When MGM decided to make "Singin'....," they felt that they needed someone who could keep up with Gene Kelly, one of the two top dancers in the world. I haven't read how Don was chosen from all of the dancers but a more felicitous choice for second lead could not have been made. Don's delightfully goofy presence gives the movie extra charge, as his face and mannerisms help him steal the scene every time he is on screen.
In fact, I do believe that I am going to honor O'Connor with the First Screen Thief award (which I am just now creating, off the top of my head.) It is to Gene Kelly's credit that he lets O'Connor steal the movie out from under him. I am not knocking Gene Kelly; I love his dancing and truly feel that he is one of the top two dancers in film history (fight it out among yourselves), but when I watch "Good Morning," "Moses" and "Good Morning," I am watching Donald O'Connor and not Gene Kelly. He not only keep up with Gene Kelly, but makes it look as effortless and Kelly does. And through it all, he has that delightfully goofy expression and head-bob when he shim-shams that makes Cosmo Brown so endearing.
And he creates another iconic piece of American theater with the song "Make 'Em Laugh." This such a truly wonderful number that never gets old. I could watch this every day and never get tired of it. Enjoy Make 'Em Laugh
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