Gene Kelly | Hollywood Yesterday

Gene Kelly, Singin’ in the Rain

September 21, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

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

Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse: Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

September 14, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

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

Les Girls: Mitzi Gaynor, Gene Kelly, Kay Kendall, and Taina Elg

June 12, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Mitzi Gaynor, Gene Kelly, Kay Kendall, and Taina Elg

The fun and colorful Les Girls (1957) was directed by the wonderful George Cukor and stars Gene Kelly, Mitzi Gaynor, Kay Kendall, and Taina Elg. What’s more, it’s a musical we don’t talk nearly enough about!

The cast was assembled with nothing but pure beauty, topnotch talent and complete joy in mind. It’s a cast that worked sublimely together and leaves you wishing they had been teamed up for more movie magic.

You can watch Les Girls on Prime Video or buy the dvd on Amazon.

Taina Elg, Mitzi Gaynor, Gene Kelly, and Kay Kendall

BOTD, the Legendary, Beautiful, Talented, and ICONIC Judy Garland

June 10, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

In the Good Old Summertime, Van Johnson and Judy Garland

Frances Ethel Gumm was BOTD in 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The adorable little girl would go on to become “Judy Garland,” one of the brightest and most-loved stars of all time.

While Judy’s angelic voice and charismatic stage performances are legendary, I actually think of her primarily as an actress – and an extraordinary one, at that.

While I love all of her films, my personal favorites are In the Good Old Summertime (1949), The Pirate (1948), The Wizard of Oz (1939), Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), and Easter Parade (1948).

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly in The Pirate

Judy exuded warmth, charm, humor, and EVER SO much talent in each of her roles. She also had a natural rapport and chemistry with everyone she came near. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that everyone was sincerely thrilled to be working with her.

Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, Easter Parade

Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds: Singin’ in the Rain Promo Pic

March 30, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds

One of the best-loved movies in the history of movies is represented by the pictures here… Singin’ in the Rain. While I love the cast, I used to have a problem with the chemistry between Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. I’ve always loved both stars to distraction (and back) but the lack of chemistry or spark between them always caused me to enjoy the movie a bit less than most people are able to.

While I still don’t think they had much of a spark, I revisited the iconic movie recently and loved it more than I ever have. There’s absolutely enough spark there to make things work!

I think my problem may have been three-fold:

I watch a lot (make that A LOT) of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire movies… as in over and over… and their chemistry was off the charts.
One of my favorite musicals is An American in Paris and Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron had TONS of chemistry.
I frequently watch other Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly films where they have so much rapport with their co-stars – for example, Debbie Reynolds and James Garner sparked so much you could FEEL it (see How Sweet It Is for proof!).

I finally managed to get out of my own way and appreciate this wonderful movie for what it is – a truly iconic, feel-great musical that deserves the fame it enjoys. Sometimes we have to do just that… get out of our own way and allow the magic to come shining through.

When it comes to old Hollywood, it almost always does.

You can find Singin’ in the Rain (Amazon link) on dvd or watch it on Prime Video (link to Amazon’s Prime Video).

Mitzi Gaynor, Kay Kendall, Gene Kelly, and Taina Elg in Les Girls

June 13, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

The fun comedy musical Les Girls (1957) was directed by one of my favorite directors ever, George Cukor. He was so incredibly versatile and, quite frankly, gave us some of Hollywood’s best films, including Les Girls.

This wonderful musical stars Gene Kelly, Mitzi Gaynor, Kay Kendall, and Taina Elg. Gene Kelly was COMPLETELY surrounded by beautiful talent in this film, wasn’t he?!?!

You can watch Les Girls on Prime Video or buy the dvd on Amazon.

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly, Behind the Scenes of An American in Paris

June 7, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, An American in Paris (Behind the Scenes)

I think I have stated my unpopular opinion on the blog before but, if not, look out – I’m about to let it fly again. An American in Paris (1951) isn’t just one of my favorite musicals of all-time… it is my favorite Gene Kelly musical.

Yes, above Singin’ in the Rain.

In fact… considerably above it. I am the rare, rare, rare bird who thought Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly were mismatched. Love him. Love her. Together… not so much. Ironically, I love the chemistry and dynamic she and Donald O’Connor had. In fact, I love the dynamic between Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor.

At any rate, An American in Paris is simply breathtakingly perfect. The chemistry between Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron is perfection – textbook chemistry and compatibility. Add in the always, always, always entertaining Oscar Levant and you have a can’t miss movie. I am actually in esteemed company by preferring An American in Paris – it was Gene Kelly’s favorite of his musicals.

You can buy An American in Paris (link to the dvd on Amazon) or watch on Prime.

P.S. Sincerest apologies to anyone who loves Singin’ in the Rain! I am totally and completely in the minority here meaning that I am the odd one out. I love the movie and love the cast… I simply do not buy into the pairing of the great Gene Kelly and the great Debbie Reynolds.

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly Picture of the Day and A Personal Message…

March 27, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly in One of My Favorite Films, An American in Paris

On this, my Old Hollywood Blog, on my cat blog, food blog, and tea blog…. as well as on the Hollywood Yesterday Twitter…. I have fallen behind. Behind in my daily pictures, behind in my updates, behind in my daily tweets.

Just behind.

Given that I work entirely from home as a web publisher, falling behind isn’t something that happens very often. I mean, even when I had the flu with a side of bronchitis last year, I stayed on top of things. I didn’t look too lovely sitting at my computer in a bathrobe, uncombed hair, no makeup, and holding tissues up to my nose… but I was here!

This is just somehow different. I find myself so preoccupied thinking and praying for all those who have been affected by the Coronavirus – which is, of course, all of us. I’ll be honest, it’s tough to think, “Okay, which Leslie Caron picture will I tweet today” or “Which recipe will I add to the food blog,” or EVEN “What cat toy do I want to spotlight on my cat blog…” when so many people are suffering around the world in one form or another.

But then I remembered a time a while back when I was going through a very, very low point in my life. One of my daughters had a very high risk pregnancy and she wasn’t doing very well. The precious baby boy was born very early and had to be in the NICU for days that felt like months.

Each night I would come home from the hospital, completely wrung out from worry about my daughter and grandbaby and the first thing I would do….. okay, third, feeding the cats and putting on my pajamas came first. In that order – anyone with cats understands…. the THIRD thing I would do would be to fall into my favorite chair in the den and check Old Hollywood Twitter. I had a best friend who was on Old Hollywood Twitter at that time (Bonnie) and I would go to her Twitter page as fast as my fingers would take me and lose myself in the beauty of the photos and the happiness and comfort of the memories they brought back.

Then I’d venture into other Twitter accounts with the same type of tweets.

They brought me comfort, happiness, peace, and momentary deliverance from worry and feelings of helplessness.

When I remembered that time, I realized I have to fight through this wall of numbness and do my part… just in case there is someone out there who I can help the way Bonnie and others helped me.

Some may say, “Pictures and things like that are certainly SMALL things!” and they may be right. But, as someone who leaned on these “small things,” I can tell you this… sometimes it’s the small things that will break your fall.

So, with all of that said, I will not miss a “daily picture” on the blog from here on out and will tweet my favorites as well as your favorites on Hollywood Yesterday Twitter like my life depends on it!

The only things that may slow me down are awfully, awfully adorable things.. they’re the grandbaby I talked about above (he’s a very healthy, happy, and ridiculously adorable and busy two year old now!) and his baby brother (a very healthy, happy, and ridiculously adorable and busy six month old!).

God bless you and your loved ones, do everything you have to do to stay safe and healthy. Please stay well and know that we will all get through this.

~ Love, Joi (“Joy“)

P.S. If you’re looking for a “feel good” movie, check out An American in Paris with Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. Love him, love her, love them, love the movie!

Shortest review ever, but there you have it.

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly, An American in Paris

March 7, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly, An American in Paris

Ever love a movie so much you’re overcome with warm feelings even when you simply see promotional pictures? That’s me and some of my very favorites, including An American in Paris.

Ready for an unpopular opinion that may blow your hat off? I like this Gene Kelly musical 10x more than Singin’ in the Rain.

Go ahead and pick your hat up. I’ll be here when you get back.

They’re both wonderful musicals and each cast is outstanding. I love the music and dancing in each film. I love Gene Kelly and his sidekick Donald O’Connor in Singin’ in the Rain and I love Gene Kelly and his sidekick Oscar Levant in An American in Paris. I guess, truth be told, I enjoy Oscar’s performance a bit more.

The real difference, for me, between the two, however, is the lead actress. I buy into the Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron pairing much much more than I do the Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds one.

Now, I realize this is all a very unpopular opinion.. in fact, I’ve never heard anyone ever say anything even remotely negative about Singin’ in the Rain! It’s almost an unwritten rule – <em><strong>One must love every single thing about the musical and never mutter anything construed as anything less than glowing praise!!!</strong></em>

Ooops, I smashed that rule. Don’t get me wrong, I love Singin’ in the Rain. Gene Kelly’s performance in the rain is an iconic, one in a billion, mesmerizing work of art. I think the movie is great. I simply like An American in Paris better and it’s due to the chemistry between the main stars as much as anything.

Ironically, while I don’t think lovely Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly had even a single spark of chemistry, I think she and Donald O’Connor had tons! Every single time I’ve watched the movie, I think the same thing throughout the movie…. “Girl, you’re with the wrong guy.”

At any rate, An American in Paris (Amazon Link) is one of my all-time favorite movies, not just musicals. I love every single thing about it. If you’ve never seen it, I hope you’ll find it soon. There’s a number Gene Kelly and Oscar Levant perform in their room that’s as wonderful as any musical number you can think of.

Yes… even that one.

Ever love a movie so much you’re overcome with warm feelings even when you simply see promotional pictures? That’s me and some of my very favorites, including An American in Paris.

Ready for an unpopular opinion that may blow your hat off? I like this Gene Kelly musical 10x more than Singin’ in the Rain.

Go ahead and pick your hat up. I’ll be here when you get back.

The real difference, for me, between the two, however, is the lead actress. I buy into the Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron pairing much much more than I do the Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds one.

Now, I realize this is all a very unpopular opinion.. in fact, I’ve never heard anyone ever say anything even remotely negative about Singin’ in the Rain! It’s almost an unwritten rule – One must love every single thing about the musical and never mutter anything construed as anything less than glowing praise!!!

Yes… even that one.

Tra La La La from An American in Paris (Excellent Number, Excellent Performers, Excellent Movie!)

February 25, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gene Kelly, Singin’ in the Rain (splashing in puddles and wonderfully swinging from the light-post)

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, Top Hat (with feathers gloriously flying)

Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire, You Were Never Lovelier (The Shorty George)

The cast from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (singing and dancing, while building a barn!)

All are great, timeless, iconic scenes from musicals. I have one that’s on my personal favorites list – one that probably isn’t on many other lists. In fact, given the fact that it’s in the excellent An American in Paris (Amazon link to the dvd), it could get lost among all the brilliance.

HOWEVER, I’m in love with the scene. Always have been. Always will be.

When you take the immeasurable talents of Gene Kelly and combine them with the immeasurable talents of Oscar Levant, this is what you get! The dancing, the piano playing (Mr. Levant was a genius), the singing, and my-oh-my the tap dancing (!!!)… pure movie magic.