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Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2008 > June > 18 > Entry
Cyd Charisse, 1921-2008
(Sigh) We’ve lost another one.
You know, I could go on at length about how great Cyd Charisse was as a dancer, and what a fantastic presence she was in musicals - but I’ll let other folks do that.
Besides, especially for a dancer, the best way to prove greatness is to show - not tell.
So watch this, from Singin’ in the Rain:
And this, from the ever undervalued It’s Always Fair Weather …
And ESPECIALLY this, from The Band Wagon:
Glorious. What a dame, indeed.
Oh, and this picture sums up Cyd’s appeal pretty well too:
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Tributes
Comments
By Rich
June 18, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
In the “Broadway Melody” sequence from “Singing in the Rain”, Cyd Charisse embodied sex appeal better than anyone else, before or since. I could watch her sultry dance with Gene Kelly until the cows come home. Wow! She seemed to have longer legs than any other human being — and man, did she know how to use them! Did anyone else note the incredible mistake that’s floated around in stories of Cyd’s death? Yesterday’s original AP news story claimed she was married to Tony BENNETT, not Tony MARTIN. I actually heard Cincinnati’s Channel 19 WXIX morning news make that same mistake THIS MORNING! I realize Cyd was part of “classic Hollywood”, so many may have no memory of her at all. But come on — don’t news organizations keep obituaries on hand that are ready to use whenever notable personalities die? What a stupid goof!By ME
June 18, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
I think you all said it. All I can say is I wish I had an ounce of her talent. What style, what amazing ability. She and Gene are a class all their own!By Allie D.
June 18, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
She was just so striking and exotic looking to me. The first time I saw her was in Singin in the Rain and the dance you posted exemplified her “wow” factor so well. That and the one with the really long scarf blowing around. Simply beautiful.By Sir Critic
June 18, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
You make an excellent point, Dave. But that picture was so priceless, with Cyd’s pose and Gene’s “duuh” expression, I had to use it. If it can’t sum up Cyd’s appeal, it at least represents it pretty well.By Dave
June 18, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
To be fair, no still picture could ever “sum up” her appeal. A still photo shows her as beautiful. Dancing, she was beyond words.By SRCputt
June 18, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
No way to be intellectual about this. She was a stunning presence. She had a grace few dancers had. And you’re right, there’s just no way to put it into words.