Its bad enough we lose Stan Winston just before the film festival kicked off but today we also learn of the passing of Hollywood legend Cyd Charisse who died two days ago aged 86. She appeared in as many forgettable films as memorable ones and will be remembered not just for her good looks but for the longest and most glamorous legs in the business. She will principally be remembered for starring and dancing opposite Fred Astaire in several pictures: The Ziegfeld Follies, The Band Wagon and Silk Stockings. It is however, the dance sequence in the gangsters nightclub in the utterly joyous riot of an antidote to Word War II -Stanley Donen's Singin' in the Rain that will forever be eteched in film lovers minds. It was not only a dazzlingly beautiful routine in an unusually bold 2D cartoon-ish set but a highly erotic dance sequence for its time (1953), tempered only by doses of classic comedy with exquisite comic timing and choregraphy from the perfectionist dance master Gene Kelly. With her Louise Brooks haircut and low cut green dress, that sequence alone in what is quite simply of the greatest and most timeless films ever made assures her place in the cinematic firmament. I will now drink a toast to both Stan Winston and Cyd Charisse tonight. Lets hope there arent a few more greats popping their clogs before midnight tonight.
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