Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Hunt, Marilyn, 1937-
2. DHCA.

Description

1. 11 sound cassettes (8 hrs., 38 min.) : analog, mono.

Summary

1. SUMMARY: Cassette 1, side A. Gene Kelly summarizes his early life and career up to the early 1950's with comments on the development of his dance style, then discusses his early life in detail (family, teaching dance, gymnastics, studying with Bernice Holmes, relation of sports to dance, favorite early movies). Cassette 1, side B. Contrasts his style with Fred Astaire's. Discusses his dance training; development of an American dance style; choreographer Robert Alton; his audition for Monte Carlo Ballet Russe. Cassette 2, side A. His appreciation of ballet and modern dance; friendship with modern dancers; why most of his dances express joy; life in New York as an aspiring dancer. Cassette 2, side B. S. Hurok's plans for a dance company for him. Cassette 3, side A. He discusses his early stage work (Pal Joey, Leave it to me); "song and dance men." Cassette 3, side B. Choreographing Pas de dieux for Claude Bessy at the Paris Opéra. Cassette 4, side A. He describes making his first film, For me and my gal; Judy Garland; first encounters with Hollywood; Arthur Freed; Du Barry was a lady; Thousands cheer; Cover girl (Alter Ego number). Cassette 4, side B. Cover girl (Stanley Donen as his assistant, Rita Hayworth); Anchors aweigh (teaching Frank Sinatra to dance, hard work especially important for giving sense of joy on film, evolution of the film).
2. Cassette 5, Side A. The role of his dance assistants (Donen, Carol Haney, Jeannie Coyne); choreographing for the camera; a dancer's typical filming day; working with children; dance as a primal activity. Cassette 5, side B. His cartoon dances in Anchors aweigh and Invitation to the dance. Cassette 6, side A. The Spanish dance in Anchors aweigh (relation of taps to melody and beat); necessity of conventions in film; The Babbitt and the Bromide number in Ziegfeld follies with Astaire; Astaire's style and attitude toward work; his Navy film work. Cassette 6, side B. Infrequent use of stuntmen; The pirate (director Vincente Minnelli, critical over-interpretation, its reception, cuts). Cassette 7, side A. Continues discussion of The pirate (discrimination against black performers); necessity for cooperation in musicals. Cassette 7, side B. Invitation to the dance. Cassette 8, side A. Commissioning the music for Invitation to the dance; critics; film acting contrasted with stage acting. Cassette 8, side B. Slaughter on Tenth Avenue number in Words and music; women dancers and partnerships in movies; Take me out to the ballgame. Cassette 9, side A-B. On the town; Summer stock (Garland, Nick Castle, the squeaky board dance). Cassette 10, side A. An American in Paris; Singin' in the rain (Donald O'Connor). Cassette 10, side B. Singin' in the rain (Debbie Reynolds, Betty Comden and Adolph Green); Brigadoon (working in Cinemascope); Les girls (Jack Cole); directing Flower drum song on Broadway (Carol Haney).
3. Cassette 11, Side A. Directing Hello Dolly; television work ("Dancing is a man's game"); desire to direct more musicals. Cassette 11, Side B is blank.

Alternative title

1. Dance Oral History Project.

Subject

1. Astaire, Fred
2. Alton, Robert, 1897-1957
3. Donen, Stanley
4. Comden, Betty
5. Green, Adolph
6. Cole, Jack, 1911-1974
7. Bessy, Claude
8. Haney, Carol
9. Holmes, Berenice
10. Garland, Judy
11. O'Connor, Donald, 1925-2003
12. Pas de dieux (Choreographic work : Kelly)
13. American in Paris (Motion picture)
14. Motion pictures
15. Choreography
16. Motion picture actors and actresses > United States > Interviews

Call number

1. *MGZTC 3-234

Note

1. Interviewed by Marilyn Hunt in Beverly Hills, California on March 10-14, 1975.
2. Interviewee requested that tape and transcript be consulted simultaneously. For transcript of interview, see: *MGZMT 5-234.

Author

1. Kelly, Gene, 1912-1996, interviewee.

Title

1. Interview with Gene Kelly [sound recording] Interviewed by Marilyn Hunt in Beverly Hills, California on March 10-14, 1975.

Imprint

1. 1975.

Local note

1. Archival original in *MGZTO 5-234. 3 reels (5 in.), 1 7/8 in. per sec.; polyester.
2. Dubbing master in *MGZTD 10-234. 7 1/2 in. per sec.; 11 reels (10 in.); polyester.

Local subject

1. Television. Dancing - a man's game.
2. Musical comedies. Pal Joey.
3. Musical comedies. Flower drum song.
4. Motion pictures. For me and my gal.
5. Motion pictures. Cover girl.
6. Motion pictures. Anchors aweigh.
7. Motion pictures. The pirate.
8. Motion pictures. Invitation to the dance.
9. Motion pictures. Take me out to the ball game.
10. Motion pictures. On the town.

Local subject

1. Motion pictures. Singin' in the rain.
2. Motion pictures. Hello, Dolly.
3. Motion pictures. Les girls.
4. Audiotapes -- Kelly, G.

Added author

1. Hunt, Marilyn, 1937- Interviewer
2. DHCA.

Research call number

1. *MGZTC 3-234
2. *MGZTO 5-234