Gene Kelly: Was he really against doing Singin' in the Rain?

[Dunebasher]

Does anyone know if Gene Kelly actually wanted to refuse to do Singin' In The Rain as a condition of his appearance on The Muppet Show, or was it just something cooked up between him and the writers? The fact that he only did it as a very spare, short version with no dancing does suggest that he had to be persuaded in real life as well as in character.

 

[Vincent L]

This is from Brian Henson's Introductions, copied from the Muppet Wiki

Hi, I'm Brian Henson. This episode of The Muppet Show stars the legendary dancer, choreographer, actor, director, Gene Kelly. [clip] When Gene was first booked on the show, he said to the writers, "I just don't wanna do "Singin' in the Rain." Well, of course the writers turned this into a running gag in which the Muppets keep trying to get Gene to do his signature song. [clip] And finally in the end, as usual, the Muppets win out.

 

[Dunebasher]

That's great, thanks

 

[Collgoff]

No one knows foe sure!

 

[Pinkflower7783]

Uhh yeah we do Vincent just posted the answer.

 

[minor muppetz]

Considering Gene didn't want to sing the song, I wonder how he felt about having to do it anyway (otherwise the show wouldn't have a happy ending).