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Gene Kelly: Difference between revisions
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Gene Kelly (1912-1996) was an American actor, dancer, and choreographer. You may remember him as the guy who [[Expospeak Gag|performed a whimsical ditty in inclimate weather]].
Film producer Daivd O. Selznik discovered Kelly after seeing him star in ''Pal Joey'' on Broadway. Under MGM, Kelly became a megastar by appearing in a string of famous musicals. His biggest successes in the post-war period were ''[[On the Town]]'', ''[[An American in Paris]]'', and his iconic role in ''[[Singin' in
Though he tended to play smarmy characters, Kelly's performances gave the impression that anyone -- athletes, sailors, or Joe Sixpack -- could sing and dance. This was evidenced by his trademark outfit, which consisted of [[Clothes Make the Legend|a polo shirt and loafers]].
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His biggest ambition lay not in acting, however, but dance choreography. His improvisational style is famously seen in ''Summer Stock'', in which Kelly's character creates music out of [[Everything Has Rhythm|a squeaky floorboard and a sheet of newspaper]].
Gene Kelly was among many creative influences to whom [[Michael Jackson]] paid tribute in his "Beat It" and "Bad" videos. [[Paula Abdul]] also included a [[Shout
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=== Gene Kelly provides examples of: ===
* [[Big Man
* [[The Everyman]]: The famous sweater-loafer combo came about as a result of him trying to wear a tux like Astaire. With his build, however, Kelly still looked like a longshoreman even in tails.
* [[Lightning Bruiser]]
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* [[Real Men Wear Pink]]: Easily the manliest ballet dancer next to [[Patrick Swayze]].
* [[Red Oni, Blue Oni]]: Himself and Fred Astaire (see above quote).
* [[Tom Hanks Syndrome]]: Kelly's career fizzled in the 1950s, and he didn't make much of an impression as a dramatic actor (He played E.K. Hornbeck, an expy of [[
* [[What Could Have Been]]: Kelly originally suggested doing a dance with [[Mickey Mouse]] instead, but Disney was going through serious financial problems during the early 40's, and couldn't afford to outsource animation to other studios.
** Kelly was all set to play the lead in ''Easter Parade'' (1948), but broke his ankle during a volleyball game (Not caused by the game itself, but by stamping his foot in frustration when his teammates [["Stop Having Fun!" Guys|started goofing off]]). Fellow dancer (and fellow insane perfectionist) Fred Astaire ended up filling in for him, playing opposite [[Judy Garland]]. As it was originally meant for Kelly, the role is significantly darker than the boy scouts Astaire was best known for playing.
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=== Notable film roles: ===
* Joseph Brady in ''[[
* Serafin in ''The Pirate'' (1948)
* Eddie O'Brien in ''Take Me Out to the Ball Game'' (1949)
* Gabey in ''[[On the Town]]'' (1949)
* Jerry Mulligan in ''[[An American in Paris]]'' (1951 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actor)
* Don Lockwood in ''[[Singin' in
* Tommy Albright in ''Brigadoon'' (1954)
* Ted Riley in ''It's Always Fair Weather'' (1955)
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