Michael Kidd(1915-2007)
- Additional Crew
- Actor
- Music Department
Lithe, diminutive and unimposing, Michael Kidd never asked a dancer to
perform a step or move he himself could not do. One of Broadway's and
Hollywood's most distinguished, inventive and gifted choreographers, it
was not uncommon to remember his expert dance sequences above all else.
After all, who can forget the rousing barnstorming dance in
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954),
or Fred Astaire's and
Cyd Charisse's romantic glide through
Central Park to the musical caress of "Dancing in the Dark" in
The Band Wagon (1953), or the
waiters' high-flying acrobatics during the Harmonia Gardens sequence in
Hello, Dolly! (1969)? It is what
made these films a cut above the rest. These three highlights should
alone keep Kidd's name indelible in the Hollywood film annals for
decades and decades to come.
He was born Milton Greenwald in Brooklyn on August 12, 1915 (sources
indicating 1919 are incorrect). His father, a barber, was a
Russian-Jewish immigrant. Although he was influenced by dance while a
high school student, his sensibilities led him to major in chemical
engineering at New York's City College. Finding his career choice too
impersonal and isolating, he switched to dance and was awarded a
scholarship to attend the School of American Ballet, making his debut
in a performance of "The Eternal Road" in 1937. He subsequently toured
with the American Ballet and the Ballet Caravan. Renaming himself
Michael Kidd, he became a soloist for the American Ballet Theatre in
1942 and appeared auspiciously as Billy the Kid and Bluebeard, among
other important figures. Performing challenging pieces by the legendary
Agnes de Mille and
Jerome Robbins, he began also
choreographing pieces for himself and the company as well ("On Stage!"
(1942).)
Broadway soon beckoned. In the post-WWII years Michael took his trade
to the Great White Way and would eventually earn five Tony awards for
his choreography: "Finian's Rainbow" (1947), "Guys and Dolls" (1951),
"Can-Can" (1953), "Li'l Abner" (1957) and "Destry Rides Again" (1959).
On film he choreographed, among others,
Where's Charley? (1952),
The Band Wagon (1953),
Star! (1968),
Hello, Dolly! (1969) and his pièce
de résistance,
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954),
arguably one of the most robust and dazzling displays of dance
Hollywood has ever offered. Sadly, his superb dance skills have been
less visible in front of the camera. However, in
It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
we're allowed to witness his talent teamed with the legendary
Gene Kelly and
Dan Dailey. In one memorable sequence, the
trio danced around New York with garbage can lids attached to their
feet.
In 1975 Kidd surprised critics by starring in the
Michael Ritchie cult film
Smile (1975), a devilishly wicked and
clever satire on beauty pageants. The versatile Michael also directed
occasionally for both film (Danny Kaye's
Merry Andrew (1958)) and TV
(All in the Family (1971),
Laverne & Shirley (1976)).
It is hardly shocking that Kidd was never nominated for an Oscar award
for his choreography, as there is no specialized category for such. The
Academy rectified this awkward situation by awarding him an honorary
trophy in 1997 for his outstanding services to the art of dance,
joining an extremely small and illustrious group that includes
Jerome Robbins ("West Side Story") and
Onna White ("Oliver"). Kidd died of cancer in
2007 at age 92, and was survived by his second wife, Sheila, and four
children (Kristine, Susan, Amy and Mathew).
perform a step or move he himself could not do. One of Broadway's and
Hollywood's most distinguished, inventive and gifted choreographers, it
was not uncommon to remember his expert dance sequences above all else.
After all, who can forget the rousing barnstorming dance in
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954),
or Fred Astaire's and
Cyd Charisse's romantic glide through
Central Park to the musical caress of "Dancing in the Dark" in
The Band Wagon (1953), or the
waiters' high-flying acrobatics during the Harmonia Gardens sequence in
Hello, Dolly! (1969)? It is what
made these films a cut above the rest. These three highlights should
alone keep Kidd's name indelible in the Hollywood film annals for
decades and decades to come.
He was born Milton Greenwald in Brooklyn on August 12, 1915 (sources
indicating 1919 are incorrect). His father, a barber, was a
Russian-Jewish immigrant. Although he was influenced by dance while a
high school student, his sensibilities led him to major in chemical
engineering at New York's City College. Finding his career choice too
impersonal and isolating, he switched to dance and was awarded a
scholarship to attend the School of American Ballet, making his debut
in a performance of "The Eternal Road" in 1937. He subsequently toured
with the American Ballet and the Ballet Caravan. Renaming himself
Michael Kidd, he became a soloist for the American Ballet Theatre in
1942 and appeared auspiciously as Billy the Kid and Bluebeard, among
other important figures. Performing challenging pieces by the legendary
Agnes de Mille and
Jerome Robbins, he began also
choreographing pieces for himself and the company as well ("On Stage!"
(1942).)
Broadway soon beckoned. In the post-WWII years Michael took his trade
to the Great White Way and would eventually earn five Tony awards for
his choreography: "Finian's Rainbow" (1947), "Guys and Dolls" (1951),
"Can-Can" (1953), "Li'l Abner" (1957) and "Destry Rides Again" (1959).
On film he choreographed, among others,
Where's Charley? (1952),
The Band Wagon (1953),
Star! (1968),
Hello, Dolly! (1969) and his pièce
de résistance,
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954),
arguably one of the most robust and dazzling displays of dance
Hollywood has ever offered. Sadly, his superb dance skills have been
less visible in front of the camera. However, in
It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
we're allowed to witness his talent teamed with the legendary
Gene Kelly and
Dan Dailey. In one memorable sequence, the
trio danced around New York with garbage can lids attached to their
feet.
In 1975 Kidd surprised critics by starring in the
Michael Ritchie cult film
Smile (1975), a devilishly wicked and
clever satire on beauty pageants. The versatile Michael also directed
occasionally for both film (Danny Kaye's
Merry Andrew (1958)) and TV
(All in the Family (1971),
Laverne & Shirley (1976)).
It is hardly shocking that Kidd was never nominated for an Oscar award
for his choreography, as there is no specialized category for such. The
Academy rectified this awkward situation by awarding him an honorary
trophy in 1997 for his outstanding services to the art of dance,
joining an extremely small and illustrious group that includes
Jerome Robbins ("West Side Story") and
Onna White ("Oliver"). Kidd died of cancer in
2007 at age 92, and was survived by his second wife, Sheila, and four
children (Kristine, Susan, Amy and Mathew).