Classic Review: Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

Widely considered by many as one of the greatest films of all time, Singin’ in the Rain is a visual marvel that was definitely ahead of its time and a film that pushed the limits of where the medium can go, then 70+ years ago. A musical that inspired countless other films that came after (not just musicals), it is easier to appreciate it and where it stands in the overall history of film. One can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of joy while watching the film, as the sense of wonder it creates still holds up. Be it the impressive costumes and set design, as well as the music and choreography, and the performances from the incomparable Gene Kelly (also a co-director of the film), Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds, the film is quite a sight to behold and an absolute blast that is firing on all cylinders. A romantic comedy set in the midst of a vital moment in film history, it is a compelling time capsule made better with perspective. Not only is the titular song iconic, but the film is full of moments that are just as fitting, ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Make ‘Em Laugh’ being two others.

Singin’ in the Rain takes place in 1927 Hollywood where Don Lockwood (Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) were two of the biggest silent movie stars at the time. Though they were glamourous on screen, off screen was a different matter altogether. As the various trade publications and gossip columns made their relationship into more than what it actually was, the pair kept up appearances if not to satisfy their fans and bring audiences to movie theatres. But in reality, as Don loathed Lina, she became consumed by the fantasy of their on screen relationship. Like it or not, they were tied to one another. However, that seemingly winning formula found itself challenged by the advent of talking pictures. Initially dismissed as something that wouldn’t work, it became clear that the studio Don and Lina worked for had to move forward and join the revolution before it was too late. As Monumental Pictures’ biggest stars, they would be the first to jump in. However, with no experience in the field of talking pictures, Don, Lina, and the studio faced a steep learning curve while trying to convert ‘The Dueling Cavalier’ into a talking picture. Within that learning curve came some trying yet hilarious moments. Part satire of that transition to talking films, that process began to expose the flaws of the original film, the biggest being the script and Lina’s comically-grating voice that begrudgingly tolerated because she was a silent film star.

However, the heart of the film is the relationship between Don, his best friend Cosmo Brown (O’Connor), and a woman named Kathy Selden (Reynolds). A man of many talents, including being a genius musician, Don helped Cosmo get hired by Monumental Pictures as their musical director. Meanwhile, Kathy, a singer and stage actress aspiring to making it big on the silver screen, and Don did not get off to a great start. That being said, it appeared that they were meant to be together as she found herself working on Don’s film, unbeknownst to him and much to the chagrin of Lina. From there, he quickly fell in love with her. The best part of the film is the hijinks between the trio which is a testament to the fantastic chemistry of Kelly, O’Connor, and Reynolds. Whether it be singing, or dancing (sometimes in the rain), they were so fun to watch. Trying to keep up with the competition, the solution was to rework ‘The Dueling Cavalier,’ with Cosmo’s help, into a musical called ‘The Dancing Cavalier.’ Though in doing so, Lina’s ego and aforementioned grating voice would prove to be a challenge. Though the solution for this appeared to be to redub her with Kathy’s voice, someone who she felt threatened by as she came between her and Don, it would need to be done without Lena’s knowledge as to not damage her already fragile ego. With that came an inherent tension where at that point, something had to give as it became a question of whether to keep moving forward or stay in the past and risk getting left behind. The conclusion did not disappoint.

On a technical level, despite being a 70+ year old film, it very much holds up today. A visual marvel, it successfully taps into one’s sense of wonder through impeccable set design and costume design that put an emphasis on color and vibrancy. Singin’ in the Rain is a show in every sense of the word. The musical numbers are impressively made thanks to quality work both in front of and behind the camera. Responsible for some of the most memorable moments in film history, the music and the choreography are sensational while strong camerawork keeps up with every second of it. The sheer work in orchestrating it all is surely no easy feat either which only speaks to the level of filmmaking on display. On the other hand, the story is an endearing one. A romantic comedy of sorts, it would not have worked if not for the stellar performances of Kelly, O’Connor, and Reynolds. Each bringing the right energy, they are clearly having the time of their lives here and that joy is reflected through their performances. They are having so much fun that it is easy to have fun right with them. The exceptional chemistry between the three is what sells the ride and make the film well worth the price of admission. Besides them, Lina, a character that could easily have been a caricature, is given humanity by Hagen, who clearly understood the assignment. A scene-stealer, her Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 1953 Academy Awards was earned.

At the end of the day, Singin’ in the Rain is an undeniable classic that still holds up today as a visual marvel that helped pushed filmmaking forward. And it’s also a blast.

 still courtesy of MGM

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.