ABSTRACT
The main attraction of film for dancer or choreographer is earning a livelihood. The field of dance as entertainment is bound to be more profitable than that of dance as art. In a film, Spanish dance may support the plot, but must never obscure it. It may decorate and assist dramatic action, but never at the expense of dialogue. The dance must never predominate or distract the audience from the story. The finished dances were beautiful in their simplicity, and also fit into the dramatic situation. All actors are extremely observant, but Carroll Baker was a particularly adept pupil. Triana himself was the one individual who tried to raise the Spanish routine in films to a high level, so as to justify artistic consideration. At least he had the satisfaction of knowing that he demanded typical, rather than pseudo-Spanish costumes and settings for the dances he conceived, and the dances themselves were honest and authentic.
