Into the shiny new Los Angeles studioof the world’s No. 1 dance teacher last week bustled a big brawnyworkman in his shirt sleeves. “I wanna learn to dance,” he told thepretty girl at the desk. “Would you like to join one of the defenseclasses?” she asked. “Hell no! Don’t you have any classes with societypeople?” he demanded, plunking down $100 for 20 lessons.
Arthur Murray, the Tiffany and Sears, Roebuck of U.S. dance, has almostevery kind of pupil in his nationwide chain of 146 dance schools. Butthe trade of socialites is fast being augmented by the trade ofnew-rich war workers, who have long listened to the juke-box hit”Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing in a Hurry.”
Murray’s business is up 50% to 100% (most in defense cities), hasactually risen 300%…in Los Angeles. There 600 pupils pay $11,000each month to learn the rumba, smooth swing, jitterbugging or “NewYorker” (West Coast name for the Lindy Hop).