By: KATIE KLIMACEK
Before the year 2000, it seemed as though movies were just a bit different than from what they are today. They seemed to have a different “taste” to them. They were good, they had some kind of substance to them, and they had a good story line. They were original and inventive. Even though the movie did not call for half of the characters to be computer graphics. That was okay
I love movies. So many of my all time favorites were made before the year 2000. One of them is Singin’ in the Rain.
This movie was named the number one movie musical of all time by the American Film Institute. Released in 1952, in amazing Technicolor, Singin’ in the Rain is one of those movies that required true talent in order to pull it off.
Staring Gene Kelly as leading man Don Lockwood and a young Debbie Reynolds as Kathy Seldon along with Donald O’Connor, these three alone were great. All three were natural actors and where able to dance like no other. Singin in the Rain is set in the 1920s, era of silent films, Don Lockwood,(Kelly) and his long time on screen love interest Lena Lamont ( Jean Hagen) are two of the industries’ biggest names, and not to mention the public’s favorite “Couple”. One night, after trying to get away from the commotion of being in Hollywood, Don happens to jump into the car of a young, ambitious, stage actress named Kathy Seldon (Reynolds). Kathy lets Don know that she thinks that film actors are undignified. Soon after this encounter, the two run into each other again at a studio executive’s party. At the party a demonstration of a talkie film is shown, only to be seen as unimpressed by the guests.
Don becomes smitten with Kathy only to lose her after the party. They eventually meet up again and begin to work on a project together. The studio that Don works at takes their stab at a “Talkie” film. When they try to match the first talkie musical The Jazz Singer, the studio realizes that Lena can’t sing a lick. Meanwhile Don knows that Kathy can, and they try to trick Lena into having Kathy voice over her singing voice.
Through out the whole film there is jaw dropping dance routines and great songs. Between Gene Kelly tap dancing down the sidewalk in the rain and Donald O’Connor doing his own stunts in “Make ‘em Laugh”, this movie has so much to offer and is bound to make you tap your toes when you finish this timeless classic.
What I love about this movie it the talent. Every one in the film just made a great movie even better with their singing, dancing, and acting. This movie possesses something that so many films have lost today, and that is the talent. Unlike films today, Singin’ in the Rain required only the best, and without the best the film would not have had the lasting success that it still has to this day.
Along with talent, Singin’ in the Rain also has great cinematography. Without it the film would be choppy and drag in certain points. A great film and cinematography go hand in hand. You can see it being demonstrated in several of the dance sequences including Gene and Debbie and “Broadway Melody” with Gene and his dance partner. Shot in a manner that gives you the scene that you are right up close to the dancers and see their every move and emotion.
Singin’ in the Rain is definitely rated as one of my top favorite films of all times. So the next time its on TV, I highly suggest you sit down, relax, and enjoy the pure entertainment that this movie has to offer.
