Anise Boyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anise Boyer
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Boyer in Harlem Is Heaven, 1932
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| Born | April 15, 1914 Florida
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| Died | October 10, 2008 (aged 94) Los Angeles
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| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Anise Dixon, Anise Clark, Anise Burris |
| Occupation | Actress and dancer |
| Spouse(s) | Al Dixon, Robert Clark, Phillip Burris |
Anise Margaret Boyer (1914–2008) was a talented American dancer and actress. She became famous during the Harlem Renaissance, a time when Black art and culture thrived in Harlem, New York. When she was a teenager, Anise joined the famous Cotton Club as a dancer. She also starred in the 1932 movie Harlem Is Heaven. Later, she danced with Al Dixon as part of the duo Anise and Aland. They traveled a lot with Cab Calloway's popular band. Anise Boyer stopped performing in 1948.
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Early Life and Dance Beginnings
Anise Boyer was born in Florida on April 15, 1914. She started dancing in stage shows called revues when she was only seven or eight years old. Her talent was first noticed in 1924. She won a competition sponsored by famous musicians Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake. Anise also did very well in school at Hunter College High School in New York City.
Dancing at the Cotton Club
In 1928, Anise joined the group of dancers at the well-known Cotton Club in Harlem. This club was a very popular place for music and entertainment. In 1931, a newspaper called Pittsburgh Courier said she had been "Harlem's most charming juvenile dancer" for several years. A famous writer named Walter Winchell often wrote that Anise was the prettiest dancer at the club.
Starring in Harlem Is Heaven
In 1932, Anise Boyer appeared in the movie Harlem Is Heaven. She starred alongside the legendary dancer and actor Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. When the film was reviewed, The Pittsburgh Courier called her a "sensation". They wrote that her talent was clear the moment she appeared on screen.
Anise and Aland: A Dance Duo
In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Anise Boyer danced with Al Dixon. They formed a dance team called Anise and Aland. They often performed with the famous band led by Cab Calloway. Their performances took them all over the world. They danced at famous places like the Apollo Theater, the Cotton Club, and the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles.
Adagio Dance Style
Anise and Aland were known for a special type of dance called "adagio". This style mixed ballroom dance steps with impressive lifts and spins. Anise and Aland got married in 1942. Soon after, Al Dixon was called to serve in the military. This meant their time as a dance team came to an end.
Later Performances
In 1943 and 1944, Anise Boyer appeared in several stage shows in Los Angeles. These included Africana, Blue Rhapsody, and Sweet 'n Hot. She also had small, uncredited dance roles in two movies. She danced in the 1943 film Stormy Weather and the 1944 film Carolina Blues. In Carolina Blues, she danced with Harold Nicholas.
Anise Boyer was a light-skinned Black woman. Her agent suggested she try to pretend to be white to get more acting jobs. However, Anise refused this idea.
Life After Entertainment
In 1946, Anise Boyer started working in Los Angeles for a lawyer named Walter L. Gordon Jr.. The next year, she married Robert Clark. In 1948, Anise filmed a small, uncredited role in the Louis Jordan movie Look-Out Sister. After this, she officially retired from the entertainment business.
Anise Boyer enjoyed playing golf. She was one of the first members of the Vernondale Golf Club in Los Angeles. This was an important club for African-American women golfers. She even served as the club's president in 1949.
Anise Boyer passed away on October 10, 2008, in Los Angeles. She was 94 years old.
