OMNIBUS: GENE KELLY – DANCING, A MAN’S GAME

THE PLOT THUS FAR

In 1958, OMNIBUS, the Golden Age of Television s most distinguished series, commissioned Gene Kelly s fist television special. Written, choreographed, co-directed, and starring the Hollywood legend, DANCING, A MAN’S GAME enlisted some of the top names in sports to illustrate Kelly s message about the masculine grace of dance. Digitally re-mastered from the original 16mm kinescope prints preserved by the Library of Congress, this acclaimed production is available now for the first time since its historic NBC broadcast on December 21, 1958.
FEATURING APPEARANCES BY Baseball Star MICKEY MANTLE, Football Quarterback JOHNNY UNITAS, Basketball Hero BOB COUSY, Boxing Champion SUGAR RAY ROBINSON, Olympic Skater DICK BUTTON and Dancing Greats EDWARD VILLELLA and PATRICK ADIARTE.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Omnibus” was one of the first major news documentary programs in America. Airing on NBC, host Alistair Cooke decided to take a chance on Gene Kelly. We’re coming up on the 55th anniversary of the show’s airing, so let’s see why it was so important. A few of our readers took issue with the fact that the program was entitled Dancing, A Man’s Game. Well, you’ve got to put Gene Kelly’s intent back into the SCDP patented mindset. Dancing was seen as a thing for ballet and women at the time.

What Kelly spent an hour doing was showing that all sports and anything with manly grace was based in the fluidity of movement. Cooke and Kelly provided a history for this usage while working with Johnny Unitas and Mickey Mantle to frame it for people. It was kind of revolutionary for its day, now it’s sitcom fodder. Where does that fall in terms of appreciation? Who knows and who cares? I loved it.

The DVD comes with a collectible booklet that puts everything into context. Seriously, I could read a book about the production after that booklet. The A/V Quality is the best you can expect from restored kinescopes. There’s something about watching material from that era. Still, I’d recommend a purchase.

RELEASE DATE: 12/17/2013