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Gene Kelly's hat from "Singin' in the Rain" w/ letter/audio from Fred Kelly

$ 5807.47

Availability: 100 in stock
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Condition: Please see detailed description below and listen to audio authentication -- Hat authenticated with letter/audio recording from Gene's brother Fred Kelly
  • Industry: Movies
  • Object Type: Wardrobe

    Description

    What an amazing piece of Hollywood history!  This hat was worn by Gene Kelly in the classic 1952 film "Singin' in the Rain."  Gene's brother, Fred Kelly, donated the hat to an auction benefiting a charity in Tucson in 1996.  That's where a family member of mine won the hat and gave it to me as a gift.  I've had it ever since.  The hat came with a letter from Fred (included in the pictures) which largely details Fred's own use of the hat on  Broadway (as he was rightfully proud of his own professional career).   At the bottom of Fred's typed letter is a note from the charity describing Gene's use of the hat in both "Singin' in the Rain" and the movie "Covergirl" -- and that this would be authenticated by Fred personally.  So we connected with Fred himself
    , and he left a voicemail with further details about Gene Kelly's on-camera use of the hat in "Singin' in the Rain."  I uploaded the sound file at the site indicated below so you can listen to it (if it doesn't appear as a link, copy the link to your browser).  Listen all the way to the end of the short clip, as that's where he describes the use of the hat in "Singin' in the Rain":
    http://www.ecommerceplayer.com/MediaPlayer.aspx?id=947e2130-a235-4626-8c47-e9b08f16ee3f
    The pictures I've included in this listing are of the hat in its current condition (old and weather-beaten) -- as well as still frames from "Singin' in the Rain" which I believe depict the hat's use in the film.    As Fred did not specify the exact scenes in which the hat was used, I had to find them myself.  The still frames in this listing, I believe, are the scene where the hat is most clearly visible and identifiable.  I found another scene of Gene's character standing in an unemployment line in which he appears to be wearing the hat, but he's in the shadows and it's more difficult to match.  In Fred's voicemail, he notes that a few copies of the hat were made for the film -- probably because of the number of takes the filmmakers had to do with it in the rain.
    Please be fully aware that I do NOT have an official Certificate of Authentication for this item.  The only "authentication" I can offer are the letter from Fred Kelly and his voicemail recording.  I imagine there are plenty of fans of Gene (and Fred) Kelly out there who know the film "Singin' in the Rain" even better than I do -- and who will appreciate the value of this very unique and rare item.  Please email me with any further questions you may have.
    Given the special nature of this item, all sales will be final and no returns will be accepted -- so please do your due diligence, consider all the information available, and reach out with any inquiries.  Local pick-up in Los Angeles is available.