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PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

Belly Dancers in the Movies

Maria's List, Part 1 of 3: U.S.A.

This page is based on a list compiled by Maria in Boulder, Colorado. See the bottom of the page for a profile of her. It originally appeared on her former web site, which was titled "Boulder Bellygrams". After she discontinued that web site, she granted permission for her list to be published here on Shira.net.

On this page:

  • Maria's List, Part 1. U.S. Movies

On other pages of this web site:

 

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U.S. Movies

Movie Title

Year

Dancer(s)

Comments

300 Spartans 1962   The belly dance scene is about 30 seconds long. Three dancers are performing for King Xerxes of Persia. They are clad in a Hayes Code version of belly dance costumes (with skirts up to the waist). Their dance consists mainly of awkward-looking snake arms and high kicks, with the occasional standing backbend.
Abbott & Costello In the Foreign Legon 1950   The "dance scene" lasts only 30 seconds, and is limb-oriented dance in "harem girl" costuming, not belly dance. View the opinion poll.
Abbott & Costello Lost in a Harem 1944   Contains an elaborate 3-minute Hollywood-style production number. View the opinion poll.
Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy 1955    
Alexander 2004   Belly dancing with swords, snakes, and veils
Arabian Adventure 1979 Suzanne Danielle Stars Emma Samms and Peter Cushing
Arabian Nights 1942   Maria Montez plays Scheherazade. Arm undulations and backbend. Also stars Sabu and Jon Hall.
Around the World in 80 Days 2004   Belly dancers in Turkish harem with Arnold Schwarzennegar as the Sultan
Assassin's Bullet 2012   One of the belly dancers assassinates terrorists in Bulgaria.
Bagdad
1949   Stars Maureen O'Hara. Several dance scenes in harem fantasy costumes, but the dance style isn't belly dance. Read Shira's mini-review or vote in the opinion poll.
Barefoot in the Park 1967   Stars Jane Fonda & Robert Redford
Before Sunrise 1995 Bilge Jeschim Stars Ethan Hawke
Beau Geste
1966
Ava Samora Stars Guy Stockwell, Doug McClure, Leslie Nielsen
Bolero
1984
Bo Derek  
Born Losers 1968 Feiruz Aram Feiruz says that she was walking along a beach in southern California with her boa constrictor when he came across the movie shoot. She heard the director say, "Hey you, with the snake — can you dance?" He then worked her into a scene dancing for the motorcycle gang at their hideout.
Brass Bottle 1964 Lulu Porter Porter's dance scene lasts about 1 1/2 minutes. Stars Tony Randall and Barbara Eden. Read Shira's mini-review or vote in the opinion poll.
Can't Stop the Music 1980 Helena Vlahos Produced by Allan Carr Films Inc.
Casablanca 1942   Dancer's shadow on the walls of the Blue Parrot in two scenes
Casino Royale 1967 Joanna Pettet James Bond spoof w/Peter Sellers & David Niven
Cast a Giant Shadow 1966 Samra Dedes Stars Kirk Douglas & Angie Dickinson
Chandu the Magician 1932   Stars Bela Lugosi. There is a nightclub scene a few seconds in length, with belly dancers in the background.
Charlie Wilson's War 2007 Tracy Phillips Tracy Phillips plays the role of real-life belly dancer Carol Shannon. The dance scene is very short and insulting to belly dancers.
Charlie's Angels 2000 Mesmera Stars Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, & Lucy Liu
China Syndrome 1979 Delilah of Seattle Stars Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon
Cleopatra 1934   Stars Claudette Colbert
Cleopatra 1963   Stars Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, & Rex Harrison
Cobra Woman 1944 Maria Montez Maria Montez dances Around a cobra. It's campy, cheesy, tacky, in other words, a MUST see!
Conan the Barbarian 1982   Stars Arnold Schwartzenegger. A dancer appears in a grimy tavern scene, after Conan fights the big snake. 
Condorman 1981   Spy spoof starring Michael Crawford
Conqueror, The 1956   Stars John Wayne, Susan Hayward, Pedro Armendariz. Also known as Conqueror of the Desert.
Countess Dracula 1971 Hulya Babus  
Crime Killer 1985 Helena Vlahos  
Curse of the Crimson Altar 1968 Vicky Richards  
Curse of the Mummy's Tomb 1964 Dahlena  
Cyberjack 1995 Chantel Tanguay  
David and Bathsheba 1951 Gwen Verdon  
Days of Wine & Roses 1962 Lisa Guiraut Stars Jack Lemmon & Lee Remick
Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round 1966 Tanya Lemani Stars James Coburn
Dead One, The 1961    
Deadly Rivals 1993   Dondi Dahlin is in the role of Peggy.
Deathstalker II 1987   Topless belly dancer playing finger cymbals
Delta Force 1997   Small scene in which a television is shown with a dancer on it
Devils of Darkness 1965 Julie Mendez Julie Mendez does a snake dance.
Diary of a Bachelor 1964 Saliha Tekneci  
Don Juan de Marco 1994   Visit to a harem. Stars Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp, Faye Dunaway
Duffy 1968 Julie Mendez Stars James Coburn
Egyptian, The 1954 Carmen De Lavallade Stars Jean Simmons, Victor Mature
Eve's Fire 2003 Jennifer Dove Evocumentary independent film by Sheila Foster (from Boulder, Colorado) & Kirsten D'Andrea Hollander (from Maryland). Jennifer Dove dances in a costume by Domba.
Exotic Dreams of Casanova 1971 Kathleen Norris  
Extreme Vengeance 1990 Mesmera Tanya George (also known as Tanya Lemani) is in the role of Helen.
Fairy Tales 1979 Nai Bonet Nai is in the role of Scheherazade.
Five Easy Pieces 1970 Helena Kallianiotes Stars Jack Nicholson & Karen Black. Helena is in the role of Palm Apodaca.
Flight of the Phoenix 1965   Ronald Fraser's character sees a dancer as part of a hallucination.
From Dusk Till Dawn 1996   Salma Hayek. Contains a snake dance.
Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 1966   Stars Zero Mostel
Girl from S.I.N., The 1966   The dancer performs for about 3 1/2 minutes, makes out with a man, then knocks him out with a karate chop.
Golden Voyage of Sinbad 1974   Stars John Phillip Law & Caroline Munro. View the opinion poll.
Good Neighbor Sam 1964 Zanouba Stars Jack Lemmon
Happy Hooker Goes to Washington 1977 Shira (not the one who owns this web site) and Yolanda Leaird Stars Joey Heatherton. Some dancers from the troupe Perfumes of Araby were in the background but not dancing.
Harold Robbins' The Pirate 1978 Anne Archer  
Harum Scarum 1965 Brenda Benet, Gail Gilmore, Wilda Taylor, and Vicki Malkin Stars Elvis Presley. The dance scenes featuring the adult trio are in a fake "Gypsy" style, but the one featuring Vicki Malkin is more "belly dance" in nature. Read Shira's mini-review or vote in the opinion poll.
Harry and Walter Go to New York 1976 Yolanda Mayer  
Head 1968 Tanya Lemani Stars The Monkees
Hell Squad 1986 Anaheed & Narayana Stars Bainbridge Scott
Hell With Heroes, The 1968 Tanya Lemani Stars Rod Taylor.
History of the World 1981   Stars Mel Brooks.
Hitman 1991 Sarita Stars Chuck Norris.
House of the Black Death 1965 Sabrina Stars John Carradine & Lon Chaney. Cult horror flick. Notable for its belly dance scenes.
How Do I Love Thee? 1970 Soroya Farah Stars Jackie Gleason, Maureen O'Hara, & Shelley Winters
Hunchback, The 1997 Salma Hayek Salma Hayek appears in the role of Esmeralda.
Hunchback of Notre Dame, The 1939   Stars Maureen O'Hara
Ilsa, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks 1976    
Impulse 1974 Paula Dimitrouleas Stars William Shatner
Island of Dr. Moreau 1996 Fairuza Balk Stars Marlon Brando
Jason & the Argonauts 1963    
Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten 2007   Independent film about Joe Strummer, a musician with the band The Clash. Fun scenes in black and white featuring Turkish belly dancing.
John Goldfarb, Please Come Home 1965 Shirley MacLaine, Nai Bonet, Sultanna, Antoinette Stars Peter Ustinov
Justine 1969 Anna Karina Several belly dance scenes and and a very short scene with the Tunisian folkloric troupe doing a pot dance
Key to Rebecca, The 1985 Lina Raymond Lina Raymond appears in the role of Sonja El Aram
Khartoum 1966 Lisa Guiraut Stars Charlton Heston & Laurence Olivier
King Frat 1979 Ligia A belly dancer at a costumed frat party dances for about 40 seconds in one scene and 8 in another
King Richard & the Crusaders 1954 Nejla Ates Stars Rex Harrison & Virginia Mayo
King's Pirate, The 1967   Stars Jill St. John
Kismet 1944 Marlene Dietrich Stars Marlene Dietrich. The dance scene doesn't resemble belly dancing at all, except for a second or two of snake arms. It consists primarily of Dietrich jerking from one pose to another. View or vote in the opinion poll.
Kismet 1955   The dancing looks like Thai dancing, not belly dance. View or vote in the opinion poll.
Last of the Secret Agents 1966 Aida Fries Stars Marty Allen, Steve Rossi
Last Resort 1994 Tanya George Although she is credited in this movie as Tanya George, this actress also appeared in many other movies under the name Tanya Lemani
Life With Mikey 1993 Adrienne Canterna Stars Michael J. Fox
Man With Bogart's Face, The 1978 Kamala, Jaqueline Lombard, Mish Mish Stars Robert Sacchi. Orchestra was Guy Chookoorian and his band.
Marlowe 1969 Camille Grant  
Mata Hari 1931 Greta Garbo Stars Greta Garbo & Lionel Barrymore
Meridian 1990 Nashira  
Monster & the Stripper 1968 June Russell This movie is also sometimes known by the title The Exotic Ones
Moonlighting Wives 1966 Fatima Features a belly dancer performing poolside for 2 minutes. Cheese cake at its best.
Mr. Wrong 1996   Stars Ellen DeGeneres. Dull attempt at comedy. Read Shira's mini-review.
Mummy, The 1999    
Night and Day 1946 Milada Mladova Dancer performed to "Begin the Beguine". Stars Cary Grant and Alexis Smith.
On the Town 1949 Ivy Smith Ivy Smith plays the role of a cooch dancer on Coney Island. Gene Kelley, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin dress up in women's harem costumes and dance on stage. Read Shira's mini-review.
Once Around 1991 Samra Stars Richard Dreyfuss & Holly Hunter
Outlaw of Gor 1989    
Paradise 1982 Riki Halfon Stars Willie Aames & Phoebe Cates
Party Girl 1995   Stars Parker Rosey
Princess of the Nile 1954 Debra Paget Stars Debra Paget. View or vote in the opinion poll.
Projectionist, The 1971 Morocco Stars Chuck McCann, Ina Balin & Rodney Dangerfield
Psychic Detective 1994 Meaghan Gannett  
Queen of the Damned 2002 Aaliyah Vampire movie. In a scene set in Egypt, the character Queen Akasha dances.
Rabbit, Run 1970 Sabah Nissan Filmed in Reading, Pennsylvania
Rejuvenatrix 1988 Goddess Ambrosia  
Ride the High Country 1962    
Road to Morocco, The 1942    
Rocket Attack USA 1961   A belly dancer is featured in a Moscow nightclub to symbolize the immoral Russian regime
Rollercoaster 1977   Stars George Segal & Timothy Bottoms
Romancing the Stone 1984    
Romany Trail, Part One, Gypsy Music Into Africa     Several belly dancers, as well as other dance styles.
Romany Trail, Part Two, Gypsy Music into Europe     A child, and many Romany dances
Roustabout 1964 Wilda Taylor Stars Elvis Presley. Wilda Taylor does a particularly excremental performance to the song Little Egypt as Elvis sings it. Read Shira's mini-review or vote in the opinion poll.
Sahara 1983    
Salomé 1953 Rita Hayworth The dance of the 7 veils doesn't resemble belly dancing at all. View the opinion poll.
Salomé, Where She Danced 1945 Yvonne DeCarlo Dance style doesn't remotely resemble belly dance. Read Shira's mini-review or vote in the opinion poll.
Salomé's Last Dance 1988   Mostly dancers doing head slides
Scorpion King, The 2002 Stella Angelova About 5-10 seconds of dancing with veils, very short.
She 1965 Julie Mendez, Lisa Peake, and Soraya Stars Ursula Andress
Sheik, The 1921   One dance scene loosely resembles Persian classical dance. Others resemble modern dance. None would pass as "belly dancing". View the opinion poll.
Sinbad & the Eye of the Tiger 1977   Stars Jane Seymour. Notorious for its bad dancing. At least the costumes are nice.
Sketches of a Strangler 1978   Stars Allen Garfield & Meredith McRae. Tanya George (also sometimes known as Tanya Lemani) is in the cast.
Snake People, The (La Muerte Viviente) 1971   Stars Boris Karloff. Notorious for being a very bad movie with very bad snake dancing.
Sodom and Gomorrah 1962 Mitsuko Takara   
Solomon and Sheba 1959 Gina Lollobrigida This is modern dance, not belly dance, but is still entertaining to watch. Read Shira's mini-review or vote in the opinion poll.
Some Kind of a Nut 1969 Desiree Paterson, Tanya Lemani, Angie Dickinson Stars Dick Van Dyke & Angie Dickinson. Maria's list also mentioned Poupee Bocar as being in this, but imdb does not include her in the credits.
Something Wicked This Way Comes 1983    
Son of Ali Baba 1952   Stars Tony Curtis
Son of Sinbad 1955 Nejla Ates Stars Vincent Price. Read Shira's mini-review or vote in the opinion poll.
Son of The Pink Panther 1993    
Son of the Sheik 1926 Vilma Banky Dancing mostly is modern dance, but in one piece to 6/8 music the choreography appears to have North African scarf dance influence. View the opinion poll.
Song of Norway 1970 Morocco Morocco dances in the scene where Grieg is playing "Anitra's Dance" in the mansion
Song of Scheherazade 1947 Yvonne DeCarlo  
Spy With a Cold Nose 1966 Nai Bonet Spy spoof
Stoogemania 1986 Jenza Dancer's stomach was shown quivering to finish off a really bad one-liner
Swinger, The 1966 Ann-Margret  
Ten Commandments 1956   Stars Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Vincent Price. Jethro's daughters bellydance before Moses to pick one for bride.
Ten Violent Women 1982 Cheryl Jensen  
Things Are Tough All Over 1982 Maya Harman Stars Cheech & Chong. Belly dancing uses a snake.
Topkapi 1964   Stars Maximilian Schell, Melina Mercouri, & Peter Ustinov
Traveler's Gin 2000 Maria (from Boulder) Independent film produced locally in Boulder, Colorado which went straight to DVD
Troy 2004   Belly dancers at celebration party in beginning of movie 
Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll 1960   Contains snake dancing
Valley of the Kings 1954 Samia Gamal Stars Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker. Read the full-length review or vote in the opinion poll.
Videodrome 1983 Franciszka Hedland Stars James Woods & Deborah Harry
Warlords 1988   Stars David Carradine
Wee Wee Monsieur 1938 Curly Howard, Larry Fine, and Moe Howard (in drag) The Three Stooges dress up as "harem girls" and dance. The movement vocabulary isn't belly dance, though. Read Shira's mini-review.
Wham Bam Thank You Spaceman 1975 Anisa Gluzan  
Wild Wild West 1999 Will Smith (in drag) Stars Will Smith
Witchmaker, The 1969 Diane Webber Diane Webber's role is The Nautch of Tangier
Wizards of the Demon Sword 1991 Melinda Golden  
Yankee Pasha 1954 Rhonda Fleming  
You Can't Win 'Em All 1970   Stars Tony Curtis & Charles Bronson
Young Messiah 2016 Lois Ellington  
Young Sherlock Holmes 1985    
Your Ticket Is No Longer Valid 1981 Star Bell  
Zarak 1956 Anita Ekberg Stars Victor Mature

 

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About Maria

The list of movies on this page was compiled by Maria over the course of several years, and used to reside on her own web site. After she discontinued her web site, she granted permission to Shira to place it here on Shira.net so that it wouldn't be lost to the dance community.

Maria is a retired professional belly dancer and flamenco dancer from the Boulder, Colorado area. She was one of the main dancers at the House of Marrakesh in LODO Denver and the former Mataam Fez in Boulder.

Maria taught bellydance to hundreds of students in the Boulder area.  She was also Director of World Dance at former dance studio "Dance West". As former Event Manager for Boulder Creek Events, she coordinated and scheduled high profile Boulder events such as the "Boulder Community Dance Stage" at the Boulder Creek Festiva for nine years.

Maria was previously owner of Boulder BellyGrams by Maria, a successful entertainment company. Maria also co-founded a storytelling / music / dance troupe called "Ziva Dunya" ("bright world"), developing a program "Tales & Rhythms from the Middle East" which they brought to schools, multicultural festivals, senior centers, etc., to great acclaim.

PHOTO CREDIT: This dramatic skirt photo was taken by Fritz Penning.

Photo of Maria

Maria has also worked with Broomfield Heights Middle School from 2000 to 2008, as a choreographer for the after school Dance Club Program. Maria has also been invited as a guest speaker/performer for the "Art Café" which had its premier at the Colorado Art Expo 2003. Maria has also been invited as guest dancer/teacher at women’s retreats, women’s events, and other cultural events in and around the country.

Maria has now retired from dance in order to pursue her education to become a Registered Nurse (RN). She is diligently studying and working as a nurse assistant while she pursues her degree.

Click on either of these two photos of Maria to see the image in more detail.

Maria

 

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