100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly #16: He Radiates Joy
This entry is part 16 of 16 in the series 100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly.This is one of my favourite quotes about Gene: We have the delightful task of praising the dancer Gene Kelly…in the glamour contest he would surely come out top…for he is, moving or still, the most entrancing sailor one has ever seen. I have seldom seen a Western dancer from whose body such radiance emanates or who possesses such brilliance of expression. (Ballet Mag. Feb. 1946, Beryl de Zoete) The first thing...
Read More100 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 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 More100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly #11: He’s Immensely Rediscoverable
This entry is part 11 of 16 in the series 100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly.I was introduced to Gene Kelly at a young age. I’ve been a dancer for 20 years now and can still recall a youth recital in which our class danced to “Singin’ In The Rain,” complete with coats and umbrellas. We watched Gene’s number before rehearsing, but that was about it for Gene and me. In fact, I didn’t watch any of his movies until the 2011 Christmas holidays. Now, I am...
Read More100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly #10: His Physical Fitness and Athleticism
This entry is part 10 of 16 in the series 100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly.It was August 2008 (around the time of Gene Kelly’s 96th birthday) when Turner Classic Movies featured a 24-hour Gene Kelly Marathon. I had no idea it would totally change my life for the better. While watching the film fest, I quickly got a hint of Kelly’s physical capabilities with the Brando dance at the end of Les Girls (1957), but An American In Paris (1951) was a virtual thesis in his athleticism and...
Read More100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly #9: He’s Irreplaceable
This entry is part 9 of 16 in the series 100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly.“I first saw Gene Kelly in my eighth-grade music class when we were watching Singin’ In The Rain (1952). I couldn’t help but be captivated by his dancing techniques, singing, and (of course) his charming good looks. Afterward, I decided to look him up on YouTube and Google and what not, and I learned about the other films and plays he was in; so I watched those in complete amazement. Now a junior in...
Read More100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly #8: His Eyes
This entry is part 8 of 16 in the series 100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly.“I’ve always been a sucker for nice (dark) eyes and Gene Kelly can let you know exactly how he’s feeling or what he’s thinking without saying a word. His eyes seem to smile most of the time and even add an extra dimension when he’s dancing. For example, those eyes can let you know he loves someone… express pain when he thinks someone doesn’t care… or feign lovesickness...
Read More100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly #7: Dat Ass
This entry is part 7 of 16 in the series 100 Reasons to Celebrate Gene Kelly.Elsewhere, fans go on and on about Gene Kelly’s physical attributes: his smile, his forearms, his black hair (or lack thereof), his talented legs/feet. But no body part, it seems, is more revered among some fans than Gene’s, ahem, backside. In fact, devoted to “dat ass” are an entire Tumblr: genekellysbutt.tumblr.com a Facebook page: Gene Kelly’s Bottom a Twitter hashtag: #MajesticAss or...
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