Singin' in the Rain (Two-Disc Special Edition)

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.

This one has worked for me many times. I always keep a few musicals on hand to help me catch up on sleep.

In this production things like an over 13 minute "dance number" makes it especially valuable soporifically. Sometimes pretentiously referred to as a "Broadway Ballet" (or something of the kind) it consists, as far as I can see, of a lot of people in loud costumes prancing around and Gene Kelly intoning "Gotta Dance" repeatedly. Great stuff to induce some needed Z's.

On an even more positive note, Singin' In The Rain is a good song; it had been around for a long time when this movie made it deservedly popular. Jean Hagen does a good job, and O'Connor is energetic, but none of this is alarming enough to keep me awake for very long and disturb very pleasant slumber.

To see the whole thing through I think you've got to like musicals, and obviously many people do! Anyway, excessive originality would have kept me awake. Thankfully this production has a lot of standard tap dancing, traditional flourishes, corny dialogue etc which stops it getting too interesting. It is appropriately vacuous for the purpose of eliminating sleep deprivation. Reccomended if you dislike musicals and have trouble getting enough rest. A real treat for a certain kind of insomniac.

Singin' in the Rain (Stanley Donen, 1952)

I have long held to a belief that Fiddler on the Roof was the only decent movie musical ever made (unless you want to count Pink Floyd: The Wall as a movie musical and not a long-form video, or The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, which I guess is more a musical than anything). I have now come to understand that I've just been watching the wrong movie musicals, because Singin' in the Rain is about as delightful as they come.

Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) comes to Hollywood looking to make it big in the movies. He quickly hooks up with composer (and funnyman) Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor, who comes perilously close to stealing the movie), and together, the two of them make great silent films with Lockwood's ultra-popular, but shrewish behind the screen, leading lady, Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen). Lockwood, meanwhile, has met someone he actually likes, a dancing girl with a marvelous voice named Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). The voice comes into play with the advent of talkies; Lina Lamont has a voice to match her personality. What to do?

I've been (no pun intended) dancing around this review for weeks now because I just don't know what to say about this movie. It's just out-and-out wonderful. Even if you think you don't like musicals, give it a shot; the music is much better-integrated here than it is in most musicals I've had the misfortune to come across, and of course the dancing is first-rate. This ain't world-famous for nothing. **** ½

This movie isn't just a masterpiece, it is lots of fun to watch. It is really enjoyable. The songs are wonderful. The story is amusing, and the dancing is infectious. The actors seem to be having so much fun, the audience just can't resist. If you love movies, you can't miss Singin' In The Rain. It's just wonderful. The extras are great on this DVD. The commentary is one of the best I've ever listened to. Just plain buy this DVD.

I am not going to try to reiterate all of the laudatory reviews from other customers. But I will restate the claims of many who regard SITR as one of the ten best films ever made. Without a doubt it is, and that includes all types of films. Yes, the very theme of the film is a little "corny." but so was the era it portrays - when movies were "king" and the industry was in a tremendous state of transition. "Tongue-in-cheek" about covers the story line, which is beautifully woven into "the" classic Hollywood musical.

From beginning to end, the film is a masterful blend of romance, great humor, cinematic history with a clever touch of sarcasm, and some of the best dance performances ever seen anywhere. The title performance of Gene Kelly actually "singing in the rain" is the most memorable solo dance routine in the history of film. But there are some points in the film where Donald O'Connor almost steals the show, and his solo dance number of "Make 'Em Laugh" must be seen to be believed, and he put on some of the funniest sequences ever.

The lavish number performed by Gene Kelly with the incredibly beautiful Cy Charisse is simply breathtaking, and Jean Hagen's role as Lena Lamont is truly excellent. And Gene Kelly? At least the equal of Fred Astaire in dancing sensitivity, and much more athletic. You will also be a bit (pleasantly) surprised by the dance competence of Debbie Reynolds, who is at her charming and lovely best in the film.

It is an excellent, fast-moving, and wholly entertaining story throughout, and is a masterful piece of cinematography. I cannot imagine a classic film collection that does not include this wonderfully enjoyable DVD.