THE MOST MEMORABLE OF DANCE films has got to be Gene Kelly?s great creation, ?Singin? in the Rain.? It?s such a treat to see Kelly sing and dance in the rain?the scene embodies the show-stopping elements of screen dancing!

It is said that Kelly was nursing a high fever when he did that memorable production number. I suspect, however, that this piece of publicity was meant to bolster the actor?s image as a true professional.

Memorable numbers

Kelly codirected the film with Stanley Donen. Other memorable numbers include scenes showing Gene dancing with Cyd Charisse, and Donald O?Connor?s acrobatic ?Make Them Laugh? dance sequence.

The grand production makes you wonder if Judy Garland?s ?Born in a Trunk? number in ?A Star is Born? wasn?t inspired by that Kelly masterpiece. The actor should also be credited for the dance numbers in ?An American in Paris? and ?Invitation to Dance.?

The vibrant square dance in ?Seven Brides for Seven Brothers? is another memorable scene, whose troupe includes Jacques D?Amboise, the young Bob Fosse and Russ Tamblyn.

Eleanor Powell was the best female tap dancer before Ann Miller came along. The most beautiful legs in cinema belong to Miller, who was once considered the world?s fastest tap dancer.

Real standout

It is said that Miller was a real party girl, but she didn?t let her partying affect her performances?she reported for work on time and with gusto. Her dance on a glass table in ?Kiss Me Kate? with Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel was a real standout.

I also can?t forget James Cagney?s Academy Award performance in ?Yankee Doodle Dandy.? Cagney is better remembered for his gangster roles, but he could give Tinseltown?s best tap dancers a run for their money.

Fred Astaire also had great moments, either as a solo dancer or in tandem with his most enduring partner, Ginger Rogers.