Did Kevin Bacon do all the dancing and gymnastics in Footloose? This question has been lingering in the minds of movie enthusiasts for over three decades now. Released in 1984, Footloose was a blockbuster success that propelled Kevin Bacon to international stardom. The film’s popularity owes it all to its foot-tapping music, energetic performances, and stunning dance moves. But the question remains – did Kevin Bacon do all the dancing and gymnastics in Footloose?
Kevin Bacon’s character, Ren McCormack, was the heart and soul of the movie. A city boy with a flair for dance, Ren was portrayed as a prodigious talent who ultimately triumphs against all odds. Kevin Bacon’s performance was lauded by critics and became an instant hit with audiences. But was it all him? Did he really perform those incredible dance moves and acrobatics himself? Or was it a skillful stunt double that we were all admiring?
The answer is not a straightforward one. Some sequences show Kevin Bacon delivering complex dance performances and gymnastics, while others feature his double, Peter Tramm, who is a professional gymnast and dancer. This begs the question – how much of Kevin Bacon’s performance was real? And how much was orchestrated by Peter Tramm? In this article, we will delve deep into the making of Footloose and uncover the secrets behind Kevin Bacon’s performance.
The Footloose Movie Plot
The 1984 hit movie Footloose was directed by Herbert Ross and written by Dean Pitchford. The film takes place in the small town of Bomont, where dancing and loud music have been banned due to a tragic accident that occurred a few years prior. Kevin Bacon plays the lead character, Ren McCormack, a teenager from Chicago who moves to Bomont with his mother.
- Ren quickly realizes how different this town is from what he is used to and challenges the ban on dancing.
- He becomes interested in Ariel Moore (played by Lori Singer), the daughter of Reverend Moore (played by John Lithgow), who is a staunch advocate of the dancing ban.
- Ren and his friends plan to hold a prom outside of town limits, which leads to a series of conflicts with the town and the Reverend.
The climax of the film occurs during the prom when the town council arrives to shut it down. However, Reverend Moore has a change of heart after a conversation with his daughter and allows the prom to continue. The movie ends with Ren and Ariel dancing triumphantly on stage as the whole town joins in.
Actors and Actresses in Footloose
When it comes to the 1984 hit film Footloose, many people wonder if Kevin Bacon did all of the dancing and gymnastics himself. While Bacon is a trained dancer, the reality is that he didn’t do all of the moves in the film. Some of the more difficult scenes were performed by his body double, Peter Tramm (*1).
- John Lithgow: Lithgow portrayed Reverend Shaw Moore, the conservative pastor who banned dancing in the town of Bomont. Lithgow is primarily known for his acting, but he was also trained in dance, which helped him perform his role in the movie. (source: *2)
- Dianne Wiest: Wiest played Vi Moore, the pastor’s wife, and Ariel’s mother. Wiest didn’t have any dance or gymnastics training before the film, but she managed to pull off some difficult scenes. In the end, she said that the experience was “just exhilarating.” (source: *3)
- Lori Singer: Singer played the role of Ariel Moore, the pastor’s rebellious daughter who falls in love with Kevin Bacon’s character Ren McCormack. Singer had a background in music, but she wasn’t an experienced dancer or gymnast. She had to train extensively for her role in the film. (source: *4)
Footloose was a massive success, grossing over $80 million at the box office (*5). The film launched the careers of several up-and-coming actors and actresses, and it also showcased the unique talents of the film’s stars, including Kevin Bacon (and his talented body double) (*6).
So while Kevin Bacon did a lot of his own dancing in Footloose, he had some help from a few talented individuals. In the end, the final product was a true collaboration that showcased the skills of all involved.
| Sources: |
|---|
| *1: https://www.thelist.com/119913/the-untold-truth-of-footloose/ |
| *2: https://www.fandango.com/movie-news/five-things-you-didnt-know-about-footloose-742442 |
| *3: https://www.slashfilm.com/dianne-wiest-footloose-interview/ |
| *4: https://www.thethings.com/the-untold-truth-of-footloose/ |
| *5: https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0087277/ |
| *6: https://www.biography.com/news/footloose-movie-facts-kevin-bacon |
The Screenplay and Production of Footloose
Footloose was a successful movie that was released in 1984 and directed by Herbert Ross. The screenplay was written by Dean Pitchford and was based on events that happened in the small town of Elmore City, Oklahoma. The story follows the life of Ren McCormack, who moves from Chicago to Bomont, a small town in Oklahoma, where dancing has been banned after a tragic accident. The movie portrays the conflict between the generations and their different values.
- The screenplay was first created as a project for Pitchford’s friend, producer Craig Zadan.
- The title Footloose was taken from a song by Kenny Loggins which became the theme song of the movie.
- Kevin Bacon was not the first actor to be considered for the lead role of Ren McCormack. Other actors like Tom Cruise and Rob Lowe were also considered for the role.
The production of Footloose was challenging due to the limited budget and the small town location, which needed to be transformed into a movie set while preserving its original state. Moreover, Kevin Bacon was not a trained dancer or gymnast. Therefore, the team had to create a rigorous training program for him to prepare him for his dancing and gymnastic scenes.
The cast and crew faced several challenges during the production of Footloose, but they overcame these challenges and produced a successful movie that people still enjoy watching today.
| Production Challenges | Actions Taken to Overcome Them |
|---|---|
| Limited budget | The team had to be creative with set design and minimize expenses. |
| Small town location that needed to be transformed into a movie set | The team had to work with the local community to achieve this and be mindful of preserving the town’s original state. |
| Kevin Bacon not being a trained dancer or gymnast | A rigorous training program was created to prepare him for his dancing and gymnastic scenes. |
The screenplay and production of Footloose showcase the challenges and creativity required to produce a successful movie. Moreover, the movie’s popularity over the years is a testament to the movie’s quality and entertainment value.
Dancing in The Footloose Movie
When it comes to iconic dance scenes in movies, Footloose often makes the list. The 1984 film tells the story of Ren McCormack, a city boy who moves to a small town where dancing has been banned. In order to challenge the town’s conservative values, Ren decides to organize a dance. But did Kevin Bacon, who played Ren, do all the dancing and gymnastics in the movie?
- Kevin Bacon did most of the dancing in Footloose, but he had a stunt double for the more complicated acrobatic moves. In an interview with NPR, Bacon said that he trained for months to prepare for the role, working with famous dancer and choreographer Marcia Stigler.
- During filming, Bacon wore a harness for some of the more daring stunts. This allowed his stunt double, Bennie E. Dobbins, to perform dangerous flips and jumps, while still keeping Bacon’s face in the frame for close-up shots.
- Footloose also featured a number of professional dancers in the supporting cast, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Lori Singer. These performers helped to fill out the dance scenes and bring an added level of energy to the movie.
Overall, while Kevin Bacon may not have done every single dance and gymnastics move in Footloose, his training and dedication to the role certainly paid off. The movie’s electrifying dance scenes have become a cinematic legend and helped to solidify Footloose as a classic of its genre.
If you’re a fan of iconic dance movies, Footloose is definitely worth a watch. Once you’ve seen the film, you’ll likely be humming the title track and itching to hit the dance floor yourself.
| Fact | Source |
|---|---|
| Kevin Bacon trained for months to prepare for the role of Ren in Footloose. | https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129204620 |
| Bacon had a stunt double, Bennie E. Dobbins, for some of the more dangerous acrobatic moves in the movie. | https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087277/trivia |
| Footloose featured several professional dancers in the cast, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Lori Singer. | https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087277/fullcredits |
Gymnastics in The Footloose Movie
The 1984 classic movie Footloose was not only famous for its hit song and wild dancing but also for its stunning gymnastics performances. The movie features impressive flips, splits, and somersaults, and it’s no surprise that fans have been wondering for decades whether Kevin Bacon did all the gymnastics himself or used a stunt double.
- Kevin Bacon Did Most of the Dancing and Gymnastics: According to the film’s choreographer, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Kevin Bacon performed at least 90% of the dance and gymnastics moves himself. In fact, he had to go through a grueling eight-hour-a-day, six-week training regime to prepare for the movie.
- The Gymnastics Scenes Were Shot in Just One Take: Taylor-Corbett has also revealed that most of the gymnastics sequences in the movie were shot in just one take. That means that Kevin Bacon had to give it his all in each performance, without the chance to do it over again.
- The Bars Routine Was Done by a Stunt Double: Despite Bacon’s impressive gymnastics abilities, there was one routine that he couldn’t do. The scene where he swings and flips between two bars was done by a female stunt double because the maneuver was too dangerous for Bacon to attempt.
Overall, while he may have had some help in one scene, Kevin Bacon’s gymnastics performances in Footloose were mostly his own. His dedication to the role and hard work paid off, and his athleticism and agility added an extra level of excitement to the movie.
Footloose remains a beloved classic to this day and continues to inspire new audiences with its iconic dance and gymnastics scenes.
Kevin Bacon’s Performance in Footloose
When it comes to the iconic 1984 film Footloose, Kevin Bacon’s performance is one of the most memorable aspects. From his rebellious attitude to his impressive dance moves and gymnastics, Bacon truly embodied the character of Ren McCormack.
Did Kevin Bacon do all the dancing and gymnastics in Footloose?
- Yes, Kevin Bacon did a majority of the dancing in Footloose. In fact, he spent months training and rehearsing for the film’s dance scenes.
- For the more complicated gymnastics sequences, however, Bacon was doubled by a gymnast named Robert Iscove. Iscove’s face was then digitally replaced with Bacon’s in post-production.
- Regardless, Bacon still put in a considerable amount of effort into perfecting his moves and bringing Ren McCormack to life on the dance floor.
Bacon’s Dance Scenes
Throughout Footloose, viewers are treated to a variety of dance scenes featuring Bacon’s impressive moves. From the opening credits, where he dances alone in a warehouse, to the iconic prom scene where he leads the entire town in a rebellious dance number, Bacon’s performance is unforgettable.
Bacon’s training for the film included numerous hours of dancing and practicing, with the goal of creating visually stunning and emotionally resonant scenes.
According to Bacon, the most challenging dance sequence for him was the one where he performs a solo routine in a warehouse. The scene required him to perform a variety of complex moves, including numerous spins and turns.
A Look at Bacon’s Gymnastics Sequences
While Bacon did a majority of his dancing in Footloose, there were a few specific gymnastics sequences that required a double. Specifically, the flips and high kicks in the prom scene and the acrobatics during the tractor chicken race were performed by Robert Iscove.
Despite this, Bacon still put in considerable effort for the gymnastics scenes. He trained with Iscove to ensure that his movements matched as closely as possible, and his face was still used digitally in the final cut of the film.
| Gymnastics sequences in Footloose: | Performed by: |
|---|---|
| High kicks and flips in the prom scene | Robert Iscove (with Bacon’s face digitally added in post-production) |
| Acrobatics during the tractor chicken race | Robert Iscove (with Bacon’s face digitally added in post-production) |
Overall, Kevin Bacon’s performance in Footloose was a memorable and impressive feat. From his dancing to his gymnastics, he put in many hours of training and dedication to bring his character to life.
Kevin Bacon’s Other Movies and Roles
While Kevin Bacon is most famous for his role in Footloose, he has had quite an extensive career in Hollywood, spanning over four decades. Here are some of his most notable roles and movies:
- Tremors (1990) – Bacon starred as Valentine McKee in this cult classic monster movie.
- A Few Good Men (1992) – Bacon played Capt. Jack Ross in this legal drama that also starred Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.
- Mystic River (2003) – Bacon starred alongside Sean Penn and Tim Robbins in this intense crime drama that was directed by Clint Eastwood.
Beyond acting, Bacon has also dipped his toes into other areas of Hollywood. He has directed several episodes of TV shows, including The Following, City on a Hill, and I Love Dick. Additionally, he has produced several movies and TV shows. He even founded Six Degrees Records, a music label that focuses on world music.
Here is a table of some of Kevin Bacon’s most noteworthy movies:
| Movie | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Footloose | 1984 | Renne McCormack |
| Tremors | 1990 | Valentine McKee |
| A Few Good Men | 1992 | Capt. Jack Ross |
| Mystic River | 2003 | Sean Devine |
No matter what role or project he’s working on, Kevin Bacon has left an undeniable mark on Hollywood and pop culture in general.
Did Kevin Bacon do all the dancing and gymnastics in Footloose?
Q: Was Kevin Bacon a trained dancer before filming Footloose?
A: No, he was not a trained dancer, but he did have some experience from his high school theater productions.
Q: Did Kevin Bacon do all of his dancing scenes in the movie?
A: While Kevin Bacon did perform the majority of his dance scenes in the movie, there were a few more complex and acrobatic moves that required a stunt double.
Q: Who was Kevin Bacon’s stunt double for the gymnastics scenes?
A: His stunt double for those scenes was a gymnastics coach named Sammy Smith.
Q: How long did Kevin Bacon train for his dance scenes in Footloose?
A: Kevin Bacon trained for several months prior to filming Footloose to perfect his dance moves under the instruction of renowned choreographer, Kenny Ortega.
Q: Did Kevin Bacon use any special techniques to achieve his impressive dance moves?
A: Yes, Kevin Bacon used a kind of physical therapy called The Alexander Technique to help him with his movements.
Q: Has Kevin Bacon ever spoken about his experience learning to dance for Footloose?
A: Yes, in interviews, Kevin Bacon has expressed both his love for the role and his appreciation for the hard work and training it took to bring real authenticity to his performance.
Closing Thoughts
Thanks for reading about Kevin Bacon’s experience learning to dance for Footloose. It’s always amazing to see actors put that much effort into a role and bring something new to the table. Make sure to check back soon for more trivia and facts about your favorite movies and TV shows!