Sad news today in Los Angeles as we learned of the passing of the very lovely and gracious Cyd Charisse. Born Tula Ellis Finklea in Amarillo, she came to California to reinvent herself as so many do. And she invented something very special.
A very talented and artistic dancer, she added elegance and poise to the many films in which she appeared. Most usually paired with Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, but not exclusively.
She starred in my favorite B-Musical about Las Vegas, 1956's "Meet Me in Las Vegas", as the love interest of Dan Dailey. It's one of those fabulous glamour films of the 50's with great sets and amazing costume and no discernible script whatsoever. Dan appeared in the opening scene pulling under the Porte Cochere of the Sands Hotel with a brand new red 1956 Lincoln Premiere convertible and matching horse trailer. Yes, horse trailer.
Here she is dancing to a mid-century adaptation of "Frankie and Johnny" with John Brascia. Sammy Davis Jr. narrates. It's rat pack heaven:
Rest in Peace to a fine lady in every sense of the word.
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The trials, tribulations and jaundiced observations of a single guy over 40 under the magical desert skies of Palm Springs. Aircraft, architecture, automobiles.
About Me
- Jeff
- Palm Springs, CA, United States
- Sharing my jaundiced observations of life under the magical desert skies. worldojeff@gmail.com
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Blogs I Read Compulsively
- Big Ass Belle
- Birdie
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- Father Geoff Farrow
- Flightblogger
- Flint Ex Pats
- Huffington Post
- Inch at a Time
- Joe.My.God
- Jungle Red
- Library Muscle Guy
- love, elizabeth
- Miss Janey's Place
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- What Would Jackie Wear
- Why Oh Why
- Willy or Wont He
- Yellowdog Granny
2 comments:
She was truly fabulous, personally I loved her best paired with Gene Kelly- there was just something about them together that I always found magical.
OMG I had forgotten about this film - my father took me to see it when it was first released. Every second Friday we would go into town - and Toronto in those days was still very much a town - to one of the big old movie theatres to see a first run. I always got to choose and I must say I choose the damnest things.
As you mentioned we all posted a little tribute - each different but each bespeaking the talents of the lady.
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