He's Got Rhythm: The Life and Career of Gene Kelly (Screen Classics)

He sang and danced in the rain, proclaimed New York to be a wonderful town, and convinced a group of Parisian children that they had rhythm. One of the most influential and respected entertainers of Hollywood's golden age, Gene Kelly revolutionized film musicals with his innovative and timeless choreography. A would-be baseball player and one-time law student, Kelly captured the nation's imagination in films such as Anchors Aweigh (1945), On the Town (1949), An American in Paris (1951), and * Singin' in the Rain* (1952). In the first comprehensive biography written since the legendary star's death, authors Cynthia Brideson and Sara Brideson disclose new details of Kelly's complex life. Not only do they examine his contributions to the world of entertainment in depth, but they also consider his political activities -- including his opposition to the Hollywood blacklist. The authors even confront Kelly's darker side and explore his notorious competitive streak, his tendency to be a taskmaster on set, and his multiple marriages. Drawing on previously untapped articles and interviews with Kelly's wives, friends, and colleagues, Brideson and Brideson illuminate new and unexpected aspects of the actor's life and work. He's Got Rhythm is a balanced and compelling view of one of the screen's enduring legends. ** Review "The authors have created a comprehensive biography of Gene Kelly that balances his extensive career with his complex private life. Although there have been several biographical studies published about this Irish American star, He's Got Rhythm is by far the most detailed and encompassing work on its subject. This book should become the new definitive biography on the multitalented Gene Kelly."―James Robert Parish, author of The Hollywood Book of Extravagance "Any biographer of Gene Kelly had better be light on his/her literary feet. The Bridesons have given us a thoroughly readable biography of Kelly that is conscientiously researched and authoritative."―Page Laws, Norfolk State University "[R]eaders will get a well-documented recounting of a man who, despite shortcomings, believed that 'true talent seems to show itself most often in kindness.'"― Library Journal About the Author Cynthia Brideson is coauthor of Ziegfeld and His Follies: A Biography of Broadway's Greatest Producer and Also Starring . . . : Forty Biographical Essays on the Greatest Character Actors of Hollywood's Golden Era, 1930–1965 . Sara Brideson (1990–2017) was coauthor of Ziegfeld and His Follies: A Biography of Broadway's Greatest Producer and Also Starring . . . : Forty Biographical Essays on the Greatest Character Actors of Hollywood's Golden Era 1930–1965 . In The First Comprehensive Biography Written Since The Legendary Star's Death, Authors Cynthia Brideson And Sara Brideson Disclose New Details Of Kelly's Complex Life. Not Only Do They Examine His Contributions To The World Of Entertainment In Depth, But They Also Consider His Political Activities, Including His Opposition To The Hollywood Blacklist. The Authors Even Confront Kelly's Darker Side And Explore His Notorious Competitive Streak, His Tendency To Be A Taskmaster On Set, And His Multiple Marriages. Drawing On Previously Untapped Articles And Interviews With Kelly's Wives, Friends, And Colleagues, Brideson And Brideson Illuminate New And Unexpected Aspects Of The Actor's Life And Work. He's Got Rhythm Is A Balanced And Compelling View Of One Of The Screen's Enduring Legends --inside Jacket. Introduction: Ballet Dancer And Swaggering Tough -- Part 1. Who Wants A Choreographer From Pittsburgh?: 1912-1941 -- The Reluctant Dancer -- A Depression-era Kid -- Kelly Mania -- It Wasn't Elegant, But It's Me -- The Time Of His Life -- Bewitched, Bothered, And Bewildered -- Part 2. Riding On A Rocket: 1941-1957 -- At The Mgm University -- New Heights -- I'm Asking For The Navy -- The American Line -- A Flaming Trail Of Masculinity -- The Renaissance Man -- You Can Count On Me -- Who Could Ask For Anything More? -- Laughing At Clouds -- What A Day This Has Been -- The Unhappy Road -- Part 3. Still Going Strong: 1957-1972 -- A Hundred Million Miracles -- I Wear So Many Hats -- Looking For Enchantment -- Part 4. Ambassador Of His Art: 1972-present -- True Talent Shows Itself In Kindness -- Contemporary Yet Timeless -- Epilogue: Think Of Him And Smile -- Appendix A: Selected Stage Work -- Appendix B: Selected Filmography -- Appendix C: Selected Television Work. Cynthia Brideson & Sara Brideson. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 477-480), Filmography (pages 419-428), And Index.

He sang and danced in the rain, proclaimed New York to be a wonderful town, and convinced a group of Parisian children that they had rhythm. One of the most influential and respected entertainers of Hollywood's golden age, Gene Kelly revolutionized film musicals with his innovative and timeless choreography. A would-be baseball player and one-time law student, Kelly captured the nation's imagination in films such as Anchors Aweigh (1945), On the Town (1949), An American in Paris (1951), and Singin' in the Rain (1952).

In the first comprehensive biography written since the legendary star's death, authors Cynthia Brideson and Sara Brideson disclose new details of Kelly's complex life. Not only do they examine his contributions to the world of entertainment in depth, but they also consider his political activities—including his opposition to the Hollywood blacklist. The authors even confront Kelly's darker side and explore his notorious competitive streak, his tendency to be a taskmaster on set, and his multiple marriages.

Drawing on previously untapped articles and interviews with Kelly's wives, friends, and colleagues, Brideson and Brideson illuminate new and unexpected aspects of the actor's life and work. He's Got Rhythm is a balanced and compelling view of one of the screen's enduring legends.

"In the first comprehensive biography written since the legendary star's death, authors Cynthia Brideson and Sara Brideson disclose new details of Kelly's complex life. Not only do they examine his contributions to the world of entertainment in depth, but they also consider his political activities{u2015}including his opposition to the Hollywood blacklist. The authors even confront Kelly's darker side and explore his notorious competitive streak, his tendency to be a taskmaster on set, and his multiple marriages. Drawing on previously untapped articles and interviews with Kelly's wives, friends, and colleagues, Brideson and Brideson illuminate new and unexpected aspects of the actor's life and work. He's Got Rhythm is a balanced and compelling view of one of the screen's enduring legends"--Inside jacket