Thursday, May 20, 2010

Rare Minnelli Photo

Vincente Minnelli, Delaware, Ohio, H.M.S. Pinafore, Gilbert and Sullivan showIn this rare and recently unearthed image from 1921, future Hollywood director Vincente Minnelli (then known as Lester Minnelli) appears in the Delaware (Ohio) High School Glee Club production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore (or The Lass That Loved a Sailor)." Minnelli (who played able seaman Dick Deadeye) appears in the front row, the sixth figure from the right (standing between one of the sailors and a young lady partially obscured with a shadow). The musical, which was presented at the City Opera House on March 11 and 12, 1921 (at eight o'clock) was directed by Miss Elizabeth Sheen with Dale Bartholomew at the piano.