Hi. My name is Val, and I happen to be one of those old movie fanatics. My personal favorites happen to be musicals, particularly those from the 1940's or 1950's. I decided to dedicate a web page to five of my favorite musical stars: Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. I've included photo's and information on each of them.
Gene Kelly
Gene Kelly is famous for his dancing. My favorite movies that he made are An American in Paris, and Singin' in the Rain, and Summer Stock. But I can't really pick a favorite movie of his.
Gene Kelly was born in Pittsburgh on August 23, 1912 to James Kelly and Harriet Curran Kelly. His full name is Eugene Curran Kelly. He was the third of three children. Jay and Jim were older than him, Louise and Fred were younger. Gene's mother loved the arts and had all her children take dancing lessons. When Gene was younger he hated taking lessons, but that changed in highschool when he discovered that it made him popular with the girls. Gene was involved in many sports. Gymnastics, ice hockey, swimming, football, and baseball. He wanted to be a professional baseball player and play for the Pittsburgh Pirates when he grew up.
In 1929 he enrolled in Penn State to major in journalism. After the crash he and his brother Fred performed in ametuer shows to help his parents financially. He later transferred to the University of Pittsburgh and graduated in 1933 with an economics major. In 1932, the Gene Kelly Studio of Dance was founded and had buildings in both Pittsburgh and Johnstown. Gene, Louise, and Fred were teachers, while his parents helped out with bookeeping, etc.
Gene's first big break came in 1938 when he landed a role in Cole Porter's Leave it to me. He was wrapped up in an eskimo suit and was one of the many suitors turned down by the star of the play. He later starred in William Saroyan's The Time of Your Life in 1939. He then starred in Rodgers & Hart's Pal Joey where he was an immense hit. It was then that he was noticed by Hollywood. He joined Hollywood in 1942, but for six months was not cast in a single movie. After six months he was cast along with Judy Garland in For Me and my Gal. This was Judy Garland's first adult role. MGM than bought out his contract and starred him in a couple of movies that didn't really accent his talents. He was then lent to a floundering studio for one movie. This movie was Cover Girl, co-starring Rita Hayworth and it was a smash. It was than that MGM realized his talents and cast him in appropriate roles.
Gene married Betsy Blair in Philadelphia in September of 1941. Their daughter, Kerry, was born in 1942. They divorced in 1957 after 15 years of marriage. Later he married Jeannie Coyne in 1960. They had a son, Timothy, born in 1962, and daughter, Bridget, born in 1965. Jeannie died of cancer in 1973. Gene then stayed close to home to be with his two young children. He married again in 1990 to Patricia Ward
Gene Kelly died on February 2, 1996 at age 83.
Gene Kelly Links:
The Gene Kelly Home Page
Kennedy Center Honors: Gene Kelly
Gene Kelly Photo Album
Eugene Curran Kelly
Judy Garland
Judy Garland was born on June 10, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. I thought this was the coolest fact about her, because I happen to be a Minnesotan. Anyway, her real name is Frances Gumm and used to perform in a theatre her father owned in Grand Rapids as one of the Gumm sisters. Her family moved to California in 1927. She performed in Vaudville and eventually made it into movies.
Some of my favorite movies include: Meet Me in St Louis, Summer Stock, The Pirate, and Easter Parade. My absolute favorite, however, will always remain The Wizard of Oz. Judy Garland was married to Vincente Minelli, and their daughter is Liza Minelli who is also an actress and well known for her role in Cabaret. Judy was diagnosed with a bad case of hepatitis in 1959, and was told she would probably never work again. However, she made quite a few successful comebacks, including The Judy Garland Show.
Judy Garland died on June 22, 1969 from an overdose of sleeping pills. Liver dammage from overusing diet pills throughout her career may also have contributed to her death. She remains my favorite actress.
Judy Garland Links:
The Judy Garland Page
The Judy Garland Showcase
Judy Garland Database
Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire was born May 10, 1900 in Omaha Nebraska. His real name was Fredrick Austerlitz. His father was an Austrian immagrant who made his mark as a beer salesman. His father also played the piano. His sister, Adele was also a dancer. The two of them became a team in vaudeville. Their names were changed to Astaire, because it was thought that Austerlitz
sounded too much like a battle. Adele was the star of the act and Fred was the back-up man. They broke up for two years when Adele grew and Fred didn't. During those two years Fred had his only formal schooling. After two years Fred grew so they reinstated the act and became a big hit. They visited with royalty often. Adele had many suitors and eventually married Lord Charles Cavendism and quit the stage forever.
It was then that Fred went off to Hollywood, after marrying Phyllis Potter. One Paramount executive said about one of Fred's earlier screen tests, "Can't act. Can't sing. Balding. Can dance a little." But after a few false starts Fred hit it big in Hollywood. He was paired with Ginger Rogers by chance in the movie Flying Down to Rio, and the two became one of the most famous dance teams in Hollywood history.(my personal favorite.)
Fred was a workaholic, working on his routines until every movement was second nature. Phyllis died suddenl of cancer in 1954, and Fred worked even harder and longer on his routines. He remained unmarried until 1973 when he married Robyn Smith.
Fred Astaire died on June 22, 1987. He is survived by Fred Jr, Ava, and his stepson Peter Potter.
Fred Astaire Links:
Fred Astaire
Elizabeth's Fred Astaire Page
Fred Astaire
Donald O'Connor
Donald O'Connor was born on August 28, 1925. He was the seventh child of John and Effie O'Connor. His
father was a native of Ireland. His parents were both circus performers and dancers. Both of them went into vaudeville, and the whole family was turned into The O'Connor Family act. Donald's father and sister died when he was 6 months old. He recieved and elementary education from his mother on the backstage of vaudeville, along with tap dancing lessons and soft shoe. The depression hit vaudeville hard, and when the family couldn't find booking they would stay with relatives in Danville, Illinois.
Donald's first big break came whan he was 13. He was discovered by a talent scout while performing and was signed on with Paramount Films for a year. After his contract expired the O'Connor family Act was revived until Donald once again went to Hollywood in 1941. He joined the Army in 1944 and was enlisted for about 2 years, during which he gave many performances. He was also married to Gwendolyn Carter in 1944. They were divorced in 1954. Soon after returning to Hollywood from the army he made his first Francis film. The Francis series is what he is most well known for, along with his role as Cosmo Brown in Singin' in the Rain. (my favorite movie of all time.)
Donald O'Connor is still living at this time. He has made a few cameo appearances in various TV series, including Murder She Wrote and Frasier.
Donald O'Connor Links:
Donald O'Connor Web Site
Donald O'Connor
Debbie Reynolds
Mary Frances Reynolds was born April 1, 1932 in El Paso, Texas. Her first big break came when she was 16. She won a beauty contest, and was noticed by MGM. Her first appearance was in a musical was in Three Little Words with Fred Astaire and Red Skelton.
She was only in one scene, singing "I wanna be loved by you". Don't worry, it wasn't her actual voice, someone else dubbed the lyrics. She didn't know how to dance until Gene Kelly selected her to be his partner in Singin' in the Rain, and taught her the basics. She was 20 at the time. Was an Academy Award nominee for her role in The Unsinkable Molly Brown.
Debbie was rather unlucky with her husbands. Her first husband was Eddie Fisher. It looked like the perfect marriage until he left her for Elizabeth Taylor. They had a son, Todd Fisher, and a daughter, Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia in Star Wars). Her second husband was Harry Karl. He left her with a 3 million dollar debt. She paid off the debt by a broadway tour. She later had to declare bankruptsy on her hotel/casino, when the casino chain pulled out and closed down. The hotel then failed. Her third husband was Richard Hamlett. It's no wonder one of her treasured quotes is "This to shall pass."
Debbie Reynolds is still living, and can be seen in recent movies Mother and In&Out. Her favorite movie is Tammy, her favorite TV show is I Love Lucy, and her hobbies are old and new automobile restorations, chess, biblical research, basket ball, and swimming.
Debbie Reynolds Home Page
Photo Album
If you have any comments or wish to correct any information here(or add any) just e-mail me at:
belc0009@tc.umn.edu
You are visiter number:
