Gene Kelly discusses his ”American” style of dance, which combines ballet, modern, and athletics. He then illustrates it in a mini-ballet in his Omnibus tv special.
He has amazing presence. His upper body carriage is still and each movement is intentional and followed through to extension. This is why we can't stop watching him. 👀
In 1958 both Kelly's and Astaire's great days in Hollywood were over. Fred turned to television by producing and starring in 'An Evening with Fred Astaire', the most garlanded entertainment special in that medium's history. Gene, always more didactic and dogmatic, did this well received documentary for public TV's arts strand. Oddly enough, these quite different motives yielded strikingly similar numbers. Gene has an orchestration of a Gershwin Prelude, a barebones urban set, swaggering young guys in tight sweaters looking for fun or a rumble but freezing when a cop strolls by. Fred's 'Man with the Blues' shares these features, with an extra charge of melancholy as he is roughed up by the boys for getting flirty with their women. Fred at 59 thought he was near the end of the road. Gene, 46, was struggling to regain momentum after two flop pictures. He was not only fighting the Lavender Panic of the mid-Fifties about dance being for sissies; he was striving to show that modern forms and subjects could be echt-American, and that his balletic leanings need not mean tights, tutus and capital-A art. Kelly was a later part of the great crossover that people such as Balanchine, Kidd, Massine, Toumanova and Charisse had begun, and which Robbins and Bernstein consummated in 'West Side Story'. Both these short TV works partake of that vibe.
What a beautiful story, Gene, Thank you for telling me. You were in love with Judy Garland, and Carey was in love with Shirley Temple. I appreciate you telling me
i dont even dance, but love Gene and it is delightful to hear and learn from someone who has fully knowledge and is in love by his craft!
Gene was so charming. Love you Gene. 🌹
Imagine having been able to be his student while he taught at his families studio.
Probably super stressful lmao
What a legend. Thank you for sharing this clip!
Thank you mostlydaydreaming!
Great! Thanks for getting this collection together for everyone - very educational - his work is amazing
Thank you for sharing Mostlydaydreaming. I love Gene🙂❤.
So clearly undeniably masculine and true, blindingly brilliant!
There are six guys dancing but you can’t take your eyes off of Gene. His every move is breathtaking compared to those regular guys.
AGREE 100 percent and thought the same thing. Such GRACE and strength he danced with.
He has amazing presence. His upper body carriage is still and each movement is intentional and followed through to extension. This is why we can't stop watching him. 👀
In 1958 both Kelly's and Astaire's great days in Hollywood were over. Fred turned to television by producing and starring in 'An Evening with Fred Astaire', the most garlanded entertainment special in that medium's history. Gene, always more didactic and dogmatic, did this well received documentary for public TV's arts strand.
Oddly enough, these quite different motives yielded strikingly similar numbers. Gene has an orchestration of a Gershwin Prelude, a barebones urban set, swaggering young guys in tight sweaters looking for fun or a rumble but freezing when a cop strolls by. Fred's 'Man with the Blues' shares these features, with an extra charge of melancholy as he is roughed up by the boys for getting flirty with their women.
Fred at 59 thought he was near the end of the road. Gene, 46, was struggling to regain momentum after two flop pictures. He was not only fighting the Lavender Panic of the mid-Fifties about dance being for sissies; he was striving to show that modern forms and subjects could be echt-American, and that his balletic leanings need not mean tights, tutus and capital-A art.
Kelly was a later part of the great crossover that people such as Balanchine, Kidd, Massine, Toumanova and Charisse had begun, and which Robbins and Bernstein consummated in 'West Side Story'. Both these short TV works partake of that vibe.
A very nice piece of writing - thank you
Thank you for sharing ❤️.
This is so cool thx for sharing!
Superb.
What a beautiful story, Gene, Thank you for telling me. You were in love with Judy Garland, and Carey was in love with Shirley Temple. I appreciate you telling me
DANZ-z!