As of the date of the film's release in May 1976, Astaire had just attained his 77th year a week earlier, and Kelly was to turn 64 that August. One of only two films in which Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly danced together. The other was Ziegfeld Follies (1945).

What was the age difference between Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly?

And we thought we'd ask the question: was Gene Kelly the greatest dancer and innovator in American movie musical history, or was Fred Astaire - who was 13 years older than Kelly? Historian and theater and dance critic Iris Fanger told Here & Now, "They were both great...

Who is considered a better dancer, Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire?

Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly were two of the greatest dancers in history and the debate over who was the better dancer continues. In reality there was never any serious competition between the two Masters.

Who did Gene Kelly say was his favorite dance partner?

Of all the famous dance partners choreographer-director Gene Kelly worked with, Jerry, the superimposed cartoon mouse from 1945's Anchors Aweigh, was his favorite. "He showed up on time and worked his little tail off," Kelly once said.

Who danced with Fred Astaire in the movies?

Astaire continued to make musicals, including Holiday Inn (1942) with Bing Crosby, Sky's The Limit (1943) with Joan Leslie and Blue Skies (1946), his second and last movie with Crosby. He also partnered with numerous other dancers, including Rita Hayworth, Cyd Charisse and Judy Garland.

Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire | Carson Tonight Show

Did Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly ever do a movie together?

As of the date of the film's release in May 1976, Astaire had just attained his 77th year a week earlier, and Kelly was to turn 64 that August. One of only two films in which Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly danced together. The other was Ziegfeld Follies (1945).

Did Cyd Charisse get along with Gene Kelly?

'If I was black and blue, it was Gene. And if it was Fred, I didn't have a scratch'.” Despite the two men's differing styles, Charisse was complementary about both of her dancing partners. She once said: “To sum it up, I'd say they were the two greatest dancing personalities who were ever on screen.

Why didn't Fred Astaire want to dance with Eleanor Powell?

It's been said that Astaire was afraid to dance with Powell because he felt that she was one of the few who could dance better than him.

Who taught Gene Kelly to dance?

It was younger brother Fred who taught older brother Gene to tap dance in order to earn extra money for college, and also so Gene could impress the girls. From grades seven through twelve in Pittsburgh, Fred starred in a show for children at the Warner theaters in Pittsburgh.

Who is taller, Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire?

Gene Kelly was officially 5 ft 7 in., and that is accepted as true. Fred Astaire claimed to be 5 ft 9 in., but many people who worked with him claim that 5 ft 7 in. is closer to the truth.

At what age did Fred Astaire stop dancing?

'' Mr. Astaire kept himself and his own ability in perspective as the years went by with his capacity for agonizing self-appraisal. He stopped dancing professionally about 1970, when he was already more than 70 years old.

Who is considered the greatest dancer of all time?

Did Gene Kelly do his own singing?

Gene Kelly possessed a unique tenor voice and great control of his sound, and he more than ably serenaded his many leading ladies. The next time you watch him in a movie—while you'll likely always gravitate to his dancing first—perhaps also pay attention to Kelly's singing voice.

How much older was Gene Kelly than his wife?

Patricia Ward Kelly met the Singin' in the Rain star in 1985, when she was working on a television special about the Smithsonian Museum that he happened to be hosting. She was just 26 at the time, and Kelly was 47 years her senior.

Did Fred Astaire have biological children?

In 1931, Astaire met and soon fell in love with Phyllis Livingston Potter, a woman who came from one of Boston's most aristocratic families and who had never seen him on the stage; they were married in July 1933 and had two children: Fred Jr., born in 1936, and Ava, born in 1942.

Could Gene Kelly tap dance?

"My brother taught me how to tap dance," he says of his brother Fred, whose help he sought in 1929 when the brothers worked up some dancing routines and entered talent contests to pick up extra money, and performed in Cap and Gown revues.

What happened to Gene Kelly's son Timothy?

Timothy Kelly

Tim went to the University of Southern California's Film School and perhaps still works in the film industry.

Who did Fred Astaire like to dance with the most?

He was typically paired up with Ginger. Rogers, but, when he was asked about it, he secretly. confessed that his favorite dance partner just. happened to be Rita Hayworth.

How did Judy Garland and Fred Astaire get along?

The first scene that Judy Garland had to shoot with Fred Astaire included a kiss. Garland was nervous because she had never met the dancing legend. Garland later said, “He put me completely at my ease. He is a gentleman, and he is lot of fun to work with.”

Who taught Fred Astaire to tap dance?

The career of the Astaire siblings resumed with mixed fortunes, but with increasing skill and polish, as they began to incorporate tap dancing into their act. From vaudeville dancer Aurelio Coccia they learned the tango, waltz and other ballroom dances popularized by Vernon and Irene Castle.

What did Fred Astaire say about Cyd Charisse?

Fred Astaire, in his 1959 memoir "Steps in Time", referred to Cyd as "beautiful dynamite". She danced with the Ballet Russe using the names Maria Istomina and Felia Sidorova. Lost out on two of MGM's biggest movie musical roles.

Was Cyd Charisse taller than Gene Kelly?

Gene Kelly choreographed his dance scenes with Cyd Charisse in a way that hid the fact that she was taller than him.

Why was Gene Kelly so popular?

What was Gene Kelly known for? Gene Kelly was an American dancer, actor, choreographer, and motion-picture director known for his athletic style of dancing, combined with classical ballet technique. He also transformed the movie musical and did much to change the American public's conception of male dancers.