On the Town
Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen, 1949, USA; 98m
The classic MGM musical follows three young seamen (Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin) on 24-hour leave in the Big Apple, each finding romance and (mis)adventure along the way. Donen’s dynamic smash debut—at age 25—with Gene Kelly broke ground with its extensive location shooting around Manhattan, stunning use of modern dance techniques, and seamless integration of song-and-dance numbers and narrative development. An exuberant opening salvo from a true musical master. Hello, sailors!
