How did The Arthur Murray Party made America want to learn ballroom dancing?
Arthur Murray had been known to be an innovator in publicity in terms of advertising his dance studios. Though he once had a radio show, he also took opportunity of taking advantage of one of the most influential forms of media which is television. In the history of Arthur Murray Franchised Dance Studio, Arthur Murray himself made a huge impact with the use of this media. In the Golden Age of Television, there was once a variety show known as The Arthur Murray Party. Hosted by himself and his wife Kathryn, the show was basically half hour live program where there is ballroom dancing as well as dance lessons with the Arthur Murray Dancers, contests between celebrity guests and songs as well as comedy sketches. The Arthur Murray Party really did make a huge impact in the hearts of its audience hence enticed them to learn ballroom dancing.
For over a decade, The Arthur Murray Party has been on the TV and America came to love it because it was like a huge live social party on TV. Not only will they be entertained by the dances but they also get to learn how to dance as the dance instructors would teach their guests some dance steps. Also, Arthur and Kathlyn Murray perform their weekly mystery dance which TV viewers would try to guess and mail it to get a free dance lesson on their nearest Arthur Murray Dance Studio in their area. Moreover, they would also let their celebrity guests of the week to compete against each other in a dance showdown. Seeing their favorite sports stars, actors and musicians in a dance competition had indeed made the audience love the show. Aside from this dance contest, some musician would appear on The Arthur Murray Party and perform live. One of the most memorable guests of The Arthur Murray Party was the singer, songwriter and pianist Johnnie Ray where he made the female dancers squeal in excitement. Since most dancers would wear elegant wardrobe in their dances, it was quite troublesome to be on TV. At the closing moments of the show Kathryn Murray would remind the TV viewers, “till then, to put a little fun in your life, try dancing” then the couple would dance Strauss waltz. Because of The Arthur Murray Party, America came to love ballroom dancing.
Though over 50 years have passed since the final run of The Arthur Murray Party, it had become a classic and has made a rare achievement for having to be broadcasted by the four major commercial television networks of that time which are ABC, DuMont Television Network, CBS and NBC. In spite of no longer appearing on television, Arthur Murray Franchised Dance Studios have also followed their founder’s strategy and move to the latest media which is the internet. Aside from their websites, Arthur Murray Dance Studios now have their own version of The Arthur Murray Party that is being streamed over the internet every Saturday night.
Arthur Murray once had a TV show call The Arthur Murray Party where he and his wife would showcase the fun that dancing can bring. It was indeed entertaining at the same time a fun way to learn dancing. Indeed it was a classic and will forever be remembered as a TV show that made America love dancing.