jazzmad.co.uk
Earl 'Snake Hips' Tucker performing in 1930
Join Jiveswing's Online Classes! * Solo Jazz * Lindy Hop * Charleston * History * Community & more!
http://www.f...
Earl 'Snake Hips' Tucker performing in 1930
Join Jiveswing's Online Classes! * Solo Jazz * Lindy Hop * Charleston * History * Community & more!
http://www.facebook.com/jiveswingcom
http://www.jiveswing.com
http://www.instagram.com/jiveswing
Contact [email protected]
This film of extraordinary historic and aesthetic interest features Duke Ellington at the piano presumably composing the title symphony, cross cut with shots of a band playing the music. Includes the numbers "Jealousy", and the four parts of the composition in order: "The Laborers", "A Triangle (Dance, Jealousy and Blues)", "A Hymn of Sorrow" and "Harlem Rhythm". In the second part an uncredited 18-year old Billie Holiday sings the blues while watching a couple dancing Lindy Hop in silhouette behind a window shade. Dancers are unknown. Also on the film is the eccentric dancer (that's a style, not an opinion) Earl "Snakehips" Tucker demonstrating his gifts in an appropriately surrealistic film sequence. Not to be missed.
If you want to know more about SavoyHop visit:
w: https://www.savoyhop.com
f: Like us at https://www.facebook.com/SavoyHop
t: http://savoyhop.tumblr.com/
This is a clip from the 1935 movie “Oh, Daddy!”, you can watch the full length movie for free on YouTube here, and this scene starts at 21:31. Here’s the link to the movie: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=28cSAvvGwIY
Legendary dancer Earl "Snakehips" Tucker performs his eccentric dance in the 1930 film Crazy House.
Tucker was born in Baltimore in 1906. An actor and dancer, Tucker's unique style brought him success, earning him roles in a number of movies. Tucker passed away at the young age of 30, a few months before his birthday in 1937, but his unorthodox and beautiful dancing will live on forever.
Learn authentic vintage jazz dances with JazzMAD London:
www.jazzmad.co.uk
Earl "Snakehips" Tucker (1905–1937) was an American dancer and entertainer. Also known as the "Human Boa Constrictor", he acquired the nickname "snakehips" via the dance he popularized in Harlem in the 1920s called the "snakehips (dance)".
Tucker frequented Harlem music clubs and was a regular at the Savoy Ballroom. He built his reputation by exhibiting his odd style of dance, which involved a great deal of hip motion. Tucker would make it appear that he was as flexible as a snake, and eventually the dance became his calling card. He became popular enough to eventually perform at Connie's Inn and the Cotton Club. The snakehips dates back to southern plantations before emancipation.
Riding this wave of popularity, in 1930 he appeared in Benny Rubin's 16 minute short film "Crazy House", a comedic introduction to residents at the fictitious "Lame Brain Sanitarium". Tucker's 2 minute dance number, performed in a shiny white shirt and shiny, baggy gold pants, displays his amazing dance innovations, his style a precursor to modern street and stage dance. His name appears in the opening credits only as "Snake Hips". In 1935, Tucker appeared in a short film called Symphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro Life. The film was inspired by a Duke Ellington composition, and included clips of Ellington composing, as well as Billie Holiday singing and Tucker doing the snakehips.