Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
He contrasts his own injury-free performances with Gene Kelly's physical toll.
In plain terms
He says he never got hurt while dancing because Kelly did all the rough work.
What can you take from it?
Kelly was known for rougher, more physical dancing than Astaire.

Where it applies

  • comparing dancers
  • discussing physical toll

Putting it to work

  • highlighting style differences
  • using humor in critique

Questions to consider

  • How does physical risk affect performance?
  • Is style better than stamina?

Another view

It simplifies the complexity of Kelly's performance style.

More from Fred Astaire

  1. I guess the only jewels of my life were the pictures I made with Fred Astaire

    Permalink to quote #59
  2. As one of the handful of girls who worked with both of those dance geniuses, I think I can give an honest comparison. In my opinion, Kelly is the more inventiv…

    Permalink to quote #61
  3. We were only together for a part of my career, and for every film we did, I did another three on my own. The studio was working me too hard. Fred would rush of…

    Permalink to quote #58

Related quotes

  1. As one of the handful of girls who worked with both of those dance geniuses, I think I can give an honest comparison. In my opinion, Kelly is the more inventiv…

    Fred AstaireFred Astaire quote #61
  2. The fact that Fred and I were in no way similar - nor were we the best male dancers around never occurred to the public or the journalists who wrote about us..…

    Fred AstaireFred Astaire quote #63
  3. Stately as a galleon, I sail across the floor, Doing the military two-step, as in the days of yore.

    Joyce GrenfellJoyce Grenfell quote #1