Michael Kidd's "Smile" performance

Three things about Michael Kidd, the award-winning choreographer (Guys and Dolls and Can-Can on stage, The Band Wagon and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in films) who died Sunday night at his home in Los Angeles. One, he was straight. Two, he talked like a New York cab driver or newsstand vendor. And three, he gave a snappy and amusing performance as a choreographer hired to finesse a stage show for a Santa Rosa teenage beauty pageant in Michael Richie's Smile ('75).


(l. to r.) Michael Kidd, Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen on the set of It's Always Fair Weather; cover art for DVD of Michael Ritichie's Smile

It's worth renting or buying this DVD regardless, but Kidd's performance has a lot of sass. His character has one of those "okay, let's get this over with" attitudes of an old veteran on the downslide. I love guys like that, and I liked Kidd the second he walked on-screen in this very dry satire of middle-class culture. Seen it all, knows it all, cut the crap, whatever.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 25, 2007 at 9:43 AM

comment #1

lazarus Author Profile Page says ...

One of the better Honorary Oscars given out was to Kidd, who I believe was presented with his statue by Julie Andrews. And didn't he dance when he came out to accept it? A nice moment.

Posted by lazarus Author Profile Page at December 25, 2007 10:26 AM

comment #2

thatmovieguy Author Profile Page says ...

It's also worth checking out IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER, which is one of the most unusual of the MGM "Golden Age" musicals. It's actually more like a bitter comedy (it was designed as a sardonic semi-sequel to ON THE TOWN) that happens to have a few great song-and-dance numbers in it. Kidd is hilarious in it and he dances up a storm alongside Gene Kelly and the ever-underrated Dan Dailey.

Posted by thatmovieguy Author Profile Page at December 25, 2007 6:21 PM

comment #3

Larry Author Profile Page says ...

Amidst big names like Fosse and Robbins, I'm not sure if Kidd is remembered as well as he should be. But people on Broadway knew how good he was--he won five Tony Awards.

And he's the best thing in Smile.

Posted by Larry Author Profile Page at December 25, 2007 11:52 PM

comment #4

R. Hunt Author Profile Page says ...

"... And that girl...had a wooden leg." Kidd's work in "Smile" has been my choice for the most neglected "Best Supporting Actor" performance for over 30 years.

Posted by R. Hunt Author Profile Page at December 26, 2007 3:52 AM

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