On this page, you will find a collection of 10 flip books produced by Fatima Cigarettes in 1914. As explained on the back of each booklet:
"These moving picture booklets on the Dances of to-day issued by the manufacturer of Fatima Cigarettes make it possible for all to know what the latest accepted dances are and how to dance them.
This Complete Series Comprises Nos.
A--One Step;
B--Argentine Tango;
C--Hesitation Step and Butterfly;
D--Maxixe Steps;
E--Russian Steps of the Maxixe;
F--One Step;
G--Argentine Tango;
H--Aeroplane Steps of the Hesitation;
I--Flirtation Steps of the Maxixe;
K--Circle Steps of the Maxixe.
Get the complete series of ten."
Below, each flip book has been turned into a movie. Each page of the flip books was scanned by Richard Powers, then animated, stop-motion style, by Nick Enge.
"This is the most popular of all the modern dances, and can be learned in a very little while by anyone. Dancers stand in front of each other, lady's right hand in gentleman's left, with elbows slightly bent. Gentleman's right hand little above the lady's waistline. Don't stand too close together. Gentleman starts with his right and lady with her left foot, walking in time to the music. Do not hop, do not shuffle, do not trot; simply step to every count of the music. Gentleman should hold his partner loosely when he steps to one side to make the dip gracefully. Learn the steps from this book, which shows the actual dance in motion."
"Almost anyone will admit that dancing is an art, but in truth it is really all arts in one; it is music incarnate, it is poetry in motion.
Real dancing means graceful measures tripped to lilting rhythm of fine music. To such dancing is our present Tango craze leading us.
It is a bit of irony of fate that the Tango and other modern dances are the subjects of so much adverse criticism, when in reality they are the pathfinders, the pioneer dances of a new era of charming steps.
The aim of the booklets is to establish a standard of modern dancing which will demonstrate that these dances can be made graceful, artistic, charming, and above all refined."
[Note: The written description of C and H are the same.]
"The dancers assume the ordinary plain Waltz position. The man steps back with the right foot, taking two steps on two counts, alternating right and left foot, allowing each step to fill in one count of the music. Four counts are thusly occupied. For the next two counts the gentleman allows his weight to rest on his left foot. This creates the sense of hesitation in the dance which has given it its name.
The lady starts forward—left, right and back left, right, finally hesitating on the right foot through the fifth and sixth counts, holding her waist as before on the two last counts on her right foot."
[Note: The written description of D and E are the same.]
"This is done by the girl swinging to the left, taking two steps forward on left heel and then two on right. The man continues on left heel for four steps, both finishing on left foot, then changing to right foot for one step, then taking one dip forward on same foot; then to the left foot again, and so repeat as many times as you wish. After this step the man swings directly in the rear of the girl, still keeping up the same steps, two to the left and two to the right, bending from one side to the other, to the right when on your right foot and left when on the left."
[Note: The written description of D and E are the same.]
"This is done by the girl swinging to the left, taking two steps forward on left heel and then two on right. The man continues on left heel for four steps, both finishing on left foot, then changing to right foot for one step, then taking one dip forward on same foot; then to the left foot again, and so repeat as many times as you wish. After this step the man swings directly in the rear of the girl, still keeping up the same steps, two to the left and two to the right, bending from one side to the other, to the right when on your right foot and left when on the left."
"At the present time the most popular of all the modern dances. Can be learned by anyone, and is the easiest dance for the beginner. Simply take one step to each beat of music. Do not hold arms of head too rigid; let yourself relax, otherwise all gracefulness is lost. Position is a very important factor in the one step; gentleman should hold partner loosely, so that the pretty measures, where he steps to one side to dip, is done with ease and rhythm. Gentleman starts forward with left foot, his partner with her right foot backward. You can learn the steps from this booklet, which shows the movement and the time to dip."
"Beyond doubt, the Tango correctly practiced is the essence of modern dancing. It is not only a dance, it is a style; to master the Tango one must first master its style, absorb its atmosphere.
Among the many points in its favor is that it develops and creates grace and repose. The only drawback in America to this modern dance lies in the fact that nearly all teachers teach it differently.
For the average ball-room Tango a knowledge of the fundamental steps, as shown in the moving picture booklets Numbers B and G, is quite enough."
[Note: The written description of C and H are the same.]
"The dancers assume the ordinary plain Waltz position. The man steps back with the right foot, taking two steps on two counts, alternating right and left foot, allowing each step to fill in one count of the music. Four counts are thusly occupied. For the next two counts the gentleman allows his weight to rest on his left foot. This creates the sense of hesitation in the dance which has given it its name.
The lady starts forward—left, right and back left, right, finally hesitating on the right foot through the fifth and sixth counts, holding her waist as before on the two last counts on her right foot."
"This step is done by the man swinging to the right of partner and looking at her, then swinging to the left and again looking, still keeping up the same step, the girl turning her head first to the right, then to the left, looking at the man. After this comes a forward step, the man again directly behind the girl, taking two left and two rights as before; then the man places one hand to girl's waist and one at side, bending from side to side, raising hands over head when to the right and down to side when on the left, then both hands to the waist, and continue steps."
"The gentleman raises lady's hands above head, forming a circle, girl pivots single stepping to each count of the music, which brings her into position facing partner. Then repeat.
This book shows the dance in actual motion, and will give you the correct position and movement for every step.
There are other variations of The Maxixe, which are shown in Booklets D, E and I of this series."
For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.
For full-length teaching videos, visit: University of Dance.
For help crafting a life you love, visit: Project Quartz.
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