SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)
Directed by Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen
Comedy, cyd-charisse, debbie-reynolds, donald-oconnor, gene-kelly, jean-hagen, Musical, stanley-donen
Singin’ in the Rain is probably the best “movie about making movies” ever made — really, it’s one of the best movies, full stop. Nearly 75 years after the release date, it holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s a classic that earns the title not because it’s old, but because it’s ageless. It’s fizzy and spirited, pure fun with stakes just high enough to warrant the plot line. It’s the ultimate rainy day flick, sing-along, and feel-good family film all in one.
THE PLOT
After the first film with synchronized sound premieres in 1927, silent film superstars Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) are suddenly out of step with a world that wants to watch its movies turn into talkies. Lockwood can pivot easily thanks to his smooth voice and charm, but Lamont struggles with a squawking, bird-like voice and a comical inability to speak into her microphone. The money-making enterprise of “Lockwood and Lamont” is at risk.
As Don and his wisecracking, musically gifted bestie Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor) scramble to save their careers, they meet Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds), a chorus girl with dreams, sass, and a gorgeous singing voice. What follows is Hollywood mayhem: voice dubbing, musical makeovers, a million costume changes, and some of the most joyful moments ever committed to film.
Every sequence is beautifully constructed, the story moves at a clip, and the acting is superb. Singin’ in the Rain is for the dreamers, the dancers, and those of us who still believe in movie magic — even when it’s pouring rain.
THE MUSICAL NUMBERS
This is a musical where the songs don’t interrupt the plot — they are the plot. From Cosmo’s slapstick chaos in “Make ’Em Laugh” (which literally hospitalized avid smoker Donald O’Connor for four days after filming wrapped), to the all-time classic “Good Morning”, to Kelly’s rain-soaked joy in the title song, each musical moment takes the plot further and brings new energy to the story.
Kelly moves like water. Reynolds, 19 years old and bleeding through her shoes, keeps pace with him step for step (even more impressive considering she’d never danced before this film). O’Connor is a walking cartoon with the soul of a showman. When these three are together, time disappears.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Singin’ in the Rain is a blissful experience, quality entertainment with a quick pace that slows only to showcase the mesmerizing singing and dancing of true masters of the art form. Kelly, O’Connor, and Reynolds are dynamite. The Cyd Charisse sequence is literally the stuff of dreams. It’s a rare picture where just about everything works out for just about everyone but it doesn’t feel annoying or contrived. This film is offering you 100 minutes of happiness. Take it.
My rating: 5/5