Deciphering the Tranky Doo: A Swing Dance Enigma

Written By Canaries Kansas City

The Tranky Doo dances on the legendary and enigmatic boundary of jazz choreography. Is it Frankie's work? Is it Pepsi's? This dance is equally shrouded in mystery and admired for its marvel, securing its place as one of the swing era's prized choreographic gems. Along with the Shim Sham and the Big Apple, the Tranky Doo forms the revered trio of quintessential swing routines. Yet, unlike its counterparts, the origins of the Tranky Doo are as complex as its steps.

Choreography Cloaked in Rhythm and Mystery

Originally believed to be choreographed for "Tuxedo Junction," the Tranky Doo has since become synonymous with "The Dipsy Doodle," largely due to its portrayal in the documentary The Spirit Moves, where the music was notably switched. Choreographic credit was initially attributed to Pepsi Bethel, featured in the documentary, who later confessed, "I didn’t make it."

So, who did create it? According to Frankie Manning, the routine was inspired by a Chicago chorus girl, sparking his creative genius. Al Minns and Leon James later infused it with their flair. The true story? The Tranky Doo seems to be a collective masterpiece—crafted from shared rhythms, spontaneous riffing, and rich collaboration.

By 1946, the dance reached Hollywood and was showcased in Love in Syncopation by Thomas “Tops” Lee and Wilda Crawford, adding another layer to its intriguing history. Like jazz music itself, the origin of the Tranky Doo remains unpredictable, organic, and continuously evolving.

An Audience-Engaging Experience

A distinctive trait of the Tranky Doo is its forward-facing performance style, creating a direct connection with the audience. This contrasts with the Big Apple's circular layout which separates the dancers from the viewers. Where the Big Apple pulses with an electric vibe for the dancers, the Tranky Doo thrives on engaging spectators.

Its choreography moves through forward and backward motions, adding depth and dimension to the performance. With staggered formations and interactive elements like linked arms, the Tranky Doo is as theatrical as it is a dance.

From Historical Moves to Creative Grooves

Mastering the Tranky Doo is less about preserving it as a relic and more about utilizing it as a springboard for creativity. These routines offer a common language for dancers, forming a basis for innovation. Frankie Manning was a virtuoso at improvisation, and in his spirit, the Tranky Doo serves as a muse for new artistic expressions.

Even if time is tight? Mixing and matching classic sequences is perfectly acceptable—a bit of creative borrowing can often lead to something uniquely wonderful.

Why the Tranky Doo Endures

Through the decades, the Tranky Doo has evolved with each generation of dancers. Frankie Manning expanded upon it, Minns and James adapted it for TV, and today's artists continue to reinterpret it. This choreography breathes and lives as a fluid art form, welcoming each dancer's unique interpretation.

Swing historian Terry Monaghan aptly noted that the Tranky Doo started as “a sequence of basic Lindy steps regularly danced in the 1940s.” Its special charm, however, lies in how dancers have transformed it into a canvas for creative expression.

Fun Fact: While "The Dipsy Doodle" is a common musical pairing, why not mix it up and try "Chant of the Groove" or "Graptown Grapple"?

Another Fun Fact: We have our own Chorus Girl Version just adding on another layer of individuality!

In Conclusion

More than just steps and sequences, the Tranky Doo embodies the inventive essence of swing, spotlighting individual style, and offering everyone a piece of danceable history. It remains irresistibly enigmatic, historical, and adaptable.

Or, as Frankie Manning might put it, “That’s jazz.”

Written Sources:

  • Laney Silver’s Blog - Frankie's Tranky Doo (The Frankie Doo) (lindylainey.com)

  • Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop by Cynthia Millman

  • Frankie Manning 100 Commemorative Book, ed. Deborah Huisken. The United States, The Frankie Manning Foundation, 2014

  • “Mama Lou: Queen of the Hop,” Daily News, December 26, 1988. Jennifer Dunning, “Review/Dance; Tapping Through an Evening in Honor of Mama Lu Parks,” The New York Times, December 29, 1988

Video Sources:

Written by: Amanda Bernice

Canaries Kansas City
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