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Thursday, June 26, 2008
Movie Legends
It’s so sad to watch old movies like Singin’ in the Rain and think about the actors and actresses who were in them.
Gene Kelly was in so many good movies (and not-so-good movies) and has an undenyable talent as well as a great deal of charm. He died in 1996 from complications from two strokes. He was 84.
Donald O’Connor was also a fixture of the 40′s and 50′s musicals. He died in 2003 from heart failure at the age of 78.
Jean Hagen, who is most well-known for playing Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain, died in 1977 from throat cancer. She was 54.
Millard Mitchell, who played R.F. Simpson, died in 1953 from lung cancer. He was 50 years old.
Douglas Fowley, who played the over-exuberant director in the movie, died in 1998 at the age of 87.
Cyd Charisse, whose legs are not only gorgeous but iconic, died on June 17 at the age of 81 from complications from a heart attack.
From this one movie, four of the actors playing main (and memorable) roles have since died. It feels like we’re losing legends of the screen, and our only way to keep remembering them is to keep watching the movies and seeing the interviews that they gave.
I, for one, was sad to find out that Cyd Charisse died this year, but was even more sad when I decided to investigate the health and well-being of her former co-stars for the first time. The only two who remain alive and well whose credits are significant are Debbie Reynolds and Rita Moreno (who played Zelda Zanders). It was a sad thing to realize that most of the cast of one of my favorite movies have died. I know this is the way that life goes, but it’s still a hard realization.
I guess all there is left to be said is: May they all rest in peace.
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They’re both rockin it, too. My mom luuuurves Rita Moreno and I <3 Debbie Reynolds so hard–her part in ‘In & Out’ kills me every time I watch the movie.
/random
Thalia — June 26, 2008 @ 7:41 pm