Gene Kelly

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Gene Kelly, in full Eugene Curran Kelly, was an American dancer, actor, singer, director and choreographer. He was born on 23 August 1912 in Pittsburgh and died on 2 February 1996. He grew up as one of five children. As a boy he was sporty and could hold his own in a fight, and only later did he choose dance. He first studied journalism, but after the stock market crash of 1929 he chose a different path.

Music and breakthrough

His film debut was For Me and My Gal in 1942, with Judy Garland. Later came, among others, Anchors Aweigh in 1945, for which he received an Oscar nomination, The Pirate in 1948, An American in Paris in 1951, which won the Oscar for best picture, and Summer Stock in 1950. Singin' in the Rain from 1952 he directed and choreographed together with Stanley Donen. In the 1960s he went on directing, including Hello, Dolly! in 1969.

Influence

Kelly was known for his energetic, athletic style of dance. He wanted to create a new American dance form for the general public, which he called dance for the common man. His innovations changed the Hollywood musical, and he is praised for having made the form of ballet acceptable to a film audience almost single-handedly. Through his dancing, the title song of Singin' in the Rain became an image that many people associate with the film.

Listening

• 
  Singin' in the Rain · Gene Kelly, 1952

Discography

Studio albums

• 1979Anchors Aweigh (soundtrack)
• 1990Summer Stock - Original MGM Soundtrack (soundtrack)
• 1996'S Wonderful
• 2005'S Wonderful

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

• The Dream Factory: Film Reel 4^NL Reader

See also

• Filmmusical