Good Morning!
A Reason To Smile
Few movie stars have the wow power of Debbie Reynolds. Born in El Paso, Texas, she grew up very poor — but it wasn’t long until her family moved to Los Angeles and Mary Frances Reynolds made a name for herself. She won a beauty pageant and was soon signed by Jack Warner, the head of Warner Brothers Studios, who changed her name to Debbie.
The movie that put the Academy Award winner on the map was 1952’s “Singin’ in the Rain,” arguably one of the greatest musical comedies of all time. In the extensive pantheon of great American musical numbers, “Good Morning,” featuring Miss Reynolds, Gene Kelly, and Donald O’Connor, is an absolute delight with a great back story. It is our reason to smile.
The song and complicated dance number required that Reynolds hold her own against two of the best dancers in the business. At 19 years old, Reynolds had no prior dance experience. Kelly, who co-directed the movie, trained her himself.
In her memoir, Unsinkable, Reynolds wrote, “I wasn’t a dancer and I had three months to learn what Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor had been doing for years.” Learn she did.
Kelly, who was an apparent taskmaster, opposed her casting. One can assume he came to change his mind about that.
At one point during her training, Reynolds said she was having a rough day and escaped to a rehearsal room. Legendary dancer Fred Astaire found her crying under a piano and offered her comfort. “That’s what it’s like to learn to dance. If you’re not sweating, you’re not doing it right,” Astaire told her.
They shot the iconic scene in one 15-hour day. And then Kelly used the first take! By the end, Reynolds had to be carried to her dressing room. All for the sake of her art.
If anything can lift one’s spirits and make one smile, it is Debbie Reynolds, along with her co-stars, singing and dancing her heart out.
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Stay Steady,
Dan
Thank you Dan! I have always loved this movie and indeed it is a perfect reason to smile. Actually, since I'm now smiling I want to say that this Steady community helps sustain me. Thank you to you and to all members.
My favorite movie, and a perfect reason to smile! Thank you, Dan. I think I’ll rewatch the movie today. “Make ‘em Laugh” is a smile-maker as well.