Tributes to Ruby Keeler, Cyd Charisse

Tucked among the films on this weekend’s eclectic AFI/L.A. FilmFest schedule are separate 100-minute tributes to two of Hollywood’s best-known dancers: Ruby Keeler and Cyd Charisse.

“I’m excited, honored and flattered,” says Keeler, star of such memorable Hollywood musicals as “42nd Street” and “Footlight Parade.” “It will be nice to see the clips.”

Keeler and the clips, compiled by program host and UC Berkeley professor of cinema history Albert Johnson, will be at the Cineplex Odeon Theatres in Century City at 2:30 p.m. today. Johnson’s Cyd Charisse program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Charisse, who appeared in “Singin’ in the Rain,” “The Band Wagon,” “Brigadoon” and other films, says her strongest dance number was “The Red Blues” from “Silk Stockings.” Recalling her work in the MGM musical days, she says: “I was fortunate to come along at the right time to be included in those films. It took a long time to build up that production department and it worked so beautifully. They had dancers under contract and all they had to do was start up rehearsals.”