The National Library of Sweden has provided access to a short film from 1915, entitled “Moderna Danser.” That clip is available for viewing at the following link:
http://www.filmarkivet.se/movies/moderna-danser/#.VzwBnb5Ximg
The film is nearly nineteen minutes long, and consists of a series of short clips demonstrating popular social dances from 1915. I am unable to definitively parse the descriptive text as I do not read Swedish. Google translator tells me, however, that, according to the Library, the clip shows “ballroom dances,” including the one-step, “open step”, tango and fox trot. Although unlisted, the dancers also appear to perform a maxixe, and a hesitation waltz.
Anna Tropp and Oscar Tropp are the only performers listed as contributors by the Library, although several other un-credited dancers are also featured. Siblings Anna , Oscar, and brother Sven, were members of the Tropp family of dancers. All appear to have performed with the Royal Swedish Ballet. Wikipedia provides the following images of Anna and Oscar:
Oscar Tropp’s Wikipedia page states that he choreographed and performed in a short film called the “Two Step.” Wikipedia states that the film was produced in 1910, and co-stars Swedish dancer Lisa Holm. If you have access to this clip, please private message me – I would love to see it.
I encourage you to watch the video in its entirety. There are few surviving dance films from the Ragtime era. This one is particularly complete.
I’ve included some representative screen grabs from the production, below. As no title cards were provided to definitively label each dance, I have made my best guess as to the dances being demonstrated.
Anna and Oscar Tropp dancing one-step variations:
Dancers demonstrating a version of Vernon Castle’s innovation step:
The maxixe:
And the hesitation waltz:
These are only a few of the dances represented in this short film.
I also encourage you to admire this lady’s head wear, which was perhaps influenced by Irene Castle’s famous Dutch cap:
Fascinating Rhythms 