Beautiful Cyd Charisse was an absolute artist when it came to dancing and watching her is a great joy. She loved dancing more than she did acting, which is understandable. Great artists love what they do!
Judy Garland: Beautiful Promo Photo for Summer Stock
Judy Garland
Summer Stock (1950) was directed by Charles Walters and is one of my very favorite musicals. How could it not be… it stars the extraordinary Judy Garland and the equally extraordinary Gene Kelly?!
The excellent musical also includes Gloria DeHaven, Eddie Bracken, Marjorie Main, Hans Conried, and Phil Silvers.
You can find the wonderfully entertaining Summer Stock on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.
Marjorie Main, Gloria DeHaven, Gene Kelly, and Judy Garland
Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, Behind the Scenes of the Wonderful Summer Stock
Judy Garland and Gene Kelly
There’s just something about a musical to make the world seem blissfully perfect, isn’t there?! For me, it’s even more so if Judy Garland or Gene Kelly is involved… so when they’re in the SAME musical, look out! I will be smiling for days.
One of the musicals I watch and rewatch is Summer Stock (1950, directed by Charles Walters). In addition to Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, the musical stars (among others) Gloria DeHaven, Marjorie Main, Eddie Bracken, Phil Silvers, and the always entertaining Hans Conried.
You can find the wonderfully entertaining Summer Stock on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.
Vera-Ellen, White Christmas
Vera-Ellen
One of the most magical and wonderful Christmas films ever made boasted a cast that was equally wonderful and magical. White Christmas (1954, directed by Michael Curtiz) starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen, and Rosemary Clooney.
How could it miss?!
You can buy White Christmas on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video. This is one of those movies that seems to get even better with time.
Vera-Ellen
Gene Kelly, Singin’ in the Rain
Gene Kelly
Gene Kelly, along with Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, Jean Hagen, and Cyd Charisse (in addition to the rest of the exceptional cast) created one of the most iconic movies of all time with Singin’ in the Rain. It isn’t just an exceptional musical, it’s an exceptional movie and one I can never recommend enough.
While the entire cast is flawless, Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor’s are absolutely in the front seat steering this vehicle. Both stars (in my opinion), along with Jean Hagen, should have won Academy awards. Unfortunately, musicals (as well as comedies) don’t often get the strong consideration other movies do, which kind of makes me nuts – I mean, entertainment is entertainment and excellence should be recognized regardless of the genre.
Besides, I’d like to see any member of the academy act while dancing and singing!
You can buy Singin’ in the Rain on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the iconic musical on Prime Video. Either way, I know you’ll agree with my rant above!
Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse: Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse
Whenever the question is asked on Twitter, “What are your favorite FEEL GOOD movies,” you can always expect to see Singin’ in the Rain (1952, directed by Stanley Donen) mentioned more than any other movie. It’s just THAT darn good and makes you feel THAT darn happy.
Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, Jean Hagen, and Cyd Charisse – in addition to the rest of the exceptional cast – work pure movie magic with this musical and it is always the right time to sit down and visit them… whether it’s for the first time or 100th time.
You can buy Singin’ in the Rain on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the iconic musical on Prime Video.
Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse
Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte: Carmen Jones
Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte
One of my favorite movies (with THREE) of my favorite performances is Carmen Jones (1954, directed by Otto Preminger). The excellent performances are by Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, and Olga James (in a small but VERY compelling role). The entire movie is an absolute work of art.
A friend on Twitter once asked me what I thought of this movie and I told them it was as flawless and wonderful as Dorothy Dandridge, herself. The friend said they were going straight home from work and watching it if that was the case!
I have smart friends.
Dandridge and Belafonte (two ridiculously talented and beautiful stars!) give such compelling performances in this film, as does Olga James, who should have been in a LOT more films. If you’ve never seen this incredibly bold and deliciously unique film, I hope you’ll find it and watch it very soon. There truly has never been a movie quite like this one and I’m certain there never will be. I couldn’t love it any more.
You can buy Carmen Jones on dvd (Amazon link) or watch it on Prime Video.
Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn: My Fair Lady (1964)
Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison
I don’t just love My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison… I ADORE My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. Every word spoken, every note hit, every thread of every costume, every… oh, you get the idea. I’m completely infatuated with it and with the performance of each star.
The wonderful George Cukor directed this iconic musical. The cast also includes Stanley Holloway, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Jeremy Brett, and Gladys Cooper.
If it’s been a while since you’ve watched this absolute masterpiece, I hope you’ll revisit it soon. It’s even better than you remember.
You can find My Fair Lady on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.
Audrey Hepburn, Gorgeous My Fair Lady Promotional Pictures
Audrey Hepburn
One of the most delightful movies ever made (musical or otherwise) and two of the finest performances (Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison) involve the same legendary film… My Fair Lady. It’s absolutely remarkable and, in my opinion, seems to get better with each subsequent viewing.
I’ve seen it at least 8 times and love it EVEN more after each revisit.
Audrey Hepburn
You can find My Fair Lady on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video. Either way, it’s a sure fire way to brighten your entire day… possibly even your week!
Audrey Hepburn, My Fair Lady
Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday, New Orleans (1947)
Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong, New Orleans (1947)
Today is Louis Armstrong day on TCM’s Summer Under the Stars and I am BEYOND excited about the lineup. While New Orleans isn’t on today’s schedule, I just had to post the photo above.
Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong are two of my favorites (I even have a cat named after each of them!).
Louis Armstrong was born on this day in 1901 and the world of music should celebrate this fact every single day.