Donald O'Connor, dead at 78

Sept. 27, 2003

[Lizavetta]

Just heard it on the radio.

Another one gone.

[Timesink]

Well, he's in the heavenly rock'n'roll band now with Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney!

Paul McCartney?

(You know, they say that if you believe in forever, then life is just a one-night stand.)

[BlessedBeGod]

Over a dozen celebrities have died since President Bush declared victory in Iraq. Where's the outrage?

I was so depressed when I saw this thread, and then I saw your comment. Thanks for the laugh -- I needed it!

[Temple Owl]

He was one of the all-time great vaudvillians. He could dance, sing and most important, he could make you laugh. He was fantastically talented and deserved more fame. I will miss him and hope he rests in peace.

[GeronL]

Make'em laugh, make'em laugh, make'em laugh!!

[Redwood71]

Since you mentioned the wall, next time you watch the sequence, watch the height O'Conner gets. Gene Kelley was recognized as a tremendous athlete as a dancer and could get great leaps during his stints. If you look close, you'll see that O'Conner was going as much as a foot above Kelley on the wall. O'Conner was probably one of the finest male dancers in Hollywood during the musical era, and was never recognized for it. Moderate singer, but amazing dancer.

[AlbionGirl]

Pure class; and may God bless his gracious, talented, soul.

[uncbob]

O'Connor -- Kelley-- Astaire
Back when homosexuals didn't dominate the male dancer scene

[wizardoz]

Each generation passes in its turn. Someday it will be our turn.

Shoot, John Ritter and Robert Palmer cut to the front of the line. Tick tick tick...

[wizardoz]

All the good ones are going.

Leaving us with Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon. Geez, isn't she well into heart-attack territory by now?

[Consort]

Haven't enough people died since Adam and Eve?

[Bonaparte]

"What did Bush know and when did he know it????"

And Bush did nothing to prevent it.

He just let the poor guy die, gotta be a new low.

[M. Peach]

Uhhhh - never mind - I stand corrected.

[Arkady]

One of the Greats.
Thanks Mr. O'Conner!

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Geez, isn't she well into heart-attack territory by now?

Maybe, but it would help things along if we sneak up on her and yell "Bush Won!" really loud.

[DeFault User]

O'Conner was probably one of the finest male dancers in Hollywood during the musical era, and was never recognized for it..

Agreed. Both he and Cagney (Yankee Doodle Dandy) never got the credit they deserved for their dancing talent.

Plus, am I the only one who thought the Francis the Mule movies were funny as hell? Sophisticated, no, but funny.

[righthand man]

THE GREATEST WORK
It was in the '50s that O'Connor made the films for which
he was best known - a series of highly successful
"Francis the Talking Mule" comedies and movie musicals that
put his song and dance talents to good use.

[lawdude]

"When is this going to end?"

You know, dying is a real chicken s**t way of getting away from the liberal scourge!

[wizardoz]

Maybe, but it would help things along if we sneak up on her and yell "Bush Won!" really loud.

LOL! Half the reason I hope so hard he gets a second term is in hopes that it polishes off a few of the old crusties on the Left Coast. (My other reason is, I don't want this country decimated. Just a minor concern.)

[DaughterofEve]

I cannot put into words how much I love that movie!

[DaughterofEve]

That movie is untouchable. After seeing it, I decided to marry Gene Kelly in my youth, and my mother laughed and told me he was an old man. Years later he married years younger than me! Oh well! God bless them all!