He's Got Rhythm

February 1, 2017

Actor Gene Kelly (1912-96) will forever be linked with innovative dance routines and Singin' in the Rain, but he also choreographed, acted, directed, sang, produced films, was active in politics and sports, served in the military, and was a loving parent and family man. Kelly spoke several languages and lived in Europe for years. Coauthors Brideson and Brideson (Ziegfield and His Follies; Also Starring...: Forty Biographical Essays on the Greatest Character Actors of Hollywood's Golden Era, 1930-1965) draw from biographies and autobiographies of Kelly and his friends and family, "previously untapped primary sources," reviews, articles, and interviews. Kelly's life was largely in the spotlight, and he knew the promotional value of being accessible to the press. No secrets are revealed here, as it was already known that Kelly could be a harsh taskmaster, prone to the occasional homophobic slur. Overall, readers will get a well-documented recounting of a man who, despite shortcomings, believed that "true talent seems to show itself most often in kindness." VERDICT This title is slightly academic in tone, with a solid focus on Kelly's work life. Suitable for theater and film libraries and public libraries in need of a new biography of the performer.--Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley Sch., Fort Worth, TX

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