Van Aikens had a very brief Italian films career in the very early sixties, appearing in a handful of peplums.
- Rivolta degli schiavi, La (1960), aka Revolt of the Slaves (as Iface)
- Barabba (1961), aka Barabbas
- Gordon, il pirata nero (1961), aka The Black Pirate
- Maciste contro il vampiro (1961), aka Goliath and the Vampires (as Amahl)
There was also a Win Van Aikens who appeared in Vittorio Sala’s I Don Giovanni della Costa Azzurra in 1962. I’d suspect they’re the same person. I have found reference to a Van Aikens who was a dancer in Los Angeles, and it could be that they’re the same person…?
(picture is of Van Aikens in Maciste contro il vampiro (thanks to High Plains Drifter on the European Film Review board for this))
This has got to be the same person as Vanoy Aikens, a dancere with the Katherine Dunham company, who performed on broadway in the late 40s and 50s.
A bio for Vanoye Aikens… same guy:
VANOYE AIKENS claims to be a native of “Bip-Bap,” Georgia. While in his late teens, Mr. Aikens visited New York and, at the advice of Lenwood Morris,auditioned to be in the Katherine Dunham Company. Although not present during his three day audition, Miss Dunham received daily reports from Lavinia Williams and Syvilla Fort that there was “one” potential star. The rest is history. Mr. Aikens was accepted into the company and toured with the Original Dunham Dance Company to most major countries in Europe including France, Germany, England, Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, Belgium and Holland.
He performed as Miss Dunham’s leading man and their international tours were as big a hit in South America as they were in Europe. Their travels to South America included Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina to name a few. They also had a brief residency in Port au Prince Haiti. During the span of his dance career, Mr. Aikens collectively toured well over 50 countries combined. When the Dunham Company finally disbanded, Mr. Aikens began a brief but fulfilling career as a vocalist and actor. He had bit parts in “Revolt of the Slaves” starring Rhonda Fleming, and “Cleopatra” starring Elizabeth Taylor. He also worked with Lola Falano in Rome, Italy during her television broadcast of “Studio One.”
After his performance career, he was invited to work for Kursverksamhaten in Stockholm, Sweden at the University of Upsula. He earned the title of “Lektor” while teaching at Danshogskolan, and held concurrent teaching positions during the summer in Germany and Spain. Professor Aikens returned to the United States in the mid 80′s and is one of the primary master instructors who teaches at the International Dunham Technique Seminar is East St. Louis, IL.
He brings his profoundly enriching talents and sets the stage for dynamic and fulfilling Dunham Technique training and development each year. His anecdotal teaching methodology enhances the classroom setting while providing clarity, warmth and humor.