UPDATE JANUARY 2023 –at the time when I wrote this article there was a question about the timeline of the strike. My original blog post said 1949. That was not correct.

Some time around 1947 (not 1949 ) according to the LIFE archives, Arthur Murray dance teachers went on strike. Thanks to a friend of mine with access to the NY Times archives I now know that the strike was INDEED in 1947 and here is the news story….

1947 news article about the Dance Teacher Strike from Arthur Murray Dance Studio in New York City as seen in the New York Times.

Today’s Vintage Photo Tuesday is going to take you through that day.

But before we begin I would like to start off by saying that it was a slightly odd picket line. Yes there was your standard strike signs, but there was also women in swimsuits, a shirtless barefooted man, people dressed in different time period fashions, face masks, conga lines and of course lots of dancing.

Gosh, sounds like a fun strike to me!

1940s Vintage Image of the Dancing Teachers Strike 1947 — Source: Google/LIFE

“Working at Arthur Murrays isn’t just a song and dance. We want job security!”

1940s Vintage Image of the Dancing Teachers Strike 1947. Image showcases strikers holding signs in the background while a woman in a swimsuit partner dances with a man. — Source: Google/LIFE

“My master leads a dog’s life at Arthur Murrays studio”

1940s Vintage Image of the Dancing Teachers Strike 1947. The image shows a man with a dog and the dog has a picket sign on him. — Source: Google/LIFE

“An Arthur Murray Teacher on Arthur Murray wages”. This seems to mean she can only afford a sweater, shorts and dance shoes. MAYBE that is why the women are wandering around in their swimsuits, to show that they can’t even afford a shirt on their back?

1940s Vintage Image of the Dancing Teachers Strike Sept 9th, 1947- Image showcases women on the picket line. — Source: Google/LIFE

Early 1900’s Fashion made an appearance at the strike.

Charleston and 1920’s women’s fashion.

There are no descriptions to any of the images but this does look like the negotiation table. Or at least the place where all the demands were being collected.

That is the end of our dancing/striking teachers photos. I do hope their demands were met and dance was once again enjoyed by all that stepped into their studios.

UPDATE (Nov 30th): Thank you to Jeff Kellem (@composerjk) for shedding some light on the strike for us. It seems that there might of been multiple strikes in 1947 (as of January 2023 I can 100% confirm the strike was 1947). The image below is from New York city and the caption states 1947 as the year (Source).

Dancers Picket Arthur Murray Studio — Source: Huffington Post

As for the demands that the dance teachers were looking for, thanks to the civil suit Jeff found entitled ‘Gomez v United Office and Professional Workers’ we now have some insight.

Here is what they wanted:

Defendants and the dance studios of Arthur Murray in New York are engaged in a controversy concerning the terms and conditions of employment of Arthur Murray’s dancing instructors in New York. This controversy concerns minimum wages, union recognition, job security, grievance procedure and an alleged lockout of dancing instructors employed in the New York studio (Source).

Lastly Jeff also believes that the images in my post are from a Chicago because the Cable Building (57 East Jackson Building), on 57 E. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL is in the image (GREAT EYE Jeff!)

Now dear readers, if any of you know anything more about the strike please share in the comments below. Thanks!

FURTHER READING:

Swing Dance & The Big Band Era – Archived blog posts from the Vintage Inn Blog
Ontario Vintage Dance Hall History – Archived blog posts on various dance halls
Vintage Photo Tuesday-The 1947 Dance Teachers Strike
Prom in the 1940s & 1950s
Vintage Photo Tuesday: The Social Dance
Vintage Dance Cards
Time to Dance! Vintage Instructions to get you dancing in no time
1940s Women’s Fashion Ideas For Your Next Vintage Dance
The Dancing Side of the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend

Liz

As we all remember (or maybe don’t), school was not just about books and tests it was also about all the fun activities you could do outside of your regular classes. For example, I was in Drama club when I was in high school. I was terrible but I loved being part of something that made me smile and was my choice to be involved in. I also enjoyed the dances because I love to dance and dress-up and I got to do both a few times a year. Win!

Today’s “Vintage Photo Tuesday” is all about this “life outside of the classroom” and features students from various levels of education and schools from the 1920’s-1950’s.

Let’s take a look!

vintage image of students at university of Chicago — Source: University of Chicago Archives

Vintage Photo’s of Student Life: 1920s-1950s

1940s Vintage Photo, October 1949: Paul Macdonald of Gananoque, Ont, 3rd year drawing and painting student, paints semi-abstract still life with fruit while 2nd year ceramics student Nancy Snider, of Islington, Ont, watches.

1940s vintage photo of students in art class studing a painting. October 1949: Paul Macdonald of Gananoque, Ont, 3rd year drawing and painting student, paints semi-abstract still life with fruit while 2nd year ceramics student Nancy Snider, of Islington, Ont, watches. — Source: Library & Archives Canada

Meeting of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Howard University-1946.

Source: Life Photo Collection

Boys and their portable radio-1948. Lineup outside the Athletic office for tickets for McGill football weekend.

1940s vintage image of 1948 image of young men with a portable radio in suits - Boys and their portable radio-1948. Lineup outside the Athletic office for tickets for McGill football weekend. — Source: University of Toronto Archives Image Bank

1950s vintage photo of Mae Wang, left, and Jeanne Chen enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on a lawn at Our Lady of the Lake University. The two attended the university thanks to a four-year scholarship through an overseas student service.

1950s vintage photo of two young women in traditional Chinese dresses on the lawn at a San Antonio College. Mae Wang, left, and Jeanne Chen enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on a lawn at Our Lady of the Lake University. The two attended the university thanks to a four-year scholarship through an overseas student service.

Source: sacurrent.com

A group of dancing Dentettes in rehearsal for the 1946-47 Dentatics musical review. While I’m not sure what a “Dentette” is at the University of Toronto, I do know it looks like they are having fun.

1940s image of young women in 1940s outfits doing a kickline pose for the camera. A group of dancing Dentettes in rehearsal for the 1946-47 Dentatics musical review. — Source: U of T Archives Image Bank

1950s vintage photo: University of Toronto-Alpha Phi Fraternity – members singing at the piano (1952).

1950s vintage photo: University of Toronto-Alpha Phi Fraternity - women members singing at the piano (1952) in 1950s fashions. — U of T Archives Image Bank

The Athletes Night Big Dance at University of Toronto-1952.

1950s vintage photo of a School Dance at University of Toronto Vintage Image from 1952-The Athletes Night Big Dance at University of Toronto — Source: U of T Archives Image Bank

Editorial staff of the “Hill Top”, the student paper at Howard University-1946.

Editorial staff of the "Hill Top", the student paper at Howard University. 1940s vintage photo of black students.

Source: Life Photo Collection

East York (Toronto) Student Panel-1949.

1940s vintage photo of the 1949 East York Toronto Student Panel — Source Toronto Archives

The Jordan River Revue was a musical variety show written, produced, directed and acted in by Indiana University Students (Source). Here is a group performing “Peas and Beans”, 1946.

1940s vintage photo of student life: Jordan River Revue, "Peas and Beans" ," The Jordan River Revue was a musical variety show written, produced, directed and acted in by Indiana University Students — Source: IU Archives

The Book Nook Commencement was a mock commencement ceremony that took place at the Book Nook, a popular student hangout in the 1920s located at Indiana and Kirkwood Avenue. A combination soda fountain and bookstore, the Book Nook was known for its music and the sometimes rowdy behavior of its customers. For many years the Book Nook played a significant role in Indiana University student culture (Source).

Notable IU alum musician and composer Hoagy Carmichael was a frequent patron (Seen below at the piano, 1939), and it is said he composed his most famous songs, Stardust, at one of the Book Nook booths.

Hoagy Carmichael at the Book Nook University of Indiana 1939 Vintage Image — Source: IU Archives

Dorm Life at the University of Chicago, 1950’s.

Further Reading: Vintage Photos of Dorm Life in the 1920s-1960s

Hanging out in the dining hall with friends and cokes-1940’s University of Chicago.

Hanging out in the dining hall with friends and cokes-1940's vintage image of student life at the University of Chicago. — Source: University of Chicago Archives

I’m now going to end this week’s VPT with the most outstanding vintage student life image..ever! It is from the 1920’s at the University of Chicago. WOW! what style!

1920s vintage image of two women in 1920s fashions and young man in 1920s college fashion talking together outside of the University of Chicago — Source: University of Chicago Archives

I hope you enjoyed this week’s ‘Vintage Photo Tuesday’. Share your favourite image in the comments section below.

Further Reading:

Vintage Photos 1920s – 1960s (Archived Blog Posts)
Vintage School Posts 1920s – 1960s (Archived Posts)
Vintage Yearbook Posts 1920s-1960s (Archived Posts)

Have a super day friends!

Liz

Tag: vintage dance

Vintage Photo’s of Student Life: 1920s-1950s