Greg Jenner on Gene Kelly
4 Extra Debut. Historian Greg Jenner nominates the Hollywood star Gene Kelly. Ruth Leon is expert witness. With Matthew Parris. From 2018.
Public historian Greg Jenner has always loved Gene Kelly.
"So much better than he had any right to be."
Born in Pittsburgh in 1912, Gene Kelly was a broad-shouldered Irish American whose first love was ice hockey. But according to his biographer, Ruth Leon, he revolutionised movie-making by making the camera dance.
Kelly's great films are Singin in the Rain, On The Town and An American in Paris - with extracts and archive of Gene speaking, this is a joyful celebration of the great age of Hollywood musicals.
Presented by Matthew Parris.
Producer Miles Warde
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2018.
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Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Matthew Parris |
| Interviewed Guest | Greg Jenner |
| Interviewed Guest | Ruth Leon |
| Producer | Miles Warde |
Broadcasts
Tue 4 Sep 201816:30BBC Radio 4- Fri 7 Sep 201823:00BBC Radio 4
- Thu 19 May 202218:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 20 May 202200:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 21 May 202207:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 21 May 202217:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sun 22 May 202205:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
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Great Lives
Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
