An interesting bit of trivia: Gene Kelly had a bad cold and he was running a 104 degree temperature when he gave that performance. He was sick as a dog.
I ask again: in the last 100 years of American cinema, can you name me 4 minutes of greater joy? I don't think you can.
Say all the nasty things you want about Hollywood and all its manifold flaws: Hollywood produced this. "Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face!"
You know, it's funny, but until I saw this movie loooong after it came out, I didn't know Donald O'Connor could sing or DANCE like that -- I thought he made movies with an ass... *snicker* But seriously, I didn't know...
Same for James Cagney. I only knew he played gangsters in movies -- until I finally saw the movie Yankee Doodle Dandy. Wow!
Gene Kelly was my favorite "hoofer". I never could develop a taste for Astaire - too feminine. But Gene? Masculine to the core, and such a handsome heartthrob. More GK trivia: He ended up hating that number and refused to perform it in later years when he was doing the promotional spots, talk show circuit, etc.
Closest 4 minutes of bliss I can think of to rival Singing In The Rain is the "Shall We Dance" segment from The King and I, with Yul Brenner and Deborah Kerr, Another fabulous duo who had all the magic at the right time on the right stage. Trivia: Yul Brenner had the use of only one lung at the time, and was on portable oxygen whenever the cameras stopped rolling. Must have been a horror to have done that one.
Thanks for sharing my favorite number from my favorite movie. Always makes me smile!
Gene Kelly in An American In Paris had me thinking "THIS is the reason men should learn to dance." You're very right that he was a masculine dancer. That's the kind of dancing that just hits you right.
(Trust me, guys? Learn to dance like Gene Kelly and the girls will swoon. And yes, I know that swooning is out of favor.)
I ask again: in the last 100 years of American cinema, can you name me 4 minutes of greater joy? I don't think you can.
Say all the nasty things you want about Hollywood and all its manifold flaws: Hollywood produced this. "Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face!"
Only America could have produced this.
The Club Canteen has links to a lot of old movies, musicals and cartoons that you might be interested in.
Also having grown up in the late 40s early 50s I enjoyed this clip from a 50s musical "Oh Them Dudes" by Betty Hutton and Fred Astaire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h62LzXog_o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfTvV4l2Rtk
C
It's a movie that simply must be seen.
Same for James Cagney. I only knew he played gangsters in movies -- until I finally saw the movie Yankee Doodle Dandy. Wow!
Closest 4 minutes of bliss I can think of to rival Singing In The Rain is the "Shall We Dance" segment from The King and I, with Yul Brenner and Deborah Kerr, Another fabulous duo who had all the magic at the right time on the right stage. Trivia: Yul Brenner had the use of only one lung at the time, and was on portable oxygen whenever the cameras stopped rolling. Must have been a horror to have done that one.
Thanks for sharing my favorite number from my favorite movie. Always makes me smile!
Linda
ABSOLUTELY! Thanks for posting it Dean. I played it several times ;-) It puts a smile in your heart and a tap in your feet!
(Trust me, guys? Learn to dance like Gene Kelly and the girls will swoon. And yes, I know that swooning is out of favor.)