This morning, I came across two letters to the editor from the Pittsburgh: Post-Gazette, both of which concern one of my favorite stars/dancers/entertainers, Gene Kelly.
The first letter comes from an 81-year old man who wonders why the town of Pittsburgh, where Kelly was born and ran a dance studio with his mother and siblings, can’t find room in its heart to erect a statue honoring the song-and-dance legend. After all, the author cries, a town in Illinois, “recently unveiled a statue of Superman’s girlfriend, Lois Lane,” so surely, Kelly’s hometown can pay homage to him. (Read more on Pittsburgh’s possible Gene Kelly statue here.)
The second letter comes from a former dance student of Kelly who began taking ballet and tap lessons from him when she was about 4 years old; he was 19. According to the writer, Kelly was “caring, loving and demanding,” and he often encouraged his young (female?) students with the line, “If you do the step right, I’ll marry you.”
The two letters, which I thought were too cute and unassuming to keep to myself, are reprinted in full below.
Be super, Pittsburgh: Honor Gene Kelly
There’s a town in Illinois called Metropolis and it recently unveiled a statue of Superman’s girlfriend, Lois Lane. Her former home was in the brush of a cartoon artist. And in this day and age, explain why Pittsburgh can’t find any space for a statue of one of its most famous sons, the great Gene Kelly.
I am a retired New Yorker and will be 81 on Father’s Day. I have some blue and down days, like many of us octogenarians. My therapy? My DVD recorder. I just push the play button and go back to 1942 to be enchanted while watching two legends, Gene Kelly and Judy Garland, singing and dancing to “The bells are ringing, for me and my gal.”
I truly doubt that looking at a statue of Clark Kent’s friend could ever do much for my spirits, but, then again, I’m not from Krypton.
JOHN K. COYLE
Bedford, Pa.
Teacher Kelly
After reading the June 20 letter from John K. Coyle of Bedford (“Be Super, Pittsburgh: Honor Gene Kelly”), I felt compelled to write about my many years as a student of Gene Kelly.
I started dancing lessons with Gene Kelly at the tender age of 4 at the Beth Shalom Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. Several years later, he opened his own studio on Munhall Road where I continued weekly lessons for another 10 years. Gene was 19 years old when he started teaching.
My memory of him was wonderful. He was caring, loving and demanding. His two sayings were “It’s no cigar” and “Hit the nail on the head.” He also often said, “If you do the step right, I’ll marry you.”
He taught tap, toe and ballet. I took all three. He was a master and we loved him dearly.
His parents took care of the business side and his brother Fred and sister Louise also did some teaching.
I ended my “career” when he left for New York to appear on Broadway in “Pal Joey” and then onto Hollywood. No one could replace him!
ROSALYN ROBIN
Squirrel Hill
Related posts:
10 Comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- Slipping Off That Pedestal: Shifts in the Student-Professor Relationship | Unmuzzled Thoughts (about Teaching, Shakespeare, and Pop Culture) - [...] me, the way I teach, or what I say during class. For instance, do they think my love affair ...
- Gene Kelly: Simply Irresistible | Unmuzzled Thoughts (about Teaching, Shakespeare, and Pop Culture) - [...] (TCM) would air Black Hand (Richard Thorpe, 1950), a little-known film noir that stars my favorite song-and-dance man, Gene ...
- On Hollywood Stars and the Titles of Their Memoirs | Unmuzzled Thoughts (about Teaching, Shakespeare, and Pop Culture) - [...] I was largely digging for information on Gene Kelly about whom I’ve written here and here and here). Like ...
Leave a Reply
Professor of film and Shakespeare. Advocate of social media. Lover of popular culture,
Thanks for posting these wonderful letters, Kelli! I have to agree with Rosalyn Robin's assessment of Gene Kelly — No one can ever replace him!
Re: replacing Gene, you've got that right! =) And, you're welcome; they're cute little gems, aren't they?
Am I right in thinking that Philadelphia has honoured the character of Rocky as played by Stallone with a statue??
There's something wrong there! Kelly is global, a superstar and legend. I know people in the UK who would make the pilgrimage to where he grew up – including me!
Yes, Philly has a Rocky statue! http://www.visitphilly.com/museums-attractions/ph…
Apparently, the one for Kelly has been in the works a long time; it just hasn't been done…yet. =(
Hi Kelli, thanks for bringing those letters, and Gene, to a wider audience. I already did make a 'pilgrimage' from the UK to Pittsburgh and would have loved to sit in a quiet spot where I could look on an image of Gene and think of all he accomplished. True, we don't need a statue for that, but it would remind the world of his amazing achievements and would be a mark of respect for a lad from Pittsburgh.
Hi, Sue — thanks so much for your comment and especially for introducing me to your fabulous website on Gene Kelly! Is there an RSS feed for it, so I can be updated on new posts? (Btw, I just added your site to my Blogroll! Love it.)
Hi, Kelli
Thanks so much for publicising my site. It is a labour of love for Gene. Glad you are enjoying it. If you become a sitemember I send out email blasts when I have added anything of significance. Not sure about RSS feeds, I am a dope where computer technology is concerned! But I will find out.
I read that you live in Toledo. I was there last year, in March, for 2 showings of SITR at that theatre! My friend Cindy lives in Toledo and she organised the showings as a celebration of 'March 24th – my lucky Day'
I have just read your piece on why Gene makes you hot and bothered -loved it and agree with your conclusions.
He elicits a huge range of emotions from me – ranging from the deepest joy and elation to tears of sadness and longing – oh yes, lust is in there somewhere too! Did I really confess to that on a public site???
FYI — just mentioned your site on Gene Kelly Fans, a Twitter feed/fansite devoted to Gene: http://twitter.com/GeneKellyFans/statuses/1751193…
Great stuff Kelli. We've been asking for a statue here in Pittsburgh for years. They need to get it done!
I've just read these lovely, endearing letters with each relating their personal experience & admiration for Gene. With regard to the Pittsburgh statue, I've read in a reputable Pittsburgh newspaper an article on this very subject. Evidently there is a stalemate on the planning due to politics. As you may know, Patricia Ward Kelly (Gene's 3rd wife) controls his estate, likeness & image etc. During the preliminary planning for this statue, Ward was naturally consulted but she was displeased with the plans put forth. The city organizers stated they have tried working with her to compromise on something suitable but "negotiations" have since broke down and the organizers subsequently nixed the idea for now. Perhaps the respective parties along with local artists (sculptor/architect) can get their "ish" together & create something beautiful in time for Gene's centennial commemoration? I'm just saying; the man deserves some brotherly love! I know that's reserved just for Philly residents, but whatever! I'm from Brooklyn!