Amazon.com essential video: Decades before the Hollywood film industry became famous for megabudget disaster and science fiction spectaculars, the studios of Southern California (and particularly Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) were renowned for a uniquely American (and nearly extinct) kind of picture known as The Musical. Indeed, when the prestigious British film magazine Sight & Sound conducts its international critics poll in the second year of every decade, this 1952 MGM picture is the American musical that consistently ranks among the 10 best movies ever made. It's not only a great song-and-dance piece starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and a sprightly Debbie Reynolds; it's also an affectionately funny insider spoof about the film industry's uneasy transition from silent pictures to "talkies." Kelly plays debonair star Don Lockwood, whose leading lady Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) has a screechy voice hilariously ill-suited to the new technology (and her glamorous screen image). Among the musical highlights: O'Connor's knockout "Make 'Em Laugh"; the big "Broadway Melody" production number; and, best of all, that charming little title ditty in which Kelly makes movie magic on a drenched set with nothing but a few puddles, a lamppost, and an umbrella. --Jim Emerson
One of the best Musicals An affectionate look at life at Hollywood life in the 20s. Not superior to An American in Paris as someone labelled it, but splendid in its energy and timelessness even if it is a period picture. Great piece of nostalgia and fantastic dancing sequences. Gene Kelly at his best in designing the choreography and its execution, admirably supported by Donald O'Connor and Cyd Charisse, plus Debbie Reynolds at her cutest. Great movie! E.Renard
"Dignity, Always Dignity" 'Singing in the Rain' from '52 is a much loved Hollywood musical that will find the majority of its audience in the over fifty crowd. Its story line deals with the earliest years of the motion picture industry when the painful transfer from silent movies to "talkies" was revolutionizing the world of entertainment, a time when the film industry was still trying to decipher the proper mix for the medium; action, adventure, romance, attractive women and handsome men? Not initially knowing for sure what the expectations of the audience were they simply threw in everything along with dancing, singing, extravagant stage numbers and a lot of "Old School" vaudeville routines.
Recently viewing 'Singing in the Rain' on DVD now 56 years since it release I must admit that this homage to 'Old Hollywood' now seems so alien and remote in style and tenor when compared to modern day cinematic productions. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I'm left to wonder whether the song and dance of the 40's and 50's can still capture an adoring audience of new, younger fans? If you're fascinated by the Golden Years of Hollywood and the styles and fashions of the time, this is a great glimpse into the glitz and glamour of those early days. If you aren't then this may not be the film for you.
The voice of a skillsaw! A musical of perfection! It's hard to believe that Singin' in the Rain was not a mega-hit when it was first released. An Oscar nomination (Jean Hagen) and a Golden Globe (Donald O'Connor) did not start those lines forming up around the movie palaces of the era.
Jean Hagen's performance is laugh-out-loud funny every minute she's on screen!
The lack of initial audience response is surprising because this is a wonderful, hilarious spoof of the movie industry, itself and a perfect musical comedy. Gene Kelly's legendary performance dancing in the pouring rain is worth the price of this DVD alone -- not to mention Donald OConnor's "Make 'Em Laugh."
This is a DVD that belongs in your collection. Every moment is a gem!
classic family fun One of my favorite movies ever. Clean and fun. Nice story with funny characters. No sex. No murder or bloodshed. No curse words!
They don't write them like that anymore! At least not without animation.
Call me a cab. - Ok, you're a cab.
Seen as one of the greatest musicals of all time, Singin' in the Rain is a great example of the high-time of Hollywood; the evolution of silent film to talking pictures.
Starring screen legend Gene Kelly as Don Lockwood, silent picture hero who is trying his hardest not to be stifled by his not-so-intelligent female co-star Lina Lamont(Jean Hagen). With the help of his best friend since childhood the comedic Cosmo(Donald O'Connor) and the new girl in his life, talented Kathy Selden(Debbie Reynolds) they try to tackle the oncoming difficulties of making a talking picture.
When their newest film becomes a musical Don is ecstatic to sing and dance, only Lina's inability to speak with diction, and the fact she can't sing at all causes quite a problem, which ends in her voice being dubbed by Kathy Selden! Only Lina isn't going to take this all sitting down!
"People"? I ain't "people." I am a - "a shimmering, glowing star in the cinema firmament."
I personally adore Donald O'Connor's Cosmo more then much else in the picture his song 'Make 'em laugh' is one of the greatest solo performances of physical comedy and dancing ability I've seen.
Yes, there are some mistakes in this film, bad dubbing in the beginning, a few things to complain upon, and I don't believe I'd put it in my personal top ten musicals list, but it is a classic none-the-less. It's not as romantic as West Side Story, and not as visually spectacular as Fiddler on the Roof, but for what it offers, it does well.
If for nothing more, Gene Kelly dancing in the street singing Singin' in the Rain is worth the watch.
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