Cyd Charisse, 1922-2008

I’ve been on vacation lately, so I was not able to post when I heard of the death of the lovely and talented Cyd Charisse on June 17. Cyd radiated such beauty and grace that I always loved watching her dance with Gene – or with Fred Astaire or any other man!

Cyd and I shared a birthday, March 8. She was born in 1922 (dates vary in books and reports, but according to the 1930 U.S. Federal Census it is 1922) as Tula Ellice Finklea. She gained the nickname “Sid” when her brother couldn’t pronounce “Sis”, and gained the more glamorous “Cyd” after moving to Hollywood. She studied ballet as a young girl, and married her dance teacher, Nico Charisse, in 1948. They had a son, Nicky, in 1942, but the couple later divorced. Cyd married singer Tony Martin in 1949 and had another son, Tony, Jr., in 1950.

After performing in minor dancing roles in the movies, including some uncredited parts, Cyd’s “big break” came with her appearance in Gene Kelly’s Singin’ in the Rain. Her role was strictly a dancing part as the “vamp” in a dream-ballet sequence, but her sultry performance stole the show. Never before had a dancer exuded such eroticism on screen!

Audiences were hooked! In 1953 she gained the starring role in The Band Wagon opposite Fred Astaire. Although another actress was dubbed for the singing, Cyd’s performance was fantastic. “The Girl Hunt” ballet, slightly reminiscent of the SITR “Broadway Ballet” number, is still considered to be one of the best screen performances in a musical.

Cyd went on to star in a few other movies, including Brigadoon and It’s Always Fair Weather with Gene, and Silk Stockings with Fred. Because of her vast experience working and dancing with both men, I have always appreciated her much-quoted comment when asked which one was the better dancer. Her response: “It’s like comparing apples and oranges; they’re both delicious.”

Cyd’s career didn’t end with her last musical screen performance in Silk Stockings! She appeared in many television and movies specials over the years, as well as a nightclub act with her husband, Tony Martin. Cyd even made her Broadway debut in 1992 at the age of 70 in Grand Hotel.

Her beauty was stunning even as she aged; her dancing, timeless. She will be greatly missed. Fortunately, her art will live forever. Future generations will surely remember her as one of the greats.

For more information on Cyd Charisse:

• The Official Cyd Charisse Site
• Legs: A Tribute
• New York Times obituary, June 18, 2008
• My efforts to confirm her age and other genealogical facts
  

Cyd Must Be in Brigadoon

The lovely Cyd Charisse must have taken some Brigadoon-like magic potion...visit Movies Til Dawn and take a look at a current photo of her and her husband, Tony Martin. Doesn't she look fabulous? She will be 87 years old on March 8th!

That particular post is more about Tony Martin, but here's a funny one about Cyd.

For more on Cyd, here is her official site.

The Results: What's Your Favorite Gene Kelly Musical? Not Brigadoon!

Happy New Year, Gene Kelly fans! This wasn't the post I intended to write today, but I noticed that the blog's poll closed yesterday. And as you can see, the results were somewhat predictable with Singin' in the Rain our favorite by a landslide! SITR garnered 62% of the vote with 68 votes. An American in Paris had 17 votes (15%), Anchors Aweigh had 8 (7%), The Pirate had 12 (11%) and poor Brigadoon only received 4 votes (3%). So, why is there a photo of Brigadoon here and not Singin' in the Rain? It's no surprise that SITR is our favorite - it makes "top ten" lists regularly and it's the one movie I've never heard a Gene fan say they don't like. So, what's more interesting from the poll results is...what's the deal with Brigadoon?

Now, I didn't put much thought into the five selections to be honest - it was our first poll here on the blog. Truth be told, Brigadoon doesn't even make my personal top 5 favorite Gene Kelly films. But, I didn't realize that it wasn't nearly as loved as Gene's other films. Why is that? Part of the reason is that it was not filmed on location in Scotland - that would have gone a long way in changing the look and feel of the movie. In fact, if they had at least shot it outdoors in California it would have helped. Instead, it was filmed on an indoor set and it shows, despite the hard work of the talented artists and set designers at MGM. I think that this has to be the main reason that it isn't on everyone's top five list, because it certainly isn't because of the actors!

Gene gives one of his better performances as Tommy Albright, a man who gets the idea that his life isn't what he thought it would be. The ever-lovely Cyd Charisse is beautiful as Fiona, although her Scottish accent isn't always as convincing as her acting. And the Lerner and Loewe songs are stunning - is there a fan out there that doesn't melt with "Almost Like Being in Love"? In fact, the fantasy-plot has to take its rightful place as Gene's most romantic. Falling in love at first sight? Sure, Gene's brash characters have done it before (On the Town, An American in Paris, Singin' in the Rain, The Pirate...I could go on with a few more if you're not convinced by now!), but would Gaby, Jerry, Don, or Serafin have given up their lives-as-they-knew-it to live forever with their gal? Not even forever, just for one day every hundred years. That's what make the story of Brigadoon so magical! Maybe it looks like they are dancing in front of paintings, or maybe Van Johnson's character is just a bit too cynical, but in terms of pure story, Tommy's the kind of dreamer that a gal can fall in love with! So, maybe for this new year it deserves another look...I doubt it will wind up as our absolute favorite, but it's definitely worth re-watching! For a rather un-conventional "review" of the movie, be sure to visit Tom and Lorenzo for their comical take on the movie.

Stay tuned for a new poll soon! Also, feel free to comment on why you picked the favorite you did, or why you DO or DO NOT like Brigadoon!

Dancing with the Stars: How Would Gene Kelly Vote?

Tonight is the dance-off finale for "Dancing with the Stars". Wait...what does that have to do with Gene Kelly? He's not exactly on the show! Well, any fan of Gene is probably a fan of dance, and dance fans are definitely watching the show. If Gene were still around, wouldn't you love to be able to see him as a "Guest Judge"? Too bad the show didn't exist back when most of the dancers from cinema's classic musicals were still around to enjoy it with us.

So, how would Gene rate this season's three finalists? First, there's Marie Osmond, who has been entertaining long enough to overlap careers with Gene's. Watching Marie perform this season is a lot like watching Judy Garland in "Summer Stock" - she starts out rather plump in "Portland Fancy" and ends the movie looking svelte in "Get Happy". Marie's had a similar shrinking-effect! Gene would give her credit for working hard, putting some showmanship and enthusiasm in the steps, and because he'd remind her a little bit of Judy.



Next is Helio Castroneves. Since Helio's a race-car driver and not a dancer or entertainer, he's had quite a challenge. But, he's Brazilian and rhythm must be genetic because he has steadily improved and is now quite good. What would Gene say about Helio? I think Gene would be thrilled with Helio's performances because he dances in a masculine way similar to Gene's routines. He's a man's man, but he knows how to partner with the ladies. Also, Helio's smile is about as bright as Gene's in his happy hoofer mood! I think Gene would be proud of what Helio has been able to do.

The third finalist is "Spice Girl" Melanie Brown. Although Mel's not a professional dancer, she is a professional performer who's probably had a bit of dance training. I think Gene would be most impressed by her natural ability to quickly pick up a routine and dance it well. Her timing has been nearly perfect, and Gene would love the sultry sexiness that Mel brings to her dances.

So, if Gene were judge, who would he pick to win? Each "star" has great qualities about their dancing or they would not have made it this far through votes from both the judges and the fans. Would Gene favor the long-time trouper Marie, the smiling guy's guy Helio, or sleek and sexy Mel? Hmm...who's to say? I think he'd pick Mel with her Cyd Charisse-like lines. We'll never know what Gene would think, or if he'd even like the show at all. But, I think he'd appreciate the fact that America is watching dancing - we sure don't get to watch it in the movies anymore (High School Musical doesn't count).