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

[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.