Between 1949 and 1959, Stanley Donen was either the key creative force behind or an essential element in the production of some of the most critically acclaimed musicals in Hollywood history. A former dancer, he befriended Gene Kelly, who joined forces with Donen on Broadway and later in feature films for the dancing legend like “On the Town” (1949) and what was widely considered the most popular musical ever made, “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952). Donen also directed his idol Fred Astaire in “Royal Wedding” (1951) and “Funny Face” (1957), and helmed such crowd-pleasing titles as “Seven Brides for
