This is the video that made Alice world famous!
A bit of backstory:
We are friends of Alice who searched for the films and made this video. I’m David Shuff, a volunteer who visits the home with my therapy dog Katie, and have known Alice for 8 years. The woman in the video is Gail Campbell, a recreation therapist (and an amazing one at that!). She never gave up on finding Alice’s films, and uncovered the first piece of the puzzle that lead to us finding them — which was the website of Alicia Thompson; a historian of black female performers who had been looking for Alice for years. It was from her site that we learned that Alice appeared in a type of film they called ‘soundies’.
Using that clue, I called the UCLA library, which has a large collection of soundies. They sent me on to jazz historian Mark Cantor of jazz-on-film.com, who had in his archives the original production notes from many soundies made in New York City at the time. At first he couldn’t find Alice’s because in the notes her name was misspelled as “Baker.” But he didn’t give up, and so he was able to send us three of Alice’s soundies from his collection, which we rushed over to show Alice as soon as we could. Shortly afterwards Alicia helped us find a few more films to show her.
The footage of Alice seeing her films was shot on cellphones (almost as an afterthought!) by my friends Darin Tatum and Tom Hunt.
We’re so thrilled that it brought so much joy to everyone and attention to Alice, who loved every minute of it. Thank you all!
Alice passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 6th, 2016.
Thank you so much for doing all you have for Alice and for having that video filmed. Her reaction was so priceless and I have been wondering about her ever since. I sent her a card and figured many people would so it was happy to find out that she is loving the attention and recognition. Is there anything that she ‘needs’ what size gown do you think she would wear? I think it’s wonderful to bring attention…as you would know so many in nursing homes are cast off or have no family or friends to care for them and that is part of why this story is so touching not only to see Alice and her wonderful personality react to her former life as a dancer but to see her beam with life and hold a beat to the music and remember the words from so long ago was just beautiful. It gave her life back and if there were ways to do that for so many others…just give them a feeling of living back and memories and taking them to a place of such joy. I’m glad Ms. Barker is enjoying some love and I hope it trickles down to the other residents so they know they are remembered too. Thank you for doing what you did for this lady and for sharing her story! Wonderful 🙂 Lily Raywood
We are so happy you liked the video of Alice! I want you to know Alice will definitely see your card if you sent one, we now have volunteers who come in to read her mail to her daily and she is so amazed so many people around the world know her. Alice says, “I thought I was forgotten and now everyone knows me and this is the greatest feeling in the world.” Thank you so much for being part of Alice’s new found family. She has no family and most of her friends are gone. Alice wears a size small dress and her favorite color is blue.
I’m so Amazed at this video. I saw it earlier this year in a feed in my cell phone and I’m just running across it tonight on YouTube. It saddens me to know she has since passed but she lived a very long life and is dancing in paradise now.
Shawn K.
Blessing.Thank You’ll so much… I am a care taker of a young Woman Mrs Florrence Lawerence age 98 will be making 99 in December 1st and all Her faculties are in order She forget a little .lol … Her greatest joy is to meet the Obama .The President, to her still.lol… She’s so humble at this age and seems she was all her life.She very much active in her church.. The Quest Church Love her Pastor ..Pastor Bryan, and family members.I just saying all this to say knowing these Elders its an honour..Thanks very much I showed her this Video and she got filed with remembrances in her days .She got joyful.I will not trade my perfetion for nothing in this world .Given,( from Jesus)I am not a RN Nurse, nor LPN, nor thypist, all that is great jobs .I am a CNA that love to help doing the stuff no one else like to do .Because that’s so much deeper than any one can understant .You lay in a bed can’t bath get clean after the bathroom, I mean properly eat that a great feeling.To have some one to heartly do that for you from the heart of love . Its truely a Blessing .That were I come in.Well good bye and thank very much for that video…Agape
What a lovely heart you have. Most people do not understand what an honor it is to bring comfort and joy to those on the last leg of their journey. The tasks of caring for another can be challenging at best. However
the rewards of preserving their dignity are grand. Communicating compassion to another while they are in a vulnerable and embarrassing situation is a humbling experience. I would not trade my years of caregiving for anything.
Bless you as you share love and compassion to those who cross your path. Thank you for sharing
You sound like a very wonderful person, there should be more just like you!
May “You” and your family (the beautiful angel Cynthia Bryant) be blessed for being a blessing!!
Amazing to see her so happy . RIP
This is absolutly priceless! I would like to learn more about you hope your having a wonderful day Alice! ❤
Dios la tenga en su gloria y realmente es increíble que a esa edad 103 años ella estaba capacitada en un 100 porciento para tener y volver a recordar todos aquellos grandes momentos de su juventud, lo que ella vio y re vivió en esos videos fue una gran emoción en su corazón y memoria para sentirse nuevamente viva. Las personas adultas mayores tienen tan presente su pasado que tan sólo ver una foto podrán recordar el momento exacto de lo sucedido durante esa foto, video, música, canciones, cartas, diario, etc. Esa es la magia única del ser humano. 103 años, no cualquiera los puede llegar a contar. Saludos desde Acapulco, México.
This is great! I agree, it made me smile. ❤
That was so beautifully written, I 2nd that! Everything you said is what I wanted to say so thank you!
Absolutely heart warming, Wow that gal could swing and a real beauty inside and out, what an inspiration, the way she lit up and she remembered those days clear as day, always the cheeky bright, wonderful dancer, fabulous thing to do for Alice, so, so moving.
Thank you for sharing Alice’s memories xx
Jut found this on You Tube. Thank you so much for those responsible. This is wonderful to watch. RIP Alice . x
That was fantastic!I love what you guys did. I don’t think you could of made her any more happy R.I.P always in our hearts ❤
♥️♥️♥️♥️
This thrilled my heart and gave me so much appreciation for life in general. My eyes are welled up in tears, writing this because I don’t live, I exist. This woman lived, truly, her dreams fulfilled and she lived what appeared to be a long, lovely life. I thank God for Mrs Barker.
Hi Jennifer:
I know how you feel. I, too, am just existing. I have been existing for the last 10 years. For whatever reason, i have ceased living and has resorting to existing. We must find a way to live before itis too late.
Wishing you all the best,
M
I agree. I’m just existing, not living. Watching this made me cry and has given me motivation to live and enjoy life.
I loved reading and watching the history from Miss Alice she is and was stunning. She played a big role of history back then, we all should be so blessed that you shared her story her LIFE. God bless and thank you!
Your generosity of spirit, so evident in the reaching out to both Alice and her video makers, has been a special inspiration during this time of isolation for so many. Thanks Lily. I’ll do my part to pay it forward.
This video made my heart so full. I noticed that nothing has been posted in some time now… lest we not forget what makes us smile…and a nice reminder that we all know how to love…..even if they are strangers.
Much love
Tracy !
I visit it site . I like. I read. Beautiful post. Wonderful dance. Good nature of Alice. I watch video. Good. She her friends send the card.
This is just gorgeous! She is so beautiful. So sad she passed away, I’m glad she got to see herself and enjoy it too. I myself enjoyed it very much so. Thank you for sharing Alice’s story. Priceless.
I thank you for caring. ❤
11
This is beautiful. All the research, this is just awesome. Thank you for sharing this.
That made me see happy to see her smile and laugh, like omg she soo beautiful.
I love what you said about the other residents needing attention too. I wanted to do hospice work after visiting my grandmother (she had always visited me up till then) her last year when she was frail and, unlike Alice, not quite herself. Your message is a reminder to volunteer at a senior residence.
To Alice’s friends, she was wonderful and so are you.
I am a female saxophonist/singer and one of the greatest things I get to do is perform music from Alice’s time to residents of assisted living and memory care communities. I have seen completely unresponsive folks light up, wake up and sing perfect lyric and melody when songs they remember come pouring back. Music is Life, it truly is. How I would love to come to her room and sing/sax a tune for her, maybe some Fats Waller, gosh that would be such an honor! I’d love to send Alice some music, if I may?
Thanks for lovely stories Ava. That would be amazing if we could arrange you to play for her! I’m sure Alice would love to receive music as well! She has a DVD player that can play mp3 disks and CDs, which would be the best way probably. Her mailing address is on the ‘Reach Out’ page of this site, as well as the email address to write to about visiting; would be best if you could just drop a quick email and we’ll go from there. Thanks again!
Hi Alice,
I am a student nurse in the United Kingdom and It was wonderful to see you energetic when you saw yourself on the videos.
Looking at your videos maked me more aware on how the people in your generation would appreciate music as a way of revisiting your threasure memory.
It was an honour to see your video and I hope your well and winter is coming so keep warm 🙂
I await your reply
Student Nurse Patrick from United Kingdom
Alice I too am dancer and love to dance. I feel the same way you do about dancing and getting paid for something you enjoy so much. I am so glad you got too see your self dancing. I enjoyed seeing it as well. Colleen McDonough
hi allic i realy would do any thing just to go back to your days
Great to see this. It shows the circle of life. Beautiful and sad at the same time.
I’am in tears, because it is true what you posted. What a joy to see Ms. Alice. I’am so sad to hear she passed away!
This is so priceless. Miss Alice is now one of my role models.
I love this! So sweet!
Dear David & Gail,
I happened upon the YouTube video of you, both, presenting these video treasures to Alice. I was so moved, seeing Alice’s beautiful smile and sharp recollection of her “”Soundie”” days, that I wept in joyous empathy for this dear woman and for the two angels ( David and Gail ), who so selflessly, brought so much joy to Alice.
Did you know that in doing this for Alice, that you would touch so many people? People whom, without you both, would have never experienced the joy that you brought to this beautiful soul, Alice.
Thank you, David and Gail, so much. I have a new appreciation for beauty that comes with graceful age. I sure do miss my grandparents, now more than ever!!
God richly bless you, both!
Warm Regards,
John Schipsi
Hollister, CA.
John what a beautiful post! You truly captured how I felt!
I thought a woman wrote this touching message. I was totally moved by it, then, scrolled it down, only to find out the one who wrote it goes by the “John!” – I’ll be more careful next time. Well, if there is any!
Muddyb from Tanzania-East Africa.
AMEN! Love ❤️
Love you to tell Alice thanks for sharing her life with others. I will send her card to let her know she is loved.
Wow that is so awesome… I loved watching her watching herslef dancing….. I bet she has a lot of stories from dancing and probably even real famous celebrities…. She should write a book about her dancing days and her life I would buy that book… I’m so happy you got to see yourself dancing I loved the smile it brought to your face…. Wow… God bless xoxo alfred.
Oh and BTW I sent the video to everyone I know and they loved it also…. I watched it 4 times…. It just so beautiful you got to see that.. I wish u can show us some of your old moves… All them famous women now can take notes from you… Thank you for sharing… Xoxo Alfred Salinas Los Angeles
What a thrill to see you in film and watch you recognizing yourself in your dancing days. I am 75 and have retired in Chiang Mai, Thailand and my first job in California when I graduated from college was working with seniors who were then living in nursing homes. Having no grandparents or relatives of senior age, it was an education for me to visit with people who had lived such different lives in different times. Surely those who have met you in person feel the same!
The people who brought your actual films to you are wonderful detectives – the friends you made in your youth – all the memories that the films have brought forth brought a smile to you and to us that were able to share the scenes.
It is obvious that your mind is clear and your personality intact – you are an example to all of us that are seniors but mostly to the younger people to whom you are an inspiration.
Best wishes from across the world — Brenda Joyce
My goodness. So you were interacting with individuals from late 19th century or early 20th century!
Alice! How beautiful you are, then and now! I am 37 years old and watched your youtube video with my two year daughter Isis. She saw you and said, “She dances good, she’s beautiful.” I’m so happy I found your youtube video! My eyes teared up when you said you wish you could get up out of that bed and dance. I love your honesty and your smile. You’re a beautiful woman and what a damn good dancer!! Much love and respect from Bayville, NJ
Dear Alice
It was so wonderful to see that life goes on after 100. I enjoyed watching you dance in your younger days. I know that if you could you would get up out of your bed and show the world some amazing dance moves. Thanks so much for your contribution to our world.
Thanks to your family and friends for sharing with us and thank you Alice for letting us see a small part of a life well lived.
Bless all of you for the care and love you gave to Alice and give to all the others there. Alice… What an amazing dancer you were… and so beautiful! Wish I could have seen you in person shake that thing to the swing! All the best! Hugs from Omaha, NE.
Dear Alice Barker, thank you for allowing so many to enjoy seeing your reaction to your “soundies”. I have shown this at the Adult Day Center at EOC Tech in Choctaw, Oklahoma. We all loved it and you! Thank you for graciously sharing your legacy. Special thank you for the staff and volunteers that had the presence of mind to do the work to show the world this lovely lady.
Wishing Ms. Alice Barker a very Happy Thanksgiving!
It was a joy to watch you watch yourself dance on the “Soundies” videos. It is a treasure I am glad you were able to take part in. I am wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope it is a healthy and happy one for you. Thank you to the team of people responsible for creating and sharing this experience with the world.
Alice and my mom were friends in Chicago , as a child I remeber visiting her moms apartment on E. 31st St. So glad to have seen this video thanks to all who are taking care of her daily activities of living.
Watching you watch yourself dancing professionally inspires me. I’m just turning 50 years young myself, and realizing nothing stops time, but I hope you’re blessed with plenty more. I’m your new biggest fan. When I finish growing up I want to be just like you Miss Alice. Tou are totally amazing thank you for being, you doll. God bless you.
PS: Miss Alice, merry merry Christmas and a healthy happy new year our angel. xoxoxo 😉
Oh My Gosh…I just LOVED this!!! To watch her face. I’ve never danced professionally but I just love to dance. So sweet that you all did this for Alice. God Bless You ALL. Loved when she was watching and tapping to the beat. Even before she said it, I was thinking “I bet she just wants to get out of that bed and dance.” I’m thinking this sharp lady would be able to remember each and every routine because of the love she had for dance and those years. Wishing her well. Thanks for the Memories, Alice! Blessings~
A delightful story. I too wish she could get out of that bed and do it all over again.
God bless you Miss Alice. What a great talent!! You were beautiful then as well as now. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and I’m wishing you a Happy New Year.
Happy New Year, Miss Alice! And many, many more! What a joy to watch you dance. Thank you.
I love her! She’s so sweet and talented!!! Greetings from Uruguay 🙂
Wow Uruguay. Shout out to Uruguay from USA.
It’s now 2020, in the middle of the summer if Covid19. This video was posted on FB by one of my “friends”, and I want to say I was truly touched and honored to see ALICE enjoy a few minutes of what obviously made her very happy in life! What a truly wonderful thing you did! I know that Alice is resting peacefully in heaven, but most likely she’s dancing all over the place! I bet clothing might just be optional too!
Thank you so much!
Oh my gosh you are so blessed to be alive so long something says your special because God did not take you of this earth and thinks God for keeping here on this earth for a long time with us and her fans.wish you a happy new year and late Christmas
Awww…makes me FULL OF HAPPY to see this video and read about you, Miss Alice! You are so stunningly beautiful! You were the equivalent (in the dance world) to what I am. I’m a musician. A sideman musician. I’ve played for some big names in the music world…but we don’t get the recognition that the stars do. And that’s okay…like you, I love what I do! But I’m so glad these big hearted people have made it possible for you to get the recognition and attention you so richly deserve. (you were an awesome dancer!) GOD BLESS YOU, MISS ALICE!
Just the most wonderful bit of dancing and watching your hands move as you were dancing with yourself during the films. Thank you dear for still being here and giving us all the gift of your work and JOY! Love ya and God Bless!
So wonderful to see you now and then. I loved your spunk and your great smile while watching the soundies. I have reached out to some of my friends and family to ask their soros to view the film and send cards to you. You are truly one of the great shoulders we have stood on. Love you.
Sandra
You are a wonderful lady and beautiful dancer. Thank you for sharing your memories. I worked as a nurses aid and seen how they are some times forgotten and have no family. This mad me cry tears of joy to see that these wonderful people did this for you and visit you daily.
I love this….also because I love finding stuff like this pertaining to my grandparents whom I love dearly, my grandma passing in 2011 around 35 years after grandpa….they are my pride and joy, as I know we were for them….you are such a beautiful lady, and I would love to see video of her favorite moments or memories of her time, wouldn’t have to be the sweet family life, but the strange silly scary or crazy thing we do in life and look back on thinking wow, I cant believe we did that or what was we thinkin yet would never change it for nothing memories we all have…love and blessings for many years to come Miss Alice….and keep them on their toes…
My daughter (age 10) and I loved seeing your video and the soundies of your dancing from years ago!!! It has brought up a beautiful lesson for us to discuss of how even as our bodies age our minds can continue to take us back to those times and experiences we have had the pleasure of knowing. You have helped to remind us to live our lives to the fullest, dance at every opportunity, and to impress those wonderful times into our own memories. Thank you!!!!
Alice, thank you for letting us see these wonderful videos from back in the day! To see you now watching yourself on the videos was breathtaking.
You are a beautiful woman and seemed so vibrant watching yourself (like a young woman again).
Thank you for sharing.
Loved it.
Cyndy
I love these kinds of film, dancers from that time period. And what a joy to this vibrant woman enjoying the gift of seeing footage of herself, which she didn’t get to back then. She is still graceful with the movement of her arms..she probably would get up and dance exactly the same! God bless her to keep living strong and God bless those who made seeing herself at that time again possible! She is now a legacy!! Godspeed!
Ms. Alice it was a joy to see you. God has been good to you. I plan
to share this with my mom who is 94 years young. God bless those who care for you. I love my seniors
Nellie Indianapolis In
How is Ms. Alice doing?
Just posted an update!
So beautiful these videos of you, both new and old ones, Alice! Thank you so much for your journey, and for those around you sharing it with us!
Very best wishes always
I love just watching this video over and over it puts a smile on my face everytime I watch it hoping one day that I can see more of her
I just have seen the Alice’s video and I have no words. She is just incredible and she locked such as an amazing and beautiful dancer. I don’t use to put comments on videos but this has excited me. I am really glad that Alice has the chance to know that she actually has many fans. I love dance to, and for this reason I think I can understand her better. From the depths of my heart, I would like to be like her when I get older. I hope that her smile is never removed because it is what keeps her loveliness. Without words…
Ms Alice I came across the Youtube video that David and Gail put together and it was a pleasure and blessing to see the joy on your beautiful face and your hands moving to the music. I posted the video on Facebook as it brought such joy to me and wanted others to feel your joy. May God continue to bless you.
Thank you David and Gail for bringing such a precious gift to Ms Alice.
Miss Alice,
I have also posted this video on Facebook. This winter.
I’m thinking about my friends watching you dancing!
About the ones who are with me and the ones who are without me.
I’m so, so happy that I could see you dancing.
God bless!
Amazing! Such a beautiful souls she is! I could only dream of living in those times. Such talent. Glad to see her legacy brought to the public eye once again after so many years. Thank you Ms. Alice, i loved your videos and the joy you get from seeing them again.
I was so happy when I watched Ms. Alice’s videos today, and her reaction to watching herself…..it was very moving and beautiful. Thank you so very much for having the ingenuity to post it for us all to see. So sorry to hear of her passing, she was a beautiful lady, obviously, inside and out. Just watching her made my day!
The kindness of strangers…we need more of that nowadays.
Transporting her back in time to such wonderful memories gave her such a zest for living up until the very end.
I was so happy for her. She was certainly a sweetheart who touched our own souls.
Keep dancing Alice…Keep dancing!
People like you makes the difference in this world!
Very inspiring!
I so wish I had seen this beautiful video before Ms. barker passed so I could have sent her a card telling how much I enjoyed watching her dance and equally enjoyed watching her joy in reliving the moments! David and Gail, you have giving hearts and made the last days of a talented and beautul lady happy ones! Bless you both!
Wow. she had an amazing life she spent most of her life dancing what an incredible life she had. i wish we could always go back to the happiest moments of our lives. thankyou david and to your friend for making alice happy. that was incredible thankyou thankyou.
I just found this today Dec 20 2016 .. To see ur face light up watching yourself performance was priceless Chicken legs Alice Barker.RIP!
BEAUTIFUL GOD IS GOOD REST HER SOUL
Inspired
What a beautiful soul ,bless her…….RIP
What a wonderful attitude this is. Noble souls are still among us.
Alice was a so great artist, she deserves a page on wikipedia.
Exactly. She is a legend.
Comme c’est très touchant ! BRAVO à David & Gail qui ont réalisé un geste formidable. Vous avez un coeur en or d’avoir rendu heureux Alice Barker. Que Dieu vous bénisse pour ce que vous avez fait pour elle.
Maintenant Alice Barker danse au paradis. Que son âme y reste en paix !
I am in New Delhi, India. Saw her today onyoutube and came here.
Hope you are happy where you are now Alice Baker 🙂
We Indians believe in reincarnation, where children are believed to retain memories from past births. Loved watching the video. I really appreciate the people who took the time to finally watch herself, God Bless You.
a v singh.
Shout out to India from USA. Much love.
To whoever found Alice’s videos and showed them to her , my respects.
This was a beautiful video. It surprised me that she never saw herself on video and I’m so glad she saw that during her last days .
Srilaxmi D
India
WONDERFUL… THANKS TO SUCH WOMEN THE DANCE WORLD PROGRESSED.
I do not speak or write English, but to write this I used the Google translator. I really feel the death of Alice. Of course Alice was very happy to see herself the images you took. A great job.
Sorry for misspellings, but the translator does not work exactly.
I just got to see this video and I cried and cried. It was so beautiful, and this is just what I needed. There are good people out there!
You’ll always be missed, Alice. You were such a shining star. <3
That was really emotional giving this lady a nice moments to see her life’s best moments!
it is a great movie. Thank you.
Rest in peace Mrs. Barker! What an amazing talent and inspiration. Kind regards, Robert Ramirez p.g.a.
RIP Alice,
Am I the only one tearing up and replaying this video over again? 🙁
I absolutely loved watching this compilation video, so wonderful. What a lady, I am glad she had a long life.
Hope she had a wonderful life …. Rest in peace Alice,
Life is ONE TIME, Never miss a second… rest in peace ALICE
So sad to hear she passed…i loved her and never met her..
Same sis
Same sis
<:(
seeing all these kind people who wrote the comments,you’re all so kind and I love reading these comments.Thank you all for being so nice to her.RIP mrs.Barker
This story really touched my heart.A beautiful person and just watching her watch herself is simply priceless.Tears of joy for her,you can see in her eyes as she watches herself dance,she really enjoyed dancing.Loved this video
I am so Glad she had a chance to see herself dance before she left this world. Thank You and God Bless you for sharing this with the world.. It made my day to see her get to remember the good times she had while dancing.. Now she’s in Heaven dancing and being at rest with the Lord.. Thanks again. Pamela Martin..
This makes me feel optimistic about the world, that these people would help this lady see her young self.
You all did a very special thing for this woman, probably more than you realize. I am sure she is forever grateful as you likely are for having crossed paths in life. What a beautiful gift and moment to share. You can see she enjoyed life at every age. The elderly are often forgotten and unappreciated when really they have spirits of youth we could all learn from if we only seize the moment to do so. Thank you for sharing this. Many blessings to you and may Alice the beautiful chicken little dance to her hearts content in peace for eternity.
Than you for sharing this joyful part of Alice’s life with us. She’s dancing in heaven now❤
I just saw Alice’s video on youtube. What a wonderfully full life she lived. I’m just sorry that it’s too late for me to write to her too. May she continue to rest in peace.
wow what a great dancer. very pretty.
I smiled the whole time I watched this and enjoyed watching this remarkable woman relive the best years of her life. ❤️
Her positive attitude really shows through and gives me so much confidence that I can also leave my mark in this beautiful world just by doing the very things I love to the best of my ability- and with a pure heart.
RIP Alice.
So incredibly Neat what you guys did for Alice, so sad to hear she is gone now but I’ll always remember her and I’m sure she is Dancing on the Other Side now, Bless her.
Darling!!! Life is short, LIVE LIVE LIVE…..Love this music !!! the BEST
they made him remember his best days ❤
This brings me nostalgia…idk why.
What a fabulous video to watch, Alice would have been a cracker in her day who did what she loved, dance!. What a life story she would have had. One hopes her life story was recorded, how she in her early years got into the dance halls then the studios of the day to do what she loved. Alice you appeared to be a legend and so glad at your end of days your dancing days were refound and celebrated !.
What beautiful memories of a beautiful lady….fly with the angels dearest one ..
I feel in love with this story n Ms . Baker. What a beautiful woman, inside and out. I’m just sorry I didn’t find her sooner. Rest in peace Beautiful Ms. Alice Baker.
I have to tell you the joy that I felt all through me, when I watched Alice and her wonderful dancing. I have been crippled for nearly 30 years, and I find my bliss in watching others enjoy movement, dance, and music. Alice filled my heart with joy. Her smile, and the light in her eyes, as she listened to the music and watched her young body, one that had not yet been ravaged by the cruelty of time, move to the inescapable rythym of musical spirit. In those minutes, she was young again. She was young, and gliding, tapping, turning, spinning, twirling, and swinging to the music that stirs the soul.
In the Bible, Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for every season. A time to be born, a time to die, time to sow, a time to reap, and there is a time to dance. I know that Alice is dancing in heaven right now.
This was so beautiful. I’ve seen this before. MS.Alice is a beautiful spirit who will truly be missed and loved until eternity. I love senior citizens. I was raised by my grandmother and grandfather. I have learned many things from them. I miss them beyond words. Watching Alice brings on memories..smiles and tears… makes me think about life and what it feels like to live your dreams and find your calling in life.❤
This was so beautiful. MS.Alice is a beautiful spirit who will truly be missed and loved until eternity. I love senior citizens. I was raised by my grandmother and grandfather. I have learned many things from them. I miss them beyond words. Watching Alice brings on memories..smiles and tears… makes me think about life and what it feels like to live your dreams and find your calling in life.❤
Thank you for all you did for Alice and for the people who you inspired by what you did. You are awesome. As added inspiration for anyone who cares about older people often unfairly put into nursing homes, you may want to watch, “Mrs. Caldicott’s Cabbage War”. Story of a woman far younger than Mrs. Barker, who was unfairly put into a nursing home by greedy relatives, and what Mrs. Caldicott does at the nursing home and her adventurous “escape” with lots of dissatisfied other residents will make you laugh, smile and cheer. The residents, like Mrs. Barker had lots of loves, music, fun, and hilarity but had been drugged out of their minds and energy … that is until Mrs. Caldicott woke up to her true calling… You will love that movie, guaranteed! It’s on You Tube.
That is a truly wonderful movie, Pauline Collins is perfect. It’s a great reminder of how unfair elderly people are often treated in our society.
This is a beautiful story and so wonderful to see! She was lovely and talented, and a free spirit. Thank you very much for reconnecting these treasures back to Alice and for everyone to experience. It’s amazing people like you who help to lift the world. Alice seems like someone who always enjoyed life, and no doubt this contributed to her longevity. G-d bless 🙂
Hello alice your a great dancer before you died I want to say I love your dancing your a greatful grandmother for the goods and all of your memories and r.I.p (rest in peace) Alice have a good time in your peaceful day in your souls
By:yuan
Gender: not
Age: 10
Likes hobbys: history and culture
And thank you alice barker
Wow, what an inspiring story. Thanks, Dave and Gail, for putting in so much work recovering and sharing Ms. Alice’s films.
<3 <3 <3
I really enjoyed the video. Thanks for share it. I think was a great discover and an amazing way to give her such great memories. Greetings from Chile.
I’m compelled to write and thank everyone SO much for everything that made it possible for this video to show up on my YouTube feed yesterday. It hit me out of the blue. I saw the preview pic, clicked on the video, and was stopped dead in my tracks. I immediately sat down to watch the entire video, read the comments, watch the video again.. I was so touched. I wasn’t sure whether to smile, cry… I ended up doing both. What an amazing story about such a beautiful woman – inside and out. I haven’t stopped thinking of that video since I first saw it. It was such an inspiration for me to redeem the time I have left in this life, and to strive to be something beautiful in this world, and to leave something beautiful behind when I finally do leave this world. And I’m obviously not talking about physical beauty. I’m talking about the kind of beauty that brings you to tears when you see a video like that. Beauty that seems to be covered in a lot of the hate and filth that seems to penetrate every corner of this earth. So again, I just say THANK YOU. My only sadness is that Ms. Alice passed away before I was able to send her a note or card thanking her for her life, and for sharing her gifts with the world.
Thank you for doing this for Alice….. she looked so happy. I know it meant the world to her. I wish I could jump into the screen. and hug her and kiss her. God Bless You Alice, wherever you may be now. <3 <3 <3
Never forgotten.
Wonderful lady and what a life she is dancing for god and angels now how cool is that.R.I.P .ALICE
wow I love her she is so happy I wish I could have seen her dancing in real life she is so beautiful we all love you Alice, and those people shouldn’t have misspelt your name please have a happy time in heaven we love you
I wept. So much here. We know ourselves for the totality of who we were as well as who we are now – good and bad. But others only know us for who are since they met us. So very poignant. Thank you.
Saw this vid a couple of times, over some years since published. It always moves me. What a fulfilled life, what a care in the age, and what a kind Lady. Even look at her dancing is a great joy.
Absolutely gorgeous in ever sense she danced like everyone breathes it was her oxygen. I’m so glad to have seen this during this time when so many are questioning what life is all about. Alice you are still dancing I’m
Sure ❤️❤️
It’s now 2020, in the middle of the summer if Covid19. This video was posted on FB by one of my “friends”, and I want to say I was truly touched and honored to see ALICE enjoy a few minutes of what obviously made her very happy in life! What a truly wonderful thing you did! I know that Alice is resting peacefully in heaven, but most likely she’s dancing all over the place! I bet clothing might just be optional too!
Thank you so much!
Simplemente….. emocionado.
Absolutely beautiful, such a heart warming video. Thank you for creating this and that you Ms. Baker.
and Thank You Baker.
4 yrs after Alice passed and I was able to see this video. almost made me cry. so special and so nice of you all for posting this video. Just seeing Alice’s hands moving along to the music , you know in her mind her feet were moving right along to the music. Very Special
23/08/2020 – just stumbled on this video after searching for Lost Films and this popped up.
saddens me to hear she passed away, she seems like she had a good and long life
RIP Alice.
How lovely that you were able to find part of Alice’s past and let her remember her dancing years with some pride and joy. Bless her.
Right in the feels…
My grandmother used to tell me stories about the “Harlem Renaissance” how she’d get into the theaters, namely the Apollo, and how much she loved the music. I’d like to think this woman, Ms. Barker, is one of the performers my Grandma had the privilege of seeing.
Ms. Barker’s message in the video. “I used to often say to myself. I am being paid to do something, that I enjoy doing and I would do it for free. ‘Cause it just felt so good doing it. Because that music you know… I just get carried away in it.”
I hope you each have found that thing you get carried away in!
Thank you for sharing this!
This is such a wonderful video. How amazing to be able to look back and see one of the most wonderful parts of your life. It’s really wonderful to see, and it’s a great reminder of all the memories, stories and experience older people have to share with the world.
Merci beaucoup pour ce partage et pour votre travail et amour. Dear Alicia, rest in peace and dance in heaven
God bless the memory of Alice. I can tell thru the videos that she was a sweet, kind lady. So very talented. Glad the glory of her dance days was brought back to her through video. Such a blessing from God.
What a wonderful film about Alice! Thank you for bringing joy to her in her old age. Thank you for sharing it with the world. Thank you for showing us a history about which many people are unaware.
2016 was a great year im so happy for Alice
My two boys age 9 and 6 saw this film and ended crying tears of joy, sorrow and love for Mrs Alice. Music and dance were in her blood. Born with it, lived with it, passed away with it. Thank you so, so much for this.
GOD bless you.
I watch this video and it touched me seeing Ms Alice watching her previous dances.
Well done.
I love this! Alice is an amazing woman! Chicken little…. Love it. My nickname was little chicken for the same reason!!!! Bright blessings!
The smile, was wonderful to see… she is great woman …
I just found this video and I’m totally amazed. I’ve been dancing my entire life so I know what it feels like to do something you really enjoy. It’s so nice to see that you brought so much happiness you’re wonderful lady. You are truly a gift to her. I’m sorry to say that she passed but I must say it looks like she had a wonderful life and I’m sure she’s dancing in heaven now.
Absolutely, heartfelt; the most wonderful gesture of love! We get caught-up in our day-to-day lives…but still, never forget the elderly. Without ‘them’, there would be no ‘us’.
Ms Alice is so beautiful
Dear Alice,
I know you have passed on, but we will always remember you and have your dancing in graved here on the internet and in our minds forever. We will continue to share you beauty, talent, and dancing as long as this world keeps spinning. Alice Barker is a name that will not be forgotten! Not by me and many other people who saw your Youtube video and your dancing!
Imani
VA
I saw this history on You Tube 2, 3 years ago and I tear myself down and I saw it all over again and it was the same feeling. I know she was old but reading about her passing makes me wonder if she knew the impact she make in others with her history.
I know she is dancing and making the things she loves. I’m so lucky to know this history and share it with others.
Long live Alice Baker
Param Ramírez
Dominican Republic
It’s a hard time right now with the Pandemic and seeing videos like these have helped me through it. I hope Alice is having the dance of a lifetime wherever she is now, and I hope everyone who visits this page stays healthy and thrives in 2022.
I think it’s wonderful to see her looking back at what she did many years ago, and still remembers all of it. Alice was blessed with a long life and I’m sure that she lived it. Bless her heart. I hope she died peacefully.
lots of love Chanelle
<3
I watch this video of pure joy whenever I am low. Thank you.
Just discovered this wonderful video. Thank you for keeping it available. It was so moving to see these wonderful people bring such joy to beautiful Ms Alice. I wish I could watch the entire footage of the “soundies” . Such treasures.
Thank you for the beautiful gift to Alice and to us all.
I’m 14 years old and I have to say, I wish one day when get older I will be just like her , happy and proud. This woman is an angel, god bless her soul
Im 16, im a musician. I have been inspider by my favorite bands, singers, heck even my own classmates when it comes to music. I have never been so touched, so inspider, by Ms.Barker, all becuase of this quote that ill remember for a lifetime.
“I am being payed to do somthing, that i enjoy and i would do it for free. Becuase it just felt so good doing it.” – Alice Barker.
Me and my daughter just watched your wonderful video on YouTube (Dec 2023). Thank you so much for your kindness in finding those videos for Alice, such a lovely thing to do. X
Powerful and useful video. Why?
It allows future generations to appreciate that life was vibrant, even 90 years ago. Moreover one can learn and understand that “playing it forward” and investing in the past is worthwhile.
Hearing Alice’s voice gives us context and content and provides helpful information in learning what life was like for those who came before us.
Thanks again for sharing this video with the general public.
As you can I am reading it more than a decade after it was produced. So trust me this video will last for an eternity!