Singin' in the Rain (1952)
About This Movie
Hollywood's chaotic transition from silent films to talkies provides the backdrop for a love story between a leading man and a chorus girl, told through some of the most joyous song and dance numbers ever filmed. Gene Kelly dancing in the rain, stamping through puddles with a grin of pure elation, is the single most iconic image in the history of musicals. The film makes you feel the way being happy feels.
Why It's a Classic
Kelly, Stanley Donen, and screenwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green used the behind the scenes chaos of the talkie revolution to create comedy gold, particularly in Jean Hagen's shrieking voiced silent star who cannot make the transition. The 'Make 'Em Laugh' number, performed by Donald O'Connor with acrobatic abandon that literally knocked him unconscious on the final take, is the most physically demanding comedy routine in film history. The title number works so perfectly because it is pure emotion without narrative purpose: a man in love expresses his joy through movement, and the simplicity of that concept gives it its power. Debbie Reynolds, only nineteen during filming, kept pace with Kelly's perfectionist rehearsal schedule despite having limited dance training, and her freshness gives the romance its spark. The film was a modest success on release but has grown in reputation to the point where many critics consider it the greatest musical ever made.
Fun Fact
Gene Kelly performed the iconic rain dance with a 103 degree fever. The 'rain' was a mixture of water and milk because pure water did not show up well on camera. Donald O'Connor was hospitalized after filming 'Make 'Em Laugh' due to the physical toll of the acrobatics, and when the footage was found to be unusable due to a camera issue, he had to perform the entire routine again two days later. Debbie Reynolds later said that the two hardest things she ever did were childbirth and making Singin' in the Rain.
Parent Note
There is nothing objectionable in this film by any standard. The romance is sweet, the comedy is physical and verbal, and the music is timeless. It is one of the most family friendly films on this entire list. Even very young viewers respond to the energy and color, though the humor about Hollywood history is best appreciated by older audiences.
Quick Facts
- Year
- 1952
- Type
- 🎬 Movie
- Category
- Classic Drama
- Age Group
- Adults (Ages 18+)