Stanley Donen was born and raised in South Carolina where he spent his youth taking dance lessons. At sixteen, he took the knowledge those lessons had given him and went to New York City to pursue a career on stage. Shortly after his arrival, he was on stage next to Gene Kelly in the chorus of 'Pal Joey'. From there, Donen went on to work with Kelly many times on broadway and in film.
Donen is not a name immediately recognized by many people, but his work is. He had a hand in some of the most memorable scenes and musicals to hit Hollywood since his arrival.
Do you remember...
The scene in Anchors Aweigh where Gene Kelly dances with Jerry the mouse? The idea and work putting the scene on film was all due to Stanley Donen.
Gene Kelly dancing with himself (two Gene Kellys) in Cover Girl? Again, Donen had the idea, and Kelly helped carry it out.
Royal Wedding when Fred Astaire dances on the walls and ceiling? Stanley Donen had a brilliant idea and created a room fixed on a wheel with a mounted camera, so Astaire actually was dancing on the walls and the ceiling.
The most memorable scene from Singin in the Rain when Gene Kelly does just that? Donen thought Kelly should actually sing and dance in the rain using the rain, and Kelly did.
Gene Kelly on rollerskates in It's Always Fair Weather? Donen knew Kelly was an accomplished rollerskater and teamed that with his skill as a dancer and a singer.
The brothers in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers trying to outperform the townsmen in order to 'win' the women? Stanley Donen's work again.
Donen also did the song staging for Funny Face and directed these films:
Blame It On Rio (1984)
Saturn 3 (1980)
Movie Movie (1978)
Lucky Lady (1975)
The Little Prince (1974)
Staircase (1969)
Two for the Road (1967)
Bedazzled (1967)
Arabesque (1966)
Once More, With Feeling (1960)
The Grass is Greener (1960)
Surprise Package (1960)
Indiscreet (1958)
Damn Yankees! (1958)
Funny Face (1957)
Kiss Them for Me (1957)
The Pajama Game (1957)
It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
Kismet (1955)
Deep in My Heart (1954)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
Give a Girl a Break (1953)
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