Gene Kelly is an American choreographer, dancer and actor. He was one of the best choreographers of his time, became the author of a special style. Kelly had a huge influence on the cinema of his time, proving that men can excel in dance.
Gene Kelly's name is inextricably linked to the art of film dancing. In the Hollywood music films of the forties, he became a leading figure. Based on Kelly's unique ballet style, the film industry has been seriously influenced.
Dancing and Cinema
Eugene Curran Kelly was born in Pittsburgh in 1912, on August 23. The father of five children growing up in a family loved sports. He poured a skating rink in winter and everyone got the opportunity to go ice skating. The children were looking forward to this time.
With fifteen, Gene was engaged in semi-professional hockey. He liked football, gymnastics and baseball. The boy's mother loved the theater. She became the initiator of her son’s dancing. At first, Gene didn’t want to listen: peers made fun of him. However, the boy soon discovered that girls prefer those who know how to move. Opinion about dancing has changed a lot.
In 1929, Kelly entered Pennsylvania College. The family lost all their savings due to the Great Depression. Since 1929, the situation has worsened for ten years in the country. The student returned home. He moved to the University of Pittsburgh to spend less on food and housing. The young man worked part time to pay for his studies: he dug ditches, worked at gas stations.
Gene's mother got a job as a secretary. She also worked part-time at a local dance school. As a result, the woman had the idea to open her choreographic studio. As a result, everything worked out. The success was huge. After Jin graduated from university, he began teaching dance. The case lasted six years.
In 1937, Kelly moved to New York. The dancer considered that he had enough talent to pick up a good job there. A place in the theater was offered to him in the first week of his stay. Had a young dancer to be on television. He worked as a host. He was attracted by producers from Hollywood.
After watching the show, Kelly was offered a contract with Metro Goldwyn Mayer. Gene imprisoned him and immediately got the main role in the film "For Me and My Girl" with Judy Garland in 1942.
Kinotans
The painting 1944 "Cover Girl" was a breakthrough for the artist. Film criticism praised his dance with a mirror, that is, by himself. The complex number is called Alter Ego. The hero dances with himself, but as if against himself.
The production turned Kelly into a star and allowed him to contract with MGM. Gene-produced dance numbers have grown in popularity. Elements of this art were included in films with his participation without fail.
The experiments continued in "Raise Anchors", "American in Paris", "Invitation to the Dance." The first productions relied on the established principles of musical cinema. In 1946, for the "Raise Anchors" artist for the first time nominated for an Oscar. He was dancing in a movie with a multi-hero, Jerry from the popular animated series.
Kelly basically starred in musicals. He created his own choreographic system. In it, the novice dancer took into account the staging of the camera and its movement. The result was an innovative technique of American dance. She significantly differed from the usual formal and ballet styles of European dances.
Gene's version looked more athletic and energetic.
In 1952, Kelly's real masterpiece came out. His "Singing in the Rain" became the finest hour of the artist. The comedy of the late twenties narrated the transition to sound cinema.
Dance with an umbrella with rain turned into a symbol of happiness and a dream come true.
Gene set all his famous numbers only himself. He enthusiastically used special effects, applied the latest ideas. The choreographer tried to create something on the screen that no one had done before his appearance, he constantly introduced new elements.
Family life
Together with Natalie Wood, the actor starred in 1960. The romantic drama "Reaping the Storm" Marjorie Morningstar was a good continuation of his career. Interest in musicals gradually decreased. In the sixties he died out. Kelly returned to television. He starred for programs, worked as a director, was a producer, played the main character in a film for children. For this work, Gene won an Emmy.
The last significant work of the artist is called "Xanadu." They made the film in 1980. Kelly received three dozen different awards. In his film portfolio, more than thirty paintings. In 1941, Jean married Betsy Blair. The daughter of Kerry appeared in the family. Husband and wife broke up in 1957.
New darling, dancer and actress Joan Coyne. became the wife of the performer in 1960. Two children were born in the marriage, Bridget and Tim. Lovers parted only with the death of Joan. The actor’s last marriage was the marriage of a very mature student to Patricia Ward in 1990.
The honorary Academy Award was presented to Gene in 1951. His talent as a singer, actor, dancer and director was recognized. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1985. In 1994, President Kelly presented the National Medal of Arts.
