Singin in the Rain (1952)

Film Title: Singin in the Rain (1952)

Genre: Comedy/Musical/Romance/Classic

Director: Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly

Two Most Important Member of the Cast: Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen)

Review

[1]Pam Grady (2006) points out in her review that Singin in the Rain is arguably the greatest movie musical ever made since it combined the music, the dance and the humorous script making a Technicolor confection that jab fun at Hollywood. [2]Moreover, Epinions.com (1999) states that the movie is different from others because it is not only musical but also the best comedy ever since outstanding comedies are left if all the musical and dance numbers are removed.

[3]Similarly, Tim Dirks (1996-2006) reports that Singin in the Rain is another extraordinary example of the organic, integral musical in which the characters of the story naturally express their emotions in the midst of their lives through song and dance; thus replacing the dialogues. In addition, Dirks expresses that the film is an enjoyable movie experience because of the great songs, lots of flashbacks, wonderful dances, casting and story.

[4]An autobiography of Hollywood itself at the dawn of the talkies is actually the plot of the film. The story is about a handsome, arrogant but romantic silent film star and blustering matinee idol, Don Lockwood and his fascinating blonde screen partner/diva, Lina Lamont who is expected by studio heads to pretend to be romantically involved with each other. Their studio boss, R. F. Simpson (Millard Mitchell) pressured them to change their silent romantic drama, The Duelling Cavalier into musical, name as The Dancing Cavalier, their first sound picture if ever. However, there is a problem because Lina has as harsh, screechy New York accent. So, Cosmo, her ex-song-and-dance partner proposes to turn the film into musical and suggests that Kathy Selden, Don’s aspiring actress and dancer-girlfriend dub in her singing voice behind the scenes for lip-synching Lina. However, their scheming render jealous to Lina putting Kathy in a revealing publicity.

[5]Generally, the story is pleasing despite its occasional flaw. Every viewer is sure to be delighted with the vibrant, fun and colorful song and dance sequences with which the movie is punctuated. Furthermore, the film’s characters are generally appealing like the story that revolves around them even if they are not brilliantly crafted.

[6]Don and Cosmo are likeable and fun loving individuals. Lina, on the other hand, is outrageously vain, conniving, and self-centered. Kathy is sweetly charming but is not captivating compared to the persons around her. However, she has a pleasant character that viewer who may never fascinated by her may sympathize with her.

[7]In addition, according to Jonathan Bowen (2005) it is perhaps the greatest musical of all time since it is filled with catchy musical numbers and actually a musical about a musical. It is especially fascinating and powerful because it is actually focuses significantly on another historically important film, The Jazz Singer (1927). Because of its status as the first sound movie, The Jazz Singer is one of history's biggest milestone movies.

[8]However, Harry’s Stuff.com (2002-2006) expresses that the movie was not filled by its story or characters but with the numerous musical numbers. Similarly, music is one problem with the movie which cannot be laid at the doors of the production. It is written in the 1990s, the Jazz Age. Hence, the vibrancy of the syncopated rhythms of the Jazz Age had been lost into the straitjacket of 1930s' big-band Swing. So when the film was made, popular music was well on its way to the four-square banality of the early 1950s.

[9]Nevertheless, one of the things that make the movie so enduring are the song and dance which give license to every man, woman and child to sing and jump through puddles on a rainy day, balking at tomorrow's forthcoming fever. Singin' in the Rain's communicable optimism makes us believe some lighthearted humor and fancy footwork are the best prescription for weathering life's storms.

---

[1] Grady, P. (2006). Movie Review of Singin in the Rain. Movie Gallery US-Hollywood Entertainment Corporation. Retrieved November 8, 2006, from www.reel.com

[2] Epinions.com (1999, November 6). Singin in the Rain. Muze Inc. Retrieved November 8, 2006, from www.epinions.com

[3] Dirks, T. (1996-2006). Review of Singin in the Rain. Greatest Films. Retrieved November 8, 2006, from www.filmsite.org

[4] Ibid

[5] Allen, K. (2005). Singin in the Rain-Review. Movie Rapture. Retrieved November 8, 2006, from www.movierapture.com

[6] Ibid

[7] Bowen, J. (2005). Singin in the Rain (1952). Orbital Reviews. Retrieved November 8, 2006, from www. orbitalreviews.com

[8] Internet. (2002-2006). Singin in the Rain (1952). Harry’s Stuff. Retrieved November 8, 2006, from www.harrys-stuff.com

[9] Dirks, T. (1996-2006). Review of Singin in the Rain. Greatest Films. Retrieved November 8, 2006, from www.filmsite.org