The Three Musketeers (1948)

[Ayres]

Watching this movie this morning, I was positively astounded at Gene Kelly's acrobatic athleticism. It was obvious he did most of his own stunts, and there were things he did that I hadn't realized he could do! On the whole, although I thought most of the acting OTT, The Three Musketeers was great fun and beautifully photographed.

One thing I kept thinking about was the broken ankle Gene Kelly sustained in late 1947--the one that famously kept him from doing Easter Parade (GK suggested that MGM invite Fred Astaire out of retirement to replace him).

Easter Parade was released in June of 1948, and I found one source that put the production dates of The Three Musketeers at January to May of 1948. I sure hope Kelly was doing most of his leaping and landing on his feet toward the springtime end of that production time. With a newly healed ankle--ouch!