His name is written in letters of gold together with those of Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Vincente Minnelli and Stanley Donen, in the annals of the history of film music. His huge personality, his intelligence coreografias, agility and enthusiasm with which his characters doto or devilish pace of some of their dances catapulted him to fame in the golden period of the most generous. Thus, in its early stages and with the firm decision to become a figure of the dance, Gene traveled to New York, and soon won a great success. In 1938 he was debuting on Broadway, with a great reputation with the musical “Pal Joey” (1940), works that drew the attention of renowned producer David O. Selznick. Later, with his wife Betsey Blair and Stanley Donen, who would soon become his friend, went to Hollywood to try their luck. Finally, Kelly signed a contract with Selznick, but unfortunately this was not interested in producing music and thought that Kelly could become a great dramatic actor, putting aside his career as a dancer. However, Gene was not too enthusiastic about the idea, so they welcomed the offer of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to star alongside Judy Garland “For me and my girl,” directed by the choreographer and director Bubsy Berkeley ( “42nd Street”). The film received very good reviews and made Gene became the focus of attention of Hollywood.
Gene Kelly in inherit the wind 1960.
After “I and my girl,” made a series of films with MGM, but it was not until 1944, after starring in “Models” (Cover Girl, Charles Vidor) (produced by Columbia and also for starring Rita Hayworth ), when they bought the contract to Selznick Kelly. This film met with great success and the actor became a major source of revenue for the company.
Things were going well until you Pearl Harbor was bombed and Gene decided to enlist and fight for his country. Although initially not permitted between 1944 and 1946 he fought in World War II.
Upon his return from the front revive its popularity in movies such as “Levando anchors” (1945, George Sidney) in her first film mitico alongside Frank Sinatra, which includes holding a number next to the musical cartoon characters Jerry (of “Tom and Jerry” ) “Ziegfield Follies” by Vincente Minnelli, again coinciding with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, and also with Lucille Ball, “The Pirate” (The Pirate 1948, Vincente Minnelli, no classic film musical released in Spain until 1974, who shared the bill with Judy Garland again) and “The Three Musketeers” (The Three Musketeers, 1948 at the hands of George Sydney). In the latter, a success in its time, was accompanied by June Allyson, Lana Turner and Van Heflin. Only when you release “A Day in New York” (On the town) reached a fame that never before had known. this was his directorial debut with Donen and starred with Frank Sinatra and Vera Ellen. Was such a success that the film has music in film history. The study found that it was a great professional and decided to give more freedom when it comes to implementing their ideas. That freedom was what made it possible to achieve the two most remembered musicals of all time.
“An American in Paris” (An American in Paris, Vincente Minnelli in 1951) was the film that rises to the rank of superstar Kelly. He was one of the biggest hits of the year, arriving at six Oscar at the Academy Awards, among them the “Best Film” and an honorary by Gene versatility as an actor, singer, dancer, director, choreographer, and More specifically, for his contribution to the musical genre.
The following year, in 1952, Kelly came to make history with “Singing in the Rain (Singin ‘in the rain), alongside Debbie Reynolds and Donald O ‘Connor. Although today is considered one of the best movies of history in those years was eclipsed by the success of its predecessor. In 1954 continuing its fruitful collaboration with Vincente Minnelli film in a not very popular in its day but that has been revalued, “Brigadoon.” “It’s always fair weather” (1955), a kind of continuation in a tone of nostalgic and bitter melodrama that A Day in New York, also proved to be highly praised by the press and the public. Rodo In 1956 one of its most ambitious project: “Invitation to Dance.”
Following this wave of success, Kelly’s career began to decline and lose the splendor he had achieved. Section of the musical and in 1960 performed one of his best performances in the midst of an impressive interpretive duel between the legendary Spencer Tracy and Fredric March in the film “The legacy of the Wind” by Stanley Kramer.
- Akron Beacon Journal
The Hero Files - Montgomery Advertiser
Storytelling, music, singing ING, dance, praise and memories punctuated by the Celebration of the Arts, a black-tie event hosted by the Alabama State Council on the Arts at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center. - NZCity
Sherlock Holmes director Guy Ritchie is the remake of the 1955 film musical Guys and Dolls and set it in London. - Chicago Sun-Times
A book as Jilly! Sinatra’s Right Hand Man is a once in a lifetime. Jilly Rizzo was Sinatra’s best friend. A popular Rush Street bar is named in his honor. And now Las Vegas author Scott Allen Nollen (whose previous book topics included Boris Karloff and the band Jethro Tull), together with Rizzo’s sons Willie, 58, and Joseph, 60, a lively 192 page bound notebook …