Guest Author - Sandy Mullins
Gene Kelly was born as Eugene Curran Kelly on August 23, 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Gene was on Broadway performing in Rodgers and Hart’s “Pal Joey” when he got his first movie contract with MGM, staring in For Me and My Gal (1942) with Judy Garland. Gene went on to star in 44 movies, directed 13 movies, produced movies, shows and specials and wrote two screenplays. He was also a composer, choreographer and inventor.
Gene achieved many honors during his life.
*First American to choreograph and stage a ballet in the Paris Opera
*Special Academy Award “in appreciation of his versatility as and actor, singer, director and dancer in 1951. (When Gene’s house burned down in 1983, The Academy re awarded Gene his award in 1984.)
*Legion d’honneur by the French government in 1960.
*In 1985, the Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute.
Gene passed away on February 2, 1996 from complications from strokes in Beverly Hills, California. You can catch Gene Kelly’s movies in December and January on Turner Classic Movies, (TCM). Check the list below to see if your favorite movie is being shown:
An American in Paris (1951)
Anchors Aweigh (1945)
Brigadoon (1954)
For Me and My Gal (1942)
It’s Always Fair Weather (1955)
Les Girls (1957)
Living In A Big Way (1947)
On The Town (1949)
Pilot No. 5 (1943)
Singin’ In The Rain (1952)
Summer Stock (1950)
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949)
That’s Entertainment (1974)
That’s Entertainment II (1976)
That’s Entertainment III (1994)
Thousands Cheer (1943)
Three Musketeers, The (1948)
For more information check out the Specialty Channel: Turner Classic Movies (TCM):
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) (Offsite Link)
