Gene Kelly's rollerskates dance - It's Always Fair Weather (1955) Discussion

[–] commanderblue 16 years ago

I know, it's great! He makes it look all easy too!

I really saw this movie JUST for that scene, I know it's unfair judgment, but luckily I enjoyed this movie a WHOLE lot in its entirety. Sure, I was looking forward to that particular dance number (just like how in Jackie Chan films it's always the big stunt at the end you look forward to) but the other musical numbers, as well as storyline, in this film were impressive to say the least.

Alas, the rollerskate dance rocks. I always wondered how he'd do that nowadays if he was alive, young and using the modern day thin-line skates

"I'm your huckleberry."-Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday in Tombstone

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[–] MeekerBeeker14 16 years ago

I love that entire scene, music ("I Like Myself") and all. The way it all starts off with his carefree whistling is so pretty, and just the way he navigates so well with the skates just make the whole scene that much cooler. The tap dancing is great-tasting icing on an equally awesome cake.

Go Gene! lol

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] obsidian_butterfly12 14 years ago

Does anyone else watch that performance and think 'that's not physically possible!How on EARTH did he do that?!!'

It is astounding how he managed to learn to do that without breaking his neck! It looked wonderful and almost as if he is floating on air as he glides down the street. A stunning performance, one of his best.

A Freudian slip is when you mean one thing, but you say your mother

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[–] Joshieboyucla 13 years ago

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire did it waaay before Gene Kelly in "Shall we dance."
I kept thinking of Gene Kelly's "Singin' in the rain" number throughout the whole thing. Very similar, in context and form.

.;*We Live Inside A Dream*;.

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[–] sentimental-education 12 years ago

Thank you! I was just going to point that.
I love Gene Kelly, but he borrowed a looooooot from Fred Astaire, including this sequence. Although Kelly took it further, Astaire originated it.

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[–] GinaRenee 12 years ago

I love Astaire and always have, but honestly, Kelly did it better. :-)

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[–] murph24 9 years ago

Just watched the rollerskate number by Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers (from "Shall We Dance") and also the one by Donald O'Connor (from "I Love Melvin"). I have the utmost admiration for each of these performers, but Gene Kelly's dance on rollerskates in "It's Always Fair Weather" is definitely my favorite. Part of the reason is the OPEN SPACE Kelly has to work with; Astaire, Rogers and O'Connor were confined to limited areas (a small park square and a gazebo platform), while Kelly had the entire MGM backlot at his disposal; nothing holds him back - not even automobile traffic - as he skates from sidewalk to street with ease. The sequence has the same unfettered, ebullient joy that can be found in his classic title number from "Singin' in the Rain."

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[–] bnwfilmbuff 8 years ago

I love Astaire and Rogers and their roller skate dance BUT Kelly's performance in this movie is on an entirely different level of complexity and difficulty. Fred and Ginger treaded carefully in their scene -- Gene went at it seemingly with reckless abandon. It is one of the greatest dance scenes in movie history -- I can't believe how little notoriety this has received all these years. Unfortunately, it is embedded in a movie with little going for it except this scene and the garbage can lid dance scene and Cyd's beauty and dance in the gym.

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[–] mojo2004 10 years ago

Donald O'Connor did it an earlier film than Kelly's and in my opinion also did it better.

'I Love Melvin' (1953) (tap dance on roller skates)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGlaPXQyfyM

"MOJO2014"

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[–] KgrK13 9 years ago

Wow! That was amazing! And such a cute song. Have to admit, though - Donald O'Connor's swinging out around the gazebo posts made me about as nervous as his tap dancing down the stairs. Thanks for sharing!

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