Singin' In the Rain - 1952

'The silent movie that caused the death of the talkie'

Everyone has heard of this movie. Even people who know nothing of musicals. The songs are legendary, the stars are the same. Gene Kelly shines on the screen as only he knows how as Don Lockwood playing opposite screen sensation Lina Lamont. Debbie Reynolds does a fantastic job as his upbeat and underestimated girlfriend Cathy. The routines are superb including 'Make Em Laugh' (performed by a hilarious Donald O'Connor, who only made a couple of movies and then disappeared from the screen, what a waste!) 'Broadway Rhythm','Moses Supposes' and of course 'Good Mornin' a song nearly as popular as the title tune. The highlight of the movie is of course Gene Kelly performing 'Singin in the Rain' in that feel-good and happy manner we have come to know and love (although in reality he was suffering from a temperature of over 102 at the time of shooting; you wouldn't have a clue!) This and many other surprises is a rare and glorious treat for all fans of musicals. Something that will stay with you forever. Added to which, there are many sly digs at the silent movie business which I have only just understood now after watching many Silent Films, making me admire the film all the more. The transition from silent to talkie really was a risky process and although a film of fiction, I am sure that many of the problems faced in the movie have been come across in real life by real Directors at the end of the 1920s. The birth of the talkie caused the ruin of many stars' careers, all because their accents coud not possibly fit the mould that their silent characters had created, Jean Hagen is on top form here, as the beautiful and sharp-tongued Lina Lamont, who because of her horribly corse Brooklyn accent has to resort to miming her words to Cathy's voice in a bit to save an already failing picture. This movie makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you sing, and makes you thankful for movies, in short - unforgettable.

Rating 5/5