You had to be from the ghettos of Los Angeles for this to work. Proper folks didn't wear the Zoot Suit. . There's a great play that originally starred Edward James Olmos in the first play that I ever saw him in, called ZOOT SUIT. He was a mythical figure in the play, El Pachuko, I think was the name. Mesmerizing performance. The story was about the Zoot suiters in east LA during the 40s' and how they were singled out for police harrassment, and Los Angeles societal disdain, and discrimination.
Chances are that picture of Cab Calloway was taken in The Cotton Club in Harlem, probably in the 1930's. Zoot Suits were banned during WWII because of the amount of fabric required to make them.
Yes. He was. Here's a clip of Cab Calloway with the best tap dancing brothers of all time, The Nicholas Brothers. www.youtube.com/embed/DF3KOLS9qLg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>
I don't think every man could pull this off!
ReplyDeleteYou had to be from the ghettos of Los Angeles for this to work. Proper folks didn't wear the Zoot Suit. . There's a great play that originally starred Edward James Olmos in the first play that I ever saw him in, called ZOOT SUIT. He was a mythical figure in the play, El Pachuko, I think was the name. Mesmerizing performance. The story was about the Zoot suiters in east LA during the 40s' and how they were singled out for police harrassment, and Los Angeles societal disdain, and discrimination.
ReplyDeleteChances are that picture of Cab Calloway was taken in The Cotton Club in Harlem, probably in the 1930's.
ReplyDeleteZoot Suits were banned during WWII because of the amount of fabric required to make them.
And because of the Zoot Suit riots and the Mexican LA gangs that wore them at that time.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Mike Trowbridge and John Campbell Thanks for the info
ReplyDeleteThat guy was a great entertainer.
ReplyDeleteYes. He was. Here's a clip of Cab Calloway with the best tap dancing brothers of all time, The Nicholas Brothers. www.youtube.com/embed/DF3KOLS9qLg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>
ReplyDeleteGood clip John Campbell !
ReplyDelete