Amy Spencer | "The Lady With the Fan"

Amy Spencer was a Black actress and dancer born around 1909 in East Orange, New Jersey. Her father was also from New Jersey, while her mother was born in the British West Indies. She lived most of her life in New York City. She graduated high school from Wadleigh High school and had been performing on stage for 2 years by 1926. Spencer remarked, 'When I got out of school I got stage-struck, so I have been on the stage ever since. I like the stage very much.' Newspapers often remarked on her auburn hair.

Connie's Inn Revue | 1926

Amy Spencer received a "big break" when she was cast as a chorus girl at Connie's Inn, a Harlem night club in New York City. Connie's Inn was opened in 1923 by Mr. Connie Immerman, a white man, who's all-Black cabaret became a popular venue for white patrons to be entertained by Black performers. Clubs like this became popular during the 1920s and 1930s, like the Cotton Club and the Plantation Club. Based off of the entertainment one could see at Connie's Inn, a revue was staged by Leonard Harper. "Connie's Inn Revue" was dubbed "the most indecent show ever brought to Harlem." It was censored after its debut performance but stayed 5 weeks at the Lafayette Theater in New York City. Patrons paid $10 ($177.85 today) a seat to see the show.

A few of the scenes drew criticism after the first show and Amy Spencer was asked her opinion of nudity on the stage by a newspaper reporter. She responded, 'I think it's all right. Many people pay much more money to see downtown shows which are not as dressed up as we are. It all depends on the audience. Some like it and some don't. Of course, anything can be carried to extremes, but I think a colored girl has as much right to show a beautiful form as a white girl."

Regardless of the censorship, the Revue was a major hit, which prompted a new show the next year.

Connie's "Hot Chocolates" | 1927-1930

In 1927, Spencer was a specialty dancer in the "all-colored revue", by Connie Immerman, the "Hot Chocolates". Amy was a cast as a "Hot Chocolate Drop."

The musical was split into two acts with 23 scenes and mimicked the type of show seen at Connie's Inn. The music was composed by Thomas Waller and Harry Brooks, staged by Leonard Harper, with lyrics written by Andy Razaf. The show was an instant hit, showcasing a company of 85 Black performers. It traveled across the East coast and Midwestern States during 1929 and 1930 (with a revival in 1937). The cast included several "exotic" dancers: Baby Cox (shake dancer), the Bon Bon Buddies (8 male dancers), and Louise Cook ("cooch" dancer). Dances received imaginative names such as "The Goddess of Rain," and "The Jungle Jamboree."

The music was so popular in fact, it was featured on the radio several times. The Omaha Evening Bee news listed the following set list:

• Fiddlin' Joe
• Where Sweet Forget-Me-Nots Remember
• You Were Meant for Me
• Sugar Cane Round My Door
• I've Found a New Baby
• Waltz--Just Another Kiss
• Dixie Cinderella
• Sweet Savannah Sue
• Off Time
• Toymaker's Dream
• Don't Wake Baby Up
• Am I Blue?
• Believe It or Not
• Till We Meet
• My Melody Man
• Plodding Along
• Who Can Take Your Place?
• Alabamy Bound
• Song of the West
• Liza from 'Show Girl'
• Waitin' for the Robert E. Lee

The 1930 United States Federal Census lists Amy Spencer's occupation as "actress" in the industry "night club". Within the next few years she would rise to stardom as a famous 'sepia fan dancer.' She had titian hair and a slender build (though that wouldn't stop newspapers from commenting on her weight).

Dancing Duet | Al Moore and Amy Spencer

In the Fall of 1930, Spencer became the dancing partner of international dancing star, Al Moore. According to an interview with Moore in December 1930, he saw Spencer perform at Connie's Inn and immediately asked her to join him. They began dancing instructions at his apartment and then moved onto practice with the orchestra.

Moore stated, "Miss Spencer is a finished dancer, there are few tricks that she hasn't mastered. Her specialty as an adagio dancer, is imitated far and wide, but none of her imitators have succeeded in copying her style, nor have they been able to acquire Miss Spencer's grace. She is one of the best dancing partners I have had in my experience as a professional dancer."

The pair became inseparable and soon rose to theatrical acclaim, traveling around the country performing to charity balls and benefits, in addition to night clubs. 

In November 1930, the pair appeared in "The Music Box" revue with Cab Callloway at the Lafayette Theatre in New York City. The New York Age newspaper raved that "Al Moore and Amy Spencer are undoubtedly two of the greatest colored aesthetic dancers on the stage."

Spencer performed with Moore until the Summer of 1934. According to the Afro American, the partnership ended when Spencer got married. However, this didn't stop her from continuing her entertainment career.

Cab Calloway's "The Lady with the Fan" | 1933

Amy Spencer began performing with Cab Calloway at the Cotton Club (NYC) in 1930 as a dancer. Spencer began performing with large ostrich fans at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair and gained a new moniker, "the only colored fan dancer" or "the Sepia fan dancer" or "the Sepia Sally Rand." (These monikers are false, as Noma, Valda, and Katherine Scott were other fan dancers of color performing at the same time.) Spencer was a fantastic fan dancer in her own right--in fact Cab Calloway wrote the song "The Lady with the Fan" about Spencer. Watch "The Lady with the Fan" here and see if you can spot the red-headed Amy Spencer! (Credits were not given to the dancers that appeared.)

According to Calloway's autobiography, he wrote the song about Amy Spencer, who performed a fan dance in his Cotton Club Revue. However, at the time, multiple newspapers reported he wrote the song after Sally Rand, who had just become a sensational star at the Chicago's Century of Progress, around the same time in 1933. Amy Spencer was performing with fans at this same time, often mentioned in the same articles about Calloway's revue.

Was Amy Spencer the first to perform the "fan dance"? I have found no evidence of Spencer performing it before Sally Rand, but I also don't believe Rand invented it. Many performers claimed to have created it before she popularized it. It's possible Rand appropriated the dance from Spencer. White burlesque and its producers, like Minsky, would actively attend black burlesque shows in Harlem, in order to see "what's hot." Minsky deemed Black burlesque, "progressive burlesque." Minsky leased the Harlem Opera House in 1924 and the Apollo Theatre in 1928, which became hubs for black performers. Sally Rand performed at Minsky's. The year 1933 was the tipping point where fan dances were brought into the "mainstream" and performers like Sally Rand and many other dancers at the Century of Progress, were sensationalized. It's possible, more likely probable, that black burlesque dancers, like Amy Spencer, were performing with fans before their explosion into the mainstream.

Hi-De-Ho Film | 1934

In the 1934 film "Hi-De-Ho", Cab Calloway performs this song with 6 fan dancers. Unfortunately, the fan dancers are not listed, but there is one fan dancer with lighter hair--perhaps it's auburn. Could one of these performers Amy Spencer? Watch the entire film here.

Dancing at the Cotton Club

Spencer continued to perform in the Cotton Club. The Afro American newspaper reported, "Amy Spencer, fiery red-headed fan dancer from the Cotton Club in Harlem...Miss Spencer gives a fine interpretation of the dance Sally Rand made famous at the Century of Progress in Chicago last year...She [Spencer] handles her fans adeptly as she dances about the stage and gives more emphasis to their dexterous manipulation and her rhythm than she does to any suggestion of nudity." (November 3, 1934)

In November 1934, Spencer was signed for an 8-week booking at the Cotton Club--she was just 22 years old. The Cotton Club was a "whites only" nightclub but boasted an "all-colored" revue for its patrons. Eventually, they allowed people of color to attend as patrons in a separate section.

Arrested for Indecent Exposure | 1935

Poisoning Accident | 1935

Tragedy struck Spencer in September of 1935. One Tuesday morning, Spencer's neighbor found her apartment door ajar, and an unconscious Spencer on her bed. Next to her, according to the Afro American newspaper, was an empty bottle of Lysol. She received emergency medical treatment and later claimed she had no intent of ending her life and she was trying "to relieve her pain" by drinking the cleaner. Spencer had been ill for about a month in Washington state prior to this event, while her parents lived in New York City. The Afro American newspaper noted Spencer did not want her parents to find out about this incident.

The Black Cat Club & the Plantation Club | 1937

In 1937, Amy Spencer began dancing that the Black Cat Club in Washington. During her time at the Black Cat, she debuted a new burlesque act deemed "a gold fish numbah." By the end of 1937, Spencer was back in New York City, performing with Willie Bryant at the Plantation Club in Harlem. There they entertained the audience with old dances, like the Charleston, and new dances, like the "Big Apple" dance.

(New Pittsburgh Courier. Amy Spencer and Willie Bryant. Page 13. September 11, 1937)

Spencer continued to perform at the Plantation Club in their revue. She became dancing partners with Barrington Guy, pictured below. The opening act of the 1937 season at the Plantation Club was entitled "Dance of the Vampire."

(New Pittsburgh Courier. Photo of Guy theatrically kneeling over Spencer in Rehearsals. Page 13. September 18, 1937)

(New Pittsburgh Courier. "Plantation beauties" at the "Bojangles Bar". From left to right: Eve Bradley, Peggy Sheppard, Dolores Myers, Jean Martini, Julia Moses, Gertrude Williams, Amy Spencer, Mercedes Myers, Midge Williams, and Ruth Dash. Photo by Continental News."

Unfortunately, in November 1937, Spencer was let go from her role at the Plantation Club, reportedly, because of "insolence to the big boss."

At the Savoy | 1938

In March 1938, Amy Spencer appeared at the Savoy after spending some time away from the stage. The New Pittsburgh Courier published this off-putting statement, "Amy Spencer, seen at the Savoy the other suntime, after a long stay away from Harlem, seems fatter by 20 pounds. But still alluring." (Page 11. March 12, 1938)

Bon Voyage Party for Duke Ellington | 1939

(New Pittsburgh Courier. Amy Spencer at a going away party for Duke Ellington leaving for Europe. Page 24. April 1, 1939. The ladies were listed, left to right, as Billie Rowe, Amy Spencer, and Mrs. Bob Oakley)

Duke Ellington's going away party is the latest newspaper article of Amy Spencer.

Sources

Websites

• "The Lady with the Fan." The Hi de Ho Blog. https://www.thehidehoblog.com/blog/2006/06/the-lady-with-the-fan-1933
• Cab Calloway - the Lady with the Fan (1933). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmrJMC_NCMg
• Cab Calloway - Hi-De-Ho (1934). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spBLdH5mtyk
• "Wild Realm Review: Burlesque in Harlem." http://www.weirdwildrealm.com/f-burlesque-in-harlem.html

Newspapers

• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Pretty Exponents of New Dance Sensation." Page 1. August 29, 1925
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Calvin's Weekly Diary of the New York Show World." Page 15. November 6, 1926
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Pretty Chorine Defends 'Nudity'." Page 9. December 18, 1926
• The New York Age. "Alleged Indecent Dances in Revue From Connie's Inn Now Playing at Lafayette Has Stirred Many Protests." Page 1. November 6, 1926
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Charming at Connie's." Page 1. June 25, 1927
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Harper's Fall Revue." Page 15. October 1, 1927
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Charming Chorine." Page 28. November 3, 1928
• Brooklyn Eagle. "The Theater." Arthur Pollock. Page 25. June 21, 1929
• Brooklyn Eagle. Advertisement for Connie's Hot Chocolate's at the Hudson Theater. Page 25. June 21, 1929
• The Boston Globe. "'Hot Chocolates' at the Tremont." Page 6. December 24, 1929
• The Brooklyn Daily Times. "The New Play: 'Hot Chocolates' is Negro Entertainment in Its Gayest Mood." Page 10. June 21, 1929
• The Omaha Evening Bee News. "'Hot Chocolates' Tunes by Whiteman. Page 16. August 13, 1929
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "New Floor Revue at Small's." Floyd G. Snelson Jr. Page 18. April 5, 1930
• Richmond Planet. Photo of Amy Spencer for Connie's 'Hot Chocolates'. Page 12. August 30, 1930
• The Afro American. "Of Course They All Go To Connie's." Page 8. April 26, 1930
• The Afro American. "Helps Put Heat in 'Hot Chocolates'." Page 9. August 30, 1930
• The Afro American. "Why Do Dancing Partners Make Poor Husbands?" Page 8. December 13, 1930
• The New York Age. Advertisement for Al Moore and Amy Spencer at Lafayette Theater. Page 6. November 8, 1930
• The New York Age. "At the Lafayette Theatre." Page 6. November 8, 1930
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Newsy Newsettes." Floyd G. Snelson Jr. Page 19. October 31, 1931
• Daily News. Advertisement for Cotton Club Review with Amy Spencer at the Capitol Theatre. November 3, 1933
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Broadway Smiles at New Revue." Page 16. November 4, 1933
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Cab Calloway's New song." Page 16. November 4, 1933
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Harlem Night by Night." Maurice Dancer. Page 16. December 9, 1933
• The Afro American. "'Lady with a Fan,' Song Hit of New Cotton Club Revue." New York. Page 19. November 4, 1933
• The Akron Beacon Journal. "Sally Rand Inspires 'Ho-De-Ho' Calloway to Write 'Fan' Song." Dorothy Doran. Page 5. October 19, 1933
• The Herald News. "Cab Calloway Will Appear at Regent." Page 18. December 11, 1933
• The Morning Call. Advertisement for Cab Calloway at the Regent Theater. Page 15. December 13, 1933
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "New Apollo Theatre; Mammoth Benefit Show." Page 11. May 26, 1934
• New Pittsburgh Courier. Photo of Al Moore and Amy Spencer. Page 13. June 2, 1934
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Shining Stars of Stage and Screen Graciously Donated Their Talents to Overwhelmingly Successful National Defense Fund Benefit." Page 132. June 2, 1934
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "City Agog over 'Hot Chocolates' Return." Page 20. June 2, 1934
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Ethel, 'Bo', Cab, Stepin Fetchit, Nicholas Brothers, Aida, Eddie, Jimmie, Fats and Everyone Else 'Steal Show' As New York Votes Defense Fund Benefit Smashing Success." Page 21. June 2, 1934
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Harlem Night Clubs Brilliant and Lively; Adelaide Hall, Gladys Bentley Featured Stars." Maurice Dancer. Page 18. August 18, 1934
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Last Days." Page 11. September 15, 1934
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Who is Amy?" New York. Page 21. December 8, 1934
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Harlem." Page 21. July 28, 1956
• Press of Atlantic City. Advertisement for Amy Spencer at the Belmont Night Club. Page 10. July 20, 1934
• The Afro American. "From A Harlem Note Book." Allan McMillian. New York City. Page 19. June 16, 1934
• The Afro American. "Amy Spencer at Howard." Page 5. November 3, 1934
• The New York Age. "Lafayette Theatre." Page 4. May 12, 1934
• Times Herald. "College Days at Cotton Club." Page 8. November 24, 1934
• Times Herald. Advertisement for Cotton Club in Washington. Page 11. December 8, 1934
• Times Herald. "Comedy Duo at Cotton Club." Page 11. December 15, 1934
• The Afro American. "Many Dance Teams Have Sparkled, Then Faded Out." ANP. Page 7. June 29, 1935
• The Afro American. "Fan Dancer Drinks Poison but Denies Suicide Intent." Washington. Page 1. September 21, 1935
• The Afro American. "Amy Spencer Found on Bed by Neighbor." Page 2. September 21, 1935
• The Washington Daily News. "All About the Cotton Club." Page 22. May 21, 1935
• Times Herald. Advertisement for Amy Spencer at the Cotton Club. Page 9. February 9, 1935
• Times Herald. Advertisement for Amy Spencer at the Cotton Club. Page 9. March 9, 1935
• Daily News. "Handwriting Reveals Character." Shirley Spencer. January 13, 1937
• Daily News. Advertisement for Black Cat Club. Page 52. January 16, 1937
• Daily News. Advertisement for Amy Spencer at the Oriental Theatre. Page 143. October 22, 1937
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "S.A. Lowdown." Page 21. May 22, 1937
• New Pittsburgh Courier. Page 20. June 19, 1937
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Medley of Dances, Old and New, Make Up Dance, 'The Big Apple'." Page 13. September 11, 1937
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Billy Rowe Describes 'Big Apple' Dance Craze as Combination of Non-Nordic Steps." Billy Rowe. Page 20. September 11, 1937
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Swinging the News." Page 20. September 11, 1937
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "New York Night Clubs From Harlem to Broadway Prepare for Hectic Sepia Season." Page 13. September 18, 1937
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Out of Billy Rowe's Harlem Note Book." Page 21. November 6, 1937
• The New York Age. "Count Bassie's Band Heads New Bill at The Apollo Theatre." Page 9. June 5, 1937
• The Omaha Guide. "Entertainment Whirl." Ken Jessamy. Page 2. September 25, 1937
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Out of Billy Rowe's Harlem Note Book." Page 11. March 12, 1938
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "And a Gay Time Was Had By All, Though Parting, Now or Then, Is Such Sweet Sorrow." Page 24. April 1, 1939
• New Pittsburgh Courier. "Despite the Flare of the World Fair, Harlem Finds Itself Beating Off the Enemies of Its Expansion and Development." Page 2. August 5, 1939
• 1930 United States Census. Amy Spencer. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/41608153:6224?t