Gene Kelly Collection Blu-ray Review: 4 Classic Movie Musicals
Few are synonymous with a genre of film like Gene Kelly is with Hollywood musicals. The incredible singer and dancer had chops as a director and actor as well, proving he was the charismatic full package. Now four of Kelly’s finest movies are available in high-definition at an affordable price thanks to the Gene Kelly Collection Blu-ray release.
“Here are four of the amazing Gene Kelly classics together in a superb collection. His film debut opposite Judy Garland in For Me and My Gal, their re-teaming in Vincente Minnelli’s The Pirate, the Oscar-winning Best Picture masterpiece An American in Paris with Leslie Caron and a Gershwin score, and perhaps the greatest musical film of all-time, Singin’ in the Rain with Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor,” says the official description.
The first two films in the Gene Kelly Collection are two collaborations with the equally wonderful Judy Garland. First is 1942’s For Me and My Gal, which is actually Kelly’s film debut and Garland’s first “adult” role. Both leads are wonderful in the film, which deals with World War I, and there are some memorable songs, especially the title track. 1948’s The Pirate sees Garland and Kelly reunite, and it’s among the best of their films together, and seeing Kelly be a swashbuckler is quite fun.
The final two films in the collection are two of the most iconic musicals ever made. 1951’s An American in Paris is a Best Picture winner and features some of Kelly’s best choreography. Meanwhile, Singin’ in the Rain is my favorite film of Kelly’s filmography and is a wonderful look at Hollywood in the late 1920s. Thankfully, all four films look and sound great, so you get to fully appreciate these iconic performances.
Each movie’s individual disc includes several bonus features. For Me and My Gal includes an audio commentary by historian John Fricke, two MGM shorts featuring Garland, some outtakes, and audio performances. The Pirate has another commentary by Fricke, a 19-minute featurette taking a look at its legacy, a classic short (You Can’t Win), a Tom and Jerry cartoon, and radio interviews with Kelly and Garland. Meanwhile, An American in Paris features an audio commentary by Patricia Ward Kelly (Gene’s widow) that includes several interviews, a 42-minute behind-the-scenes documentary, an even longer PBS documentary on the film, audio outtakes, and several radio interviews. Finally, Singin’ on the Rain features a commentary track celebrating the film’s impact (Baz Luhrmann and more make appearances), a 51-minute look at the film’s legacy, and its original trailer.
Gene Kelly Collection Blu-ray Review: Final Verdict
While An American in Paris and Singin’ in the Rain need no introduction, all four films in the Gene Kelly Collection Blu-ray is fun and worth revisiting. All of the movies look and sound great, so you’ll find yourself singing along in no time. Each disc features a bevvy of bonus features, so there’s plenty to learn even for longtime fans of the Pittsburgh native.
Disclosure: ComingSoon received product from the distributor for our Gene Kelly Collection Blu-ray review.
Source: Comingsoon.net