I was watching television the other day and saw a car sales ad with two men in the back seat, dancing.

“Oh my gosh, that’s Gene Kelly!”

Yes, I said it out loud, and with much happiness because Gene Kelly and Donald O’Conner were on my television screen – dancing.  Usually when I see a dead performer superimposed into a modern commercial or performance I am annoyed.  It seems wrong to me that their images can be used without their consent.  Mine is not an isolated opinion.

 On the NPR pop culture blog, MONKEYsee, Linda Holmes discussed her anger  at the commercial and many of her readers were in agreement.

But…and you knew there was going to be one, this time I was just so thrilled to see Gene Kelly on television, possibly dancing in front of thousands of people who had never seen him dance before that I didn’t care if it was “tacky” or “dumb” or even “creepy” as one reader of the post commented.  Seeing Kelly and O’Connor on the television pretty much made my day.  If you missed the commercial here is the original.

Kit’s Awesome Vid of the Day – Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor - Dancing

“Gene Kelly & Donald O’Connor do a “sit-down” dance medley on a Gene Kelly TV special broadcast October 16, 1960.” Video from Gary Kaskel. 

- Kit