Roaring 1920s: Paul Whiteman - Oriental Fox-Trot, 1922

Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra - Oriental Fox-Trot (Introducing: “My Heart At Thy Sweet Voice“ from “Samson and Delilah“; Arranged by Paul Whiteman and Ferdie Grofe) Victor 1922 (USA, accoustic recording) NOTE: Paul Whiteman recorded this outstanding tune also 6 years later yet in a more “hot and jazzy“ version. I prefer the earlier one with the dusky notes of a belly dance and sophistication of a shimmy. Therefore, my selection of photos is trying to make up to such demands: Heddy Lamarr in Cecile B. de Mille’s “Samson and Delilah“, Theda Bara in a silent version of “Cleopatra“ as well as a couple of these enormously refined and decadent drawings by Romain de Tirtoff (Erté) and even one Rubens, who - with his passionate cult of a semi-veiled nude human body - seems to be very much a propos such unusual company.