Singin’ in the Rain-1952
Director Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds
Scott’s Review #874
Reviewed March 4, 2019
Grade: A-
Singin’ in the Rain (1952) is most closely associated with the entertainment industry in the oversaturated field of musicals released during the mid-twentieth century.
The transition from silent pictures to “talkies” is the basis of the story, giving the film important, as well as fun, subject matter.
Likable stars and sing-along tunes make the film memorable and decidedly All-American, though it may not be the greatest in the crowded musical field.
During the late 1920s, Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) was a famous and well-regarded silent film star. His co-star and studio-created romantic attachment is Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen), an annoying and shallow leading lady with a harsh singing voice.
As more successful “talkies” (films with sound) are produced, Don finds himself smitten with musical chorus girl Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). The plot to dub Lina’s voice with Kathy’s leads to comical chaos and the idea of creating a new musical amid a blossoming romance between Don and Kathy.
The fun and frolicking Singin’ in the Rain is lightweight but never silly or superfluous, thanks to its overriding message about the shift in Hollywood priorities.
Critically acclaimed from the get-go, this is unsurprising, as Hollywood loves stories about Hollywood, especially since the film was made just over two decades after sound-laden films overtook the world.
Furthermore, in 1952, television was making its debut to legions of fans, and its accessibility posed a serious threat to cinema, making the subject matter even more relevant.
Kelly and Reynolds make a nice enough pair, but I never thought they completely knocked it out of the park in terms a chemistry.
One slight flaw is the lack of hurdles that would prevent the couple from an inevitable union. Lina is the transparent foil and ultimately played for laughs, so she is not a serious threat.
The plot-driven conflict involving Kathy’s initial dislike of Don because she values stage over film is cute, but it ultimately proves a sham, as she has been a fan of his all along.
The musical is a comedy, but better hurdles might have made for a more interesting story.
Nonetheless, Singin’ in the Rain is a pleasure and a largely non-threatening experience. The hijinks as the characters struggle to put on their production are comical, and Lina’s New York accent and shrill singing voice threaten to steal the show from the more grounded central characters.
The musical numbers are a dream, and I especially like favorites like “Make ‘Em Laugh,” “Good Morning,” and the epic title song.
Through no fault of the film’s title, “Singin’ in the Rain” will forever be associated with the dark and cerebral A Clockwork Orange (1971) for me, not with the film. As the villain beats and rapes his victim by cheerily singing this tune, the song will forever hold a much darker association for me.
The dramatic final act is the highlight as a lavish premiere of The Dancing Cavalier is unveiled to a live theater audience hungry for something good.
When the crowd chomps at the bit for Lina to perform live, the big reveal of Kathy being the truly talented singer is displayed as the wizard in The Wizard of Oz style, as Don and Kathy kiss and ride off into the sunset together in a grand showbiz fashion.
In the crowded genre of the 1950s and 1960s musical productions that ravaged American cinema at the time, I mainly chose to watch West Side Story (1961), Gypsy (1962), The Sound of Music (1965), and Oklahoma! (1955) for pleasure, but Singin’ in the Rain (1952), an earlier gem, is worthy of value, especially for the memorable musical soundtrack it offers.
The story is light but also relevant and, most importantly, highly entertaining.
Oscar Nominations: Best Supporting Actress-Jean Hagen, Best Scoring of a Musical Picture
Golden Globe Nominations: 1 win-Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy-Donald O’Connor (won)
