Gene Kelly | Hollywood Yesterday

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).

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.

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly – An American in Paris (Picture of the Day!)

February 19, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

One of my newest favorite Old Hollywood actresses is Leslie Caron. If I’d ever seen her films before, she’d have already been a favorite! As it is, I saw my first Leslie Caron movie within the past three months and have been watching them (one after the next) since.

So… yes… expect to see much more of her on Hollywood Yesterday.

The photo above is a publicity photo from the 1951 film, An American in Paris (Amazon link). The wonderfully fun and colorful film (directed by Vincente Minnelli) costarred Gene Kelly, Oscar Levant, and Nina Foch. If you’ve never seen it, I hope you’ll catch it soon. It’s outstanding.

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly: For Me and My Gal Sal (1942)

January 19, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

One of my all-time favorite actresses and musical stars is Judy Garland. One of my all-time favorite actors and musical stars is Gene Kelly. So, can you imagine the perfect excitement that fills my den when I’m watching a musical with both of these magical stars?

My cats can barely stand me, I’m so giddy. They truly were magical, weren’t they?

Below is the wonderful duo performing “For Me and My Gal” from the musical of the same name (1942). One of my favorite musicals of all time, it’s pretty underrated, for whatever reasons.

Maybe we can do something about that right now!

Six years later, they would team up again for another one of my favorite musicals, The Pirate. While it’s deliciously over-the-top and not remotely like this particular musical, I love it with all my heart and soul.

How could I not? It stars these two?!

Gene Kelly: The Title Number from Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

August 7, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gene Kelly, Singin’ in the Rain

Gene Kelly’s Singin’ in the Rain (Amazon link) performance in the musical of the same name is so iconic and famous EVEN people who aren’t fans of old movies know it.

The title was actually originally meant to be a showcase for the three leads but Gene Kelly thought a solo performance would better illustrate his character’s joie de vivre.

The most remarkable thing about this performance to me, however, is the fact that Gene Kelly was actually quite sick during filming. His fever was at least 101 but, ever the trooper, he not only performed to perfection, he ad -libbed most of it and it only took one take – the one you see in the film.

Remarkable talent.

Cyd Charisse Quotes About Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly

March 21, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly, Brigadoon

I love these Cyd Charisse quotes about the two of the greatest musical stars of all time, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. They give you a bit of insight into the men, themselves.

“I can watch Astaire anytime. I don’t think he ever made a wrong move. He was a perfectionist. He would work on a few bars for hours until it was just the way he wanted it. Gene was the same way. They both wanted perfection, even though they were completely different personalities.”

“Fred could never do the lifts Gene did and never wanted to. I’d say they were the two greatest dancing personalities who were ever on the screen. Each has a distinctive style. Each is a joy to work with. But it’s like comparing apples and oranges. They’re both delicious.”

Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire Films:

Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly Films:

Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire, The Band Wagon

Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly: Singing in the Rain

November 2, 2017 By Joi Leave a Comment

I love every single second of the iconic Singing in the Rain but there will always be a special place in my heart for Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly’s number. There’s just something hypnotic about watching two legends keeping one another on their toes.

Literally.