Posted on 12/29/2016 2:56:59 PM PST by huckfillary
The passing of the legendary actress, Debbie Reynolds, coming one day after she lost her lovely daughter, Carrie Fisher, prompted me to watch the Youtube clip of Gene Kelly's "Singin' in the Rain." The scene is one of the all-time Hollywood classics, maybe the best song-and-dance take in cinema history.
But the scene calls to mind a far more primary and significant idea to me than the genius of Gene Kelly and his emotional outpouring at finding his true love in the character played by Debbie Reynolds. The scene absolutely epitomizes the optimism and forward-looking nature of the historic American mindset. Americans have always been singin' in the rain. And despite wars, poverty, and the grinding, daily propaganda we're fed that we're doomed to lifelong penury and meaninglessness, Americans continue singin' in the rain.
And that's what drives our enemies, foreign and domestic, nuts---whether its Islamic terrorists or the sushi-loving coastal elites that lie awake at night thinking that someone, somewhere might be happy, or at least content. Do you ever see Arabs singin' in the rain? No, but it's not because they haven't any rain, it's because they have nothing to sing about, or they're not allowed to.
Like Gene Kelly, Americans are singin' and dancin' in the rain---because they've earned it---with their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. And generations of hard work and resolute determination in the face of whatever misfortune fate would deal us. Americans either defeat adversity or suck it up---while singin' and dancin' in the rain. They don't cry, or whine, or seek safe spaces.
It's raining here in Huntingdon. And so tonight, in honor of Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and the American spirit of optimism, I'm going to play that clip over and over---and just keep singin' and dancin' in the rain. I invite you to do the same. https://www.google.com/search…
Did that the other evening
Debbie had never danced before. Had not even had one lesson. So many takes that she ended up with bleeding feet. Trooper is an underestimate of her work ethic and desire to succeed.
I heard somewhere today that she took up dancing only three months before shooting this movie. Amazing.
I have so many Debbie Reynolds movies in my film library. I guess everyone knows her from Singing In The Rain or How The West Was Won but some of my favorites were films like A Date With Judy or Susan Slept Here.
The only Carrie Fisher movie I ever saw was the original Star Wars in 1977 (I think it was then).
Both will be missed.
“Dominique” is about the thirteenth-century Spanish crusader, evangelist and diplomat Domingo de Guzmán—not very politically correct in these times.
Correction: I confused A Date With Judy with Athena.
Both have Jane Powell but only Athena has both Debbie and Jane.
A Date With Judy has Debbie with Elizabeth Taylor.
I find myself listening to “Tammy” and songs from “Charlotte’s Web”. I loved the dance Debbie did with O’Connor and Gene Kelly. Turning that couch over and dancing right back over it was dancing genius. RIP Debbie.......I’ve loved you since I was a little girl........;(
Best movie ever...hilarious, and Gene Kelly? Mama Mia, what a looker, er...hoofer. :) I used to have a web site up for this film. Debbie Reynolds was great. Don Lockwood and Kathy Seldon were the original Han and Leia. So much talent in this movie that it’s staggering.
RIP! Debbie & Carrie....
"Now children, I'm going to teach you a game called poker."
Thank you for posting.
I watched the whole movie last night on 123movies.
The best dance routines (”Fit as a fiddle” and Gene Kelleys Singin in the rain). I loved Gene Kelley. But he was hard on Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor, as he was a perfectionist. He later said he was surprised she spoke to him after the movie was made.
It’s very hard to believe Debbie Reynolds had no dance experience, wit only 3 months to get up to speed to be able to dance with these two men.
She had amazing talent.
Gene was her teacher. He warned her in advance that she’d have to dance like a pro in short order...after all she would be dancing with O’Connor and Kelly. She never really forgave him for the gruelling practice he put her through, but the result was worth it. Kudos to both Gene and Debbie.
Carleton Carpenter and Debbie Reynolds, Abba Dabba Honeymoon from Two Weeks with Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJHJAkhacGU
She is 18 and dances good. I bet Gene Kelly saw the performance and picked her knowing she could do the dance scenes.
Debbie Reynolds does the jitterbug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDVOF3uYhEU
Johnny Carson was pretty good too.
Dignity.
She was a natural.
Carleton Carpenter and Debbie Reynolds, Row Row Row, from Two Weeks with Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEX7VZX2peo
LOL Dignity.
To see Carrie Fisher, outside of STAR WARS...watch SHAMPOO. She doesn't have a major/large role, but she's very good in it. Also see WHEN HARRY MET SALLY.
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