Singin in the Rain, 1952

(Originally posted: March 11, 2012)
THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Gene Kelly-- Debbie Reynolds

Director: Stanley Donan, Gene Kelly

Choreographer: Gene Kelly

Stars: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse

Silent film star Don Lockwood (Kelly) and his on-screen partner Lina Lamont (Hagen) need to start making the transition to "talking pictures" like all the other Hollywood studios are doing. The problem is: Lina has the most awful voice! She works as a silent film star, but in public, the studio keeps her from talking at all costs!

On the way to one of his studio parties, Don meets Kathy (Reynolds), who doesn't fall for his tricks, and promptly puts the great star in his place. Then, unfortunately for her, their paths cross again at the party, where she is one of the hired dancers for entertainment.

Don can't stop thinking about Kathy, which is probably because she was the first girl not to fall for any of his lines, as his friend Cosmo (O'Connor) told him. When they accidentally meet again, he doesn't waste any time letting her know how he feels, and their romance begins. But Lina is still a problem. Not only is her voice horrendous, but she also seems to think that she and Don should be together.

This is the greatest American musical ever made! I think this one and The Sound of Music are definitely tied for my favorite musical of all time.

Summer Stock, 1950

(Originally posted: March 9, 2012)
THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Eddie Bracken-- Gene Kelly

Director: Charles Walters

Choreography: Nick Castle

Stars: Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Eddie Bracken, Gloria DeHaven

Jane (Garland) has to deal with getting the crops in and taking care of her family's farm all by herself because her sister Abigail (DeHaven) has left for school. But Abigail is scheduled to return and when she does, Jane is sure she will help out. Instead, Abigail brings all her friends with her- to use the barn to put on a great production. Jane is upset, especially when she meets Joe (Kelly), the director, and they don't get along. But they workout a deal so that Joe and the rest will work on the farm every morning to earn their keep.

But when Abigail and the male lead decide to leave for a better job in New York, Joe convinces Jane to take on the female lead, so they don't have to return all the money from the ticket sales.

Sorry, Fred, but Gene is my favorite dancer! Fred was suave and elegant; Gene was athletic and powerful. And both were BRILLIANT, with all capitals. I guess Gene was better looking, anyway, and that may be part of the reason.

Hello, Dolly! 1969

Director: Gene Kelly

Choreographer: Michael Kidd

Stars: Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, Michael Crawford

With a director like Gene Kelly and a choreographer like (my favorite) Michael Kidd, how can you go wrong?)

I'm ending my month of musicals with one of the very, very best.

Matchmaker and widow Dolly Levi (Streisand) has set her sights on Horace Vandergelder (Matthau), and it's quite an adventure, how she wins his heart. And while Vandergelder's gone to New York to woo a different woman, his employees Cornelius (Crawford) and Barnaby ditch their store duties and escape to New York for some adventure, and they won't come home until they've each kissed a girl. Well, when you make that vow, something great is bound to happen, right?

My favorite part is the dancing waiters in the Harmonia Gardens restaurant, and when they dance with Dolly and sing "Hello, Dolly". And "Sunday Clothes" runs a close second. Wonderful movie!

Singin' in the Rain, 1952

Director: Stanley Donan, Gene Kelly

Choreographer:

Stars: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse

Silent film star Don Lockwood (Kelly) and his on-screen partner Lina Lamont (Hagen) need to start making the transition to "talking pictures" like all the other Hollywood studios are doing. The problem is: Lina has the most awful voice! She works as a silent film star, but in public, the studio keeps her from talking at all costs!

On the way to one of his studio parties, Don meets Kathy (Reynolds), who doesn't fall for his tricks, and promptly puts the great star in his place. Then, unfortunately for her, their paths cross again at the party, where she is one of the hired dancers for entertainment.

Don can't stop thinking about Kathy, which is probably because she was the first girl not to fall for any of his lines, as his friend Cosmo (O'Connor) told him. When they accidentally meet again, he doesn't waste any time letting her know how he feels, and their romance begins. But Lina is still a problem. Not only is her voice horrendous, but she also seems to think that she and Don should be together.

This is the greatest American musical ever made! I think this one and The Sound of Music are definitely tied for my favorite musical of all time.

An American in Paris, 1951

Director: Vincente Minelli

Choreographer: Gene Kelly

Stars: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant

Good stuff. This is one of those musicals that I put in and half-watch. I know my favorite parts and musical sequences and for the rest of it, I kinda--well, write movie reviews and think of other things. I love Gene, but this one does get boring, and I admit it. Especially during the 20 minute ballet at the end. I'm not kidding.

Still--Oh, to have danced with Gene!!

Jerry Mulligan (Kelly) is an ex-GI living in Paris, enjoying the beautiful city and painting it all in his own way. When a wealthy woman buys one of his paintings, he attends a party with her, where he catches sight of Lise (Caron), and falls for her. But wooing her isn't as easy as he had hoped, especially after he finds out she is engaged.

FACT: Leslie Caron was actually discovered by Gene Kelly, and it was for this role.

Summer Stock, 1950

Director: Charles Walters

Choreography: Nick Castle

Stars: Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Eddie Bracken, Gloria DeHaven

Jane (Garland) has to deal with getting the crops in and taking care of her family's farm all by herself because her sister Abigail (DeHaven) has left for school. But Abigail is scheduled to return and when she does, Jane is sure she will help out. Instead, Abigail brings all her friends with her- to use the barn to put on a great production. Jane is upset, especially when she meets Joe (Kelly), the director, and they don't get along. But they workout a deal so that Joe and the rest will work on the farm every morning to earn their keep.

But when Abigail and the male lead decide to leave for a better job in New York, Joe convinces Jane to take on the female lead, so they don't have to return all the money from the ticket sales.

Sorry, Fred, but Gene is my favorite dancer! Fred was suave and elegant; Gene was athletic and powerful. And both were BRILLIANT, with all capitals. I guess Gene was better looking, anyway, and that may be part of the reason.

On the Town, 1949

This week, it's pretty much about Gene Kelly.....

Director: Stanley Donan, Gene Kelly

Choreographer: I think this might be Gene Kelly, but neither Wikipedia nor Imdb are clear....

Stars: Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett, Ann Miller, Vera-Ellen, Jules Munshin

Gabey (Kelly), Chip (Sinatra), and Ozzie (Munshin) are three sailors on 24 hours leave in New York, so they hit the town. When Gabey sees a poster of a "Miss Turnstiles" (Vera-Ellen) in the subway, he thinks she's famous, and then seeing her right there in person, he falls for her quickly. So the guys' plan to see the town and meet girls becomes a reality as they hop in a cab driven by Hildy (Garrett)- who turns out to only have eyes for Chip- and head to a museum, where they run into anthropologist Claire (Miller), who falls for Ozzie, her very own prehistoric man. All the while they're searching for Ivy - that's Miss Turnstiles' real name.

But Ivy isn't famous, and of course, she feels awful for deceiving Gabey. But he continues to look for her, even after she runs away again! And who would have thought that a sailor on leave in New York would find romance with a small town girl- from HIS own small town, even!

Only in New York....or rather, Hollywood. This musical is notable because it was filmed in both Hollywood and New York on location, and apparently "on-location" wasn't done back then. Or perhaps not very often. But Gene Kelly insisted.

I absolutely adore the dresses! Check out Hildy's dress on the roof when she and Frank Sinatra are singing "You're Awful". And the green and plaid dress Ann Miller wears during "Prehistoric Man". Wow! So cool!

Black Friday Movies!

Every Black Friday, and the week leading up to it, I always pay attention to the movie sales around town. Target, Walmart, and Big Lots, especially.

I love Target's deals. In the past I have been able to get seasons of my favorite tv shows for $12! Now that is a great price! Usually the price is above $30, and here I get it for $12!

Plus, some movie deals are absolutely brilliant: last year I bought "17 Again" (shut up- I LOVE LOVE LOVE Zac Efron) for $1.99.

This year, here's my list of deals:

Monday:

Target: I found "It Happened to Jane" for $4.99! I love this movie, and reviewed it a couple months ago. It is completely worth owning, and I was very happy to get it for such a great price.

Big Lots: "Ocean's Eleven" for $5! YAY!! See my review of this one a few months ago to see just how excited about this deal I really am!!!!!!!!!!

Black Friday:

Target: "Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian" for only $3.99! I really like these movies, and this one is a gift. I also found "The Princess Bride" for $3.99, and though I own it already, I bought it because mine has a scratch and I miss some of it every time I watch. And this is a better deal than my other deal last year!

Big Lots: "Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer" for $3. Shut up, I am a fan. Probably my biggest celebrity crush of all time- that's Gene Kelly. I know he's dead, but I still dream about him sweeping me off my feet, sometimes....

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" for $1.88. For it being such a classic, I think that was probably the best deal of the day! Or maybe not, since people are not watching classics anymore, it seems.

"Her Alibi" for $3. Okay, I did something I have NEVER done before. I bought a movie I have never seen before. I didn't take that much of a risk, so it's fine if I hate it. It's starring Tom Selleck and some girl I've never heard of, and I have a crush on Tom Selleck, so I hope I like it.

Time to knit Christmas presents and watch movies. :)