Gene Kelly The Legacy

28/10/2026

I do love this behind-the-scenes photo From the Three Musketeers (1948) of Gene with Keenan Wynn (Planchett) and June Allyson (Constance). Gene looks no different than he did when I was with him, except for the air and mustache. The relaxed angle reminds me of when he had to keep his leg elevated to reduce swelling. To pass the time, I read to him. Yes, it was heaven.

25/10/2026

Here's another film you might not have seen—Thousands Cheer (1943). Gene plays Private Eddie Marsh and is seen here, confined to his quarters, dancing with a mop. Gene said this was the first number he choreographed and staged for the movies. The studio didn't have a song for him, so he created the dance to "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." In it you will see Gene dancing on bar tops (something he did as a young man in Pittsburgh). It is one of my favorite numbers. I include it in my one-woman show and it always gets a laugh and a big round of applause. Please check it out on YouTube if you haven't seen it or if you just need something to brighten your day.

20/10/2026

This is from a movie many of you might not have seen. It is called "It's a Big Country: An American Anthology" (1951). It is essentially a propaganda film conveying a patriotic message about unity and diversity. Gene plays a Greek man named Icarus Xenophon who owns an ice cream parlor, and Janet Leigh plays Hungarian-American secretarial student Rosa Szabo in one of the segments titled "Rosika the Rose." Rosa's father, played by S.Z. Sakall, objects to a relationship between Icarus and Rosa. I saw Janet Leigh on several occasions, at big events and, also, at a party at her home with Bob Brandt. It was clear the feelings being Janet and Gene were mutual admiration and affection. Janet and her then husband Tony Curtis performed along with Gene at John F. Kennedy's Inaugural gala, January 19, 1961 at the National Guard Armory in Washington, D.C. The evening was organized and hosted by their dear friend Frank Sinatra who was then one of JFK's biggest supporters.

12/10/2026

Last night, thanks Sergi Nakaidze, I had the opportunity to the brilliant Georgian National Ballet - "Sukhishvili" - under the direction of Nino Sukhishvili, whose grandparents, Iliko and Nino Sukhishvili, founded the company in 1945. Gene loved this company and I've followed it since their visit to Los Angeles in 2007. Now my next goal is to see them in Georgia! I'm in the black and white checks, standing next to Nino in the black dress. The company is headed on a lengthy tour. Please check out their website to see if they are appearing near you. Trust me, you will not be disappointed!

10/10/2026

I know this shot from Anchors Aweigh (1945) is a fan favorite as I've heard from a lot of you about it. It is funny to see Frank Sinatra playing against type as the guy who can't get a girl and Gene is the ladies' man. In real life, Frank couldn't walk down the street without being mobbed. Gene was with him one day and Gene, too, got mobbed, even though he was wearing his uniform from the Navy. He said he had to show up at the base in Anacostia out of uniform.

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09/10/2026

This is a powerful scene in Summer Stock (1950) when Gene overhears Judy Garland singing the Harry Warren/ Mack Gordon song "Friendly Star." She sings it beautifully and the lyrics are heart rending: "There's a star for everyone / Brightly shining in the sky...But I can't seem to find / The one the heavens assigned to me." I've always said that the chemistry between Gene and Judy is palpable and I think it is especially so in this scene.

08/10/2026

Another talented individual inspired by Gene!I hope you can catch one of his tour dates!

We sat down for an exclusive interview with Romain Rachline Borgeaud, the artistic director, choreographer and producer of STORIES. Fusing contemporary tap dance and urban jazz, STORIES - The Tap Dance Sensation is a bold and energetic production that tells the story of Icarus, a successful young ac...

03/10/2026

It's hard to get much better than this! Gene visiting his friend Yul Brynner on the set of Once More, with Feeling! in Paris in 1959. Directed by Stanley Donen, the movie involved many of Gene's dear friends, including Kay Kendall, the writer Harry Kurnitz, and the production designer Alexandre Trauner.

01/10/2026

Perhaps a good day to post this photo of Gene and Julie Andrews rehearsing a number for her television special in 1965, since today is her 91st birthday. Gene adored her. I love the expressions on both of their faces.

30/09/2026

Here are Gene and his friend Jackie Gleason on the set of Gigot (1962) in Paris. Gene told me that when he arrived in Paris, Gleason told him the script was "unworkable," so the two of them got together in Gleason's suite at the George V Hotel each night until dawn and pounded out a new version of the story. I must admit that I love the cat's name: Rhubarb.