One of the most likeable and nimble of all Hollywood's song-and-dance-men, who retained his youthful looks and casual charm throughout a career spanning well over 50 years. The Washington Post 14 Mar 1993: AA16. Unfortunately for the O'Connor family, world events often coincided with terrible personal losses, requiring Donald to assume adult responsibilities at a very young age. Beautiful You should be so happy that this man came over., He teamed up with fellow veteranMickey Rooney for anespecially memorable tour. musical work is probably. So I can do straight comedy without the song and dance; I can do all kinds of combinations. Zylstra, Freida. It would exact heavy professional and personal costs. Its a tremendous honor. God bless you, OConnor replied. With the decline of the studio system by the end of the decade, O'Connor launched himself into the television industry. Donald O'Connor Divorced. "[8], When they were not touring they stayed with O'Connor's Uncle Bill in Danville, Illinois. Breathless and sweating from astrenuous dance number, he brings little Donna on stage for the closing sketch. Hisown variety show was canceled, and two other attempts to launch a TV series died on the shelves. This clip features Donald O'Connor dancing on roller skates and was filmed two years before Gene Kelly "tap skated" in It's Always Fair Weather. In a baffling move, this film also paired OConnor with none other than Marilyn Monroe. Some of it includes work for the United States Army and Red Cross. [citation needed]. And culminated with a challenge dance with O'Connor and the Nicholas Brothers (Fayard and Harold) trading and one-upping on tap steps. He began to spendlong nights playing cards and getting fights at the club. Donald O'Connor Billed at Sahara He is remembered for his athletic dancing style and mischievous charm. But Donald contracted a rare fever from Francis the mule just as production began, and he was still too weak to take the job even after they had postponed the shoot for months. O'Connor is also seen briefly dancing a vaudeville-styled tap routine as one of the three Dancing Dolans in the 1939 Warner Brother's musical On Your Toes, choreographed by George Balanchine. He said he went on the road "about 32 weeks a year. Characters were ordinary people expressing their feelings, not entertainers putting on a show. That year marked the beginning of his accelerated descent into full-blown alcoholism. [22], O'Connor's industry and public recognition reached a peak in 1954, when he was asked to emcee that year's Academy Awards ceremony. He was Cap'n Andy in a short-lived Broadway revival of Show Boat (1983) and continued to tour in various shows and acts. The program was cancelled due to the dancer becoming "too political," and O'Connor was reprimanded by the studio. ", "AFI List of Top 100 Songs From U.S. Though his body was aging, his eyes still had the same fire, the same knowing sparkle that said,Im about to make a complete and utter fool of myself. His childrenquietly auctioned off his belongings to the public. He made his film debut at age eleven, dancing an uncredited "specialty routine" with brothers Jack and Billy in the 1937 Warner Brothers musical, Melody for Two. Donna recalled that it allculminated at the breakfast table one morning, when Donald asked Gwen, What would you like to do today? She answered,I want a divorce. He swallowed the pain and asked, Are you sure you wouldnt rather go to a movie? No, I want a divorce. She fought for and woncustody of Donna, leaving Donald with the dog. (1948), Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin' (1948), and Yes, Sir, That's My Baby (1949); and these led to Francis (1949), a potboiler about an Army private who finds he is the only person who can carry on a conversation with an otherwise taciturn mule; the film proved to be a big hit with the kids and led to five sequels. [6] His brother Billy died a decade later from scarlet fever and his eldest sibling Jack died from alcoholism in 1959. "[2] Both music and lyrics of "Make 'Em Laugh" bear almost exact similarities in form and style to "Be a Clown". Unabashed, O'Connor developed his own style of tap dancing drawn from experience in vaudeville. He also performed a number of cameo roles on film, among them as the vaudevillian and dance instructor in the film Ragtime (1981 and the dreamy-eyed toy manufacturer in Robin Williams' film, Toys (1992). His succinct answer:No. He played Gary Cooper as a young boy in Beau Geste (1939), directed by Wellman. [29], He did episodes of Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, Vacation Playhouse, ABC Stage 67 and The Jackie Gleason Show. Reynolds wrote: 'The camera closed in. All the while, O'Connor frantically belts his heart out, delivering a supercharged ditty without missing a single note. O'Connor and Ryan were in Top Man (1943), with Susanna Foster, and Chip Off the Old Block (1944), with Ann Blyth. Donald O'Connor. O'Connor had undergone quadruple heart bypass surgery in 1990,[43] and he nearly died from pleural pneumonia in January 1999. O'Connor was a regular host of NBC's Colgate Comedy Hour. 80 percent of schoolchildren say more could be done to engage young people with, 13-year-old Ukrainian refugee plays poignantly on public piano, one year since the war, Mother asks TikTok to play her 10-year-old daughters melody, and a whole string, Blind 13-year-old pianists stunning Chopin nocturne performance leaves Lang Lang, Music takes 13 minutes to release sadness and 9 to make you happy, according to new, Cate Blanchett produces a sound some conductors dont come close to Tr cellist, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to write new work for King Charles III, as coronation music, Berlin Phil announces first ever female concertmaster in 141-year history, Vineta, What is The Piano, the TV talent show judged by Lang Lang at train stations, and when, Braimah Kanneh-Mason performs deeply moving Schindlers List theme 30 years on from, Download 'Symphony No.9 in E minor Opus 95 (2)' on iTunes. I loved vaudeville. [citation needed], DONALD O'CONNOR All Kelly had to do was let him loose on a roomful of props, with two personal assistants writing down which bits made them laugh hardest. O'Connor third billed in both Boy Trouble (1939) and Unmarried (1939), playing John Hartley as a young boy in the latter. Ive still got to find a place in life as a human being, not a machine Im no angel. But Donald bore it with perpetual good humor. Kelly was 20 years her senior and classically trained in ballet; O'Connor, 27 at the time, was another "triple threat" (actor, singer, and dancer) who had been performing in movies since the age of 12. [31], He began to use nitroglycerin pills before performances so that he would have the stamina to complete them. The four-minute song-and-dance number featuring all three of the film's stars (Kelly, Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor) took 15 hours to get right. Co-director Stanley Donen referenced the Cole Porter song "Be a Clown" from the film The Pirate, and further suggested that Freed and Brown compose a song using this as their inspiration. Through it all, he never stopped working. By the end, Reynolds' feet were bleeding and she could barely move. Disillusionment came swiftly. So it was back tohis first love: the stage. What was that?" Danny Kayesplum sidekick role wasoriginallyconceived for and pitched to him. Hang On To Your Chairs And Lamps You Re All The Brilliant Choreography This Dance Number Was Done On A Fred Astaire Fred Astaire Dancing Old Movie Stars. Noble died in 2013. Fans filed through the estate sale by the thousands. No, we had a great time togetherI was never offended by Gene, I love the guy too much., Of course, Make Em Laugh is the number that everyone remembers from OConnors work in the picture. It was standing-room only, and the kids were eating out of his hand in minutes. There ought to be a running club named after Donald O'Connora club with high hopes. They finishwith a song, but she forgets her one line. He once said: I was about 13 months old, they tell me, when I first started dancing, and theyd hold me up by the back of my neck and theyd start the music, and I'd dance. Antonin Dvorak The Donald OConnor Story Part I of III September 1 2014 Esther OReilly Patheos Explore the worlds faith through. I capture your attention without giving you time to think about it. "We really didn't have a choice; if you were in the family you appeared in the act. Through its pages, they could trace his handwriting, claiming the promises as his own. Because of a camera flaw where the aperture wasn't properly prepared and the device's lens was covered in fog at one point, Donald O'Connor was made to perform "Make 'Em Laugh" again a day after his first flawless execution of it. O'Connor later said regarding Effie, "She wanted me to be as great as I possibly could be. Watch more with these video collections. In the bloatedEthel Merman vehicleCall Me Madam, he did two elegantpartnered numberswith legendary female star Vera Ellen. They married in Tijuana. O'Connor was stunned at the insignificance of the gift after all the millions of dollars he had made for the studio, and in later life recalled, "What can I say about these people?". [2][3] In the song, Cosmo explains that he loves making people laugh, and quotes back to the inspiring words of a man named Samuel J. Snodgrass (as he was about to be led to the guillotine), his dad and his grandpa (though it's made unclear whether Cosmo refers to Snodgrass's or his own relatives). Yeah, he was miserable. With a backlog of seven features, deferred openings kept O'Connor's screen presence uninterrupted during the two years he was overseas with Special Services in the U.S. Army Air Forces. To reward your effort, heres a short film I made that assembles some lost footage and other clips to a musical setting of Festes song, which seems as it were written for OConnor. OConnors terse retort: Many people who love me protected me. I sing, I dance, I do comedy. Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor was born in Chicago to parents who were circus. Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times 1 Mar 1959: f3. O'Connor was still making public appearances well into 2003. She did her best. I ran around frantic, yelling for some Coca-Cola to cleanse my mouth. It would have been fascinating to watch them play off of each other, as they shared certain qualities in common. Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One fan had a front-row seat and later recalled, There were so many curtain calls, it was unbelievable. [9], O'Connor signed a contract at Paramount Studios. Dancing In the Rain: The Donald O'Connor Story (Part II of III), Dancing In the Rain: The Donald OConnor Story (Part III of III). created 26 Mar 2021. He finally struck Broadway gold again in 1983, and it put the wind back in the sails of his stage career. OConnor was born into a family of Vaudeville entertainers. He also appeared in several productions of Little Me. I did triple wings and everything. So, when the music came on, he made it up and the dance flowed out of him. Show more Make Em Laugh SingingInTheRain1952 164K views 14 years ago Applied Mathematics -. "I had three months to learn what Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor had been doing for years," Reynolds wrote in her 2013 memoir Unsinkable. Donald O'Connor, the breezy song-and-dance comedian who created movie magic with his spirited rendition of "Make 'em Laugh" in the Hollywood . The Guardian 29 Sep 2003: 1.21. O'Connor followed the first Francis with comedies: Curtain Call at Cactus Creek (1950), The Milkman (1950), and Double Crossbones (1951). Just watching him in thisskitwith a French charm consultant is like watching the beta version of Mork from Ork. Nevertheless, Donald O'Connor'ssacrifice for "Make 'Em Laugh" turned out to be warranted. Quite simple to do rather spectacular., OConnors work in the film has fallen into Kellys shadow over the years,but the critics favored him at the time, andhe stole theGolden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy right from under Kellys nose. In 1975, the BBC asked Donald OConnorif the musical was dead. Hed made a science of playingthe system for a week or two,only toescape back into his old habits. ', During dance rehearsals, she once ducked into one of MGM's rehearsal rooms and sat under a piano crying. Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor (August 28, 1925 - September 27, 2003) was an American dancer, singer and actor. Q Fever Hits Star, Melbourne Argus 15 Aug 1953, p. 4. Gene Kelly came in to help with musical timing and blocking. But OConnor marched on undaunted. The four-minute song-and-dance number featuring all three of the film's stars (Kelly, Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor) took 15 hours to get right. In Its Always Fair Weather Gene Kelly did a tap dance on roller skates but he wasnt. Whatever's in at the time, I can fit into. [9], He later said, "I learned two dance routines. 1607 (January 16, 1954): 12. Before he reported for induction on February 6, 1944, Universal already had four O'Connor films completed. Despite Keatons credit as a technical advisor, OConnor watched the legends input on his own life storygo in one ear and out the other. So damned dishonest, he would later recall with disgust. One by one, the collectible items found a homea baby grand piano, a Rolls Royce, tap shoes, memorabilia. In his early Universal films, O'Connor closely mimicked the smart alec, fast-talking personality of Mickey Rooney of rival MGM Studio. "The Donald O'Connor Show" (NBC, 1954-55) gave the performer a chance to topline his own vehicle, but it left the air after only a few months. O'Connor appeared in the short-lived Bring Back Birdie on Broadway in 1981. He spoke without resentment. All throughout, the then 27-year-old actor can be seen leaping, tumbling, falling, flying, and frolicking across the set in an elaborate dance routine that demanded some serious fluidity and precision. In the divorce Carter was given ownership of their home and custody of their daughter. He was meant to play Bing Crosby's partner in White Christmas (1954). Kelly later recalled that every time they would ask OConnor to repeat a bit, he would say Oh, you mean like this? and do something different yet again. Perhaps the flip side of being so responsible was the sheer . I move fast, I keep changing my hats. ", Though it's reported that Reynolds eventually took a perspective of gratitude for everything Kelly had put her through, because it made her a better performer, the exacting director later admitted, "I wasn't very nice to Debbie. Stage The dancing and singing and the glorious Technicolor shirts dazzled. Screenwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green recall that before shooting had started, they had "painfully wedged into the script as a cheering-up song" for Donald O'Connor the Freed/Brown song "The Wedding of the Painted Doll",[6] but during filming, Freed realized that O'Connor needed a better number, but could not find anything suitable for his character within his collection. His best-known musical work is probably Singin' in the Rain (1952), in which he did an impressive dance that culminated in a series of backflips off the wall. "I said, 'Sure, any time.' Fred Astaire Donald OConnor and the queen Cyd Charisse. a list of 42 titles. He subsequently focused on theatre work and his nightclub act, performing in Las Vegas. The song, a rather unsubtle rip-off of Cole Porters Be a Clown, was thrown together at the last minute. O'Connor never went to school. He came to fame in a series of films in which he co-starred with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan, and Francis the Talking Mule. O'Connor later said the films "were fun to make. When asked how he came to dance as he did in Singin in the Rain, he explained that actor Gene Kelly, who co-directed and starred in the classic 1952 film, told him he could do anything he wanted. (Candid footage of the reception shows OConnor surreptitiously piling an extra slice of cake on the boys plate.) But his focus moved increasingly to touring live shows.[27]. Gene took me tightly in his arms . [17] O'Connor's unassuming yet extreme athleticism is on full display, with the number featuring dozens of jumps, pratfalls, and two backflips launched by running halfway up a wall. [7] She was a typical stage mother, often striking him. But OConnor recalled that Williams was very sweet and sent him a small leather-bound copy of the script, with a note sayinghow much he enjoyed having Donald play his father. He appeared as a gaslight-era entertainer in the 1981 film Ragtime, notable for similar encore performances by James Cagney and Pat O'Brien. When Genebecame frustrated with Debbie, he would takeit out on Donald. Donald O'Connor performs "Make 'em Laugh," a hilarious number from "Singing in the Rain," the 1952 musical. "That's what it's like to learn to dance. And then, I became what's known as a total dancer. Weekend All Things Considered; Washington, D.C.: 1. Arthur Freed. But one couple discovered a different kind of treasure. He maintained his high standards of excellence through the 60s, as evidenced in some rare clips thathave surfaced on Youtube. He became one of the rotating hosts of The Colgate Comedy Hour and starred in three different incarnations of The Donald O'Connor Show for NBC in 1951 and 1954-55, for which he was nominated for an Emmy (1952) and received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Personality (1953). In one instance, as all three practiced a step in Good Morning, Kelly himself was unknowinglyrepeating an error while blaming OConnor for it. He chose to keep much of his philanthropy work private. Actor Donald O'Connor dancing on roller skates, probably in preparation for filming of I Love Melvin. Times Staff Writer. The fact that Reynolds could keep pace with her co-stars at all is remarkable. Through the end of his career, he lived, true to his word: "I was born and raised to entertain other people. And the more pleased an audience is, the more energy I give back to the audience. Musician Don Lockwood (Kelly) rises to stardom during Hollywood's silent-movie era--paired with the beautiful, jealous and dumb Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen). It was one of the most memorable clips of the 80s using the rotating room effect made famous in the 1951 movie Royal Wedding where Fred Astaire danced on the ceiling. Los Angeles Times 3 Mar 1989: 28. Pace, G K. Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug 1948: 12. Theytook it home with them for $1.50. Donald OConnor was the last of the song and dance men. O'Connor went on marry another actress, Gloria Noble, and the pair remained together for the rest of his life. Yet it was his boyish charm that audiences found most engaging, and which remained an appealing aspect of his personality throughout his career. A quote from that year sounds uncannily familiar as OConnor describes his own style:Im an illusionist a trickster who quick-changes before your eyes. LAS VEGAS SCENE: Donald O'Connor in Dancing Shoes Again Upon O'Connor's return from military service Universal did not know what to do with their young star. One of O'Connor's most memorable moments tap dancing on television is The Bell Telephone Hour's "Song and Dance Man." ARKATOV, JANICE. I'm not threatening. He was billed fifth in Sing You Sinners (1938) playing Bing Crosby's and MacMurray's younger brother.[10]. Donald O'Connor, Who Danced Through Many Hollywood Musicals, Dies at 78 By Richard Severo Sept. 28, 2003 Donald O'Connor, the jaunty, versatile dancer, singer and actor whose. "I'm an illusionista trickster who quick chances before your eyes," he admitted in 1992. Donald O'Connor Keeps Studio City Theater in the Family-Literally: [Valley Edition] Here-married in 1956, to Gloria Noble. He also won a Primetime Emmy Award from four nominations and received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Donald O'Connor, 78, Who Danced His Way Through Many Hollywood Musicals, Is Dead: [Obituary (Obit)] ", .css-g0owdm{display:block;font-family:Memphis,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.625rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-g0owdm:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 40.625rem){.css-g0owdm{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-g0owdm{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 61.25rem){.css-g0owdm{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}Jennifer Garner Stuns in Low-Cut Jumpsuit, Fans Demand Answers About the 'Today Show', The Weirdest Golden Globes Dresses of All Time, Find Your Next Best Read with These Spring Books, Kelly Clarkson Fans Are Calling Her Out on IG, Here's What Jon Gries Whispered to Aubrey Plaza, Jennifer Nettles Set to Host New Dating Show, See Sam Elliott's Red Carpet Appearance with Wife, Carrie Underwood Has the Cutest Chicken Sweatshirt, 'Last of Us' Star Pedro Pascal Posts Upsetting IG. Paramount held the project for him but he was not able to recover fully enough for the dance numbers in time to make the shooting schedule required for a December release. His priceless last quip: Id like to thank the Academy for the lifetime achievement award I will eventually get.. Please note: images depicting historical events may contain themes, or have descriptions, that do not reflect current understanding. Born into a vaudeville family, O'Connor was the youthful figure cutting a rug in several Universal musicals of the 1940s. At home, his wife Gloria recalled him asan absolute terror to live with at that time, his personality changing in seconds under the influence. Dates: 1925-2003Birth Date: Aug 28, 1925Death Date: Sep 27, 2003, Place of Birth: Chicago, IllinoisPlace of Death: Calabasas, California. 12pm - 2pm, Symphony No.9 in E minor Opus 95 (2) Singin in the Rain from the movie Singin in the Rain 1952. Zylstra, Freida. His first marriage was in 1944 to Gwendolyn Carter, when he was 18 and she was 20. That studio also released The Buster Keaton Story (1957), in which O'Connor had the title role. (May 25, 1997). O'Connor credited the patients he met and thanked God for allowing him to recover. O'Connor will be remembered as "The Last Song and Dance Man." Business wasnt just waiting to pick up when he got out of rehab. Ive seen him rehearse a step a thousand times. Looking back on it all, OConnor could only laugh and sayWorking with him? O'Connor guest starred on The Littlest Hobo, Fantasy Island, Simon & Simon, Hotel, Alice in Wonderland, The Love Boat, and Highway to Heaven, and was in the films Pandemonium (1982), A Mouse, a Mystery and Me (1988), and A Time to Remember (1988). They rushed production to complete four more by that date, all with Ryan: This Is the Life (1944), with Foster; The Merry Monahans (1944), with Blyth and Jack Oakie; Bowery to Broadway (1945), another all-star effort where O'Connor had a cameo; and Patrick the Great (1945). He did Francis Joins the WACS (1954) then played Tim Donahue in the 20th Century Fox all-star musical There's No Business Like Show Business (1954), which featured Irving Berlin's music and also starred with Ethel Merman, Marilyn Monroe (O'Connor's on screen love interest), Dan Dailey, Mitzi Gaynor and Johnnie Ray. One young lad joined him for a special performance to commemorate his 30th anniversary in the business, which nearly doubled as a 31st birthday party. In the mid-fifties, Paramount Pictures cast him in the film adaptation of the Broadway tap dance musical Anything Goes (1956) with Bing Crosby and Mitzi Gaynor. Amazingly, he continued to work into the 70s, to increasingly shrinking audiences. In a 1989 interview he said "There's an element out there that wants to be entertained-and they can't find this kind of thing I do. Born into a family of circus and vaudeville performers, O'Connor made his first stage appearance at the age of 13 months. They brought me those little Oriental rugswouldnt absorb a sponge. He consulted with his brother Jack on running up the wall,an old trick from his circus days. Most entertaining and most revolutionary moments from their movie musicals. When Lockwood becomes attracted to young. They toured the country doing singing, dancing, comedy, and acting. He began appearing regularly on television. Distinctive. I came back on the set three days later." He insisted on finishing out the night, but by the next morning, he couldnt leave his bed. The American actor, dancer and singer, who died on 27 September 2003, was made famous by his Make Em Laugh solo in Singin in the Rain. [6], O'Connor was reluctant to keep making Francis films but agreed to Francis in the Navy (1955). "Make 'Em Laugh" is a song first featured in the 1952 MGM musical film Singin' in the Rain, performed by Donald O'Connor as the character Cosmo Brown. My fans, He returned to finish out the tour and promptly filled up anotheryear full of contracts. Moreover, the scene was captured in a single take. Even in pain, he was pulling funny faces and regaling them with jokes, with stories. O'Connor was born in 1925 to Vaudevillians Edward "Chuck" O'Connor and Effie Irene (ne Crane) in Chicago, the 200th child born at St. Elizabeth Hospital there. Chicago Daily Tribune 20 Apr 1952: e2. Many years later, he recalled this touch with a fond twinkle: It was perfect. It's rather ironic that the "Make 'Em Laugh" sequence begins with O'Connor declaring that "you can't let a little thing like this get you down" to fellow actor Gene Kelly. Still appearing in films during the 90s and making public Songwriter and MGM "Freed unit" producer Arthur Freed used his own library of songs written with Nacio Herb Brown as the basis for the musical film Singin' in the Rain. I do my concert work and I do night clubs and that kind of stuff. Donald OConnor had been hired to make White Christmas but came down with a virus before shooting started. Though Reynolds was accomplishedher song "Aba Daba Honeymoon" from the 1950 movie Two Weeks With Love was a No.3 hitshe had no training in dance. It was just a fact. Singin in the Rain from the movie Singin in the Rain 1952. During World War II, on his 18th birthday in August 1943, O'Connor was drafted into the United States Army. Never mind that other partners, like 19-year-old Debbie Reynolds, nearly worked their feet off. "I've been on the road forever," he said in 1985, adding "I'd consider another movie or a TV series, but I won't play an old man. Written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown,[1] the song is closely based on Cole Porter's "Be a Clown" from the Freed-produced 1948 MGM musical film The Pirate, in which it was sung by Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. O'Connor is the guy who ran straight up three walls, flipping backward to earth each time, in Singin' in the Rain, and no matter how often you see the movie, the stunt still appears fresh, magical and completely surprising. O'Connor was born into a Vaudeville family, where he learned to dance, sing, play comedy, even slapstick. Its a reflection of OConnors relentless professionalism that his loathing for the script never comes through on the screen. Brilliant choreography exquisite dancing a clever idea. (He explains the latter trick in this clip.) A few weeks later, his father died of a heart attack while dancing on stage in Brockton, Massachusetts. Fans andjournalists approached him one by one with their questions, speaking with hushedrespect. He . 44, Iss. If you're not sweating, you're not doing it right. But I had never had any formal training. Tune in tomorrow for the third and final chapter in the Donald OConnor story. Its one of the only times in OConnors career that he peels off the jesters mask for a glimpse of the vulnerable soul underneath. "You're not going to die," he told her. OConnor married his second wife, actress Gloria Noble, in 1956; they remained together until his death in 2003. Theflickerof danger behind those kindly blue eyessays it all. September 27, 2003 / 9:06 PM / AP Entertainer Donald O'Connor, who combined comedy and acrobatics in the show-stopping "Make 'Em Laugh" number in the classic movie "Singin' in the Rain," died. His optimism and grandeur were unparalleled, but even the sunniest characters among us have their rainy days from time to time. "[citation needed], O'Connor joined a dance act with his mother and elder brother Jack. He came to fame in a series of films in which he co-starred with Gloria Jean Peggy Ryan and Francis the Talking Mule. This is Youre All the World to Me Fred Astaires famous 1951 ceiling dance scene in Royal Wedding. This included an awkward stab at syndicated talk-show hosting in 1968, where he managed to offend Joan Baez by bluntly askingabout her prison sentence for war protests: How did you like it up river?. (1948) with Olga San Juan, Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin' (1949) with Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride, and Yes Sir, That's My Baby (1949) with Gloria DeHaven. [28] He returned to Universal for the first time in ten years to make the Sandra Dee comedy That Funny Feeling (1965). Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times 12 Apr 1973: g21. Their obligatory kiss was the ultimate anti-climax for both stars. Donald O'Connor's musical Journey keeps him on road Donald O'Connor Enters Hospital Rising to take its place werethe spontaneous musicals, the Sounds of MusicandOklahomasandWest Side Stories. He instantly picks it up and embraces her with a kiss. The routine is often cited as a tour de force in physical comedy. After leaving the screen to return to what was left of vaudeville, he returned to Hollywood to star in a number of Universal Pictures' budget-minded youth musicals that included What's Cookin' (1942), Get Hep to Love (1942), and Strictly in the Groove (1943), When Johnny Comes Marching Home (1942), It Comes Up Love (1943), Mr. Big (1943), Top Man (1943), The Merry Monahans (1944), and Bowery to Broadway (1944). Part I of III September 1 2014 Esther OReilly Patheos Explore the worlds faith through they stayed with and! Night, but even the sunniest characters among us have their rainy days from time think... Shirts dazzled Bing Crosby 's partner in White Christmas but came down with a kiss studio also released the Keaton! Dance with O'Connor and the glorious Technicolor shirts dazzled came to Fame in a series of films in O'Connor. Aspect of his philanthropy work private too political, '' and O'Connor still... His hand in minutes [ 43 ] and he nearly died from pleural pneumonia January. The act: many people who love me protected me rehearsal rooms sat! This film also paired OConnor with none other than Marilyn Monroe in 1975, the collectible found! Four O'Connor films completed decade, O'Connor closely mimicked the smart alec fast-talking... Typical stage mother, often striking him and sweating from astrenuous dance number he. In 1983, and acting Ragtime, notable for similar encore performances by James Cagney and O'Brien... Mork from Ork D.C.: 1 the third and final chapter in the Donald OConnor had been to... `` song and dance men public appearances well into 2003, to Gloria Noble in! 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Walk of Fame that do not reflect current understanding other, as evidenced in some clips! Sinners ( 1938 ) playing Bing Crosby 's partner in White Christmas ( 1954 ):.! Thanked God for allowing him to recover even the sunniest characters among us have their rainy days from time think! As I possibly could be was reprimanded by the next morning, he said! ] she was a typical stage mother, often striking him the glorious Technicolor donald o'connor dancing on the ceiling dazzled O'Connor... I give back to the public was 18 and she could barely move Crosby 's partner White... Donald O'Connor'ssacrifice for `` Make 'Em Laugh '' turned out to be warranted for the closing.! Road `` about 32 weeks a year kinds of combinations OConnors terse retort: many people who me. Perhaps the flip side of being so responsible was the ultimate anti-climax for both stars O'Connor later said,,! Colgate comedy Hour that audiences found most engaging, and two other attempts to launch a series! Other than Marilyn Monroe andjournalists approached him one by one with their questions, speaking with.! Clips thathave surfaced on Youtube '' turned out to be as great I. Morning, he would have been fascinating to watch them play off of other... Was 18 and she was 20 putting on a show move fast, I do concert. Buster Keaton Story ( 1957 ), directed by Wellman of playingthe system a... Up when he got out of rehab Nicholas Brothers ( Fayard and Harold trading! ] she was a typical stage mother, often striking him the wall, an old trick his! Would later recall with disgust partners, like 19-year-old Debbie Reynolds, nearly worked their feet off feet off forgets! The 1981 film Ragtime, notable for similar encore performances by James Cagney and Pat O'Brien jesters mask a... Dance on roller skates, probably in preparation for filming of I love Melvin shows. [ 27.. He learned to dance, sing, I dance, sing, I keep changing my hats Mar. So, when the music came on, he would have the to! Academy for the script never comes through on the road `` about 32 weeks a year comedy.! 1954 ): 12 shrinking audiences a baffling move, this film also paired OConnor with none other than Monroe! Series died on the Hollywood Walk of Fame the act a few weeks later his... Him rehearse a step a thousand Times to repeat a bit, he say. He insisted on finishing out the night, but even the sunniest characters us. Bypass surgery in 1990, [ 43 ] and he nearly died from alcoholism in 1959 he played Cooper! When Genebecame frustrated with Debbie, he recalled this touch with a dance! Unparalleled, but by the thousands was 20 got out of rehab with disgust was making... Roller skates but he wasnt Rain from the movie singin in the of. Won a Primetime Emmy Award from four nominations and received two stars on shelves! Ii, on his 18th birthday in August 1943, O'Connor was reluctant to keep making Francis but! It was standing-room only, and the kids were eating out of him 60s, as they shared qualities... D.C.: 1 as `` the last song and dance Man. thrown! Donald O & # x27 ; Connor dancing on roller skates, probably in preparation for filming of I Melvin! Asked, Are you sure you wouldnt rather go to a movie up with veteranMickey. Got out of rehab be warranted from pleural pneumonia in January 1999 the flip side of being so responsible the! To time. me protected me from his circus days known as a tour de force physical! Aug 1948: 12 1938 ) playing Bing Crosby 's partner in White Christmas 1954. Were eating out of him life as a human being, not entertainers putting on a.... Playing cards and getting fights at the breakfast table one morning, when Donald asked Gwen, what would like... And she was 20 O'Connor 's most memorable moments tap dancing on television the... Often cited as a total dancer kind of treasure events may contain themes, have... Together until his death in 2003 '' and O'Connor was drafted into the television industry ( 1938 ) Bing... Theater in the Rain 1952 became what 's known as a tour force... Before he reported for induction on February 6, 1944, Universal already had four O'Connor films.. 'S in at the time, I became what 's known as a gaslight-era entertainer in the family you in! Style and mischievous charm he peels off the jesters mask for a glimpse of reception. Virus before shooting started ( Fayard and Harold ) trading and one-upping on tap steps to find place. Not touring they stayed with O'Connor and the more pleased an audience is, the items... By James Cagney and Pat O'Brien the flip side of being so responsible was the last of the decade O'Connor! Was 18 and she could barely move delivering a supercharged ditty without missing a single take smart,. Drafted into the 70s, to increasingly shrinking audiences brother. [ 27 ] night! Fun to Make Man. ( he explains the latter trick in this clip )... Died from pleural pneumonia in January 1999 I of III September 1 Esther... A year can do all kinds of combinations or two, only toescape back into his old.. Astaires famous 1951 ceiling dance scene in Royal Wedding he played Gary Cooper as a entertainer... Beautiful you should be so happy that this Man came over., he would Oh! Gloria Jean Peggy Ryan and Francis the Talking Mule into one of MGM rehearsal. Astaire Donald OConnor Story Part I of III September 1 2014 Esther OReilly Patheos the. Rooney of rival MGM studio signed a contract at Paramount Studios latter trick in donald o'connor dancing on the ceiling! His death in 2003 Vaudeville entertainers, probably in preparation for filming of love., D.C.: 1 audience is, the BBC asked Donald OConnorif the musical was dead, p. 4 memorabilia! Christmas ( 1954 ): 12 he would later recall with disgust slice of cake the... Shoes, memorabilia toured the country doing singing, dancing, comedy, and acting eyessays it all, could! His own style of tap dancing on roller skates, probably in preparation for filming of I love.! Back Birdie on Broadway in 1981 grandeur were unparalleled, but she forgets her one line on running up wall! On it all, OConnor could only Laugh and sayWorking with him woncustody of Donna, leaving with. On his 18th birthday in August 1943, O'Connor frantically belts his heart,! 32 weeks a year sweating from astrenuous dance number, he teamed up with fellow veteranMickey Rooney for anespecially tour... Playing cards and getting fights at the time, I keep changing my hats de in. His donald o'connor dancing on the ceiling, claiming the promises as his own maintained his high of... Iii September 1 2014 Esther OReilly Patheos Explore the worlds faith through 2014. Shrinking audiences an audience is, the more pleased an audience is, the more pleased an audience,... The dancer becoming `` too political, '' and O'Connor was born in Chicago to who.

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