Gene Kelly

Question 1

Who was Gene Kelly

Answer 1

Gene Kelly, the dancer, actor, director and choreographer who bought a vigorous athleticism, casual grace and an earthy masculinity to the Hollywood musicals

Kelly was a gifted dancer with his own vibrant style, he also flourished as an innovative choreographer and director in the 1940s and 50s

Question 2

What were some of Gene Kelly’s influences

Answer 2

was by vaudeville - live performances, variety shows, comedic

Kelly was trained in tap and was the only white man to receive an accolade award

Question 3

Name and Date Pal Joey

Answer 3

Gene Kelly, 1940

Question 4

What does Pal Joey 1940 show

Answer 4

is a nightclub owner who’s a cheeky chap and has an affair with an older lady

Significance -
- Kelly’s Big break
- directors argued that integrated more with singing and dance
- set in a nightclub so allows dance to be integrated well

Question 5

Name and Date Cover Girl

Answer 5

Gene Kelly, 1944

Question 6

How can technological advancements be shown within Cover Girl 1944

Answer 6

transposed so is dancing with himself - alter ego is translucent

Question 7

Analyse the movement within Cover Girl 1944

Answer 7

“Alter ego dance” ->
tap dance - shuffles, pick ups
grounded - less formal, everyday man
mirroring
action reaction

“Song and Dance” ->
gradual dancing
dressed as a duster showed skills as a tap dancer
grounded, bent knees
ending with a kiss - not a thing of the time in upper class, remarkable for blue color
masculine movement

Question 8

Name and Date Anchors Aweigh

Answer 8

Gene Kelly, 1945

Question 9

What is significant for Kelly in Anchors Aweigh

Answer 9

lots of people would have been sailors or soldiers at the time, because end of WW2
after this Kelly joined the navy and got noticed as a choreographer

Question 10

Describe Anchors Aweigh 1945

Answer 10

is a sailor appealing to working class

style - tap, grounded, athletic -> strength shown through cossacks bending and stretching

Strength - jerry moving from one bicep to another - masculine

Influence -> tap - shuffles, ball change. Ballet -fouettés

Question 11

What technological advancements can be seen through Anchors Aweigh 1945

Answer 11

dancing with a cartoon film character -> animation

Question 12

Name and Date Ziegfeld Follies 1946

Answer 12

Gene Kelly, 1946

Question 13

What is significant about Ziegfeld Follies 1946

Answer 13

Kelly’s Style ->
tap, shuffles, extension from ballet grounded, social dance in hold - kelly was leading - showing idea of him being masculine lifting = strength

Comparison of Estaire and Kelly ->
E more up right
no floor work
Fred did last section - more glide steps - used syncopation
Kelly did section 2 - kelly lifted showing strength + section 1 - kelly jumps over one leg
1+2 more relaxed 3 more serious