Director Stanley Donen passed away at 94, and he was one of the last giants of Golden Age Hollywood. He started in MGM musicals and co-directed with Gene Kelly On the Town (Innovative for shooting partly on location) and Singin' in the Rain, perhaps the greatest musical ever. He branched off to make the wonderful musicals like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Damn Yankees, and Funny Face. Remember the animated /live action scene between Kelly and Tom and Jerry in Anchors Aweigh? Yup, that supposedly was Donen's idea. He did several movies with a rising dancer/choreographer named Bob Fosse. He expanded in other genres to great success with Charade, possibly the greatest of Hitchcock inspired thrillers, Two for the Road, a non linear romance, and many more. One of his last films was a terrific homage to old films, Movie Movie with George C. Scott. He was given a lifetime achievement Oscar in 1998 and celebrated by singing Cheek to Cheek and doing a tap dance. There must be a place in 'heaven' for this gifted artist.
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