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Gene and Judy in The Pirate. I almost added this to my wishlist. ;)
1 repin
Gene Kelly in the Pirate. Looking dapper too.
1 like 3 repins
The Quixotic Photograph and The Impossible Dream: Pure euphoria. A rehearsal hall on the renowned MGM lot circa 1945. The hall itself is bright—as the warm Culver City sun penetrates the windows that encase the room, and the rhythmic jive that is swing fills the air. Two hoofers deep in concentration focus on only the music and their movement. “Click!” Unaware of a photographer present in the room, their recent state has just been documented, developed, and made a part of history. This priceless photograph is an illustration of life. A picture, that at first glance, appears to be a typical day of hard work. However, a closer look reveals the photo’s true dimension. The hoofers’ feet are not the only aspect of their bodies dancing…their eyes are whirling with absolute elation as they are doing what they love most; creating, perfecting, dancing, and being. I am rehearsing with the incomparable Gene Kelly in a studio that had “more stars than there are in the heavens.” The ability to create and the excitement of innovation is a mutual passion Gene Kelly and I share. His unwavering will to challenge complaisance and to transform his craft has distinguished him from the masses; he is a true virtuoso. To Kelly and me, the status quo is nonexistent. Everything deserves a fresh look and a new beginning. His thirst for new knowledge, more understanding, and ultimately, greater dimension is contagious. In this rehearsal hall, Gene Kelly and I are redefining dance, and nothing excites me more. The possibility to be in the presence of such a master and multifaceted human being is simply wondrous. Perfectionism is a trait that illustrates the persona of Gene Kelly, as well as, my own. Our unwavering dedication to make a creative work a masterpiece allows for a synergistic environment, in which precision and passion are the only way. The pictures we paint in our minds must be executed precisely. “Just do it” is an unfamiliar mantra. Everything must be analyzed and understood before performing a task. Kelly’s need to be the best and the will to achieve perfection is something I have always revered. He demonstrated that perfectionism was a positive attribute that allowed one to master what others view as impossible to achieve. Dance is a language all its own. It is an art form so personal, yet so harmonized that it can translate to any language, and transcend through all time. The fluency and expression to which Gene Kelly spoke this vernacular is reminiscent of how Shakespeare wrote, and Mozart composed. His style was unique, and whether it was Jerry the Mouse, Frank Sinatra, Vera Ellen, or me, he complemented his partners, evoking passion and joy through dance. But most importantly, Gene Kelly was more than just a song and dance man…he was a human being whose sense of family and humanitarianism set him apart from his colleagues. He never feared the ruthless movie moguls, or heartless senators. As long as he did what he believed to be right, he had a sound mind. In the late 1940s, he was able to display his intellectual and business prowess when a union strike impeded movie production. Hollywood chose him to represent them and he came to an agreement with the unions. When the infamous McCarthy Era enveloped Hollywood following World War II, Kelly fearlessly joined the Committee for the First Amendment to publicize his views about the dire domestic situations. Finally, when he lost his wife to leukemia in the 1970s, despite many amazing job offers, Kelly declined them and chose to stay at home and raise his children, on his own. From his raw talent, to his incomparable work ethic, to his sense of family, humanity, and emotion, this remarkable man has taught me through his actions, what is good, what is just, and what is perfection. Studying the life, career, and genius of Gene Kelly has been immensely valuable and enriching. However, the wisdom I could gain from one meeting, one conversation, or merely one dance with this remarkable man would be priceless. The consistency of his work and his constant drive towards perfection resulted in his ability to make the ordinary…extraordinary. This magical transformation to the extraordinary occurs within the walls of the rehearsal stage. The love of practicing, rehearsing, and perfecting is embodied in this invaluable photograph. If only this could be real…
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Fetching pins…
Kelly Welch He's so gorgeous!