Review of Singin' in the Rain (1952) by Geoffrey S — 17 Jan 2012
Renowned as of the greatest screen musicals of all time, this is a very amusing and visually sumptuous musical comedy, with some very catchy songs, some brilliant choreography and some beautiful camerawork with a very rich, high contrast Technicolor look.
It's true when they say "They don't make 'em like they used to", as they don't look like this. It starts in 1927, and silent movie star Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) is at the height of his fame, he and his best friend Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor) have been with each other, through thick and thin, since they were kids, and enjoy the fame.
When The Jazz Singer (1927) is released, it's decided that their next film for studio head R.F. Simpson (Millard Mitchell) will be a talkie, but it's leading lady, the untalented primadonna Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) can't seem to get the hang of talkies, and the early previews are a disaster.
But, Cosmo gets an idea to make the film into a musical, and inspiration comes from Don's new friend Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). Kathy will dub Lina's voice, as Lina can't sing for toffee, so they get to work, hoping it'll save the studio, but Lina soon finds out.
It's a very good film, and it does have some good moments of comedy and some jaw-dropping musical moments, from Donald O'Connor belting out Make 'Em Laugh, to Gene Kelly's title song that still stands to this day.
Kelly and co-director Stanley Donen bring the best out in everyone involved.
This review of Singin' in the Rain (1952) was written by Geoffrey S on 17 Jan 2012.
Singin' in the Rain has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
