100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly #15: His Convictions
This entry is part 15 of 16 in the series 100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly. Gene Kelly took a stand against the McCarthy Communist “witch trials” and Hollywood blacklisting. He was a man who had strong convictions and did not back down. For this he should be celebrated. – Bethie Submit your contribution to “100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene...
Read More100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly #14: Those Ballet Numbers
This entry is part 14 of 16 in the series 100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly.Another reason to celebrate Gene Kelly is those brilliant ballet/dream numbers that he conceived, choreographed, and ultimately put onscreen. See, for example, the dream sequence in the middle of The Pirate (1948) – yes, the one revealing Kelly’s legs in those short, tight black shorts. There’s also, of course, the lavish and expensive (it cost half a million dollars!) ballet at the close of An...
Read More100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly #13: Nina
This entry is part 13 of 16 in the series 100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly.I’d like to celebrate Gene Kelly’s acrobatic number, “Nina,” from The Pirate. — Maritata http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4_IiHf8hCw Google+
Read MoreGene Kelly in the 21st Century
I’ve finally had a chance to upload my academic talk on Gene Kelly’s presence in the twenty-first century. If you’re so inclined, you’ll find it over on Media | Academia. Google+
Read MoreGene and Frank: A Successful Partnership
In the 1940s, three musicals united two future legends of entertainment: Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. Onscreen, their characters displayed opposite personalities, and offscreen, the stars’ careers were in very different moments. But without a doubt, this partnership represented a turning point for both Kelly and Sinatra, marking their rise to bigger stardom. In 1945, the two dress as sailors for the first time in Anchors Aweigh (right), co-starring with singer Kathryn Grayson and Jose...
Read More100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly #12: His Smile
This entry is part 12 of 16 in the series 100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly.Gene Kelly has the best smile in the world. When he smiles, his whole face lights up. His smile is sometimes one of smug self-satisfaction like the phone scene in Anchors Aweigh (right). Other times, it is a sweet, dreamy smile directed at his leading lady as when he gazes at Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) during “Would You” (Singin’ in the Rain). But most of the times, it is an expression of pure joy; see,...
Read MoreBrigadoon (and Gene Kelly Ceilidh) at the Glasgow Film Festival
This entry is part 8 of 8 in the series Glasgow Film Festival.Saturday, 25 February, 19:30, St Andrews in the Square – Brigadoon (1954) | Gene Kelly Ceilidh Finally! This is the event I’ve been waiting for all year since I first learned of the GFT’s Gene retrospective. What on earth would a Gene Kelly Ceilidh comprise of? A Ceilidh (caley), for those of you who may be unfamiliar with this uniquely Caledonian pastime, is an evening of traditional Scottish dancing, a social gathering to...
Read MoreOn the Town at the Glasgow Film Festival
This entry is part 7 of 8 in the series Glasgow Film Festival.Thursday, 23 February, 11:00 – On the Town (1949) I could barely contain my excitement as I bounded up the stairs of the GFT this morning. After Singin’ in the Rain, this is the Gene Kelly film I have watched more than any other. In fact, in the days of Betamax video, I taped it one Easter and watched it until the tape wore out, literally. On the Town is the second greatest thing Gene Kelly ever did and it is, without question,...
Read MoreThe Pirate at the Glasgow Film Festival
This entry is part 6 of 8 in the series Glasgow Film Festival.Wednesday, 22 February, 11am – The Pirate (1948) Pat wasn’t happy with the management, something about “academic introductions” and “pains in the arse.” Related, I think. Although he did remark that our daily host, Allan Hunter, “does very well.” He does, indeed. So well, in fact, that while espousing on Gene and Judy’s onscreen partnership he mentioned Summer Stock (1950) and explained its omission from the...
Read MoreTake Me Out to the Ballgame at the Glasgow Film Festival
This entry is part 5 of 8 in the series Glasgow Film Festival.Tuesday, 21 February, 11am – Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949) NOTE: If you haven’t met my fellow viewer Pat, be sure to check out my previous reviews before embarking on this one. Back into Gene’s ‘great’ period this morning with a musical that is criminally underrated. Pat thought he had heard of Busby Berkeley before and as I explained who he was and how Gene was diametrically opposed to his directorial style via...
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