Gene Kelly's Films
For Me and My Gal (1942, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Harry Palmer)
Judy Garland (Jo Hayden)
George Murphy (Jimmy Metcalfe)
Directed by Busby Berkeley
Hot on the heels of Pal Joey on Broadway, Gene's movie
debut is as the Joey-like conceited yet charming hoofer
Harry Palmer. The WWI plot about vaudeville is corny and
predictable, but great fun. Kelly and Garland shine
together, and he always credited Judy with teaching him
how to act for the camera.
Pilot No. 5 (1943, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Vito Alessandro)
Franchot Tone(George Collins)
Marsha Hunt(Freddie)
Van Johnson (Everett Arnold)
Directed by George Sidney
Set during WWII, a group of Allied soldiers decide what to
do as Japanese forces move closer. There are five pilots,
but only one plane left. As "Pilot No. 5" (Tone) leaves for
the risky mission, the others tell stories about him via
flashbacks. Although the script is somewhat weak, the acting
is good and Kelly proves his worth as a straight dramatic actor.
DuBarry Was a Lady (1943, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Alec Howe/The Black Arrow)
Red Skelton (Louis Blore/King Louis)
Lucille Ball (May Daly/Madame DuBarry)
Directed by Roy del Ruth
Other than a rousing group dance with a chorus line and Gene
singing the ballad "Do I Love You?," there's not much here.
All of Cole Porter's racier songs were cut out, and many of
the 40s jokes don't hold up. The setting is a Broadway
nightclub where both Alec and Louis are in love with May,
and May is in love with money, which neither has. When Louis
wins the sweepstakes, he has his chance, but after a dream
sequence set in the time of King Louis XI in France, he has
second thoughts.
Thousands Cheer (1943, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Eddy Marsh)
Kathryn Grayson (Kathryn Jones)
Every Major MGM Star in a guest role!
Directed by George Sidney
An amusing story about reluctant GI Marsh falling for the
daughter of his camp commander. MGM decided to beef up the
plot with a "show" at the base, and while Mickey Rooney,
Judy Garland, Eleanor Powell, and the others are good, it
takes away from the already thin plot. The highlight:
Gene's first major choreographical achievement --The Mop
Dance to "Let Me Call You Sweetheart."
The Cross of Lorraine (1943, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Victor)
Jean-Pierre Aumont (Paul)
Sir Cedric Hardwicke (Father Sebastian)
Directed by Tay Garnett
A fine dramatic effort by Kelly as one of a group of French
soldiers captured by the Germans in World War II.
Cover Girl (1944, Columbia)
Gene Kelly (Danny McGuire)
Rita Hayworth (Rusty Parker)
Phil Silvers (Genius)
Directed by Charles Vidor
Gene Kelly's breakthrough musical was NOT with MGM, and
Cover Girl was so popular that the studio never loaned him
out again. This is the first sign that Gene wasn't the
ordinary musical film star--the classic alter ego number
in which Gene dances with...Gene! Even in this computer age
the number looks amazing. Gene is also great with Rita in
"Put Me to the Test" and "Long Ago and Far Away." Phil
Silvers is a worthy comic cohort.
Christmas Holiday (1944, Universal)
Gene Kelly (Robert Manette)
Deanna Durbin (Abigail Martin)
Directed by Robert Siodmak
Gene as a charming, psychotic, homosexual murderer? This
was Deanna's first grown-up dramatic role as the wife of
a charming but dangerous man. An excellent example of film
noir, Gene gives a good performance, underplaying the
evilness of the character.
Anchors Aweigh (1945, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Joe Brady)
Frank Sinatra (Clarence Doolittle)
Kathryn Grayson (Susan Abbott)
Dean Stockwell (Donald Martin)
Directed by George Sidney
Gene gained an Academy Award nomination for his role as
the girl-chasing sailor, Joe Brady, on the prowl in
Hollywood with the naive Clarence. See Gene dance with
Jerry the Mouse in "The Worry Song," the first use of
live action and animation in film. Perhaps a bit too
long, the film is great nonetheless thanks to songs like
"I Begged Her," "We Hate to Leave," and the charming bandit
dance.
Ziegfeld Follies (1946, MGM)
Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire in "The Babbit and the Bromide"
Directed by Vincente Minnelli
"The Babbit and the Bromide," one of a sequence of lavish
musical numbers representing Ziegfeld Follies, is the only
time Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly danced together on film
(with the exception of That's Entertainment II when they
were considerably older.) Charming!
Living in a Big Way (1947, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Leo Gogarty)
Marie MacDonald (Margaud Morgan)
Directed by Gregory La Cava
A comic look at the return of a soldier to the wife he knew
all of three days. The movie would fall flat if not for Gene,
the character actors playing the bride's family, and two musical
numbers (including "Fido and Me," a dance with a talented dog).
The Pirate (1948, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Serafin)
Judy Garland (Manuela)
Walter Slezak (Don Pedro Vargas)
The Nicholas Brothers
Directed by Vincente Minnelli
Manuela dreams of romance on the high seas with Macoco the
pirate. Unbeknownst to her, the boring town mayor--her
fiancee--is the ruthless Mack the Black. Serafin is the
actor who falls in love with Manuela. Although this witty
fantasy/parody did not fare well at the box office, few can
deny that The Pirate is a musical treasure. Highlights are
the Pirate ballet, the Nicholas Brothers pairing with Gene,
and Judy's fantastic "Mack the Black" number.
The Three Musketeers (1948, MGM)
Gene Kelly (D'Artagnan)
Lana Turner (Lady de Winter)
June Allyson (Constance)
Van Heflin (Athos)
Angela Lansbury (Queen Anne)
Directed by George Sidney
Rousing version of the Dumas classic in luscious Technicolor.
Gene, as D'Artagnan, shows that he can swash and buckle with
the best, and he has a great time doing it. Be prepared to
hear the theme to "Romeo and Juliet" about a hundred times...
Words and Music (1948, MGM)
Mickey Rooney (Lorenz Hart)
Tom Drake (Richard Rodgers)
Directed by Norman Taurog
Musical Direction by Robert Alton
A biopic of songwriters Rodgers and Hart, the movie itself is
worth forgetting. However, sprinkled throughout are musical
numbers by the many guest stars. The reason to watch is the
sensual and dramatic dance by Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen to
"Slaughter On Tenth Avenue." Superbly choreographed by Gene
and brilliantly performed, the number is perhaps Gene's
greatest moment on film, truly a masterpiece!
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Eddie O'Brien)
Frank Sinatra (Dennis Ryan)
Jules Munshin (Nat Goldberg)
Esther Williams (K.C. Higgins)
Betty Garrett (Shirley Delwyn)
Directed by Busby Berkeley
Likable story, co-written by Kelly and Donen, of two baseball
players who find the man's world of professional baseball
shaken when a woman takes over as club owner. The film is
highlighted by Gene's energetic dance to "The Hat My Father
Wore On St. Patrick's Day." With Munshin, Sinatra, and Garrett,
a virutal dry-run for On the Town!
On the Town (1949, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Gaby)
Frank Sinatra (Chip)
Jules Munshin (Ozzie)
Vera-Ellen (Ivy)
Betty Garrett (Brunhilde)
Ann Miller (Claire)
Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
This breakthrough film marks Kelly's and Donen's first
co-directorial effort and sets new standards for the screen
musical. On-location shooting and innovative editing add to
the fun when three sailors on a one-day pass set out to see
New York and find romance. Corny, but great fun!
The Black Hand (1950, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Johnny Columbo)
J. Carrol Naish (Louis Lorelli)
Teresa Celli (Isabella Gomboli)
Directed by Richard Thorpe
Gene delivers an excellent dramatic performance in this
well-plotted and atmospheric story. Gene plays a young
Italian-American man determined to avenge his father's
murder by the Mafia in turn-of-the-century New York.
Summer Stock (1950, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Joe Ross)
Judy Garland (Jane Falbury)
Gloria DeHaven (Abigail Falbury)
Eddie Bracken (Orville Wingait)
Phil Silvers (Herb Blake)
Directed by Charles Walters
Gene and Judy Garland are teamed here for the last time. A
woman allows her farm to be used by a company of players to
prepare a Broadway show and finds love - and a musical
career - in the process. Pretty standard "Hey, kids, let's
put on a show" fare, but highly enjoyable. Musically, this
film is especially noteworthy for Gene's inventive newspaper/
squeaky-board dance.
An American in Paris (1951, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Jerry Mulligan)
Leslie Caron (Lise Bouvier)
Oscar Levant (Adam Cook)
Georges Guetary (Henri Bourel)
Directed by Vincente Minnelli
Academy Award winner about an ex-patriot GI who stays in
post-war Paris to paint and finds love. The film combines
great music by the Gershwins, great direction by Minnelli, and
great choreography by Kelly in the 15 minute ballet he created
to end the movie with. "Who could ask for anything more?"
It's a Big Country (1952, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Icarus Xenophon)
Janet Leigh (Rosa Szabo)
Directed by various directors
Despite a remarkably talented cast, this is an unremarkable
anthology of stories celebrating life in America. In "Rosita,
The Rose," Gene portrays a man of Greek heritage who courts
and marries a young Hungarian-American and overcomes her
father's prejudice - with a cup of coffee.
Love is Better Than Ever(1952, MGM)
Elizabeth Taylor
Directed by Stanley Donen
Gene has a cameo appearance in Stanley's solo venture. Liz
thinks that guy looks awfully like Gene Kelly...!
Singin' in the Rain (1952,MGM)
Gene Kelly (Don Lockwood
Donald O'Connor(Cosmo Brown)
Debbie Reynolds(Kathy Seldon)
Jean Hagen(Lina Lamont)
Cyd Charisse
Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
What can be said about what is perhaps the greatest screen
musical ever filmed? A comic treatment of Hollywood's
conversion to talkies, Singin' in the Rain offers enormous
talent and great fun. The title number is probably the best
known, and Gene's sheer exuberance over being in love is
timeless. Donald O'Connor's "Make 'Em Laugh" is incredible,
as is Debbie's fresh-faced portrayal of Kathy Seldon and Jean
Hagen's remarkable Lina. If you somehow haven't seen this film
yet, you're sick. Please join in the fun soon!
The Devil Makes Three (1952, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Capt. Jeff Eliot)
Pier Angeli (Wilhelmina Lehrt)
Directed by Andrew Marton
A flawed, yet intriguing film about a flier who returns to
Germany after WWII and falls in love with a young woman
caught in a dangerous plot to revive the Nazi Party.
On-location shooting at historical sites in Munich, Salzburg,
and Berchtesgaden add special interest.
Brigadoon (1954, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Tommy Albright)
Van Johnson (Jeff Douglas)
Cyd Charisse (Fiona Campbell)
Directed by Vincente Minelli
A beautiful, exceedingly romantic story about a disheartened
young man on a hunting trip to Scotland who happens upon an
enchanted village. There he discovers the joy and power of
true love. While the use of backdrops instead of the real hills
of Scotland is distracting, the music is lovely and the dancing
delightful. TV viewing of this CinemaScope film is best in
letterbox format.
Crest of the Wave (1954, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Lt. Bradville)
John Justin (Lt. Wharton)
Directed by John & Roy Boulting
Gene gives an okay performance in an undemanding role in this
story about the post-war testing of submarine weapons. Possibly
of interest to engineering types, the film is disappointing for
those who like good storytelling and character development.
Based on the British play "Seagulls Over Sorrento."
Deep in My Heart (1955, MGM)
Jose Ferrar (Sigmund Romberg)
Directed by Stanley Donen
In this biopic of songwriter Sigmund Romberg, several MGM stars
are presented in song and dance numbers representing the
composer's works. Perhaps the most off-beat, un-Romberg-like
song is Kelly's appearance. Joined with brother Fred for their
ONLY screen appearance, they perform vaudeville-style to "I Love
to Go Swimmin' With Wimmen," which most likely reflects the
repertoire that the Kelly Brothers performed in the late 20s and
early 30s in Pittsburgh.
It's Always Fair Weather (1955, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Ted Riley)
Cyd Charisse (Jackie Leighton)
Dan Dailey (Doug Hallerton)
Michael Kidd (Angie Valentine)
Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
A superior, yet under-appreciated musical, unusual for its
darker, more thoughtful message. Three war buddies reunite
after ten years and find that they have become strangers. Gene's
happy tap dance on roller skates (which is oddly remeniscent of
his "Singin' in the Rain" dance) and the famous dance on trash
can lids are not to be missed.
Kelly's and Donen's clever use of the CinemaScope wide screen
will be lost on TV, however, except in the letterbox format.
Invitation to the Dance (1956, MGM)
with Igor Youskevitch
Tamara Toumanova
Claire Sombert
Carol Haney
Directed by Gene Kelly
This is an experimental, very personal film that was conceived,
written, directed, choreographed, and performed by Gene in an
attempt to promote public awareness and appreciation of dance.
The film is made up of three stories - "Circus," "Ring Around
The Rosie," and "Sinbad The Sailor" - all uniquely different in
style, all dramatized through dance and music alone. Innovative
in concept and execution, the film showcases Gene's impressive
range as a dancer. Though falling short of greatness, it stands
out as a praiseworthy and admirable effort by Gene to share his
love of dance with others.
The Happy Road (1957, Kerry Prod./MGM)
Gene Kelly (Mike Andrews)
Barbara Laage (Suzanne)
Bobby Clark (Danny)
Brigette Fossey (Janine)
Directed by Gene Kelly
Cultural differences cause complications as two single parents,
one French and one American, unite to search for their two
runaway children along the road to Paris. A pleasant diversion,
filmed in France. You'll recognize shades of a young Don
Lockwood or Jerry Mulligan in Bobby Clark's role.
Les Girls (1957, MGM)
Gene Kelly (Barry Nichols)
Kay Kendall(Sybil Wren)
Mitzi Gaynor(Joy Henderson)
Taina Elg(Angele Ducros)
Directed by George Cukor
Perhaps Gene's most under-rated musical!
A comic story about American performer Barry Nichols and "Les
Girls": Joy, the sensible American; Sybil, the flighty Briton;
and Angele, the tempermental French woman. Gene does a comic
imitation of Marlon Brando in "Why Am I So Gone About That
Girl?" The film was Gene's last musical for MGM.
Marjorie Morningstar (1958, Warners)
Gene Kelly (Noel Airman)
Natalie Wood (Marjorie Morningstar)
Directed by Irving Rapper
In a role that is a departure for him, Gene gives a first-rate
performance as a second-rate entertainer, whose love for a young
woman inspires him to ambitions beyond his abilities and nearly
destroys him.
The Tunnel of Love (1958, MGM)
Doris Day (Isolde Poole)
Richard Widmark (Augie Poole)
Directed by Gene Kelly
A glib sex comedy about a married couple's attempts to have a
child. This was Gene's final project to complete his contract
with MGM.
Inherit the Wind (1960, Stanley Kramer/UA)
Spencer Tracy (Henry Drummond)
Fredric March (Matthew Harrison Brady)
Gene Kelly (E. K. Hornbeck)
Directed by Stanley Kramer
Gene holds his own alongside screen greats Spencer Tracy and
Fredric March, performing impressively as a cynical newspaperman
in this outstanding screen adaptation of the well-known play
based on the Scopes "monkey trial."
Let's Make Love (1960, 20th Century Fox)
Marilyn Monroe (Amanda Dell)
Yves Montand (Jean-Marc Clement)
Directed by George Cukor
Gene plays himself in an amusing cameo appearance. Playboy Yves
Montand hopes to win Marilyn Monroe's heart. But first he must
learn to sing, dance, and be funny. Gene provides the dance
instruction, while Milton Berle and Bing Crosby help with the
other tasks.
Gigot (1962, 20th Century Fox)
Jackie Gleason (Gigot)
Directed by Gene Kelly
Gigot is a character study of a gentle, mute, kind simpleton
who longs for friendship. Although brilliantly executed by
Gleason and Kelly, and well written by John Patrick (based on
Gleason's story), the film was a dismal failure. Re-edited
against Kelly's knowledge, the final product was not the
classic, warm-hearted story that Kelly and Gleason imagined.
What a Way to Go! (1964, 20th Century Fox)
Shirley MacLaine (Louisa)
Paul Newman (Larry Flint)
Dean Martin (Leonard Crawley)
Gene Kelly (Pinky Benson)
Dick Van Dyke (Edgar Hopper)
Robert Mitchum (Rod Anderson)
Directed by J. Lee Thompson
Engaging comedy about a wealthy woman who is distraught over her
lethal effect on men - all of her husbands have met untimely
deaths, leaving her enormously wealthy. Gene is a delight as
Husband Number Four, a humble small-time entertainer who becomes
an overbearingly egotistical screen idol with hilarious - and
fatal - results. Note the "dancing" casket at the start of the
film. Gene does a great Rex Harrison send-up!
The Young Girls of Rochefort (1968, Warners)
Gene Kelly (Andy Miller)
Catherine Deneuve (Delphine Garnier)
Francoise Dorleac (Solange Garnier)
Directed by Jacques Demy
A Demy homage to the Hollywood musical about two talented sisters
and their quest for the ideal man.
A Guide for the Married Man (1967, 20th Century Fox)
Walter Matthau (Paul Manning)
Robert Morse (Ed Stander)
Directed by Gene Kelly
A comical spoof of marital infidelity, directed with ease by
Kelly.
Hello, Dolly! (1969, 20th Century Fox)
Barbra Streisand (Dolly Levi)
Walter Matthau (Horace Vandergelder)
Michael Crawford (Cornelius Hackl)
Directed by Gene Kelly
Tale of a turn-of-the-century widow matchmaker who finds a man
for herself.
The Cheyenne Social Club (1970, National General)
James Stewart (John O'Hanlan)
Henry Fonda (Harley Sullivan)
Shirley Jones (Jenny)
Directed by Gene Kelly
Pleasant comedy about two cowboys who, much to their surprise,
inherit a brothel.
Forty Carats (1973, Columbia)
Liv Ullmann (Ann Stanley)
Edward Albert (Peter Latham)
Gene Kelly (Billy Boylan)
Directed by Milton Katselas
A leisurely-paced romance about a woman who scruples over her
attraction to a much younger man. Gene lights up the screen in
a supporting role as the heroine's charmingly irresponsible
former husband.
That's Entertainment! (1974, MGM)
Directed by Jack Haley, Jr.
Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Elizabeth Taylor, James Stewart,
Mickey Rooney, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds,
Fred Astaire, Liza Minnelli, and Bing Crosby reminisce about
their movie-making days at MGM. Some of Kelly's clips include
"Be a Clown," "La Cumparsita," "The Pirate Ballet," "New York,
New York," and "Broadway Ballet."
That's Entertainment, Part Two (1976, MGM)
Directed by Gene Kelly
Gene and Fred Astaire serve as hosts for the second installment
of this compendium of MGM's best performances. Rather than focus
on musicals alone, Part Two also showcases comedic and dramatic
memories. Some of Kelly's clips in this film are "Good Morning,"
"Sinbad the Sailor," and "I Like Myself." Kelly and Astaire also
sing and dance as they introduce each segment of the film,
marking the only time they danced together on film since Ziegfeld
Follies.
Viva Knieval! (1977, Warner Bros.)
Evel Knieval (himself)
Gene Kelly (Will Atkins)
Lauren Hutton (Kate Morgan)
Directed by Gordon Douglas
Kelly plays Knieval's alcoholic mechanic/mentor in this fictional
account of Knieval's true-life daredevil stunts. This usually
shows up on the late-late-shows, but if you haven't seen it,
don't fret too much.
Xanadu (1980, Universal)
Olivia Newton-John (Kira)
Gene Kelly (Danny McGuire)
Michael Beck (Sonny Malone)
Directed by Robert Greenwald
In an attempt to modernize the old-fashioned musical, Xanadu
combines Big Band and Gene with Crazy 80's electric orange and
Olivia. The result is confusing, yet lovable. Although the movie
is considerably flawed, its saving grace is the fact that it
introduced a whole new generation to Gene Kelly. He steals the
show with Olivia in "Whenever You're Away From Me" and shows
that, at the age of 68, he still has the charm and talent of his
younger days. Hmm, is that the Danny McGuire?
That's Dancing! (1985, MGM)
Directed by Jack Haley, Jr.
Gene serves as executive producer and narrator for this film,
which focuses solely on dance on film. Included are sections on
ballet on film, the filmed Broadway musicals, and film
choreography. Other hosts include Sammy Davis, Jr., Mikhail
Baryshnikov, Ray Bolger, and Liza Minnelli.
That's Entertainment Part III (1994, MGM)
MGM's greatest stars are back for the third time in this
retrospective of their greatest musical numbers. Gene Kelly,
Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Lena Horne, and more reminisce
about their movie-making days.
Cat's Don't Dance
Cat's Don't Dance is an animated feature released on March 26,
1997. Visit the Cats Don't Dance Web Page! The movie is a
musical about a hoofer cat who wants to make the big time. The
main cat is voiced by Scott Bakula, his girlfriend is voiced by
Natalie Cole (singing only--speaking voice is Jasmine Guy), and
Gene Kelly supplied the choreography! Work on the film began in
1993, and it was Mr. Kelly's last project before his death in
1996.
Where do you wanna go next?
You can go on to
Gene Kelly's Biography, or
you can go check out some
quotations that Gene said or others
said about him. You can even go back a page to
Gene Kelly!
And just because you're you, I'll even let you go back to
MGM Magic or even all the way back to
KP's Obsessions!
Have Fun!
Oh, and try not to get lost...