lice Barker was a chorus line dancer during the Harlem Renaissance of the the 1930s and 40s. She danced at clubs such as The Apollo and Zanzibar Club, alongside legends including Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.
Although she danced in numerous movies, commercials and TV shows, Alice had never seen any of them. All of her photographs and memorabilia have been lost over the years.
With the help of Mark Cantor of Jazz On Film, YouTube channel Tenfresh was able to secure three “Soundies” in which Alice appeared. Not only that, but you’re about to witness the moment Alice watches the footage for the very first time. She had never seen herself in motion in her life! She was stunning in her youth, and she’s beautiful to this day.
Her reaction to seeing herself perform is incredibly touching. When Alice says that watching the video makes her “wish that I could get out of this bed and do it all over again,” it brought tears to my eyes. If that doesn’t hit you in the feels, nothing will. Unlike 100-year-old Eileen Kramer, Alice can only relive her dancing days through her memories, and now this amazing footage.
