Classic Sing and Dance Movies with Gene Kelly
It was the year 1912, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that Eugene Curran Kelly, otherwise known as Gene Kelly, was born. This dynamic and well-known actor was most noticed for his flashy dance moves, more than anything else. Gene Kelly became one of MGM Grand’s biggest ticket item in the early 1940s, and this wonderful actor put his trademark moves into approximately 47 films. After a brief stint in theater with his brother Fred Kelly, Gene made the move to the big screen in 1942 in a film called For Me And My Gal, co-starring none other than Judy Garland. It was at that time that MGM recognized Gene’s talent, and signed him long term to become one of the most recognizable dance talents in history. At the time of Kelly’s arrival in Hollywood, MGM was the most powerful and largest studio in the world.
During the World War II, many talented artists, including actors, singers, and dancers, fled to America from Europe to escape the clutches of the Nazi’s power. These fine artists took refuge in Hollywood and many became very successful stars for MGM. It was this giant pool of talent that kept Kelly in Hollywood, as he did not return to the theater again. After the war, MGM saw much in the way of talent upgrades and successful movie deals, this only solidified the desire by Kelly to remain in Hollywood. Many times Gene Kelly has been compared to the great Fred Astaire. Very common in their fancy footwork, yet both carried with them a style and grace all of their own. Fred would wear tails and top hat, while Gene would wear rugged work cloths to fit his masculine style of free moving dance routines. What ever they wore, not many people paid much mind to it, as it was the grace and powerful dancing that set the tone for their respected stardom.
One of the most recognized movies of all time, to which Gene Kelly starred in, was Singin’ In The Rain. In the year 1952, this classic musical, co-starring Debbie Reynolds, captured the hearts of adoring fans of both Gene and Debbie. This movie became an instant smash hit, and is now recognized as one of the elite American historical classics. This film was one of the first 25 films selected by the Library of Congress for its National Film Registry of movies that are part of the American heritage. What was most notable of Gene Kelly’s style was his puddle-stomping, roller-skating, snappy paper-tearing style. This method of entertainment made Gene Kelly a living icon, and paved the way for him to strut his stuff in many feature musicals such as:
An American in Paris
Cats Don't Dance
Christmas Holiday
A Guide for the Married Man
Marjorie Morningstar
That's Dancing
That's Entertainment
With so many different movies under his belt, it is clear that his talents did not go un-noticed. Known for his innovative, athletic style of dancing, Gene Kelly did everything right when it came to entertaining the masses. His accolades did not stop at the big screen however, as he did his part in many other forms of entertainment. Gene Kelly was the silent eye behind the Girlie Show Tour, for Madonna in the year 1993 which stunned the movie lover’s worldwide. The theater hall of fame in the year1992 also honored Gene Kelly, for his work with his younger brother Fred on the great show My Pal Joey. Gene also was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton in 1994. When you do the research, on such an individual you find that he led a very fulfilling and successful life.
Away from the theater and the big screen, Gene Kelly did not however hold his own in his private life. Kelly was married three times, and fathered three children. The second of his three wives actress/ dancer Jeanne Coyne died of leukemia in 1973. In the end, Gene did have a grand career and a storybook life, until his death due to complications of multiple strokes on February 2nd, 1996 in Beverly Hills, California. Gene Kelly is in the books as one of the most innovative dance minds the world has even had the delight to watch.
