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I’ve Got Rhythm (4)

Dancers of the silver screen

Mansfield, CT
Planted by Irish Tinker

I thought it was a good idea to hide this series on Chaffeeville Road not far from Pink Trotters "My Favorite Musicals" and "My Favorite Actor" Series". Soon the town will have to change the roads name to Hollywood & Vine!

From the intersection of route 195 & Browns Road heading towards Uconn, take the next right onto Dodd Rd. Follow to the end and turn right onto Chaffeeville Rd. Go to the 3rd or 4th trail on the right. It is the one with a large, sand pull off area and there is a yellow trout sign on a tree.

Box 1: "I was pretty excited. About that time I had a terrific crush on a girl named Judy Garland. As a movie 'star' I figured I'd impress her. I didn't. She got in movies, too!" - Donald O'Connor in regards to his first movie. O’Connor was born the 7th child of circus performers. His mother was a trapeze performer & his father was a leaper (over elephants). At 13 months Donald was earning $25 a month as part of the act. He made his first movie (uncredited) at the age of 11. Some of his top movies include 6 Francis the Talking Mule Movies, & Singing in the Rain.

Step over the wooden barriers and take the trail on the far right. Walk down hill. Go over a small stream (may be seasonal) There are lots of ferns in this area. There is a tall hill to the right of the trail. You will see an oak with two trunks. One trunk is alive and well and the other is short and dead. Ten feet behind this tree is another tree with small stilts. Behind it under the stilts is Mr. O’Connor.

Box 2: "My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you." --as George M. Cohan in YANKEE DOODLE DANDY. James Cagney landed a starring roll on Broadway in 1920. He soon met Frances "Billie" Vernon whom he married in 1921. The marriage lasted 65 years. Some of his top dancing titles include Yankee Doodle, Footlight Parade, & The Seven Little Foys. Continue on the trail. At intersection go right. Follow up hill. Keep eyes peeled for an old, dead tree, still standing strong (knock on wood) on your left. Off the left of the tree is some dead wood hiding Mr. Cagney.

Box 3: You know, there's a difference between dancing and wrestling. In dancing, the main idea is to keep your partner's shoulders off the floor." --as Bake Baker in FOLLOW THE FLEET (1936). Although we always think of Fred Astaire with Ginger Rogers he had multiple dancing partners on screen including Audry Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Judy Garland, June Allyson and many more! Some of his top titles include Follow the Fleet, Holiday Inn, Easter Parade, Royal Wedding, & Top Hat just to name a few. (The stamp in box 3 was carved by RTRW) Walk back to the intersection. Go straight across. Turn left. Stream is on your right. Just before next intersection you will see a tree 2 trunked oak to the right with a stump near by. Check for Mr. Astaire in the stump.

Box 4: "Back home everyone said I didn't have any talent. They might be saying the same thing over here but it sounds better in French." --as Jerry Mulligan in AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. Gene Kelly is known for his dancing with props. He made music by dancing on sand or a piece of paper. One of his most famous dance scenes was with one sketchy partner... Jerry Mouse in Anchors Aweigh. Top titles include Singing in the Rain, An American in Paris, Brigadoon, Summer Stock, and On The Town.

At intersection go right. At Y go right. At top of hill go right. Path will start to turn left. When river is front of you turn left. At dead tree look for a medium sized oak on the left of trail. Behind it under bark is Mr. Kelly.

You can continue dancing down the trail to make a loop back to the car or just back track to car.

I hope you enjoyed and please remember to rehide well!

Before you set out, please read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

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