An Evening with Gene Kelly (1977) - Star of the month... Frank Sinatra

'An Evening with Gene Kelly' is a 1977 documentary interview film with Gene Kelly, interviewed by Gavin Millar.

The film begins with a short montage of Gene Kelly's signature songs including:

• "Singin' in the Rain" from 'Singin' in the Rain' (1952)
• "Broadway Rhythm" from 'Singin' in the Rain' (1952)
• "Mop Dance" from 'Thousands Cheer' (1943)
• "On the Town" from 'On the Town' (1949)
• "Newspaper Dance" from 'Summer Stock' (1950)
• "The Worry Song" from 'Anchors Aweigh' (1945)

Gene tells us about his early life, how he started dancing, the MGM studio, Frank Sinatra, his experimention with dance in film and much more.

As it only runs for 50 minutes, I think "An Hour with Gene Kelly" would have been a more appropriate title than "An Evening with Gene Kelly".

Overall, an enjoyable and insightful interview. 

Singin in the Rain (1952) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

'Singin' in the Rain' is a 1952 MGM musical comedy directed by Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen, and starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds with Jean Hagen, Rita Moreno,  All musical numbers were choreographed by Gene Kelly.

The film is a satire on the awkward transition of silent to sound films and is most remembered for featuring Gene Kelly's signature song and dance routine 'Singin in the Rain'.

Musical program

• "Singin' in the Rain" (Intro) - Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor & Debbie Reynolds
• "Fit as a Fiddle" - Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor
• "Temptation" (Instrumental)
• "Dreaming Of You" - Debbie Reynolds
• "Singin' in the Rain" - Gene Kelly
• "Make 'Em Laugh" - Donald O'Connor
• "Beautiful Girl Montage" (also features "I Got A Feeling You're Feeling", "The Wedding of the Painted Doll" and "Should I?"
• "You Were Meant For Me" - Gene Kelly (with Debbie Reynolds)
• "Moses Supposes" - Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor
• "Good Morning" - Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor & Debbie Reynolds
• "Would You" - Debbie Reynolds
• "Broadway Melody Ballet" (also features "Broadway Rhythm") - Gene Kelly
• "You Are My Lucky Star" - Gene Kelly (with Debbie Reynolds)

Deleted songs:

• In an early draft of the script, "Singin' in the Rain" was to be sung by Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor & Debbie Reynolds on their way back from the flop preview of 'The Dueling Cavalier'
• In an early draft of the script Gene Kelly was to sing "Dreaming Of You", instead of "You Were Meant For Me"
• Debbie Reynolds originally sang "You Are My Lucky Star" to a billboard showing an image of Don Lockwood - the footage has survived and is included on the DVD release
• Rita Moreno was originally meant to sing "I Got A Feelin' You're Foolin'"

Song: "Singin' in the Rain" - Gene Kelly

Song: "Dreaming Of You" - Debbie Reynolds

Song: "Good Morning" - Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds & Donald O'Connor

Song: "Make 'Em Laugh" - Donald O'Connor

Song: "Fit As a Fiddle" - Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor

Song: "Singin' in the Rain" - Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds & Donald O'Connor

Clip from 'The Broadway Ballet' - Gene Kelly & Cyd Charisse

Clip from 'The Broadway Ballet' - Gene Kelly & Cyd Charisse

"Moses Supposes" - Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor

Outtake musical number: "You Are My Lucky Star" - Debbie Reynolds (deleted from the final film)

Song: "Would You?" - Debbie Reynolds

Song: "You Were Meant For Me" - Gene Kelly (with Debbie Reynolds)

Song: "Singin' in the Rain (in E-Flat)" / "You Are My Lucky Star" - Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds & Donald O'Connor (with Jean Hagen)

Did you know...

• This was Debbie Reynold's first starring role
• Debbie Reynolds once said the two hardest things she has ever done is childbirth and 'Singin in the Rain'
• Arthur Freed gave Betty Comden and Adolph Green a mandate to write a film called "Singin' in the Rain", which was to feature as many of his songs as possible

Closing remarks

Although the film was only a moderate success on it's initial release, it is now considered to be one of the greatest musical films of all time, and even one of the best films ever made.

An Evening with Gene Kelly (1977) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

'An Evening with Gene Kelly' is a 1977 documentary interview film with Gene Kelly, interviewed by Gavin Millar.

The film begins with a short montage of Gene Kelly's signature songs including:

• "Singin' in the Rain" from 'Singin' in the Rain' (1952)
• "Broadway Rhythm" from 'Singin' in the Rain' (1952)
• "Mop Dance" from 'Thousands Cheer' (1943)
• "On the Town" from 'On the Town' (1949)
• "Newspaper Dance" from 'Summer Stock' (1950)
• "The Worry Song" from 'Anchors Aweigh' (1945)

Gene tells us about his early life, how he started dancing, the MGM studio, Frank Sinatra, his experimention with dance in film and much more.

As it only runs for 50 minutes, I think "An Hour with Gene Kelly" would have been a more appropriate title than "An Evening with Gene Kelly".

Overall, an enjoyable and insightful interview. 

The Muppet Show: Gene Kelly (1980) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

'The Muppet Show' was a popular variety series running from 1976-1981, and featured Jim Henson's Muppets. Each episode featured a popular celebrity guest star.

This episode (#5.01) features legendary musical comedy star Gene Kelly.

Gene Kelly gives Kermit a dance lesson

The episode begins as Gene Kelly has a run with Pops, the Doorman about why he is here. Gene believes Kermit the Frog invited him as a guest to watch 'The Muppet Show', and he has no intention of performing.

After offering to give Kermit a dance lesson, Gene Kelly is tricked into giving this lesson on the Muppet stage, where the two dance to "The Worry Song", which Gene Kelly originally performed with Jerry from 'Tom & Jerry' in the film 'Anchors Aweigh' (1945).

Gene Kelly & Miss Piggy sing "You Wonderful You"

Meanwhile, Scooter leads Beauregard the Janitor to believe the world is coming to an end, which causes Beauregard to panic (as usual). As a result of his panic, Beauregard ends up as a patient in 'Veterinarian's Hospital'.

We are then treated to some dogs singing "Fit as a Fiddle" from 'Singin' in the Rain'.

This is followed by Gene performing a romantic duet "You, Wonderful You" with Miss Piggy. Miss Piggy is replaced with Gonzo the Great, after she has to change for 'Pigs in Space'.


In this episode, 'Pigs in Space' focuses on the end of the world, and is shown in two parts, separated by a 'Muppet News Flash!'.

Gene Kelly closes with a medley of classic tunes

The episode closes with Gene singing a medley of tunes from his classic movies including:

• "S'Wonderful" (from 'An American in Paris')
• "You Were Meant For Me" (from 'Singin' in the Rain')
• "For Me & My Gal" (from 'For Me & My Gal')
• "Singin' in the Rain" (from 'Singin' in the Rain')

Watch the episode here:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3

Star of the month... Gene Kelly

"I took it as it came and it happened to be very nice" - Gene Kelly

See Gene Kelly dance up a storm as our Star of the Month throughout August 2012 - coinciding with the centenary of his birth...


One of Hollywood's most original and versatile film stars, Gene Kelly was a dancer, actor, singer, acrobat, stuntman, film director, innovator, producer and choreographer - there was nothing which he did not do.

His talent and enthusiasm for dance literally leaps off the screen, while dazzling audiences with his athletic grace and style. 


Born Eugene Curran Kelly on 23 August 1912 in Pittsburgh. When Gene was 8 years old, his mother enrolled him into dance classes, which he initially hated. After finishing high school, he planned to study journalism at college, but was forced to defer his study due to the stock market crash of 1929. To make additional money for his family, Kelly and his brother Fred danced in local talent contests and local nightclubs.  In 1931, Kelly studied economics at the University of Pittsburgh, where he became involved in musical productions. After appearing in small roles in a number of Broadway shows throughout the late 1930's, he was given a leading role in 'Pal Joey' in 1940.


After appearing in 'Pal Joey', Kelly appeared in the MGM film 'For Me and My Gal' (1942) with the intention of returning to Broadway. The film made him a star, and Judy Garland was the first of his many glamourous leading ladies. Due to the success of the film, he stayed in Hollywood. After appearing in some b-grade war films, he was first given the opportunity to try some of his own ideas in the film 'Cover Girl' (1944), with the dazzling Rita Hayworth. 

Gene joined the navy during World War II. During his services, he directed war documentaries which helped him develop filmmaking skills he would use brilliantly upon his post-war return to Hollywood.

Gene went on to become one of MGM's biggest musical stars in a very prolific movie career spanning almost 50 years.  With his superb dancing and innovative choreography, Gene received universal recognition as a first class dancer.

In the late 1950s Gene hung up his dancing shoes to focus on choregraphy and film directing.

In 1952 Kelly was presented with an honorary Academy Award for his achievement in film. He was presented with Lifetime Acheivement Awards by the Kennedy Centre, American Film Institute and Screen Actors Guild. 

In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Gene Kelly as the 15th Greatest Male Star of all time.

Gene Kelly died on 2 February 1996 from complications after two strokes.


In the centenary month of his birth, fliXposed is delighted to present the films of Gene Kelly in a series of blog posts throughout August.

Featured films

Early career

• For Me and My Gal (1942)
• DuBarry was a Lady (1943)
• Pilot #5 (1943)
• Thousands Cheer (1943)
• Cross of Lorraine (1943)
• Cover Girl (1944)
• Christmas Holiday (1944)

Gene Kelly with Frank Sinatra

• Anchors Aweigh (1945)
• Take Me Out to the Ballgame (1949)
• On the Town (1949)

The Essentials

• The Pirate (1948)
• The Three Musketeers (1948)
• Summer Stock (1950)
• An American in Paris (1951)
• Brigadoon (1954)
• Les Girls (1957)
• Xanadu (1980)

Guest appearances

• Ziegfeld Follies (1945)
• Words and Music (1948)
• Deep in my Heart (1954)
• Let's Make Love (1960)
• The Muppet Show (1981 - TV SERIES)

Gene Kelly rarities

• Living in a Big Way (1947)
• Black Hand (1950)
• It's a Big Country (1951)

Directed by Gene Kelly

• Singin' in the Rain (1952)
• It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
• Invitation to the Dance (1956)
• Hello Dolly (1969)

Musical documentaries

• MGMs 25th Anniversary (1949)
• That's Entertainment (1974)
• MGM's 50th Anniversary (1974)
• Just One More Time (1974)
• The Lion Roars Again (1975)
• That's Entertainment Part II (1976)
• An Evening with Gene Kelly (1977)
• That's Dancing (1985)
• MGM: When The Lion Roars (1952 - TV SERIES)
• That's Entertainment Part III (1994)
• Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer