Kevin Bacon can thank the 1984 film Footloose for launching his film career. That's because the X-Men: First Class actor is known for his iconic dancing numbers in Herbert Ross' musical. Footloose follows Chicago teenager Ren McCormack and the culture shock he receives after moving to the small yet fictional town of Bomont with his mother. After moving, Ren quickly discovers the town council's staunch opinion on the ban on dancing and rock music.
Bomont's outlaw of dancing is fueled by Reverend Shaw Moore and his wife, Vi. Ren befriends their daughter, Ariel, who frequently goes against her parents' wishes with her reckless behavior. Ren discovers the town's ban on dancing stems from Ariel's older brother's death in a car accident after a night of dancing and alcohol. But while many remember Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero," written solely for Footloose, many forget the real-life inspiration behind the popular film.
Footloose, later remade in 2011 with stars like Julianne Hough and Miles Teller, was based on the true story of Elmore City, Oklahoma. The small town's dancing ban dates back to 1898 to control the amount of alcohol consumed and the rowdy activities associated with it. However, it wasn't until 1979 that students at Elmore High School brought the ban to the school board due to their frustration of not having a prom.
Like Footloose, a local minister headed the anti-dancing movement and believed the practice was considered Satanic worship. However, students got fed up with not having school dances. According to 405 Magazine, the board president and local rancher, Raymond Lee, cast a tie-breaking vote for lifting the dance ban. In an epic one-liner fit for a film, Lee declared, "Let 'em dance." The town later hosted the first dance since the ban was enacted in 1898.
The events in Elmore City filled tabloids internationally and gained the attention of Dean Pitchford. He traveled to the Oklahoma town and stayed a week to learn about the residents' experiences with the prohibition of dancing. Inspired by the story, Pitchford wrote the screenplay for Footloose. In fact, the name Ren is an amalgam of junior class officers Rex Kennedy and Leonard Coffee, who were part of the 1980 movement to host a prom.
While Elmore City never saw the profits of Footloose, the town recreated the 1980 prom to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Additionally, Elmore City hosted its first Footloose Festival in 2012. The festival is now an annual event, with activities like a pancake breakfast, 5K run and a car show. People of all ages dance at the Footloose Festival, making it a success story that can be celebrated for years to come.