| Ever since Al Jolson spoke the first words on screen | | | | to play many other types of roles (and starred with |
| in 1927's The Jazz Singer, singing and dancing have | | | | nearly every other actor in Hollywood in the |
| been a big part of the movies. Here are some of the | | | | process), for many fans, he'll be best-known for this |
| best-known films involving dancing over the years: | | | | peppy tale of a teen who finds himself in a small |
| Saturday Night Fever (1977): John Travolta became | | | | town where a zealous reverend (John Lithgow) has |
| an icon in this tale of a working-class Brooklyn guy | | | | outlawed dancing. This had yet another hit |
| who comes alive when he hits the dance floor each | | | | soundtrack, which spawned two number-one hits and |
| night. The Bee Gees-saturated soundtrack became | | | | sold 15 million copies. |
| one of the best-selling albums of all time, and | | | | Dirty Dancing (1987): This surprise hit about a young |
| Travolta's white disco suit was later purchased by | | | | woman (Jennifer Grey) who finds love on the dance |
| film critic Gene Siskel. Travolta has since become | | | | floor with a fleet-footed dance instructor (Patrick |
| known for dancing in many of his biggest hits, | | | | Swayze) while on vacation also won an Oscar for |
| including Grease and Pulp Fiction. A sequel to this film, | | | | best song ("I've Had the Time of My Life") and |
| Stayin' Alive, was directed by Sylvester Stallone, | | | | became a sensation, inspiring a short-lived TV series |
| though it proved unsuccessful with critics and | | | | and a live stage show. It was also responsible for |
| audiences. | | | | boosting attendance in dance classes across the |
| Flashdance (1983): Jennifer Beals became a star in this | | | | country. Ironically, Grey and Swayze had worked |
| story of welder who burns off steam as an exotic | | | | together before on the action film Red Dawn - and |
| dancer by night, all while dreaming of becoming a | | | | couldn't stand each other. |
| ballerina. Ironically, Beals didn't do her own dancing in | | | | Save the Last Dance (2001): Julia Stiles and Sean |
| this film; clever editing and photography let several | | | | Patrick Thomas star in this tale of a former ballerina |
| doubles, including a gymnast and a man, perform her | | | | who gains the inspiration to dance again when |
| most complicated moves. Like Fever, this had a hit | | | | learning the style of a local dance club. The film |
| soundtrack, highlighted by the Oscar-winning "What a | | | | became a huge hit with fans of MTV, which |
| Feeling." | | | | produced the film. It wound up grossing nearly 10 |
| Footloose (1984): Though Kevin Bacon has gone on | | | | times its budget in the U.S. alone. |