Bella Lewitzky

Bella Lewitzky (January 13, 1916 in Los Angeles, California - July 16, 2004 in Pasadena, California) was a modern dance choreographer.

Related Topics:
January 13 - 1916 - Los Angeles, California - July 16 - 2004 - Pasadena, California - Choreographer

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Born to Russian immigrants, Lewitzky spent her childhood in a utopian socialist colony in the Mojave Desert, and on a ranch in San Bernardino. She moved back to Los Angeles in her teens, and studied ballet.

Related Topics:
Russia - Socialist - Mojave Desert - San Bernardino - Ballet

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In 1934, she joined Lester Horton's company, and became its lead dancer. There, she met Newell Taylor Reynolds; they married in 1940. She choreographed the films Bagdad (1949), Tripoli (1950), and Prehistoric Women (1950), and started her own company in 1966.

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In 1951, she was subpoenaed by the House Un-American Activities Committee to answer questions about communist activities in the arts. "I'm a dancer, not a singer," she replied.

Related Topics:
House Un-American Activities Committee - Communist

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In 1991, she successfully sued the National Endowment for the Arts to keep its grant after she crossed out the anti-obscenity clause in her contract, arguing that artists ought to have the right to produce work that may be viewed as obscene.

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