BORN: August 23, 1912
DIED: February 2, 1996
AGED: 83 ys from sepsis, coronary disease. Suffered major stroke year earlier
MARRIED: 3 times-Betsy Blair, Jeanne Coyne(he was widowed). last one was only 36 yrs old and he was 77. Men say: Alright!!! Women say: Eeeewwwwww, really??
Amazing dancer, right beside Fred Astaire (like apples and oranges). Loved the athletic style of dance and would incorporate ballet as well. Loved camera techniques-dances with Jerry the Mouse from Tom and Jerry (you tube it). Demanding taskmaster, temperamental. Loved to direct too-"Hello Dolly" with Barbra Streisand. tried to preserve the wonderful art of the musical to new people through the That's Entertainment films.
FILMS: For Me and My Gal, Covergirl, Anchors Aweigh, On the Town, An American in Paris, Singing In The Rain, Invitation to the Dance, and, yes, Xanadu (should we laugh or cry)
No-one could ever forget that 'Singing in the Rain' sequence - even after not seeing it for 50 years. Comedy acts used to enjoy putting this into their shows. It was something everyone was familiar with.
ReplyDeleteYes that dance sequence is one of the most famous scenes in movies. More amazing that it was a really hot day and he had a bad flue and a high fever and still danced divine
DeleteSadly, I first saw him in Xanadu. Not his proudest moment, I'm sure...but I read recently that he only took the role because it was close to his house and he didn't want to have to travel to do a movie.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that! It is a shame that his character's name is the same name that was used in Covergirl-one of his best. Thankfully most people have not seen Xanadu or at least recall his better films
DeleteLove this guy. Singin' in the Rain is one of my all-time favourite motion pictures. The guy could do drama as well, but it's his dancing, baby!
ReplyDeleteI love the anecdote from Cyd Charisse. Supposedly, her husband could tell who she had been dancing with that day by looking at her. If she looked well, it was Astaire, the graceful dancer, but if she was bruised it was Kelly, the athletic dancer.
See ya 'round the web. All Things Kevyn.
Yes I remember that! I saw her interviewed and she spoke of that and how , with both, she mainly danced in flats since she was tall and they weren't
DeleteI didn't know he directed Hello Dolly. I love watching him dance. So athletic, graceful, and in love with dance.
ReplyDeleteHe breathed dance and yes, he directed more than one film including one with Jackie Gleeson-Gigot which I always wanted to see
DeleteI love Singing in the Rain! Very appropriate for Glasgow where I live.......
ReplyDeleteI guess you will need to dance in the rain:)
DeleteHow ironic that several of the heartthrob actors you've highlighted are gay while the dancer was not. It goes to show stereotypes about sexual preference really don't fit.
ReplyDeleteI know and there were rumours with Gene Kelly but I only read it in a couple of places and I don't take that a face value. I almost feel some authors want to make everyone gay. In the end if they are or not, their work is what matters and who they were as a person. If it was nowadays, Rock Hudson and Charles Laughton and the rest could lead easier lives
DeleteHe was a joy to watch when he danced.
ReplyDeletehe was and love it when he danced with Fred Astaire
DeleteFirst thing I thought of when I saw Gene Kelly was Singing in the Rain; a classic!
ReplyDeletebetty
Always and isn't it wonderful
DeleteDear Birgit,
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog. It is nice to meet you in blogland. I still love watching the old Gene Kelly movies. I wish that they made more like them today.
I agree and I think we miss out on a lot of great dancers since musicals of old are not in style
DeleteOh, Gene Kelly! I always loved him so much. Singing in the Rain is one of my top ten movies of all time :)
ReplyDeleteYup Great movie and, considering the silent, not that far off from silent to sound. he even wore Rudolph's old costume in a scene
DeleteHe was indeed an awesome dancer. :) Just Googled Singing in the Rain sequence :D
ReplyDeleteAmazing dancer-google him with Fred Astaire:)
DeleteIt's impossible to stay in a bad mood after watching that scene from singing in the rain. Kelly is so full of joy.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right. If I feel blue I often put that movie on-makes me laugh and enjoy the dance
DeleteI saw singing in the rain! I've never seen Xandu, but it sounds bad? I'll have to look it up! : )
ReplyDeleteSince I also love watching bad movies it is one for the books:)
DeleteI absolutely loved watching him dance. In addition to Singing in the Rain, I love the scene with the kids in American in Paris. He was amazing.
ReplyDeleteYes that scene is great and he loved dancing with children. Another one is when he c=dances with a little girl from Anchors Aweigh. Oh I love it when he dances with that older lady in American In Paris
DeleteGreat post on gene , thanks again for a great letter.
ReplyDeleteAn American in Paris and Singing In The Rain... my top picks for Mr Kelly. (Eeeew! 36?!)
ReplyDeletexxx Asha