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. | |
| No Gene Scene rating: (not reviewed) | |
 | Web sites featuring Tunnel of Love Internet Movie Database entry |
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. |
| Gene Scene rating: 0 stars (out of 4) | |
 |
available in VHS from Amazon.com |
 | available in DVD from Amazon.com |
| Web sites featuring Viva Knieval! Internet Movie Database entry |
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! | |
 | Gene Scene rating: 3 stars (out of 4) |
 |
This film is not available on VHS. |
| available in DVD from Amazon.com |
| Web sites featuring What a Way to Go! Internet Movie Database entry |
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! |
| Gene Scene rating: 2 stars (out of 4) for the movie, but Gene's number gets 4 plus stars! |
|
available in VHS from Amazon.com |
| available in DVD from Amazon.com |
| Web sites featuring Words and Music Class Act Movie Musicals Internet Movie Database entry |
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 ELO 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? |
| Gene Scene rating: 1 star (out of 4) |
|
available in VHS from Amazon.com PAL VHS available - Europe only |
| available in DVD from Amazon.com Region 2 DVD available - Europe only |
| Web sites featuring Xanadu Class Act Movie Musicals Internet Movie Database entry |
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. |
| Gene Scene rating: 1 star (out of 4) |
|
available in VHS from Amazon.com |
| available in DVD from Amazon.com |
| Web sites featuring Young Girls of Rochefort Internet Movie Database entry |
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! |
| Gene Scene rating: 3 stars (out of 4) |
|
available in VHS from Amazon.com PAL VHS available - Europe only |
| available in DVD from Amazon.com |
 | new and used CDs from half.com |
| Web sites featuring Ziegfeld Follies Class Act Movie Musicals Internet Movie Database entry |
