Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Gone But Never Forgotten

When the video for Janet Jackson's song "Alright" came out in '89 or '90, I remember my brother saying something like, "Who's the old broad?"

I tried to breathe. I tried to remain calm as I gently but firmly explained to him that...

"That 'old broad' is Cyd Charisse. She has legs that go on for five or six miles, made tons of MGM musicals and she is a truly brilliant dancer."

Sadly, Cyd Charisse died today at 86.

Here she is in Singing in the Rain with Gene Kelly.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is talent. This is sex. This is quite possibly the most perfect entrance in any film that has ever been made. Extraordinary.



Gone but never forgotten.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

She will be missed.

Scooter said...

Goodbye, Cyd.
You were amazing!!!

dollar said...

Amen, Sister!

EMikeGarcia said...

Unfortunately, I was one of those people who thought the same as your brother when I FIRST saw the Alright video...

Actually, I thought it was Nancy Reagan.

I was 12, forgive me.

Anyhow, I have since earned my card by researching and thusly, falling in love.

She will be greatly missed.

Project Christopher said...

who's Janet Jackson?


kidding, really. Thought I'd toss out a funny for Cyd

Anonymous said...

I couldn't get past the brown shoes and white socks.

cb said...

Meh. She's no Gwen Verdon.

(kidding!)

Project Christopher said...

sorry to off topic comment, but I had a GREAT laugh at Dollar's avatar!
Sleestak! Good Lord it's been forever!

Next... where's Chaka!?!

Mark in DE said...

Truly a talent that will be missed. At least we have her films to keep the magic alive.

Mark :-)

Java said...

Thank you for posting the fantastic display of her talents, too. That's a great movie all around. Gene Kelly's shoes look much more comfortable than Cyd's. But that lady has MOVES!

Aaron said...

I remember seeing this in a film class in college. I fell in love with her when she exhaled that smoke after the camera panned to her face.

And my God, that green dress! And that SET! Beautifully designed and lit.