Gene Kelly, Jack and The Beanstalk, and An Interview with Bobby Riha
Gene Kelly loved to work with children, and his scenes with kids were truly joyous and magic to watch. He had a saying: “If you can get kids to love you, they’ll do anything for you.” Indeed, when you watch the many scenes with children in Kelly’s movies and television productions, it is easy to see why the kids loved him like the Pied Piper. One of Gene Kelly’s television specials was the 1967 remake of the fairy tale Jack and The Beanstalk. Kelly wrote his own character into...
Read MoreGene Kelly, Bridget Kelly, and Cyd Charisse (Video)
While this is so obviously scripted, it’s nonetheless charming. Google+
Read MoreFourth of July Special (PBS) to Celebrate Gene Kelly
PBS’s upcoming Fourth of July special, “A Capitol Fourth,” plans to honor Gene Kelly: A musical tribute to beloved American legend Gene Kelly, in celebration of his 100th birthday, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra performing a medley of Hollywood classics including SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN and AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. Broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, A CAPITOL FOURTH will air live in HD on PBS Wednesday, July 4, 2012 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET...
Read MoreStrictly Come Dancing: Singin’ in the Rain
Last week on Strictly Come Dancing (the UK’s equivalent of Dancing with the Stars), Australian actor/singer Jason Donovan and his partner, Kristina Rihanoff, perform the foxtrot to Gene Kelly’s “Singin’ in the Rain.” Judges comments/scores included (a bit too generous in my opinion). http://youtu.be/xokeXAyqEXE Google+
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The Basics: Did Gene Win Awards for His Work?
This entry is part 7 of 16 in the series Gene Kelly: The Basics.Oh, yes, Gene won plenty of awards. First, he was given an Honorary Academy Award “in appreciation of his versatility as an actor, singer, director and dancer, and specifically for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film.” This was one of the seven awards given for An American in Paris (1951). Sadly, the Oscar was lost in a house fire in 1983, but it was replaced at the 1984 Academy Awards. In...
Read MoreThe Basics: Did Gene Ever Perform on Television?
This entry is part 6 of 16 in the series Gene Kelly: The Basics.“I enjoy working in TV, but you’re doing…it fast…to sell soft drinks and beer. You’re not doing it to lure people out of their homes. The challenge is not nearly so great, is it?” — Gene Kelly (Radio Times, October 1972) Did Gene ever perform on television? Well, did Don Lockwood ever get wet socks??? Gene Kelly’s TV career began in October 1939 — yes, you read that right, 1939 — on a live...
Read MoreGene Kelly on Television
If you live in or around the Los Angeles area, UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film, and Television is presenting “Gene Kelly on Television” Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 7:30 PM. Featured screenings are “OMNIBUS: ‘Dancing: A Man’s Game’” NBC, 12/21/1958 “Gene Kelly in New York, New York,” CBS, 2/14/66 Ticket information may be found here, and special thanks to Mary for informing us of the...
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