Title: Singin’ in the Rain
Director: Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen
Screenwriter(s): Betty Comden & Adolph Green
Producer: Arthur Freed
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
In Theaters: March 27th, 1952
Run Time: 103 minutes
Color: Technicolor
Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, & Debbie Reynalds
Genre(s): musical/romance
Storyline: In 1927, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a famous on-screen romantic pair. Lina, however, mistakes the on-screen romance for real love. Don has worked hard to get where he is today, with his former partner Cosmo. When Don and Lina’s latest film is transformed into a musical, Don has the perfect voice for the songs. But Lina - well, even with the best efforts of a diction coach, they still decide to dub over her voice. Kathy Selden is brought in, an aspiring actress, and while she is working on the movie, Don falls in love with her. Will Kathy continue to “aspire”, or will she get the break she deserves?
Movie Trailer:
My Review: The experience of going to see a movie like this in the movie theater, especially when it’s sold out, can never compare to watching it on DVD at home. It sold out in two theaters actually. The movie is definitely larger than life and one of the first movies directed by Gene Kelly himself. I learned from Robert Osborn before the movie started that Kelly actually never wanted to be in front of the camera, he wanted to be to musicals what Hitchcock was to suspense and thrillers. He wanted to be the guy who “tried that first.” The staple for how future dance and music was choreographed and filmed for the big screen.
Unfortunately for him the audience loved him when he performed. Gene Kelly, you could say, took over, where Fred Astaire left off. I think one of the main differences between the two dancers was that Gene danced alone more than with a partner and Astaire was the opposite. Kelly like big numbers full of color and scenery while Astaire had you on the edge of your seat by just his dancing alone.
As the movie goes, not one member of the cast went to waste. From the up and coming Debbie Reynolds to the exhausting Donald O’Connor this movie was packed with comedy, romance, singing, and of course, dancing. Gene Kelly could do it all and as Jean Hagen famously says in the movie, in a voice few can mimic just right, “I can’t stand him!”
Here is the most memorable song and dance routine performed by Gene Kelly, along with 2 of my favorite songs from the movie as well.
Singin’ in the Rain - Gene Kelly
Good Mornin’ - Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds & Donald O’Connor
Moses Supposes - Gene Kelly & Donald O’Connor
My Rating: A+
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