The first movie that got me to notice Gene Kelly. You know THE one, it is the only one that you hold dear to your heart no matter what. There are not enough gifs of this under appreciated gem. I understand that Gene Kelly may have thought it somewhat of a fluff piece, because that is what the scenery suggestions. The scenes could be easily made from Hobby Lobby. This is a classic tale.
The reasons I love it
Go Home with Bonnie Jean- The scottish dancing mixed with tap? This sequence once again has the Gene Kelly "you can do it too" charm. So I tried it and I did all except the tapping part...okay some of the tap. So this Kelly dance is able to be done by an amateur who is studying the movements. Van Johnson messing up and joking was charming. They shake hands when they both get it right?
It's Almost like Being in Love- This song is what endeared me to Gene Kelly. The song was darling as well as Kelly's cloud nine execution. He does look like he is soaring high with those facial expressions. The way he danced was different and beautiful. He tumbles down before he started to sing. The sounds from his voice, you can hear the emotion as well as those inflections. The inflections are really quite interesting. That is as close as I can get to describe the sound in words.
Van Johnson-His quips, sarcasm, and little bad guy routine. At first it was Van Johnson that I was drawn to-I think I have this thing for redheads, every guy who has been seriously attracted to me has been a red head. The drunken remarks at the very start, during bonnie jean, he leaves that poor desperate girl, the drunken remarks once he gets home, the pity party he has after he killed harry beaton, and he handled it with such a despicable manner but with such true dialogue. I love Hollywood sarcastic drunks-my other favorite is Ned in Holiday (Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn) The truth hurts but when it comes from a drunk it's just funny because it is true but comes from a compromised source which makes this seem less valid.
Once In the Highlands-The short excerpts are inspiring
Waiting on My Dearie-This is the private life of girls, and their worries. This is inspiring for at least me to hold on for true love no matter what people say because I am one of those girls that would settle.
Heather on the Hill-When he dances in this as well with Cyd, they always tell a story. His dances tell a story. Sometimes I do not understand his dances but there is always a message. He glorifies the human body but in a good way. I do not feel like he is violating anyone or being a creep. In fact, I feel like he is telling me that my body is special just because I am a woman. He accentuates a women's curves and as long as the girl is healthy or with muscles then that is all there needs to be in a woman's body. These dances could not be executed the same with a too thin girl. An ordinary girl with a little makeup and the right dress is all that we need and Kelly has always respected what a woman is. So when she runs off after that beautiful dance, he is a bit taken back but when he smiles, and runs off to get her. Goose bumps ran all down my back. "This is art" I thought to myself. "the background may be an obvious backdrop, but the story, dancing, and singing add up to sheer awesomeness." The story is a bit cheesy and unoriginal but at the same time-original and the situation grants the viewer to see how a story like this would pan out, much like a fiction book which cannot always be executed on stage, in this situation it seems like this way is better.
Mr. Lundie-His accent and his facial expressions are adorable. The way he talks about the prayer of Mr. Lundie is reminiscent of Jesus sacrificing himself for the good of mankind. The way he does that wedding dance and runs across the bridge is amazing too. Who could forget his accent?
the end- I do not watch a lot of sad movies. Why? Simply because my mom never did. So when I watched this for the first time I cried for poor Gene Kelly. The lines alone seem cheesy but with the beauty of the idea it is tear worthy. When you were protected from any sad scenes and sad endings, when you watch a movie on your own and it seems like it is going to end sadly, when it ends happy you are overjoyed. The end suprised me.
The acting by all important characters helps make the story believable. The townspeople do nothing and harry beaton is not very convincing either. I almost threw this film out because of him, not because of his character but that acting tuning in from PBS, I was like "oh no" but after I saw the end-I liked watching PBS again. (along with Dr. Who)
It's because he stole all the women from you Van!
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