Looking for participants of the famous "Cattle Call" in "All that Jazz".

[Salar]

Dear friends,

I am the director who made this documentary film

https://fishermansframe.gumroad.com/l/abtyf

And I'm doing research for the next one.  My approach is "The dewdrop that reflects the world".

Dance is a perfect reflection of society, everything good and bad mirrors in the fast-paced working life of a dancer.

My interest in dance was sparked by Bob Fosse's "All that Jazz," and we all know the famous "Cattle Call" sequence at the beginning.

It condenses the sweetness and bitterness of an audition into five minutes that made film history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2e9acreKmQ

This scene was shot around October 28, 1978 at the Palace Theater in N.Y.C., half staged because the principal dancers were chosen before filming began, half real because the audition of the dancers was necessary for the documentary style of the scene.

I'm looking for the dancers whose faces you can sometimes see for less than a second - an almost impossible task to find them 43 years later. I contacted Bob Fosse's first assistant director, Wolfgang Glattes, and Fosse's assistant, Kathryn Doby-Glattes. Both met on "Cabaret" and have been happily married for nearly five decades. Except for the cast lists for the main cast and department, no records of that day have survived.

Therefore, a forum such as this is my only hope of saving these impressive dancers from oblivion and providing an account of their lives. My request:

Anyone who was active in the late 80's and still has connections to friends and colleagues from that time, please share this post . Every little hint is welcome, even to those who are no longer with us! Please also check the following stills in this thead!

All the best and thank you, Salar Ghazi, filmmaker, Berlin

 

[Salar]

[Salar]

[Salar]

[Salar]

[Salar]

[Salar]

[Salar]

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[Salar]

Ok, that was the stills - if you recognize someone, please repost with the still.

Again, many, many thanks, Salar

[Jan McNulty]

Hello @Salar and welcome to the Forum!  Good luck with your quest.

 

You could also try (if not already) posting on our American counterpart - Ballet Alert.

 

https://balletalert.invisionzone.com/

 

 

[Salar]

Dear Janet, many thanks for the hint! All the best, Salar

[Sim]

I'm afraid at the moment I only recognise Roy Scheider.  I remember my mother taking me to see this film when it first came out and I was a teenager.  I loved it, and we were all wondering who that new Jessica Lange person was!!  

[Salar]

The principal dancers of "All that Jazz" (not shown in the Photos) were:

Leland Schwantes, Rima Vetter, Eileen Casey, Garry Flannery, Deborah Geffner, Bruce Anthony Davis, Danny Ruvolo ,
John Sowinsky, Candace Tovar, Sandahl Bergman, Jennifer Nairn-Smith.

Leland Schwantes can be seen in one film still.

To my knowledge  Bruce Anthony Davis, John Sowinsky and Danny Ruvolo have passed away,

If my memory serves me correct Ruvolo tragically died  shortly after filming wrapped, in a car accident.

He was the dancer announcing  "Welcome! Welcome aboard Erotica!"

Another great scene! Sandahl Bergman replaced a female dancer one day before shooting,

as the dancer was not aware that she had to dance topless.

[Borzoi]

On 17/08/2023 at 11:07, Salar said:

 

On 17/08/2023 at 13:48, Salar said:

The principal dancers of "All that Jazz" (not shown in the Photos) were:

Leland Schwantes, Rima Vetter, Eileen Casey, Garry Flannery, Deborah Geffner, Bruce Anthony Davis, Danny Ruvolo ,
John Sowinsky, Candace Tovar, Sandahl Bergman, Jennifer Nairn-Smith.

Leland Schwantes can be seen in one film still.

To my knowledge  Bruce Anthony Davis, John Sowinsky and Danny Ruvolo have passed away,

If my memory serves me correct Ruvolo tragically died  shortly after filming wrapped, in a car accident.

He was the dancer announcing  "Welcome! Welcome aboard Erotica!"

Another great scene! Sandahl Bergman replaced a female dancer one day before shooting,

as the dancer was not aware that she had to dance topless.

I believe I know someone who was in this. She lives here in FL. Her name is Barbara McKinley. Someone you have already contacted may remember her. I don't think she has moved away. I'll see if I can get your info to her. Best of luck on your project!

[Sabine0308]

Welcome to the Forum, Salar!😀

[Salar]

Quote

I believe I know someone who was in this. She lives here in FL. Her name is Barbara McKinley. Someone you have already contacted may remember her. I don't think she has moved away. I'll see if I can get your info to her. Best of luck on your project!

Wow! Dear Borzoi, it would be great if you could pass the information to her! On IMDB, Barbara McKinley  is listed as "Diane",

Barbara McKinley - IMDb

and I found this Interview from 1980:

 

I watched "All that Jazz" several times in preperation, but I do not remember her face from the movie, especially from the "Cattle Call". But definately a Fosse - dancer.

I learned from Wolfgang Glattes and Katherine Doby that the scene was half staged, half true. The principals dancers were already cast as they were "Fosse regulars" at this time. For those who might have the DVD or Blu Ray: There is some behind the scenes footage from that day. I´ll try to load it up. Many thanks!

[Salar]

Here is the behind the scenes footage of the "Cattle Call":

 

Edited August 25, 2023 by Salar