Born Aug. 23, 1912, in Pittsburgh, dazzling entertainer Gene Kelly was dancing from childhood. He supported himself with odd jobs until he got his break on Broadway as a choreographer and star of "Pal Joey." In 1942, he made an impressive film debut opposite Judy Garland in For Me and My Gal.In the '40s, Kelly excelled at musicals (Anchors Aweigh) and dramas (The Cross of Lorraine). But his greatest accomplishments would come in the next decade. In 1949, he teamed with director Stanley Donen for three revolutionary movie musicals: On the Town, An American in Paris and Singin' in the Rain, resulting in an Honorary Academy Award for Kelly in 1952.
As an actor and occasional director, Kelly shone in Brigadoon, Invitation to the Dance, Les Girls, Inherit the Wind and Hello Dolly (1969). He made his final film appearance in That's Entertainment III (1994). He died Feb. 2, 1996.
AddSingin' in the RainGene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor combine their talents in one of the greatest big-screen musicals ever made, a two-time Oscar nominee that includes the songs "Good Morning," "Make 'Em Laugh" and the iconic title tune. When Hollywood attempts the transition from silent films to... Read More
AddInherit the WindSpencer Tracy (in one of his best roles) as lawyer Henry Drummond and Fredric March as Matthew Harrison Brady square off as opposing attorneys in this blistering courtroom drama about the famed 1930s "Scopes Monkey Trial," where a Tennessee teacher was taken to task for teaching Darwinism in the... Read More
AddXanaduConcerned about angst-ridden artist Sonny Malone (Michael Beck), Zeus dispatches winsome muse Kira (Olivia Newton-John) to Earth to inspire the painter. Kira hooks Sonny up with wealthy Danny McGuire (Gene Kelly) -- a musician Kira buoyed decades earlier -- and the trio revamps a vacant building... Read More
AddBrigadoonGene Kelly stumbles across the enchanted town of Brigadoon, which appears from the Scottish mists only one day each century in this film version of the Lerner and Lowe musical. In the course of this magical day, Kelly falls for Cyd Charisse and must decide whether to leave the real world behind and... Read More
AddOn the TownNew York, New York, it's a helluva town! Especially if you're sailors Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin, on leave and ready for fun in New York City in this Oscar-winning musical comedy. But they only have 24 hours in the Big Apple. Gabey (Kelly), Chip (Sinatra) and Ozzie (Munshin) each... Read More
