Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

Movie Info

These guys know how to party!

Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) have a successful career in the movies and are pursued by the press. When The Jazz Singer is introduced, things are going to change. Lina’s voice is not the voice of a star, and Don wonders if he is really an actor at when a preview screening of their first talkie goes wrong. Don must find a solution to his problem with his girlfriend Kathy Seldon (Debbie Reynolds) and friend musician Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor). Now Don, Kathy, and Cosmo have a plan but will it work to save the movie and Don’s career?

Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, Singin’ in the Rain was a big hit and received rave reviews. While the film was a big hit and is now often listed as one of the top American films, the movie only received nominations for Supporting Actress of Jean Hagen and Original Score.

A Clockwork Orange? What do you mean?

The story of Singin’ in the Rain is a fun great story, but it actually came second. The music for the movie was written first, and the script had to be written around it. It is a musical, but even more so a dance picture. The movie features a number of dance number that sometimes get a little long but also show the grandeur of old Hollywood. It reminds me a lot of Gene Kelly’s An American in Paris which also has a number of long dance scenes and won Best Picture the previous year. The movie isn’t for everyone, but it does look great, plus recent Blu-Ray transfers have the colors really popping off the screen.

I love the period of Hollywood cover in the film and find it interesting to see the early techniques to try to capture sound. The Artist also played with the same format and both pictures show how difficult it was for some actors to make the jump stylistically and vocally to being in a talking picture. Hagen’s character was based on Norma Talmadge who failed to make the transition.

Get off the stage, lady!!! This is my show!

The ironic thing about the whole movie is the Debbie Reynolds factor. She wasn’t really a dancer when she made the film and her singing voice wasn’t where it really needed to be. She carries her scenes, but she’s actually dubbed for many of the songs, and Hagen (whose voice is supposed to be awful) had a great voice.  Hagen actually sang her own song at a point when Reynolds was supposed to be dubbing her.

Singin’ in the Rain is a spectacle of old Hollywood but was made in its later days. The movie looks great and is visually stunning. The plot is interesting, but those who can’t handle a dance numbers might struggle since they are extensive. If nothing else, sit back and watch the scene and enjoy the nice soundtrack and look of the film. It’s a classic.