Ever since I saw Gene Kelly co-starring with Judy Garland in "The Pirate", "Summer Stock", and "For Me and My Gal", I have always considered him to be my favorite of Garland's leading men. However, since my childhood introduction to Gene Kelly, I have come to see him as much more than Judy's co-star-- and this book tells me why. I had never known before that he directed "Singin' in the Rain" and "On the Town." Who knew that his talent off camera matched the talent on screen? Clive Hirschhorn's biography reveals a highly intelligent man who is quite different from what one would expect when one looks at the characters he portrays on screen. Gene was a highly private man who, although he had a large social circle, remained a bit apart from the crowd. Although tempermental and brutally demanding of perfection from himself and others, he could also be surprisingly gentle and funny. He had an interest in philosophy, politics, music, and literature. The knowledge he had in these areas certainly contributed to the artistry he put toward his choreography and direction. This book gives insight into Gene Kelly not through speculation or gossip but through interviews with his friends, co-workers, and, most importantly, the man himself. The book was written twenty years before Gene's death and thus is not a complete portrait of his life. However, this works to the book's advantage since the author was able to interview Gene himself. The book is funny, inspiring, and tragic all at once. It broke my heart to read of the downward spiral of Gene's career as the golden age of Hollywood died. But, Gene's optimism and resilience were impressive to read about. He is certainly an example for all, embodying all-American attributes including ingenuity, persistence, ambition, and challenging the accepted norm. The book reads like a page-turner, and, by the end, the reader feels that he/she was one of Gene's regular guests at the informal Saturday night parties for which he was so famous. I'd highly recommend this biography for Gene Kelly fans, fans of musicals, or simply fans of a good read!
