Cyd Charisse

[fabrisse]

She was the first woman I wanted to be when I grew up. I saw her in that green outfit in Singin' in the Rain and thought she knew exactly what it meant to be a grown up woman. I got the haircut. I was twelve.

She was dubbed in her movies, though I've heard her sing and it wasn't bad. The range was limited though.

Her legs were miles long and terrific in high kicks, but she was always wonderfully lyrical. Her role in The Harvey Girls was small but memorable, at least by me. It's not even listed on her imdb page. (Found it. Silly me.) The movie Silk Stockings isn't very good, but she's wonderful.

86 is a great age to live to. I wish it had been more.

Her best numbers:
The Girl Hunt Ballet from The Bandwagon
Broadway Rhythm/Broadway Melody from Singin' in the Rain
Baby, You Knock Me Out from It's Always Fair Weather
Heather on the Hill from Brigadoon

Comments

[snopes-faith.livejournal.com]

Awww. This is EXACTLY what I was banging on about the other day - I didn't know that Cyd Charisse was still alive (well until I found out that now she wasn't). I thought she died about five years ago. It transpires I was thinking of Ann Miller in this regard.
How sad. She was an amzing dancer and great screen presence - I love her turn in Singin' in the Rain

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Singin' in the Rain was magic.

And, yes, I understand exactly what you mean.

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

"Her legs were miles long"

I respectfully disagree. I have it on good authority that they "went on forever", and were therefore infinitely long.

A small comfort: The films survive, and those legs shall continue to go on forever.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Infinitely long works for me.

The movies surviving is definitely important.

[eanja]

I saw this just a bit before seeing your post last night. I had pretty much the same reaction to her number in Singing in the Rain. I must have 11 or 12, and for the first time, I got what the whole thing w/ men and legs was about.

I may have to rewatch that when I get home tonight...

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Yeah. She was terrific.