Singin' in the Rain (1952) is a Timeless Masterpiece

You have to make the crowd laugh to please them.

Singin’ in the Rain debuted in theaters in 1952. Taking place in the 1920s, Don Lockwood is a famous silent film actor. When new technology promotes sound films, the studio is in a bind. They have to make changes if they’re going to stay in business.

Singin’ in the Rain still holds up to today’s standards in themes about the film industry. Filmmaking has changed since it started a century ago, whether for better or worse. This movie is a classic among audiences. There was a time when I didn’t like this movie. You must give movies a second chance to understand them.

Every actor involved in Singin’ in the Rain gave a performance of a lifetime. Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor are phenomenal, each in their own way.

Did you know Gene Kelly performed the signature song with a 100-degree fever? He was a remarkable dancer. His singing voice was not as strong, but his performance as Don Lockwood is notable. Change isn’t always easy but you should be tolerant of new ideas.

Like his character, Cosmo Brown, Donald O’Connor is one of the most underrated performances in this film. Nobody like O’Connor could have flipped off the walls like he does in ‘Make ‘Em Laugh.’ Unfortunately, O’Connor had to reshoot the whole scene when it was destroyed. He went to bed for three days after!

Debbie Reynolds overcame a lot in her film debut as Kathy Seldon at 19 years old. She was ridiculed by Kelly for her dancing, broke blood vessels in her feet from the ‘Good Morning’ song number, and eventually slept on set to avoid commuting.

Did you know that when Kathy is dubbing for Lena Lamont, the voice you hear is actually Jean Hagen’s voice dubbing for Debbie Reynolds? Talk about irony! Hagen was hilarious in her performance. As shrill as her voice is, you have to admire how Lena stands her ground. She is a bold leader for women, especially in the 20s era.

Singin’ in the Rain includes several iconic tunes. Other songs include ‘Fit as a Fiddle,’ ‘All I Do is Dream of You,’ and ‘You Were Meant for Me.’ I was in a musical version of Singin’ in the Rain and it’s a fun show to perform in. Was Lena’s song ‘What’s Wrong with Me?’ not written until the stage version? This film missed an opportunity to have Hagen sing this song.

The dance sequences are masterfully choreographed and expertly captured on film. Once again, ‘Good Morning’ is the best example. The trio has a blast in this energetic number.

Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly directed a classic that still holds up to today’s standards. This cinematic gem is a celebration of the Golden Age of Hollywood and showcases a noteworthy technical range. The film is vibrant in every frame and the visuals are so rich.

Singin’ in the Rain is more than just a musical. It’s a poignant commentary on what filmmakers faced when the silent era was finished. Evidently, things are still changing in Hollywood.

The events of this movie ring true to the strikes that happened in Hollywood this year. Like Lena, we need to fight for our rights. With the accomplishments of the writers and actors strikes, we must voice our opinions so we don’t let higher authorities walk all over us.

Singin’ in the Rain is a fun movie for all audiences. Keep older movies in the mainstream. They’re significant and you never know what you’ll learn from them.