# Donald O'Connor was a BEAUTIFUL man! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 30, 2007, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635 "2007-07-30T01:32:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/1 "2007-07-30T01:32:27Z")
My gf and I are watching **Singin’ in the Rain** , which is a fave of both of ours. In the scene where Cosmo and Kathy are showing Don the idea of dubbing and lip synching, it occurred to me how pleasant Mr O’Connor was to watch. He has poise, charm, looks, and was extremely athletically gifted. His _Make Em Laugh_ is my favorite number of this show. Looking him up on IMDb, I was reminded of just how many wonderful movies he was in. I guess that’s it. This thread is a Donald O’Connor appreciation thread. We miss you, you awesome performer. Thank g-d for video stores and TCM. ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/2 "2007-07-30T01:47:49Z")
Just shared that movie with my kids yesterday, in fact! Absolutely brilliant, what a talented man! ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/3 "2007-07-30T01:55:02Z")
I love love love Singin’ in the Rain, and Donald O’Connor is just wonderful in it. Whenever I see “Moses Supposes” I am amazed at how well he keeps up with Gene Kelly…matches him step for step, and they aren’t easy steps, either. Plus, he’s a good singer AND he’s naturally funny…as he says in the movie, a “triple threat!” ---
**Author:** ![MizTina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MizTina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizTina)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/4 "2007-07-30T03:00:11Z")
I watched today as well and my favorite with Donald O’Connor is “Make 'em Laugh”. Wonderful! And while watching SitR, I was reminded visually of what a great butt Gene Kelly had. And Donalds was purty damn fine as well. T ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/5 "2007-07-30T03:10:43Z")
O’Connell is a great dancer and comedian certainly. But handsome? Not really. ---
**Author:** ![Ellef](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8dc957/32.png) [@Ellef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellef)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/6 "2007-07-30T10:01:35Z")
[QUOTE=MizTina] I watched today as well and my favorite with Donald O’Connor is “Make 'em Laugh”. Wonderful! [/QUOTE] I never thought that song was funny until I saw O’Connor’s performance of it in SiTR. Great stuff! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/7 "2007-07-30T12:49:48Z")
We were watching it last night, at the end I remarked about how [Donald O’Connor](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0640307/) was probably the best second Banana ever in that role. His “Make 'em Laugh” number is one of the best musical number ever and is overshadowed by being in the movie with the most famous dance number ever. Outside of the awful ‘Francis’ movies, I do not recall anything else he did as memorable. What were the other wonderful movies he was in? Jim ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/8 "2007-07-30T15:44:50Z")
To answer What Exit’s question, he was in “Sayonara” with Marlon Brando. A dramatic turn. Made me cry when I saw it when I was little. Might seem cheesy instead of Oscar-worthy now, but I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/9 "2007-07-30T16:00:24Z")
[QUOTE=well he’s back] To answer What Exit’s question, he was in “Sayonara” with Marlon Brando. A dramatic turn. Made me cry when I saw it when I was little. Might seem cheesy instead of Oscar-worthy now, but I don’t know. [/QUOTE] You are thinking of Red Buttons, not Donald O’Connor. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/10 "2007-07-30T16:22:57Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] We were watching it last night, at the end I remarked about how [Donald O’Connor](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0640307/) was probably the best second Banana ever in that role. His “Make 'em Laugh” number is one of the best musical number ever and is overshadowed by being in the movie with the most famous dance number ever. Outside of the awful ‘Francis’ movies, I do not recall anything else he did as memorable. What were the other wonderful movies he was in? Jim [/QUOTE] Donald O’Connor was mostly not in wonderful movies; he just gave wonderful performances in studio crap that got churned out every year. Aside from Francis, SitR, and Beau Geste, I can’t think of any movies that outlasted him. ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/11 "2007-07-30T16:28:33Z")
oh my gawsh, what a dumb mistake on my part! But, thanks for pointing it out, Ronald C. I’ll crawl away now… ---
**Author:** ![susan\_foster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@susan\_foster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan_foster)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/12 "2007-07-30T17:35:01Z")
[QUOTE=RealityChuck] O’Connell is a great dancer and comedian certainly. But handsome? Not really. [/QUOTE] I agree. Very, very talented. Handsome? Nah. If you’re looking for handsome second bananas, I’m thinking Gig Young. I always feel so sad when he never gets Doris Day in the movies. Especially in Young at Heart. Susan ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/13 "2007-07-30T17:50:38Z")
[QUOTE=Nametag] Donald O’Connor was mostly not in wonderful movies; he just gave wonderful performances in studio crap that got churned out every year. Aside from Francis, SitR, and Beau Geste, I can’t think of any movies that outlasted him. [/QUOTE] Uhhh… **Ragtime**? I know, that was a bit of a stretch. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/14 "2007-07-30T18:01:11Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Outside of the awful ‘Francis’ movies, I do not recall anything else he did as memorable. What were the other wonderful movies he was in? [/QUOTE] “There’s No Business like Show Business” with Marilyn Monroe and Ethel Merman ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/15 "2007-07-30T20:50:38Z")
Yeah, it’s more that he had great performances in medium movies than been in great movies. As for his looks, both me and my GF think he was a decent looking fellow. And we’re both straight. Just look at him again in that lip synching scene. He had good facial features, was in shape (except for the cigarrett smoking), and had killer eyes. I think the perception of non handsomeness is probably more due the movies building on his comic abilities rather than trying to market him as a leading man. Just watch how often he over does facial expressions, whether in comic scenes or serious. It’s as tho they coached him to completely obviously be a certain emotion instead of simply having him act out the scene. And, more often than not, it seems, his “emotion” was comic in some way or another. Really, compared to some others who were used as leading men in that era (Dan Johnson and Jimmy Stewart come readily to mind), he wasn’t lacking. As usual in Cafe Society, IMHO, YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/16 "2007-07-31T00:43:03Z")
Crap. I try to start an appreciation thread for [Laura Nyro](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=421598&highlight=nyro) and it’s like pullin’ teeth. Now here’s one on Donald-freakin-O’Connor and there’s 15 freakin replies. O’Connor? I could never tell him apart from Danny Kaye. Excuse me, I’m gonna go pour another bourbon and put on _Christmas and the Beads of Sweat._ ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/17 "2007-07-31T00:53:07Z")
He was a badass in “Make 'Em Laugh.” As awesome as Gene Kelly is, O’Connor really puts _Singin’ In the Rain_ over the top as the greatest Hollywood musical ever. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/18 "2007-07-31T02:21:00Z")
“Hey, Cosmo, do something will ya? Call me a cab!” “Okay, you’re a cab.” Classic. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/19 "2007-07-31T12:07:08Z")
[QUOTE=Ukulele Ike] Crap. I try to start an appreciation thread for [Laura Nyro](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=421598&highlight=nyro) and it’s like pullin’ teeth. Now here’s one on Donald-freakin-O’Connor and there’s 15 freakin replies. O’Connor? I could never tell him apart from Danny Kaye. Excuse me, I’m gonna go pour another bourbon and put on _Christmas and the Beads of Sweat._ [/QUOTE] Did she ever dance up and through walls? 😉 Enjoy the bourbon, Jim ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635/20 "2007-07-31T13:57:10Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena] I love love love Singin’ in the Rain, and Donald O’Connor is just wonderful in it. Whenever I see “Moses Supposes” I am amazed at how well he keeps up with Gene Kelly…matches him step for step, and they aren’t easy steps, either. Plus, he’s a good singer AND he’s naturally funny…as he says in the movie, a “triple threat!” [/QUOTE] If you want impressive, rewatch the “Good Morning” sequence and consider that Debbie Reynolds had no dancing experience. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-oconnor-was-a-beautiful-man/413635.md?page=2)