Patricia Kelly, the late Gene Kelly’s wife, has been actively preserving his legacy. During a recent interview, the writer and biographer addressed the rumor circulating about the 1952 movie Singin’ in the Rain. For years, fans have long speculated that Gene Kelly was a demanding perfectionist.
However, Kelly’s widow, Patricia Ward Kelly, has finally revealed the truth behind the movie and about fans saying that she was hard on his co-star, Debbie Reynolds, during the dances. While acknowledging that the scenes were physically demanding, Patricia emphasized that the claim that Gene mistreated Reynolds is exaggerated and unfair.
Gene Kelly’s experience on ‘Singin’ in the Rain’
Singin’ in the Rain was co-directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen and remains one of the greatest movies in Hollywood. It features dance scenes, good cinematography, and a beautiful soundtrack, which set a high bar for movie musicals. The “Good Morning” scene was performed by Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor.
The rigorous scene required numerous takes and stretched late into the night, leaving Reynolds with bleeding feet, an anecdote she herself recounted in later years. However, despite this, Patricia Kelly insists that Gene’s approach was never abusive. She acknowledged that her late husband was a perfectionist who always expected the best from his co-stars, but he also deeply respected and supported them. Patricia Kelly noted that Reynolds, then only 19, was relatively new to dancing at such a high level, and Gene Kelly took on the role of mentor rather than being a tormentor. She also pointed out that the rain in which Gene Kelly danced did not contain milk. Instead, it only appeared whitish due to the effects of lightning and cinematographic backlighting.
Gene Kelly’s legacy
Patricia Kelly has dedicated her life to preserving Gene Kelly’s contributions to the entertainment industry. She regularly speaks at events, curates exhibitions, and ensures that his creativity is remembered, not misrepresented by rumors.
She believes that accurately revisiting history is important to honoring an artist’s true legacy. Beyond Singin’ in the Rain, Gene Kelly became an example of Hollywood musicals with his athletic dance style.