Conversations 1965; Ruth St. Denis with James Day

KQED-TV (Television station : San Francisco, Calif.) · 1965

Often called "First Lady of the Dance," Ruth St. Denis is considered an important influence on Modern Dance. Talking to James Day, general manager of station KQED, San Francisco, she traces her career as a dancer from her earlier barefoot prancing, through her vaudeville days, to her evolvement of a theory and style of dance which would life dance from mere entertainment to, as she expresses it, "the dance of life itself." Encouraged and influenced by her mother, who was somewhat of a controversial character herself in that she believed in exercise, health foods and unrestrictive clothing well ahead of her time, Ruth St. Denis was dancing professionally at sixteen, and has been dancing for more than sixty years. Her belief that the dancer can contribute to the betterment of the world led her interest to religious dancing. She is still actively engaged in writing and lecturing on her conceptions of the dance. "Ruth St. Denis" produced in San Francisco by KQED. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche) Six people who have made important contributions to a variety of fields discuss their lives and work. The format for each episode has been geared to the individual featured. Interview technique is used throughout. Conversations is a 1965 presentation of National Educational Television. The 6 half-hour episodes that comprise this series were originally recorded on videotape. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche)