I wish I could have met Donald O'Connor in person. Everyone says he was so polite and caring, a perfect gentleman. He was so many wonderful things and completely adorable. He also took no back seat to Gene, Fred, or any of them. In my book, the best of the best. He left us so many wonderful memories.
If we were able to turn back time to 1925 and choose anyone's life to live, I would pick Donald O'Connor's life. What a wonderful talent and what an interesting life he has lived.
Two things struck me...Arlene Herson is an excellent interviewer and Donald O'Connor is one of the most under appreciated American performers. I had never seen an AH interview and was searching DOC when I came across this interview. I have been unable to find either a biography or autobiography of DOC which in itself is astounding. From start to finish, his career epitomized the transition from Vaudeville to movie to TV and yet he may be lost to the future. I know that when I watch Singing in the Rain, my eyes always follow DOC rather than Kelly when they dance together. Kelly was 40 while DOC was 27...yet DOC had been performing longer than Kelly. Gene may have choreographed but DOC added the rough to the tumble. As for Arlene Herson...I will be sure to search out more of her interviews.
