| Ever since Al Jolson spoke the first words on screen | | | | nearly every other actor in Hollywood in the process), |
| in 1927's The Jazz Singer, singing and dancing have | | | | for many fans, he'll be best-known for this peppy tale |
| been a big part of the movies. Here are some of the | | | | of a teen who finds himself in a small town where a |
| best-known films involving dancing over the years: | | | | zealous reverend (John Lithgow) has outlawed |
| Saturday Night Fever (1977): John Travolta became an | | | | dancing. This had yet another hit soundtrack, which |
| icon in this tale of a working-class Brooklyn guy who | | | | spawned two number-one hits and sold 15 million |
| comes alive when he hits the dance floor each night. | | | | copies. |
| The Bee Gees-saturated soundtrack became one of | | | | Dirty Dancing (1987): This surprise hit about a young |
| the best-selling albums of all time, and Travolta's white | | | | woman (Jennifer Grey) who finds love on the dance |
| disco suit was later purchased by film critic Gene | | | | floor with a fleet-footed dance instructor (Patrick |
| Siskel. Travolta has since become known for dancing | | | | Swayze) while on vacation also won an Oscar for |
| in many of his biggest hits, including Grease and Pulp | | | | best song ("I've Had the Time of My Life") and |
| Fiction. A sequel to this film, Stayin' Alive, was directed | | | | became a sensation, inspiring a short-lived TV series |
| by Sylvester Stallone, though it proved unsuccessful | | | | and a live stage show. It was also responsible for |
| with critics and 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 learning |
| most complicated moves. Like Fever, this had a hit | | | | the style of a local dance club. The film became a |
| soundtrack, highlighted by the Oscar-winning "What a | | | | huge hit with fans of MTV, which produced the film. It |
| Feeling." | | | | wound up grossing nearly 10 times its budget in the U.S. |
| Footloose (1984): Though Kevin Bacon has gone on to | | | | alone. |
| play many other types of roles (and starred with | | | | |