Polio and Iron Lungs in the 1950s. Le Clercq's Illness.
Clip: 6/20/2014 | 1m 42s
An iron lung allowed Tanaquil Le Clercq to breathe after she contracted polio in 1956.
Ballerina Tanaquil Le Clercq contracted polio while on tour in Europe in 1956. She was hospitalized in Copenhagen, where an iron lung kept her breathing and her husband George Balanchine stayed to care for her. "American Masters -- Tanaquil Le Clercq: Afternoon of a Faun," includes archival footage showing patients in iron lung machines. It airs Friday, June 20 on PBS (check local listings).
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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...
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Polio and Iron Lungs in the 1950s. Le Clercq's Illness.
Clip: 6/20/2014 | 1m 42s
Ballerina Tanaquil Le Clercq contracted polio while on tour in Europe in 1956. She was hospitalized in Copenhagen, where an iron lung kept her breathing and her husband George Balanchine stayed to care for her. "American Masters -- Tanaquil Le Clercq: Afternoon of a Faun," includes archival footage showing patients in iron lung machines. It airs Friday, June 20 on PBS (check local listings).
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Tanaquil Le Clercq in Jerome Robbins' Afternoon of a Faun
Watch an excerpt of Le Clercq and partner performing Jerome Robbin's love pas de deux. (1m 35s)
Western Symphony: One of Tanaquil Le Clercq's Last Dances
Watch a clip of Le Clercq in Western Symphony, one of the last ballets she performed in. (56s)
Tanaquil Le Clercq: Afternoon of a Faun - Trailer
The ballerina's career, struggle with polio, and influence on great choreographers. (2m 21s)
Tanaquil Le Clercq, the Ideal Balanchine Dancer
Le Clercq was one of Balanchine's muses and her body and style became an ideal in ballet. (1m 7s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Support for PBS provided by:
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...