54th Academy Awards. It felt like an assault.I was stunned that this thirty-nine-year-old man would do this to me. 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). Picture Show, London, Vol. God bless you. Never mind that other partners, like 19-year-old Debbie Reynolds, nearly worked their feet off. Like an old show-horse breaking out of his stall to get back to work, he couldnt stop performing. " 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. [8][9] In a 2002 interview, Betty Comden recalled, "How [Freed] could have written it in the first place and not realized is still a mystery. ", "AFI List of Top 100 Songs From U.S. A real entertainer would rather give than receive. Everybody loved the clown, but nobody knew who the real Donald OConnor wasnot even himself. The OConnor Born in 1925 Donald OConnors life spanned the 20th Century with its depressions wars and social upheavals. Severo, Richard. I ran around frantic, yelling for some Coca-Cola to cleanse my mouth. If you're not sweating, you're not doing it right. Fans filed through the estate sale by the thousands. O'Connor will be remembered as "The Last Song and Dance Man." musical work is probably. Gene took me tightly in his arms . Client Since 2009. Donald O'Connor, 78, Who Danced His Way Through Many Hollywood Musicals, Is Dead: [Obituary (Obit)] His family had the answer. I'm surprised she still speaks to me. Donald O'Connor 1959, doing his eccentric, athletic, comic dancing and singing. The New York Times 29 Sep 2003: B.6. Cause of death: alcoholism. Donald David Dixon Ronald OConnor was an American dancer singer and actor. 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. Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor (August 28, 1925 - September 27, 2003) was an American dancer, singer and actor. Gloria said simply, God gave him a gift, and that gift was sobriety. His son Fred said, Thank God theres a higher power that healed him. He rebuilt his wifes trust and reunited with his family after eight months clean. Chicago Tribune 20 Dec 1985: n_a50. "He came to rehearsals and criticized everything I did and never gave me a word of encouragement. 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. Songwriter (s) Nacio Herb Brown. He was billed fifth in Sing You Sinners (1938) playing Bing Crosby's and MacMurray's younger brother.[10]. 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. He was filled with the wonderment of life, and he would shareittohis dying breath. 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. Antonin Dvorak His entire first episode from 1952 is happily available on Youtube. Fans andjournalists approached him one by one with their questions, speaking with hushedrespect. They toured the country doing singing, dancing, comedy, and acting. His best-known works came in the film Singin in the Rain for which OConnor was awarded a Golden Globe. Distinctive. [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. Actually, they were quite challenging. He also turned in an impressive bit of serious acting on the cop showPolice Story. I couldn't pick up routines because I didn't have any formal training. By now, the grueling footwork that went into Singin' in the Rain's "Good Morning" scene is the stuff of legend. The effect of alcohol on his work was not felt immediately. (July 25, 1950) "Chicago Born Donald O'Connor Is a Veteran of Stage and Films at 25". And the more pleased an audience is, the more energy I get from it and give back to the audience., OConnor savored the 90s like a long, loving goodbye. I came back on the set three days later." Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times 1 Mar 1959: f3. After the success of Singin' in the Rain, MGM fashioned a starring vehicle for O'Connor in I Love Melvin (1953), in which he danced on roller skates. "Gene said, 'Do you think you could do that number again?" (OConnor: They dont write songs like that anymore! Garland: I think they passed a law against it.) But you can sense that OConnor is slightly on edge throughout. Dancing in the Rain. That film featured his widely known rendition of "Make 'Em Laugh", which he choreographed with help from the assistant dance directors and his brother. Hewas finally free from the clutches ofUniversalPictures, having refused to make one more Francis picture until theyreleased him. Donald David Dixon Ronald OConnor was an American dancer singer and actor. Read more: Watch this wonderful little and large tap-dancing duo. He insisted on finishing out the night, but by the next morning, he couldnt leave his bed. It was around this time that Donald gave his most revealing and heart-wrenching interview. That year marked the beginning of his accelerated descent into full-blown alcoholism. a list of 22 titles. But all waskept so private that interviewers would laterexclaim that Donald must have escaped it for them not to hear any of the usual choice details. The actor's lungs were hardly suited for the endurance that "Make 'Em Laugh" required. It is dead the way we used to make 'em.". Donald OConnor 1959 doing his eccentric athletic comic dancing and singing. "[8], When they were not touring they stayed with O'Connor's Uncle Bill in Danville, Illinois. "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. And that's quite old for someone to start dancing real heavy, professionally. 62, Iss. I move fast, I keep changing my hats. I think it will bring me happiness. I think is will bring me happiness. Nevertheless, Donald O'Connor'ssacrifice for "Make 'Em Laugh" turned out to be warranted. O'Connor and Bing Crosby united on Anything Goes (1956) at Paramount. a rug in several Universal musicals of the 1940s. Classic FM Requests "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. And then, I became what's known as a total dancer. Night Work (1939) Approved | 60 min | Comedy, Drama 6.8 Rate In real life, OConnor was still under the illusion that he could manage his own. Born into a family of circus and vaudeville performers, O'Connor made his first stage appearance at the age of 13 months. [7] Although Cole Porter had unchallenged reason to bring suit, he never sued for copyright infringement. And I had to learn to dance from the waist up. Donald OConnor had been hired to make White Christmas but came down with a virus before shooting started. You forgot didnt you? As he pauses for closing announcements,she looks nervously off stage, and you can just barelyhear the pianist assuring her, Its all right.. "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 had undergone quadruple heart bypass surgery in 1990,[43] and he nearly died from pleural pneumonia in January 1999. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Television was kinder to him, and he netted an Emmy for his versatile work on the Colgate Comedy Hour. "That's what it's like to learn to dance. Donald OConnor died in 2003, with his family surrounding him. I hope you can forgive me.Where did the power come from? I sing, I dance, I do comedy. Rising to take its place werethe spontaneous musicals, the Sounds of MusicandOklahomasandWest Side Stories. a list of 42 titles. During World War II, on his 18th birthday in August 1943, O'Connor was drafted into the United States Army. Donald O'Connor in Drama Role With Vince Edwards Donald O'Connor Named to Emcee Oscar Awards, Chicago Daily Tribune 19 Feb 1954: a8. Los Angeles Times 3 July 1976: b4. "You're not going to die," he told her. Finally, the studio paired O'Connor opposite their biggest female star, Deanna Durbin, in Something in the Wind (1947). (Candid footage of the reception shows OConnor surreptitiously piling an extra slice of cake on the boys plate.) And yeah, I think I wear well. Washington, D.C.: NPR. But the closest Donald ever came to losing his cool was a day when he threw his hat on the floor, composed himself, then whispered to Mitzi Gaynor, I think she needs a little more rehearsal. Meanwhile, OConnor lent his usual classy solo touchto the production, performing Irving Berlins A Man Chases a Girl to perfection. Shes clearly very shy, and he gets down at her level to run through some jokes. A young boy who aspires to become asinger has followedhis father into a bar to try to talk to him. My body just had to absorb this tremendous shock. Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor was born in Chicago to parents who were circus. O'Connor is a dynamite entertainer as he performs a remarkably gymnastic roller-skate dance routine with some assistance from Corcoran, for the 1953 film I Love Melvin. ', During dance rehearsals, she once ducked into one of MGM's rehearsal rooms and sat under a piano crying. Art Carney is about my age and he's making a career out of being old. [33], He guest-starred on episodes of The Girl with Something Extra, Ellery Queen, The Bionic Woman, Police Story, and Hunter.[34]. There was no longer a place for OConnors particular skill set on the big screen. They are provided in a historical context. The most distinctive characteristic of his dancing style was its athleticism, for which he had few rivals. Donald O'Connor to Marry. You gotta SMILE! The late Andy Kaufman used to refer to himself as a "song and dance man" whenever people tried to label him a comedian (via Society of Rock). . All the same, the show indeed must go on (he also says this in the iconic "Make 'Em Laugh" scene). (Photo by John Swope/Getty Images) Save. With a happy second marriage and a growing new family, it seemed that he had landed on his feet. Films", ""Be A Clown" and "Make 'Em Laugh:" Comic Timing, Rhythm, and Donald O'Connor's Face", "Singin' in the Rain: A Conversation with Betty Comden and Adolph Green", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Make_%27Em_Laugh&oldid=1140046445, This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 04:20. And that was always his intent with Debbie, and she worked like a trouper and became a big star.". He instantly picks it up and embraces her with a kiss. Audio Recording: Christmas with Donald and Debbie/BVM Records, BVMC 51317, 1992. 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 New York Times, 10 Oct 1956: 46. 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. Working on a concrete floor, he asked if the crew could provide anything to break his numerous falls. One of his last public appearances was a press conference in2002, held in conjunction withthe 50th anniversary release ofSingin in the Rain. So I don't dance much any more, but I do enough to show people I can still move my legs."[5]. Zylstra, Freida. PARAMOUNT SIGNS DONALD O'CONNOR: Actor Will Make 3 Pictures for Studio -- Betty Hutton's Film May Be One of Them By THOMAS M. PRYOR Special to. 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. With the decline of the studio system by the end of the decade, O'Connor launched himself into the television industry. Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor, 30 August 1925, Chicago, Illinois, USA, d. 27 September 2003, Calabasas, California, USA. [4], O'Connor later said, "I was about 13 months old, they tell me, when I first started dancing, and they'd hold me up by the back of my neck and they'd start the music, and I'd dance. "[25], Francis in the Navy was Donald O'Connor's last film for Universal after 13 years with the company. Download 'Symphony No.9 in E minor Opus 95 (2)' on iTunes, 11 June 2021, 17:23 | Updated: 11 June 2021, 17:27. a list of 43 titles. Singin in the Rain from the movie Singin in the Rain 1952. "[5], In 1949, O'Connor played the lead role in Francis, the story of a soldier befriended by a talking mule. [6] He wrote letters to his friends and family explaining that his life had "completely changed". Thanks for reading! In one number,he strives to conceal his frustration with the live bandwhenthe intro isnt gelling, but theres a hint of steel in his mild-mannered rebuke: Wait for me, will you please?, OConnors TV career would fizzle in parallel with his film career. A merger in 1946 had reorganized the studio as Universal-International. In 1992, hereleased an instructional tap dance video where he swapped stories and steps with the old, old masters. Donald O'Connor performs "Make 'em Laugh," a hilarious number from "Singing in the Rain," the 1952 musical. "Make 'em Laugh" was like an expression of Mr. O'Connor's showbiz philosophy. [1] Effie was a bareback rider and Chuck was a circus strongman and acrobat. He was also in Columbia's It Can't Last Forever (1937). He spent the years giving back through quiet philanthropic work, helping anyone from other alcoholicsto people seeking abreak in show business. He received no formal training in tap dance until he went to work for Universal Pictures and took tap dance classes with the studio's choreographer Louis DaPron who, after a few weeks of classes exasperatedly pronounced him "unteachable." OConnor still recalled these stunts with pride decades later, even calling up a good friend late one night to offer running phone commentary for a TV showing. And culminated with a challenge dance with O'Connor and the Nicholas Brothers (Fayard and Harold) trading and one-upping on tap steps. Standout moments aside Donald was born into show business and would have a continuous career for almost 80 years. He also won a Primetime Emmy Award from four nominations and received. What movie was dancing on the ceiling in. The country seems to be confused about censorship, free speech, and any An American in Amman: A U.S. 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. 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. Born into a vaudeville family, O'Connor was the youthful figure cutting a rug in several Universal musicals of the 1940s. He . Had he only been required to do it once, perhaps the actor wouldn't have suffered notable rug burns and severe exhaustion that confined him to a hospital bed for three days (per IMDb). They finishwith a song, but she forgets her one line. Obituary: Donald O'Connor: Dynamic dancer and comedian Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor (August 28, 1925 September 27, 2003) was an American dancer, singer and actor. 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. But one couple discovered a different kind of treasure. A composer and conductor, he was able to enjoythe fruits of a hidden talent for music when he led the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the premiere of his own symphony. His ownballet training was perfectly complemented by OConnors raw hoofing talent. Unable to speakand barely able to breathe upon awaking, he immediately scribbled down a question: How long am I going to be here? (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. "They had to bank one wall so I could make it up and then through another wall. Donald O'Connor Returns to Universal So I can do straight comedy without the song and dance; I can do all kinds of combinations. His succinct answer:No. Hopper, Hedda. There ought to be a running club named after Donald O'Connora club with high hopes. Amazingly, he continued to work into the 70s, to increasingly shrinking audiences. I'm working on being a quasar, because stars wear out. According to Britannica, Donald O'Connor ("Singin' in the Rain") was "reportedly able to dance before he could stand up straight, to sing before he developed a vocabulary, and to play several musical instruments before he learned to read music." Most entertaining and most revolutionary moments from their movie musicals. His optimism and grandeur were unparalleled, but even the sunniest characters among us have their rainy days from time to time. He trained hard with Keaton and threw himself into the role with perhaps even more dedication than usual, literally risking his life to recreate some of Keatons most daring stunts. The item was OConnors personal Bible. The New York Times, 17 June 1953: 32. Like all improvisational geniuses, he couldnt dothe same thing twice. At thirteen months old, he began making $25 a week dancing the Black Bottom and faking acrobatic tricks. Zylstra, Freida. 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?". O'Connor appeared in the short-lived Bring Back Birdie on Broadway in 1981. Video unavailable Watch on YouTube Watch on The "Broadway Melody Ballet" from Singin' in the Rain (1952). Chicago Daily Tribune 18 Oct 1954: b16. Some of it includes work for the United States Army and Red Cross. Heres a selection of the. ARKATOV, JANICE. He also appeared in several productions of Little Me. So, when I went into movies and started working with all those great dancers, I had a terrible time. DONALD O'CONNOR'S MUSICAL JOURNEY KEEPS HIM ON ROAD: [SPORTS FINAL, CN Edition] created 26 Mar 2021. Just watching him in thisskitwith a French charm consultant is like watching the beta version of Mork from Ork. OConnor later credited Kelly with teaching him to be a total dancer, from the waist up. The Life Story of DONALD O'CONNOR. His father, John Edward "Chuck" O'Connor, was an acrobat with Ringling-Barnum and Bailey Circus; his mother, Effie, was a circus bareback rider and dancer. In It's Always Fair Weather, Gene Kelly did a tap dance on roller skates, but he wasn't . Thats beautiful. Adding insult to injury, Donald had to play the son of her new lover in the garish monstrosityTheres No Business Like Show Business. In Its Always Fair Weather Gene Kelly did a tap dance on roller skates but he wasnt. Movie bred, he has the versatility of a Jimmy Durante and the effervescence of youth. 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 one instance, as all three practiced a step in Good Morning, Kelly himself was unknowinglyrepeating an error while blaming OConnor for it. O'Connor teamed with Glenn Ford in Cry for Happy (1961) at Columbia and he played the title role in The Wonders of Aladdin (1961) for MGM. The live audiences created a certain spontaneity. Keaton himself chose not to complain out loud and bought a nice retirement spot with the studios $50,000 rights check. [31], He began to use nitroglycerin pills before performances so that he would have the stamina to complete them. When they graduated from circus into vaudeville, all their children (seven were born, three died in infancy) were initiated into "The O'Connor Family," billed as "The Royal Family of Vaudeville." Granted, he is still acting, but theres no question that he was drawing on the pain behind his own lifes work to convey the depth of Keatons pent-up sorrow. Andhisacting career seemed to be getting a second wind whenhewas approached for the title role in a biopic of silent screen legend Buster Keaton. But the director is too scared to ask you. Oh for crying out loud! she exclaimed, and threw off her shoes. The father dies before Williams enters the film as his son, so the two geniuses never actually got to work together. He starred in Are You with It? Breathless and sweating from astrenuous dance number, he brings little Donna on stage for the closing sketch. [citation needed], DONALD O'CONNOR [2][3] His father's family was from Ireland. You could do that with any kid, only I got paid for it.. 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. Weekend All Things Considered; Washington, D.C.: 1. 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. [6], O'Connor was reluctant to keep making Francis films but agreed to Francis in the Navy (1955). Donald O'Connor. . O'Connor was a regular host of NBC's Colgate Comedy Hour. This is my most popular month. "[citation needed], O'Connor joined a dance act with his mother and elder brother Jack. Danny Kaye inherited the part. His belongings were auctioned off and all proceeds were given to charity. O'Connor said the tragedies "marred my childhood and it's still haunting.". O'Connor was billed fourth in Million Dollar Legs (1939) with Betty Grable. Gwen didnt even wait until it was finalizedto begin an affairwith the actor Dan Dailey. He bought a theatre, the Donald O'Connor Theatre, and would perform in it with his children. 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