Singin In The Rain Director Stanley Donen Dead at 94

Stanley Donen, director of acclaimed movie musicals like Singin In The Rain and On the Town, has died at the age of 94.

One of Donens sons confirmed the directors death to Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips. Confirmed by one of his sons this morning: Director Stanley Donen has died at 94 A huge, often neglected talent, Phillips tweeted Saturday morning. Cause of death has not been revealed.

Donen is best known as the creative force behind some of the greatest movie musicals of the Fifties, including 1952s Singin in the Rain, 1954s Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and 1957s Funny Face.

Donen landed three films on the American Film Institutes list of the 25 Greatest Movie Musicals: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Number 21), 1949s On the Town (Number 19) and, at Number One, Singin in the Rain, a cinematic masterpiece starring Gene Kelly that set the benchmark for movie musicals.

In addition to his groundbreaking work in the musical genre, Donen became a go-to director for actor Cary Grant, who starred in four Donen features: Kiss Them For Me (1957), Indiscreet (1958), The Grass is Greener (1960) and Charade (1963).

Donens final big screen film came in 1984 with the sex comedy Blame it on Riostarring Michael Caine. In 1986, Donen directed the music video for Lionel Richies song Dancing on the Ceiling.

While he never received any Oscar nominations for his work, Donen was presented with the lifetime achievement Oscar at the 1998 Academy Awards by Martin Scorsese, who introduced Donen by saying, Once upon a time, a lonely boy in South Carolina was sparked by the wonder of movies, captivated by everything from cowboys to comedians to movie monsters. And then he saw his first musical, Flying Down to Rio.

Donen is survived by his widow, comedian and filmmaker Elaine May.

Everything magical about Hollywoods golden age is in Stanley Donens movies. From some of the most ecstatic musicals of the '50s to the bittersweet melodramas and Hitchcockian thrillers of the '60s, theyre models of grace and engines of pure pleasure. Farewell, dear friend. pic.twitter.com/v06EiJKK43

Criterion Collection (@Criterion) February 23, 2019