Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen: Slaughter on Tenth Avenue in WORDS AND MUSIC | Mad About Musicals | TCM

Jam-packed with blockbuster songs performed by some of MGM's top talent, WORDS AND MUSIC (’48) is a lavish film biography of the songwriting duo Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart.
WORDS AND MUSIC (’48) also features the first full-length modern ballet piece in a Hollywood movie. Choreographed and danced by Gene Kelly, with Vera-Ellen as his partner, "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" provided the show-stopping seven-minute finale to the film. Originally appearing in the Rodgers and Hart Broadway musical comedy ON YOUR TOES, the music was used by Kelly to tell the story via dance of a sad love affair on the New York streets. Vera-Ellen always considered it the best work of her Hollywood career.
#GeneKelly #VeraEllen #TurnerClassicMovies #MadAboutMusicals #TCM
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Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen: Slaughter on Tenth Avenue in WORDS AND MUSIC | Mad About Musicals | TCM
• Gene Kelly and Vera-El...
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[@peterlundskow4061]

It is really sad that Vera-Ellen had such a hard life from the powers that be that ran the studios, etc. From only having her own voice used in a few songs of the films she was in, to those people controling her body image with drugs, etc. She was one of the best creative & powerful dnacers in Hollywood history!

[@elainemackie1431]

Yeh I read she was anorexic too

[@mikelgibson4781]

Love to see more Vera. She was so talented, but ignored as anything more than a dancer. Please feature more movies with Vera in them.

[@mydogsmylifecircusdogtrainer]

Fantastic Thanks for posting

[@501rivet]

So much emotion expressed in the movements expertly presented by two skilled performers. The movement of the sets perfectly blended into the action. We have these celluloid treasures to enjoy as long as society still enjoys this style of entertainment.

[@CadeCYC]

What’s not to enjoy!!

[@TheVid54]

Gene Kelly and company sure knew how to sell a ballet to the general public back in the day! As good as this one is, it's all about the Richard Rodgers music for me.

[@Jojopah]

@The Vid54 Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. Richard Rodgers was genius!😊

[@AuntieMamie]

Lorenz Hart was as well but he was truly disturbed and died much too young

[@tylerhaggerty4805]

Always loved Vera Ellen. Of course, she was at her best when her dancing was on display, but I really wished she had more roles as an actress.

[@EricVoegelin]

I like her acting too.

[@eleanorpowellfan]

There are two magical elements at work here, Conrad Salinger's orchestration of Richard Rogers' greatest composition, and, of course, Vera-Ellen.

[@susanlloyd7395]

Gene Kelly and Gene Kelly's choreography.

[@annamariapirknernenador9606]

Fantastic dance! Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen were great dancer. I love their musical movies! Thanks very much for this video! 🥰

[@julieputney4317]

Beautiful dancing

[@KohalaLover]

Love it. The dance moves are mesmerizing & choreographed well. Gene Kelly sure could dance, Vera-Ellen too.

[@missh3200]

Thank You for posting this

[@AuntieMamie]

This interpretation is wonderful. Ray Bolger and Zorina originated it on Broadway in@On Your Toes.@ This is from a film bio, “Words and Music.” The choreography is phenomenal in its frenzy. Who better to recreate it than Gene Kelly and Vera Ellen. Everyone has an opinion. I’ve been in love with this music since college. I’m 75 and still love it. Thank you for a great video.

[@AuntieMamie]

I’m going to correct myself. Zorina and Eddie Albert were incredible in the first film. This dance was first seen in the stage with Ray Bolger and Tema. Apologies if I’m wrong.

[@jannforde9553]

Mesmerising.

[@alecwilliams7111]

Wow!!!!!! Thanks for running this.

[@Jojopah]

This ballet was originally produced on Broadway for the musical, "On Your Toes", and Ray Bolger, Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz, was the original dancer. Gene Kelly also danced this on Broadway, and I believe it became his ticket to Hollywood.

[@susanlloyd7395]

Gene didn't appear in "On Your Toes. He originated the role of Pal Joey on Broadway. His brilliance in that got the Studio heads calling.

[@Jojopah]

@@susanlloyd7395 Thank you so much for the correction. I forgot that he was in Pal Joey. 🤩

[@juliajones1425]

Vera-Ellen’s dance moves around 0:30-0:41 remind me of Dan Akroyd and Steve Martin’s “2 Wild and Crazy Guys” on SNL. 😂 It just struck me as similar. Seriously though, she’s totally marvelous. ❤

[@EugeneHutchins]

I would remind TCM that Ziegfeld Follies released in 1945 featured modern ballet "Limehouse Blues" and Yolanda and the Thief also 1945 featured modern ballets.

[@Zia1Regina]

I would remind you that you sound like a real “nob”

[@ozzoldoshadda2993]

This is EXACTLY how I met my wife.

[@501rivet]

..ME TOO ! My wife was released from the hospital two weeks before me.

[@roderickfemm8799]

First time I've seen this. It looks to me like Vera-Ellen isn't used to or comfortable with this style of dance. She looks awkward a lot of the time. I can't help comparing her unfavorably with Cyd Charisse, who seems to own these roles.

[@shaeholden1743]

Exactly, I agree with you! I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees it! 😯She looks very awkward and I did not enjoy her performance at all.

[@tommoncrieff1154]

It seems unfair to compare ANYone with Cyd Charisse!