In On the Town (1949), Gene Kelly plays Gabey, a sailor on 24-hour leave in New York who falls for Ivy Smith, a dancer he has seen on a poster, played by Vera-Ellen. Co-directed by Kelly and Stanley Donen, the musical follows Gabey and his friends Chip and Ozzie as they race around the city looking for love.
On the Town was groundbreaking for shooting musical numbers on location in New York, rather than only on a studio lot. Kelly’s dancing, full of joy and athleticism, helped to make the film a landmark, and it remains a favourite for its energy and its affection for the city.
