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Summary: Official Howard Sandman Sims Biography
Review:
Biography
Howard "Sandman" Sims was a distinctive and influential tap dancer who gained his nickname from dancing on the sand he sprinkled on a tap board. Sandman Sims was famed for the range of percussive sounds his sand-dancing could produce - from the sweetest brushing to the most abrasive grinding.
Although he had tap-danced since 3, he discovered his style accidentally while training to be a boxer and shuffling his feet in a rosin box. The result earned him widespread acclaim and sustained him during the decline of tap in the 1950s and '60s.
"They called the board my Stradivarius," Sandman liked to say." I could use any kind of music - or I could do it without any music at all."
He was born Jan. 24, 1918 in Fort Smith, Ark., but would grow up in Los Angeles. One of 10 children, he began dancing with his brothers on street corners. Tap dancing was the street dance, the break dancing of his time. He would walk around with his tap shoes laced over his shoulder, Because the kids helped make a living for the family in his day! "People would throw down their shoes in front of you and said, "Challenge"! This was later dramatized in the movie Tap and an episode of The Cosby Show called Mr. Sandman..
After breaking his hand twice, he gave up boxing and danced in Latin America before Archie Moore, the prize fighter, drove him to New York City in 1947 after World War II. There Sandman joined " The Hoofers ." They characterized the hoofing style of dance. Unlike the heel-and-toe tap performed by Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, a hoofer's steps use the whole foot.
Dance historian Sally Sommer has described Sandman's tap style as strong and vigorous: "body hunkered over, knees bent, feet digging into the floor - and his sand dance was characterized by clear, quick rhythms and subtle nuances."
People would say they liked the effect of shuffling in a rosin box, so he glued sand to a board, but wore out his shoes. Then he tried gluing sand to his shoes, but wore out the board. Finally loose on the sand board was the solution.
He worked at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem for the next 17 years, in the stage left lower balcony he played side kick to famed Executioner of that era Puerto Rico around the mid 1950s, shortly after and for the 30+ years, he acted in the part of "the executioner" which would soon later stand out of the role and just be recognized as "Sandman" who escorted unpopular or downright awful performers off the stage on amateur nights by dressing in hilarious outfits and chase the unsuccessful entertainers in mid-song, firing a blank pistol at them or taunting a chair, tambourine or broken plastic bat!.
He said in a 1987 New York Times interview, "performers wait outside to beat me up." He told disconsolate losers about how he himself had to return 10 times before being allowed to finish his act. But then he danced up storm upon storm and won 25 straight contests, a record that led to the four-win limit now in effect.
He also worked as the Apollo's stage manager and supported himself as a carpenter, mechanic and tap teacher. His students included such stellar dancers and stars such as Gregory Hines, Ben Vereen, Emmanuel Lewis, Savion Glover even Bill Bojangles Robinson and Sammy Davis Jr were fascinated by his signature sand dance.Star boxers, such as Muhammad Ali, Archie Moore and Sugar Ray Robinson came to him to improve their footwork.
Sandman Sims owned a café on 125th Street in Harlem and was a regular in the vaudeville scene. He also held his own Amateur Hour at the Lenox Lanes bowling alley on West 146th street in Harlem.
In 1984, Mr. Howard "Sandman" Sims won a National Heritage Fellowship award, from The National Endowment for the Arts for his craft. "I thought I was making noise all these years," he said at the time. "Now they're calling it culture."
In 1986, he appeared in "The Sand Dancer," a play by poet Sandra Hochman inspired by his life and career. "I wanted my feet to sound like shooting stars," the Sandman character says. Sandman Sims, who danced in that production, was good with words himself. "I'm in show business not for a season, but a reason!"
He narrated and appeared in the documentary "No Maps On My Taps"- 1979, he was also widely seen in the film "Tap", Harlem Nights, The Cotton Club, A Gathering Of Old Men and the PBS special "Tap Dance In America", starring Hines and the Hoofers. He also toured widely in the 1980s, dancing in 53 countries as an embassador for the U.S. State Department.
Sandman was a "virtuoso among virtuosos," said dance critic Anna Kisselgoff, "in a class by himself."
The Howard Sandman Sims Corp. is continuing the legacy of Sandman through "The Sandman Sims Feet First Foundation," which is a non-for profit agency that is implementing free dance programs in various school systems. The Sand Dancer Production Company will continue with The Sandman's legacy in tap on film, television, stage.
Sandman Sims' made the transition on May 20, 2003 at the age of 86, although he long maintained that his age was "a matter of opinion." He is survived by his wife, Solange; his daughter Diane Sims Jones; his son Howard Sims Jr, 5 grandchildren, Shannon, Daniel, Shardonnai, Christopher, Tatianna, Eugenia Sims (daughter in-law) Troy Jones (son in-law), Joe Sims (brother) and Janie B Scaggs (sister).
Rating:
Summary: how long?
Review: do I have to wait to get this SUPERBE movie on DVD??? I saw it about 15 years ago and could never forget it ....
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Summary: I agree with MzRizz!!!!!
Review: forget the plot... it's ok.
HOWEVER, the soundtrak and the dancing is SPECTACULAR!!!!!
Do not miss the chance to see three generations of Tap dancers in action, The older (Sammie Davis Jr, The Sandman himself and the Nicolas Bros) the 'then present day' dancer in Gregory Hines (a superb dancer!) and what was then, "the future" in Savion Glover! The interaction is outstanding as are the performances.... trying not to give away the ending, but hold on to your popcorn and crank up the surround sound for the bang up finish!!!!
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN>>>>> PLEASE restore this movie and put it on DVD as SOON as possible!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie
Review: I bought this video some time ago and watch it from time to time. I like the fact tribute was paid to the old timers. That was really a treat to watch. The plot was not weak to me. It is the same with everyone. You want to live the good life but some people don't want to work for it. It's basic. What's wrong with that. The movie was very tasteful to me. I don't watch a lot of TV and movies but when I do I would like to watch something that is tasteful. This movie is a classic in my house. I wish he would make more movies that he dances in he really is a great dancer let alone a great actor.
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Summary: Best Ever
Review: I have loved this movie since I saw it the first time when I was about 10 years old. Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis are incredible dancers, and so are all of the others in this film. If you like great dancers, you have to see this movie. The plot is believeable, the characters develop well, and you'll love the ending. This is a great movie which will be around for a long time, I hope.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasant, Light, Dancing Fare
Review: I stumbled across this while getting over a cold and couldn't switch away from it. Whether that was due to the lethargy of sickness or a commentary on the film quality I wasn't sure. Gregory Hines plays a tap dancing ex-con who finds his way back into his old steps, both dance and burglary. The movie never gets too deep or preachy and retains its light hearted quality throughout. The tap scenes between Hines, his ex-girlfriend, and his 60 year old plus cohorts at the dance studio are very impressive. Sammy Davis Jr. stars in his last role as the ailing father of Hines' girlfriend, looking for one last big show before he taps off to the Candyman-land in the sky. Overall, a decent little film, very old fashioned in its pacing and delivery, I was surprised when it drew me in, but it did.
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Summary: If you love TAP and its history, This film is a must to have
Review: I was on the set everyday, in hollywood as a young teen when my dad was being filmed for this movie along with all the other tap greats, Many of which he instructed. Each and everyday was electrifying, I am so glad I have the memories and behind the seens footage to always cherish. I can assure anyone to buy this film and you will feel the same energy during the dance segments. I would also like to note, one of the other reviews here said the opening seen of Gregory Hines dancing in jail was a down side to the film, thats because the reviewer did not know the essence of the shot, in which the Idea came to Gregory Hines from Sandman Sims when he was told the the story of Sandman Being arrested in Los Angeles California for "late hour vagrancy" while "challenge" dancing on a street corner to earn money. When Sandman Appeared in front of the judge a number of days later the judge asked what where you doing? Sandman replied dancing and the judge said what kind of dancing? Sandman Sims showed him a "time step" and with a swift decision the judge said "case dismissed". So this just goes to say dont be so fast to judge anything if you dont know the history first"
FOR MORE VISIT THE "SANDMAN SIMS FEET FIRTST FOUNDATION" AT WWW.FEETFIRSTFOUNDATION.ORG
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Summary: I love this movie, it's in my top 10 fav's
Review: If you are a fan of tap, dancing, good rhythm, toe tapping and cheering on an underdog, you will love this movie also! I think there was genius involved in using all the old greats, including Sammy! The story is a little weak, but who cares when the dancing starts? That's what this movie is all about.....and what a start for a promoting such a talent as young Mr Glover......
Rating:
Summary: Tap
Review: It's strange and a bit sad to watch this movie now. Earlier this week the world heard that dancer/singer/actor Gregory Hines had passed on at the age of 57. In his obituary there was a comment that, while multi- talented, Hines always considered himself first and foremost, a dancer. This movie from the late 80s shows that to be true in all it's wonderful glory. Possible Spoilers..... The movie opens on a man in a cell. The darkness surrounds him and he looks pained. Slowly he begins to listen to the noise around him. Before you know it the man in on his feet and dancing to the rhythms and sounds of the life in prison. The dance is one of pain but also as it goes forth brings out relaxation as anger is spent but most importantly the man begins to feel joy. Jump forward to the man, Max Washington (Gregory Hines) being released on paroll. He has just spent a few years in Sing Sing. Originally he was sentenced for Grand Theft but time was added on for Assault & Battery of a prison guard.
Max returns to his old neighborhood and takes a hotel room across from a run down building which houses the "Sunny Side of the Street" tap dance studio. As time goes on we learn that was his father's studio but first you see the various classes taught on the first two levels by an old love interest, Amy (Suzzane Douglas) and her son Lewis (Savion Glover). The true joy of the building is the third floor where the old "Hoofer's" reside. Here we find a virtual who's who of the tap dance world with many of the old masters portraying themselves and of course Sammy Davis, Jr. playing Little Mo.
Max is not originally totally welcomed back by everyone except for Lewis who looks up to Max as a father, which strongly portrays some of the real life feelings that occurred between Hines and Glover, and Little Mo who has some big ideas of how to get the rock and roll world interested in the tap world. Unfortunately for Mo, Max has a chip on his shoulder regarding the life his father led and the lack of finances that he grew up with. It seems that Max has another family, one in which Max was a first rate second-story man...until the night he got caught and ended in jail.
The movie is one of conflict between the worlds of the alleged easy and plentiful money and the hard work, no glory, no money world of music. As much as Max hates it this is the world that is within him and continues to draw him back time and time again.
Hines was a supremely talented man. He could act, he could sing, and man he could dance like no other. He expressed himself in so many ways that it almost didn't seem fair to the rest of us. Here his character of Max is full of rage and anger. He bears a lifetime of resentment at what he perceived his father's life to have been worth and he knows what he has to do to make it better. The anger is almost palpable as it floats off his body. The look in his eyes and the set of his jaws tells people that he isn't going to take any more. That same rage appears at first in his dance. He doesn't just lightly dance on the floor a la Fred Astaire. He pounds the floor and lets it feel his frustration. He attacks it with percussive beats and syncopated rhythms that make the listeners instantly step back...but then the joy appears. First it come in the way he dives across the floor and moves free for all the world and then it reaches Hines eye's and you know at that moment that all will be well for this man.
The dance sequences alone in this movie are worth sitting through. Hines has most of them starting with the dance inside the jail cell but there are also moments such as the instruction at the construction site as well as the end sequence when he is working with the rock band that are almost hard to sit through. For long time fans of the genre, the "Challenge" segment is a treat as all the old greats get out and show just why they made the business what it was. Also, there is a brief flash of the style from Savion Glover's character at one moment that shows why he was a star at such a young age and gives hints as to his future success with Bring in the Noise, Bring in the Funk!
The world has lost a great talent this week. But movies like this and Bojangles will be around for years to come and will allow fans to share one last time the joy of seeing a true talent at work in his field.
Rating:
Summary: Tribute to a Star
Review: It's strange and a bit sad to watch this movie now. Earlier this week the world heard that dancer/singer/actor Gregory Hines had passed on at the age of 57. In his obituary there was a comment that, while multi- talented, Hines always considered himself first and foremost, a dancer. This movie from the late 80s shows that to be true in all it's wonderful glory. Possible Spoilers..... The movie opens on a man in a cell. The darkness surrounds him and he looks pained. Slowly he begins to listen to the noise around him. Before you know it the man in on his feet and dancing to the rhythms and sounds of the life in prison. The dance is one of pain but also as it goes forth brings out relaxation as anger is spent but most importantly the man begins to feel joy. Jump forward to the man, Max Washington (Gregory Hines) being released on paroll. He has just spent a few years in Sing Sing. Originally he was sentenced for Grand Theft but time was added on for Assault & Battery of a prison guard.
Max returns to his old neighborhood and takes a hotel room across from a run down building which houses the "Sunny Side of the Street" tap dance studio. As time goes on we learn that was his father's studio but first you see the various classes taught on the first two levels by an old love interest, Amy (Suzzane Douglas) and her son Lewis (Savion Glover). The true joy of the building is the third floor where the old "Hoofer's" reside. Here we find a virtual who's who of the tap dance world with many of the old masters portraying themselves and of course Sammy Davis, Jr. playing Little Mo.
Max is not originally totally welcomed back by everyone except for Lewis who looks up to Max as a father, which strongly portrays some of the real life feelings that occurred between Hines and Glover, and Little Mo who has some big ideas of how to get the rock and roll world interested in the tap world. Unfortunately for Mo, Max has a chip on his shoulder regarding the life his father led and the lack of finances that he grew up with. It seems that Max has another family, one in which Max was a first rate second-story man...until the night he got caught and ended in jail.
The movie is one of conflict between the worlds of the alleged easy and plentiful money and the hard work, no glory, no money world of music. As much as Max hates it this is the world that is within him and continues to draw him back time and time again.
Hines was a supremely talented man. He could act, he could sing, and man he could dance like no other. He expressed himself in so many ways that it almost didn't seem fair to the rest of us. Here his character of Max is full of rage and anger. He bears a lifetime of resentment at what he perceived his father's life to have been worth and he knows what he has to do to make it better. The anger is almost palpable as it floats off his body. The look in his eyes and the set of his jaws tells people that he isn't going to take any more. That same rage appears at first in his dance. He doesn't just lightly dance on the floor a la Fred Astaire. He pounds the floor and lets it feel his frustration. He attacks it with percussive beats and syncopated rhythms that make the listeners instantly step back...but then the joy appears. First it come in the way he dives across the floor and moves free for all the world and then it reaches Hines eye's and you know at that moment that all will be well for this man.
The dance sequences alone in this movie are worth sitting through. Hines has most of them starting with the dance inside the jail cell but there are also moments such as the instruction at the construction site as well as the end sequence when he is working with the rock band that are almost hard to sit through. For long time fans of the genre, the "Challenge" segment is a treat as all the old greats get out and show just why they made the business what it was. Also, there is a brief flash of the style from Savion Glover's character at one moment that shows why he was a star at such a young age and gives hints as to his future success with Bring in the Noise, Bring in the Funk!
The world has lost a great talent this week. But movies like this and Bojangles will be around for years to come and will allow fans to share one last time the joy of seeing a true talent at work in his field.
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