GENE KELLY made no secret of his admiration for DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS.

Gene Kelly in THE THREE MUSKETEERS

Douglas Fairbanks

THE THREE MUSKETEERS. Van Heflin, Gene Kelly, Gig Young, Robert Coote, June Allyson, Lana Turner

Douglas Fairbanks. The Black Pirate

Gene Kelly, in THE PIRATE, does Fairbanks gymnastics. Some of Gene’s stunts in The Pirate are breathtaking.

Side thought: Isnt  it good that our two greatest dancers were so different . I can’t see Fred Astaire in that outfit above!  Or playing D’Artagnan in The Three Musketeers.

Fred was the epitome of style  and sophistication. Gene’s athleticism showed through in all his dances. It’s no surprise he saw possibilities for choreography in the actions of the silent film star who almost invented swashbuckling .

Not really related, but I just liked this picture of the two Fairbanks.

Father and son.