Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Harmonia (A) on September 21, 2006 at 03:44:54

In Reply to: "the man was a freakin' genius"....couldn't agree more posted by TWB on September 20, 2006 at 21:47:39:

...are polar opposites. I love them both, of course, and would never put a "vs" between their names.

And yet...Fred was the more special artist to me. What a double whammy he packed - one of the greatest dancers of the 20th century *and* one of the greatest pop song stylists. His genius was that he made it all seem so natural, elegant, organic and (especially)effortless...when of course it was anything but effortless. Fred was a rehearsing maniac so it looked that way.

I think Fred displayed in his dancing the same thing that genius choreographer George Balanchine achieved in his ballets - absolute clarity. When you look at Fred dancing or at Mr. B's ballets, you see the unity of the dancer, the music and the emotion all at the same time. Nothing extraneous, nothing wasted - everything is right, and the dance tells you everything you need to know.

Kelly OTOH was all about energy, attack and athleticism, projected with a rakish charm. There was always something boyish about his persona, as well as something of the street smart.

Oh...and Fred also loved horses - as do I.