| re: Gene Nelson -- No "White Privilege" Benefit? | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 12:55 pm EST 03/07/21 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 12:39 pm EST 03/07/21 | |
| In reply to: Gene Nelson -- No "White Privilege" Benefit? - BroadwayTonyJ 09:28 am EST 03/07/21 | |
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| Some of those musicals at Warner Brothers Nelson was in were very entertaining A-films, and those musical ladies were incredibly talented as well. For example, "Tea for Two" and "The West Point Story" have him with James Cagney, Doris Day and Gordon MacRae, all A-list talents, for example. I don't know why you chose Nelson to start off into a race tangent. Certainly the Nicholas Brothers were incredibly talented and worthy as well of having more of a career on film. A lot of who becomes a great star is also a matter of politics and luck and knowing the right people and not offending key people. Had Nelson been at MGM (considered the top musical studio) he would have played opposite Jane Powell (her home studio -- she was lent out to WB for the film he did with her there), maybe Kathryn Grayson perhaps (not a favorite), Debbie Reynolds and Ann Miller (Judy Garland having left/been fired in 1950); but that studio let go nearly all these people around 1955 as well, since the advent of tv became free competition, and film studios having to divest themselves of movie theatres dealt a death blow to the studio system. Plus around 1950, the other Gene, Mr. Kelly probably wouldn't have been keen to have competition at his home studio, least of all from someone else named Gene! Especially since Mr. Nelson in addition to being a great dancer, was an ace gymnast and professional figure skater! Nelson's name shows up in the credits of "Donna Reed Show", "I Dream Of Jeannie", and others, and he apparently liked directing. He did a show at City Center called "Music! Music!" with Donna McKechnie, as well as "Follies" on Broadway as well as other theater credits. There's a video interview with him, and what strikes me is how modest and gracious a gent he was, for all his talent and all the hard work that made him so incredible a performer. I think he worked hard, took what came his way, made attempts to get better opportunities, made the most of what he got, and appreciated doing it all. The chips of destiny, politics, who in power likes you and who blocks you, etc., are faced by everyone, in every field, actually. I just marvel at rediscovering him because he was fabulous. I love watching The Nicholas Brothers and Carmen Miranda and Dorothy Dandridge as well. Even folks who were top stars like Deanna Durbin, Miriam Hopkins, John Garfield and Kay Francis from lack of showing of their films on tv can be driven from the public consciousness and are most worthy of being rediscovered and enjoyed again. |
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