Singing in the Rain has to be one of the most engulfing movie of all time. The story line is simple enough, silent screen stars Lockwood and Lamont are forced to make ‘talkies’ now that “The Jazz Singer” is a hit and has sound. Problem is Miss Lamont has a terror of a voice and ‘The Dueling Cavaliers” has to be not only a talkie but a musical.
Oh what to do!? Cue dashing leading man Don Lockwood(Gene Kelly) and his sidekick Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor), together they cook up a scheme to overdub the horrid cackle of Lina Lamont (what a dish Jean Hagen was). Adorable Kathy Selden (fantastically sweetly played by Debbie Reynolds) a spunky little chorus girl is just the gal to do it! Of course this causes all sorts of chaos and leads to true love.
Like every film should.
The difference in this cookie cutter story line is the work of Gene Kelly. A dashing star with a great voice and some insane comedic timing. Coupled with Donald O’Connor this duo takes a rather bland story and vamp it up with an energy and charismatic spin. I want to be in this movie. If only to jump the sofa. There are segments which almost don’t fit, such as the dream sequence with Cyd Charisse, that chick was cool as cool gets. The grand scale of this Broadway Melody is so visually alive I can watch it over and over again.
Songs from this film are classics in every sense of the word. Who among us has not splashed a puddle singing the title song or belted out “Good Morning!”? “You Are My Lucky Star”, should be sung by EVERY man to the woman they love no matter how shitty their voice may be cuz EVERY girl should be told so:
You’re all my lucky charm
I’m lucky in your arms
You’ve opened Heaven’s portal
Here on earth for this poor mortal
You are my lucky star
“Make Um Laugh” and “Moses Suppose” are cornball songs performed just as folksy but it works in this forum. Donald O’Connor has the most stunning facial expressions and almost treats this role like a running gag, its almost mocking in its delivery.
In 1952 as now, movies were an escape. Giant over the top cinematic vacations from the real world. The difference is back then we escaped to good, today we escape to explosions or new galaxies. Singing in the Rain was the story of the underdog. You could be a bit player in the chorus line and end up the star of the show. And your friends would be there to make sure you got the acknowledgement you deserved.
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