SWING TIME AND THE INESTIMABLE: HERMES PAN

Hermes Pan choreographed everything from “Swing Time” in 1936 to Elizabeth Taylor’s “Cleopatra” (including the spectacle – dancers, warriors, witch doctor’s, elephants, and zebras – that was Cleopatra’s procession into Rome).

Pictured above with Ginger Rogers, he was a soft-spoken gregarious man who was loved by his dancers. Recently a biography was completed by John Franceschina, titled: Hermes Pan: The Man Who Danced with Fred Astaire: John Franceschina: 9780199754298: Amazon.com: Books. A fascinating look at a rare talent.

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4 Comments

  1. June 9, 2012

    I watched Fred and Ginger movies since I was little, I always thought Fred did his own choreography. Now I know. Question, could I take an image, like the one above with Hermes and Ginger and put it on my tumblr blog? I would link back to your blog. Here’s my info…. http://thebluethread.tumblr.com/

    • June 9, 2012

      Hi Doll, of course – please cut and paste to your heart’s content. Linking absolutely appreciated!

  2. February 22, 2013

    Hermes Pan! He choreographed Cleopatra’s entrance into Rome in 1962. Did you know that?

  3. March 22, 2013

    I am a fully paid uo member of the heavy rock generation,but how can you fail to be captured by the magic of Rogers and Astaires dance.Simply amazing.

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