I fell in love with Amalia Aguilar long before I ever hit a burlesque stage. A cabaret performer from Havana turned mexican film star, Amalia is one of the oft-overlooked treasures from the golden age of cinema. Although she's far more brilliant and sexy in Las Interesadas, this clip of her rumba inspired act is absolutely smoldering hot.

I've long been a fan of the lindy and seeing this clip just makes me appreciate the dance and the performers' contributions to history even more. You can't miss the fact that the dancers are not only skilled, but wildly talented despite the racist premise of the "help" at play.