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Films of Gene Kelly - Song and Dance Man
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 29, 2009
These "Films of" books are terrific, even in the days of imdb and so on.
April 15, 2026
Excellent overview of Gene Kelly’s professional work in films. Starts with biography overview, then goes into each film separately.
Canadian dad, so had background in ice hockey as a kid
Mom got him dance lessons. Stopped because of the teasing. Went back to it later because the girls were into it.
First job was teaching gymnastics at the Y! (Like me!)
Got money in amateur dance contests
Got a Bachelor of Arts degree
His family opened a dancing school, and he taught and choreographed dance until age 25 when he went to New York
Gene met his first wife when she was a 17-year-old dancer in a production. They had one daughter together, Kerry.
Signed up for the Navy in WWII. Didn’t end up having to do wartime service but worked on documentaries in Washington
Complained of how few men dance. Not enough male dance teachers either. Felt dance was important to athletic prowess for men.
Married second time to another dancer and choreographer on many of his projects. They had Timothy and Bridget.
Won an Emmy for Jack and the Beanstalk TV special
Judy Garland was a champion of Gene Kelly
Anchors Aweigh got him an Academy Award nomination.
Gene Kelly was supposed to be in Easter Parade, but he broke his ankle and recommended Fred Astaire, who was interested in coming out of retirement.
I didn’t realize that Frank Sinatra was in so many movies with Gene Kelly. And he dances!
Gene Kelly got a special Oscar for his work on An American in Paris (which also won best film for 1951)
Gene worked with Arthur Freed on almost all his films.
I didn’t know Hello Dolly was directed by Gene Kelly!!
Canadian dad, so had background in ice hockey as a kid
Mom got him dance lessons. Stopped because of the teasing. Went back to it later because the girls were into it.
First job was teaching gymnastics at the Y! (Like me!)
Got money in amateur dance contests
Got a Bachelor of Arts degree
His family opened a dancing school, and he taught and choreographed dance until age 25 when he went to New York
Gene met his first wife when she was a 17-year-old dancer in a production. They had one daughter together, Kerry.
Signed up for the Navy in WWII. Didn’t end up having to do wartime service but worked on documentaries in Washington
Complained of how few men dance. Not enough male dance teachers either. Felt dance was important to athletic prowess for men.
Married second time to another dancer and choreographer on many of his projects. They had Timothy and Bridget.
Won an Emmy for Jack and the Beanstalk TV special
Judy Garland was a champion of Gene Kelly
Anchors Aweigh got him an Academy Award nomination.
Gene Kelly was supposed to be in Easter Parade, but he broke his ankle and recommended Fred Astaire, who was interested in coming out of retirement.
I didn’t realize that Frank Sinatra was in so many movies with Gene Kelly. And he dances!
Gene Kelly got a special Oscar for his work on An American in Paris (which also won best film for 1951)
Gene worked with Arthur Freed on almost all his films.
I didn’t know Hello Dolly was directed by Gene Kelly!!
January 31, 2013
Really interesting to read about all the films and the actors that were in them. Wish it had more info on Gene Kelly as a person tho'.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews