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Dancing Man

The Dancing Man is the name given to the man who was filmed dancing on the street in Sydney, Australia after the end of World War II. On August 15, 1945, a reporter took note of a man's joyful expression and dance and asked him to do it again. The man consented and was caught on motion picture film. The film and stills from it have taken on iconic status in Australian history and culture, and symbolise victory in the war.

There has been much debate as to the identity of the dancing man. The identity commonly accepted, though, is that he is Frank McAlary, a retired barrister who claims that he was the man photographed pirouetting in Elizabeth Street, Sydney on 15 August 1945. A Queen's Counsel, Chester Porter, and a former Compensation Court judge, Barry Egan, both claim to have seen Mr McAlary being filmed dancing.

The television programme Where Are They Now, produced by Australia's Seven Network, attempted to solve the mystery of the dancing man's identity. The network hired a forensic scientist who examined the film reel and picture and came to the conclusion that it was indeed McAlary.

The Royal Australian Mint, however, chose to portray Ern Hill as the dancing man on a 2005 issue $1 coin commemorating 60 years since the World War II armistice. Mr Hill has made a statement that, "The camera came along and I did a bit of a jump around." The coin does not bear any name.

Ms. Rebecca Keenan of Film World Pty. Ltd., says the dancer may be one Patrick Blackall. Mr Blackall has claimed, "I'm the genuine dancing man," and has signed statutory declarations that he is the man in the film.

• "Dancing man still got the moves." St George Leagues Club, Leagues Club Journal. 25 July 2005.
• Macy, Richard. "Who is the dancing man?." Sydney Morning Herald, 8 December 2004.
• Stephens, Tony. "Famous pirouette of peace stepping up to a war dance." Sydney Morning Herald, 10 August 1995.

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