On this day in ballet, 23rd August

[Trog Woolley]

Patricia McBride of the NYCB was born in Teaneck, New Jersey 1942.

Gene Kelly was born in 1912. (not a ballet dancer, but still one of the greats)

[J.B. Wood]

Post by Trog Woolley
Patricia McBride of the NYCB was born in Teaneck, New Jersey 1942.
Gene Kelly was born in 1912. (not a ballet dancer, but still one of the greats)

Hello, and I would somewhat disagree with that assessment. While it can
be readily argued that Kelly didn't display the obligatory classical
ballet moves I think there's evidence of classical technique in the
various pas de deux he performed with Cyd Charisse and Leslie Caron
(both of whom had classical training) in his motion pictures. I've
heard Kelly's technique referred to as "blue collar ballet". Sincerely,

[Trog Woolley]

Post by J.B. Wood

Post by Trog Woolley
Patricia McBride of the NYCB was born in Teaneck, New Jersey 1942.
Gene Kelly was born in 1912. (not a ballet dancer, but still one of the greats)

Hello, and I would somewhat disagree with that assessment. While it can
be readily argued that Kelly didn't display the obligatory classical
ballet moves I think there's evidence of classical technique in the
various pas de deux he performed with Cyd Charisse and Leslie Caron
(both of whom had classical training) in his motion pictures. I've
heard Kelly's technique referred to as "blue collar ballet". Sincerely,

I love his pdd's with Charisse and Caron, both of whom were ballet dances,
so it's quite plain that he knew of ballet technique, even if he wasn't
explicitly trained in it. The American In Paris ballet climax is glorious!
Am I correct in thinking Kelly choreographed it? Mr Google says so.

[J.B. Wood]

Post by Trog Woolley
I love his pdd's with Charisse and Caron, both of whom were ballet dances,
so it's quite plain that he knew of ballet technique, even if he wasn't
explicitly trained in it. The American In Paris ballet climax is glorious!
Am I correct in thinking Kelly choreographed it? Mr Google says so.

Hi, Trog, and I'm also unsure. IIRC Robert Osborne at TCM stated that
the ~13 min dance in AIP was done in a single take. It's my favorite
dance sequence in any Hollywood motion picture. Of course that's with
Kelly, Caron, et al. As for Cyd Charisse, I think she might have been
considered a wee bit statuesque for a classical dance company. You can
see her in a red tutu and en pointe at

Sincerely,