Post by Doghouse6 on Apr 25, 2019 0:12:31 GMT
Fred always said that "Dellie" possessed the dazzling talent in the family. Although typical of his diffidence, Adele indeed got the lion's share of accolades from critics during their stage career. What a shame the only footage of them dancing together is about 20 seconds of them shuffling on and offstage with Marilyn Miller during a supposed 1930 rehearsal.
There's a well-known story about a studio executive's evaluation of Fred's screen test: "Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little." There's another about Astaire's own reaction to seeing himself onscreen for the first time, covering his eyes and groaning, "My god, I look like a knife!"
Debbie Reynolds told another, about hiding out in an empty rehearsal hall during preparation for Singin' In the Rain and crying her eyes out. Presently, Astaire came in to use the space and asked her what was wrong. Hearing of her discouraged frustration, he said, "Why don't you just relax and compose yourself while you watch me work." He then began experimenting with some steps, repeatedly stopping and cursing himself when he wasn't happy with what he was doing, and the novice Reynolds got the message: even Astaire gets frustrated, and it's all part of the game; the only thing to do is keep at it until you get it right.
Fred really didn't need much coaxing to come out of retirement. By late '47, he'd become bored, and let it be known around town that he'd be receptive to offers. And I wouldn't be at all surprised that Gene Kelly was as relieved to have to bow out of Easter Parade, injury notwithstanding, as Fred was willing to step in. As much affection as Kelly had for her, Judy Garland had made production on The Pirate earlier that year an ordeal.
It's always interesting to consider The Movie History That Might Have Been but for unforeseen events. The Barkleys Of Broadway had been planned as an Astaire/Garland follow-up on the heels of Easter Parade's success. Assuming it would have been equally successful if Kelly had been able to do it, we might have had he and Garland as the Barkleys, and would have missed out on that Astaire/Rogers reunion. And it's positively weird to imagine that, since Garland had to bail on Barkleys anyway, somebody at MGM might have gotten the idea of bringing Rogers in to dance with Kelly. Wouldn't that have been something? My personal guess, however, is that someone like Rita Hayworth or Vera-Ellen would have been approached instead.
Oh, what might have been but for a game of football and a broken ankle.
There's a well-known story about a studio executive's evaluation of Fred's screen test: "Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little." There's another about Astaire's own reaction to seeing himself onscreen for the first time, covering his eyes and groaning, "My god, I look like a knife!"
Debbie Reynolds told another, about hiding out in an empty rehearsal hall during preparation for Singin' In the Rain and crying her eyes out. Presently, Astaire came in to use the space and asked her what was wrong. Hearing of her discouraged frustration, he said, "Why don't you just relax and compose yourself while you watch me work." He then began experimenting with some steps, repeatedly stopping and cursing himself when he wasn't happy with what he was doing, and the novice Reynolds got the message: even Astaire gets frustrated, and it's all part of the game; the only thing to do is keep at it until you get it right.
Fred really didn't need much coaxing to come out of retirement. By late '47, he'd become bored, and let it be known around town that he'd be receptive to offers. And I wouldn't be at all surprised that Gene Kelly was as relieved to have to bow out of Easter Parade, injury notwithstanding, as Fred was willing to step in. As much affection as Kelly had for her, Judy Garland had made production on The Pirate earlier that year an ordeal.
It's always interesting to consider The Movie History That Might Have Been but for unforeseen events. The Barkleys Of Broadway had been planned as an Astaire/Garland follow-up on the heels of Easter Parade's success. Assuming it would have been equally successful if Kelly had been able to do it, we might have had he and Garland as the Barkleys, and would have missed out on that Astaire/Rogers reunion. And it's positively weird to imagine that, since Garland had to bail on Barkleys anyway, somebody at MGM might have gotten the idea of bringing Rogers in to dance with Kelly. Wouldn't that have been something? My personal guess, however, is that someone like Rita Hayworth or Vera-Ellen would have been approached instead.
Oh, what might have been but for a game of football and a broken ankle.