Fingertip Fanning

[bfg4]

What is the significance of the fingertip fanning that is done at the top of one's head

while dancing in old movies?

 

I have seen this done by Danny Kaye in "White Christmas", Fred Astair in" Holiday Inn"

and Bob Hope and James Cagney in the "Seven Little Foys"?

[FredCDobbs]

Is this it at :31 seconds into this clip?

 

 

 

If so, then I don?t know what it means.

[bfg4]

No, but you'll foind it at the end of the dance number that Bob Hope and James Cagney perform imn the "Seven Little Foys'.

[FredCDobbs]

Give us the timing of it in this clip:

 

 

[bfg4]

at 3:30, at the very end,

[FredCDobbs]

I think it?s known in the dance world as a ?hand flourish? or just a ?flourish?, a dramatic sweeping gesture with the hands. Any type of fancy hand gesture during a dance or at the end of a dance. Flourishes are common in Spanish Flamenco dancing:

 

 

http://www.nardiniartscotland.com/Kim%20redpath%20paintings.htm

[bfg4]

Thanks much for your info. Does anyone have any other thoughts, ideas?

[Flamengo]

This may be of no help, but it reminds me of the same gesture done but usually with a straw hat.

That was done to just draw attention to the face, head, hat or who knows why it was invented.