GENE KELLY & The Golden Age of Movie Musicals

$120.00

This course traces the extraordinary career of Gene Kelly—dancer, singer, actor, choreographer, and director—whose groundbreaking work helped define the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals (1945–1960). Across three sessions, we follow Kelly’s journey from his early years in Pittsburgh to his Broadway breakthrough in Pal Joey, and on to his iconic partnership with MGM’s legendary Freed Unit. We explore his starring roles, inventive choreography, and eventual move behind the camera as director of some of the most beloved musicals in American film history. The course also delves into Kelly’s bold vision of American dance, his collaborations with figures like Stanley Donen and Vincente Minnelli, and the artistic rigor that shaped his legacy as a master of the movie musical.

3 TUESDAY EVENINGS @ 7 PM ET, starting October 14, 2025

This course traces the extraordinary career of Gene Kelly—dancer, singer, actor, choreographer, and director—whose groundbreaking work helped define the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals (1945–1960). Across three sessions, we follow Kelly’s journey from his early years in Pittsburgh to his Broadway breakthrough in Pal Joey, and on to his iconic partnership with MGM’s legendary Freed Unit. We explore his starring roles, inventive choreography, and eventual move behind the camera as director of some of the most beloved musicals in American film history. The course also delves into Kelly’s bold vision of American dance, his collaborations with figures like Stanley Donen and Vincente Minnelli, and the artistic rigor that shaped his legacy as a master of the movie musical.

3 TUESDAY EVENINGS @ 7 PM ET, starting October 14, 2025

SESSION 1, October 14, 2025 @ 7 PM ET:  Early years in Pittsburgh, move to New York City, first theater and Broadway successes, first work as choreographer, “Pal Joey” and offers from Hollywood. First films, including “Me and My Gal”, “Cover Girl” and “Anchors Aweigh”

SESSION 2, October 21, 2025 @ 7 PM ET: Service in the Navy, return to MGM. Becoming a film director, collaborations with Stanley Donen and Vincente Minnelli. “On the Town”, “An American in Paris”, and “Singin’ in the Rain”

SESSION 3, October 28, 2025 @ 7 PM ET: “Invitation to the Dance”, late MGM films, rise of television and impact on movie musicals. “Omnibus” TV program, Paris Ballet commission, work in France. Directing “Hello Dolly”, “Xanadu” and final films, film and dance legaacy.