AN ERA FADES – AT 10:28 A.M. ET:  Kathryn Grayson has died at 88.  For those of a certain age, or for their children who were taught what movies are really about, her name has resonance.

Kathryn Grayson was one of the stars of the truly legendary Freed unit, the division of MGM that made the great MGM musicals of the 30's, 40's and 50's.  She was beautiful, and sang with the quality of the trained operatic singer that she was.

The MGM musicals symbolized, possibly more than any other form, the golden age of American movies, movies made to entertain an audience, not give a political lecture.  MGM lavished endless attention on its musicals, employing the finest composers, lyricists, designers, directors and performers.  The "film sophisticates" sneered that MGM was a movie factory.  That is exactly right.  It made movies.  That was its job.  It made them all the time, allowing artists to practice their craft every day.  Hey, you think that may have had something to do with the quality?

One of my most memorable experiences was to walk through the soundstages of MGM and remember the musicals that were made there.  You felt ghosts.  You really did.

We will remember Kathryn Grayson for her performances in "Show Boat" and "Kiss Me Kate," as well as many others.  She glowed, and perfectly symbolized an American art form.  She was one of the last survivors of the Freed unit.  Cyd Charisse died two years ago.  Leslie Caron still lives. 

Here is Kathryn Grayson with Mario Lanza:

Go get the DVD's.  And enjoy.   There's nothing wrong with that.  And listen to the music.

February 19, 2010