GENE KELLY 1912-1996

The Legend

As a kid in Pittsburgh, Gene Kelly wanted to be a baseball player, a priest, or a lawyer, despite the fact that he was already a showstopper in the family flash act, the Kelly Brothers. A college degree in economics found fate unmoving: it was the Depression, and the world wanted dancers. So after vaudeville came Broadway, and after Broadway, Hollywood. With his Barrymore profile and matinee-god grin, Kelly was custommade for the silver screen. Like Cagney, he could tap rat-a-tat, the street in his step. But Gene had romantic amplitude as well—the lunatic, lover, and poet all compact in his imagination.

Gene Kelly’s 47 films include the classics An American in Paris and Singin’ in the Rain. He received a special Oscar in 1951. He passed away February 2, 1996. We hope he has his umbrella, out there in Brigadoon. -LAURA JACOBS

LAURA JACOBS