Just wanted to let some of our younger friends in on some artistic dancing of the highest order - Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. Did you notice the common denominator? Cyd or "Legs" Charisse was probably the best and sexiest woman dancer of the 40s and 50s. I know that everybody thinks of Ginger Rogers when they hear mentioned Fred Astaire's dancing partner but Astaire referred to Cyd Charisse as "Beautiful Dynamite." Originally a ballet dancer, Cyd used some of those moves with her long legs and got the censors board so nervous that they had people checking her out on the set every day to make sure she was well covered.
When Gene Kelly asked what she'd like engraved on her gravestone, Cyd Charisse replied: ' People sometimes had a problem placing her face, but they never forgot her pins.'
And then she asked what Kelly wanted on his. 'Here lies Gene Kelly. He danced with Cyd Charisse,' he replied.
Without trying that hard, she introduced sex into dances that she performed in movies such as "Singing in the Rain," "The Bandwagon" and many others. I think that a lot of singers who dance in their videos would be samrt to watch every Cyd Charisse movie with Fred Astare and Gene Kelly. She died in March 2008.
Hal,
You should check out " so you think you can dance"
You will see a fresh new line up of outrageous talented kids coming down the pike....with amazingly creative choreographers to highlighting their talents!
"Singin' In the Rain" is one of my favorite movies. I used to love Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire movies. I always wished I could dance, but alas, I'm a klutz.
Melissa, I have watched Astaire dancing so many times I have lost count. But if you watch him very closely you will notice he choreographs everything from smoking a cigarette to dancing the most difficult steps imaginable. He nails it every time.
David, while technicolor lasted (until the early 1950s) it was one of the best, if not the best process for films ever. The problems were cost and working with the dye transfer methods that the big studios wanted to eliminate in order to make their own cheaper color process. That's why some of the 50s and 60s color films were some of the worst ever. It was an age of growth and experimentation away from the "expensive" technicolor process. Also technicolor because of the dyes didn't last that long. But if you have ever seen "The Adventures of Robin Hood" with Errol Flynn you would see one of the very best technicolor films ever made.
Marlene I watch that show every time I get the chance to (when The Yankees aren't playing). You are right about that show. I have seen some leaps and moves that would even make Rudolf Nureyev jealous.
I'm like you MM. But my problem is I have two right feet because I'm a conservative. :)
Thanks, Harold for posting this! After watching it I had to watch Gene Kelly's Singing in the Rain segment...had to be one of the best ever done in my humble opinion! Great to see it again!
She actually was not as tall as she looked-5'7"-but she had a perfect form and long legs. If you notice the camera angles on the one with Gene Kelly they are never side by side or when close she is bent at the knees. Gene Kelly was also 5'7" and with her shoes, she was taller than he was (he also spends a lot of time on his toes there).
I was blessed to see Ginger Rogers way back in '94 - she
was 92 years young, yet still had a radiant smile. Arthritis
had confined her to a wheelchair, but she was still that star!
