Sammy Lee's illustrious career as a Dance Director will forever be etched in the annals of Hollywood's golden age, where he made indelible marks on numerous iconic musicals. His journey to fame began in the bustling metropolis of New York, where he took the reins as Dance Director of the highly acclaimed Ziegfeld Follies of 1927.
As a pivotal figure in Ziegfeld's productions, Sammy Lee's creative genius was on full display, as he crafted mesmerizing dance routines for shows such as "Showboat", "Rio Rita", and the last of the "Midnight Frolics". His impressive work caught the attention of MGM studios, who welcomed him on board in 1929.
Sammy Lee's innovative dance direction, which included the pioneering use of overhead shots a year prior to Buzby Berkeley's work in "Whoopee", brought the prestige of the Ziegfeld image to MGM's early musical talkies. His remarkable contributions earned him two Academy Award nominations for Best Dance Direction, in 1935 for "King of Burlesque" and 1937 for "Ali Baba Goes To Town", both at 20th Century Fox.
After a brief stint at RKO in 1937, Sammy Lee returned to MGM, where he directed shorts and choreographed war-time musicals. His talents were also sought after by smaller studios, as he worked on projects such as Columbia's "Carolina Blues" and Republic's "Earl Carroll's Vanities" in 1944 and 1945.
Sammy Lee's swan song was the 1945 release "Out Of This World" for Paramount, marking the culmination of a remarkable sixteen-year career in Hollywood. Throughout his journey, he left an indelible mark on the world of cinema, gifting audiences with countless entertaining moments that continue to captivate to this day.
