I found some Italian newsreel archives on You Tube that contain interesting historical cancan footage from the 1930's. They aren't spectacular, but I think you'll find them interesting with some nice classic costuming.
The one called "Il Can Can" is from "La Boutique Fantasque". Would a ballet troupe today costume this ballet with garter belts and stockings? I doubt it.
The second one appears to be from a music hall and purports to be from Paris, but I couldn't discern where it was filmed. It looks more like a huge movie soundstage, but since it is a newsreel, I assume it was an actual place in Paris. I recognize the music as being the same as part of the music in "French Cancan", but I don't know what it is.
The fourth one says it is from Moulin de la Galette.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo0MsqT94dI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P8XxqmDy80
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvzSrwAmhsU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3ZBICTvfYk&feature=plcp
Barbebleu







