Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds? Rivals?!? On the set of Singing in the Rain?!? Yes, unfortunately. Gene Kelly was a perfectionist and didn't want to work with the green Reynolds who was just seventeen years old at the time.
Rehearsals went on for hours, as did each take. Debbie was forced to dance until her feet bled, berated by Gene when she did something he considered to be wrong. Debbie found herself in tears between takes and had to be carried away at the end of the night. Gene ended up using one of the early takes anyway, angering Reynolds immensely.
This story, however, has a happier ending. Gene later admitted that he was a tyrant and possibly wasn't on his best behavior during the shoot. Even Debbie softened her anger as time went on. She later acknowledged that some of Gene's behavior taught her how to be more professional and she learned to appreciate the lessons he taught her. Gene was surprised at how Debbie was willing to speak with him afterwards and they eventually had a cordial, warm friendship. This rivalry ended with a happy, Hollywood ending.
