He sang and danced in the rain, proclaimed New York to be a wonderful
town, and convinced a group of Parisian children that they had rhythm.
One of the most influential and respected entertainers of Hollywood's
golden age, Gene Kelly revolutionized film musicals with his innovative
and timeless choreography. A would-be baseball player and one-time law
student, Kelly captured the nation's imagination in films such as
Anchors Aweigh (1945), On the Town (1949), An American in Paris
(1951), and Singin' in the Rain (1952).
In the first comprehensive biography written since the legendary star's
death, authors Cynthia Brideson and Sara Brideson disclose new details
of Kelly's complex life. Not only do they examine his contributions to
the world of entertainment in depth, but they also consider his
political activities-including his opposition to the Hollywood
blacklist. The authors even confront Kelly's darker side and explore his
notorious competitive streak, his tendency to be a taskmaster on set,
and his multiple marriages.
Drawing on previously untapped articles and interviews with Kelly's
wives, friends, and colleagues, Brideson and Brideson illuminate new and
unexpected aspects of the actor's life and work. He's Got Rhythm is a
balanced and compelling view of one of the screen's enduring legends.