« Gene Nelson
Gene Nelson, One of the Best Pair of Legs in Hollywood
If that title doesn't grab someone's attention, I'll really have to unload the heavy artillery, because I'm desperate to help America remember this fantastic Hollywood dancer and actor.
Oddly enough, like Kelly, Astaire and O'Connor, this guy was straight in a gay profession and about as handsome as they come. How he escaped the clutches of all those greedy queens I have no idea.
I remember that he first caught my attention when he teamed up with Gordon MacRae to do a few fantastic high-budget musicals and I was astounded by his hoofing.
He was every bit as good as Kelly and O'Connor, though I have to admit, not him or anyone else was or is as good as the man, Fred Astaire.
Gene, however, was a far better actor than his contemporaries. He must have been, because later in his career he became a well-known and highly respected TV director.
I'm writing this little article because I hate to see such a great talent go unrecognised in a world where "stars" of the past and present, with far less talent, get so much attention.
I hope someone will pick up on this thread so that together we can remind the world of all the great talent most of it has either forgotten or has never known, much to the eternal regret of every serious theater-goer.
I also hope that we who appreciate the history of show business can save the hoi polloi from the cultural barbarism that currently permeates the industry. Family films indeed!
|
|
|
|
Jul 20, 2008 12:50 AM
|
|
It does. I read it and you are right. What a great talent!
|
|
Jul 20, 2008 2:55 PM
|
