Fatima Cigarettes
Modern Dance Flipbooks
In this exhibit, you’ll find a collection of 10 flipbooks 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. [… Each booklet] shows the dance in actual motion, and will give you the correct position and movement for every step.”
The flipbooks illustrate four popular dances from the 1910s:
One Step, Argentine Tango, Maxixe, and Hesitation Waltz.
Each flipbook has been turned into a movie. The pages were scanned by Richard Powers, then animated, stop-motion style, by Nick Enge.
Important Notes: Each quotation on this page comes directly from the booklets. Where the booklets gave the figures a specific name, it is provided here. Where the booklets didn’t give a specific name, a representative one has been provided in square brackets.
One Step
“This is the most popular of all the modern dances, and can be learned in a very little while by anyone. […] Simply take one step to each beat of music.”
[Mélange of Figures]
This booklet illustrates a variety of steps in the One Step, from a crossing figure and walking in Yale position to a hesitation and half turn.
[Pivots]
This booklet illustrates one of the most dynamic steps in the One Step: Pivots! Starting with the Follow backing, the dancers alternate, Lead backing, Follow backing, to whirl around at high speed.
Argentine Tango
“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.”
[Rueda]
A popular step in early Tango, a Rueda (“Wheel”) involves one dancer circling the other. In this case, the Follow is seen circling the Lead. This idea of this figure is still danced in Argentine Tango today, albeit with a different style, and a new name: Molinete (“Windmill”).
[Back Ochos]
While the style of Back Ochos has also evolved a bit over the past century, the basic idea is still seen in Argentine Tango today.
Maxixe
Alongside the Argentine Tango, the Brazilian Maxixe (pronounced “ma-sheesh”) was a second Latin-American dance that became popular around the world in the 1910s. After World War II, in the early 1920s, an evolution of Maxixe re-emerged under a new name: Samba.
[Mélange of Figures]
This booklet illustrates a variety of steps in the Maxixe, including the characteristic swaying style of the basic turning Two Step, and a progression of hand positions, which was also common in the dance.
Circle Steps
This booklet illustrates the classic Heel and Toe step of the Maxixe. In this case, the dancers do it in a circle on the floor, while performing what is now called Sunburst with their arms.
Flirtation Steps
This booklet illustrates a mix of Two Step (quick-quick-slow) and One Step (all slow) timing in Maxixe. The dancers face the same direction, in Shadow position.
Russian Steps
This booklet shows a variation in which the Lead passes the Follow back and forth from his right side to his left, alternating between Skaters’ and Shadow positions. This booklet is also notable for its illustration of the dipping style that was often seen in the dances of the 1910s.
Hesitation Waltz
In the 1910s, waltz tempos increased to the point where it became tiresome to take one step per beat for a whole song, so dancers developed a variety of solutions that involved stepping on only some of the beats, and hesitating on the others. Hence the name Hesitation Waltz.
Hesitation Step and Butterfly
This booklet illustrates a variety of steps that can be done in quick-quick-slow-slow timing (1-3-4, 1 timing). In other words, while the music is going 1-2-3-4-5-6 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, the dancers are stepping on 1, 3, 4, and the next 1, and hesitating on the 2, 5, 6, and the next 2, 3. The next set of quick-quick-slow-slow starts on the 4.
Airplane Steps
This booklet illustrates a variety of Hesitation Waltz steps in a variety of timings.
Updated: March 2025
First Displayed: February 2025