"Together,
Donen and Kelly directed some of the wittiest, most stylish and
energetic musicals to emerge from MGM. Donen's elegant visual
flair was the perfect accompaniment to Kelly's dynamically
balletic choreography...Outside of their collaborations the
pair's directing achievements were variable...The joint
offerings, however, exude brio, style, and intelligent,
appealing optimism." - Geoff
Andrew (The Director's Vision, 1999)
DONEN: "Donen was
king of Hollywood musicals. The brightest and best of them are
Singin' in the Rain, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, It's
Always Fair Weather, Funny Face and The Pajama Game.
These films contain some of the most brilliantly staged musical
numbers of all time." - David
Quinlan (Quinlan's Film Directors, 1999)
KELLY: "Following the success of On the Town (1949),
the first of three sparkling musicals that Kelly also
co-directed with Stanley Donen, he succeeded Fred Astaire as
Hollywood's number one dancing master...His subsequent product
as director has been proficiently handled but far less inspired
than his dancing and choreography." - (The
MacMillan International Film Encyclopedia, 1994)
DONEN: "Directs energetic, adventurous, muscular musicals (Singin'
in the Rain, 52; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,
54). His more recent comedy and suspense films are laced with
exotica and wit (Surprise Package, 60; Charade,
63)." -
William R. Meyer (The Film Buff's Catalog, 1978)
