Research Catalog

Title

Interview with Betsy Ross Davis [videorecording]

Publication

1985.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Ross, Betsy.
• Flaum, Thea.

Description

6 cassettes. 113 min. : sd. color NTSC.; 1/2 in. (VHS)

Summary

Unedited footage, recorded for the documentary Ruth Page: Once upon a dancer (1988). For the completed documentary, see: *MGZIA 4-1249 cassette 129. Betsy Ross Davis, a former dancer, shares her observations of and experiences with Ruth Page in the 1930s.

Donor/Sponsor

Gift of Ruth Page Foundation.

Series Statement

Ruth Page Video Archives ; 51-56

Subjects

• Ballet > Anecdotes
• Opera ballet > Thaïs
• American pattern (Choreographic work : Page and Stone)
• Chicago Opera Ballet
• Fisher, Thomas Hart
• Page, Ruth, 1899-1991
• Guns and castanets (Choreographic work : Page and Stone, B)
• Television > Interview with Betsy Ross Davis
• Tropic (Choreographic work : Page)
• Delirious delusion (Choreographic work : Page)
• Opera ballet > Samson et Dalila
• Page-Stone Ballet (Company)
• Ross, Betsy > Interviews
• Stone, Bentley
• Dance company tours
• Kreutzberg, Harald, 1902-1968
• Frankie and Johnny (Choreographic work : Page and Stone, B)
• Remisoff, Nicolas
• Dalí, Salvador, 1904-1989

Note

• Videotaped in Chicago, Illinois, on June 13, 1985, by Thea Flaum Productions. Interviewer: Thea Flaum. For a transcript of this interview, see *MGYB (Page) 90-9600 Ruth Page Video Archives, 1990, p. 275-305.

Contents

CONTENTS: Cassette 51 (approx. 20 min.): Davis remembers Page's performance in Tropic, and Harald Kreutzberg's qualities as a dancer. She recalls dancing in Page's opera ballets for Samson et Dalila, Thaïs, and Lakmé, and notes Page's physical appearance and capabilities as dancer and actress. She describes the ballet Guns and castanets, based on Merimée's Carmen. -- Cassette 52 (approx. 20 min.): Discussion of Guns and castanets (continued) and Bolero. She recalls Page as choreographer and company director, and Page's relationship with her husband/manager Tom Fisher. -- Cassette 53 (approx. 19 min.): She describes Bentley Stone as a dancer, and recalls company tours. -- Cassette 54 (approx. 19 min.): She continues her anecdotes about company tours, and gives extended descriptions of American pattern and Frankie and Johnny. -- Cassette 55 (approx. 20 min.): She describes Page's solo Delirious delusion, inspired by surrealist artist Salvador Dalí; cites the work of Page's designers, notably Nicolai Remisov; summarizes her career after leaving Page's company; and assesses Page's choreography. -- Cassette 56 (approx. 15 min.): She pays tribute to Page's achievements and indomitable spirit, and describes Stone as a teacher.

Call Number

*MGZIA 4-1249 cassettes 51-56

OCLC

NYPY926009514-F

Title

Interview with Betsy Ross Davis [videorecording]

Imprint

1985.

Series

Ruth Page Video Archives ; 51-56

Local Subject

Television. Interview with Betsy Ross Davis.

Opera ballet. Samson et Dalila.

Opera ballet. Thaïs.

Dance company tours.

Ballet -- Anecdotes.

Added Author

Ross, Betsy. Interviewee

Flaum, Thea. Producer. Interviewer

Research Call Number

*MGZIA 4-1249 cassettes 51-56