Gene Kelly Biography
M-G-M was the largest and most powerful studio in Hollywood when Gene Kelly arrived in town in 1941. He came direct from the hit 1940 original Broadway production of "Pal Joey" and planned to return to the Broadway stage after making the one film required by his contract. His first picture for M-G-M was For Me and My Gal (1942) with Judy Garland. What kept Kelly in Hollywood were "the kindred creative spirits" he found behind the scenes at M-G-M. The talent pool was especially large during World War II, when Hollywood was a refuge for many musicians and others in the performing arts of Europe who were forced to flee the Nazis. After the war, a new generation was coming of age. Those who saw An American in Paris (1951) would try to make real life as romantic as the reel life they saw portrayed in that musical, and the first time they saw Paris, they were seeing again in memory the seventeen-minute ballet sequence set to the title song written by George Gershwin and choreographed by Kelly. The sequence cost a half million dollars (U.S.) to make in 1951 dollars. Another Kelly musical of the era, Singin' in the Rain (1952), was one of the first 25 films selected by the Library of Congress for its National Film Registry. Kelly was in the same league as Fred Astaire, but instead of a top hat and tails Kelly wore work clothes that went with his masculine, athletic dance style.
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Gene Kelly Collection (Singin' in the Rain / An American in Paris / On the Town / Anatomy of a Dancer)View / Buy This Product at AmazonStudio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/30/2003
Gene Kelly At Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: 'S Wonderful - Motion Picture Soundtrack AnthologyView / Buy This Product at Amazon
The Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly Collection (On the Town / Anchors Aweigh / Take Me out to the Ball Game)View / Buy This Product at AmazonTHE FRANK SINATRA & GENE KELLY COLLECTION ON THE TOWN The Bronx is up and the Battery’s down, but no one can be down after seeing this ebullient tale of sailors on leave in Manhattan. Sinatra, Kelly and Jules Munchin are the gobs, Ann Miller, Vera-Ellen and Betty Garrett are the gals. TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME Second baseman Sinatra and shortstop Kelly are in there pitching – pitching woo! Esther Williams and Betty Garrett costar in a tale of baseball and that other American pastime. ANCHORS AWEIGH I Fall In Love Too Easily, Frank croons. And we fall in love with the charms of two sailors at liberty in Tinseltown. Includes a milestone of musical fantasy: Kelly’s dance with cartoon mouse Jerry!
Gene Kelly: A Life of Dance and DreamsView / Buy This Product at AmazonIn this candid biography, the beloved dancer, choreographer, actor, and director is depicted for the first time not just as the genius and star whom millions still watch with awe, but as the complex and difficult man his family, intimates, and colleagues knew. Documenting Kelly's astonishing gifts--his innovations in movie choreography in such films as An American in Paris and Singin' in the Rain--the book also examines his late career struggles, stormy relationships, and political convictions. Structured as a retrospective of the star's life and artistry, this multi-dimensional portrait is the first to be drawn since Kelly died in 1996, and includes rare photos. Alvin Yudkoff, a producer of television, film, and video documentaries, is also a published fiction author. He lives in Water Mill, Long Island, New York.
Singin' in the Rain, Art Poster, size 23.50" x 31.50"View / Buy This Product at Amazon
Gene Kelly - Anatomy of a DancerView / Buy This Product at AmazonThe life and career of this film star and innovator whose work includes
Singin' in the Rain,
On the Town, and
An American in Paris are vibrantly recalled in this profile of the driven genius--often narcissistic, always a perfectionist--who reenergized the movie musical and redefined dance on screen. Packed with marvelous clips (including rare footage of Kelly's breakthrough
Pal Joey Broadway role) and interviews with family members and Hollywood colleagues,
Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer is the definitive look at a magical talent whose story has never been fully told until now. It's a life to be watched, celebrated, enjoyed. 87 minutes.
' S WonderfulView / Buy This Product at Amazon
The PirateView / Buy This Product at AmazonA girl is engaged to the local richman, but meanwhile she has dreams about the legendary pirate Macoco. A traveling singer falls in love with her and to impress her he poses as the pirate.
Classic Gene Kelly MoviesView / Buy This Product at AmazonIncluding music from 'An American In Paris' (1951), 'Anchors Aweigh' (1945), 'Singin' In The Rain' (1952) and 'On The Town' (1949). Blue Moon. 2003.
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Gene Kelly: A BiographyView / Buy This Product at Amazon
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