“The Greatest Hollywood Musical Ever Made.” –Roger Ebert

“Singin’ in the Rain is a 1952 American musical romantic comedy film directed and choreographed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, starring Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds, with Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell, Douglas Fowley, Rita Moreno and Cyd Charisse in supporting roles. It offers a lighthearted depiction of Hollywood in the late 1920s, with the three stars portraying performers caught up in the transition from silent films to ‘talkies’.” (Wikipedia)

I was in the mood for a musical and when I opened my DVD drawer, the first disc that caught my eye was Singin’ in the Rain.

How many times have you seen Singin’ in the Rain? I’m guessing I’ve seen this wonderful movie at least 20 times. Now, 21. I like the cast, the vibe, and the songs. And, of course, the dancing.

“All songs have lyrics by Arthur Freed and music by Nacio Herb Brown unless otherwise indicated. Some of the songs, such as “Broadway Rhythm”, “You Are My Lucky Star”, “Should I?“, and especially “Singin’ in the Rain” itself, had been featured in prior films. The films listed below mark the first time each song was presented on screen.

• “Fit as a Fiddle (And Ready for Love)“, originally published in 1932 with music by Al Hoffman and Al Goodhart, lyrics by Freed.
• “Temptation” (instrumental only) from Going Hollywood (1933).
• “All I Do Is Dream of You” from Sadie McKee (1934).The arrangement in “Singin’ in the Rain” is an uptempo, upbeat, “flapper” version of the song with full instrumentation. In contrast, the “Sadie McKee” version is slower tempo, and appears routinely throughout the film as a love ballad accompanied by a solo ukulele. An instrumental only version with full orchestration is also part of the film’s opening and closing theme. An instrumental version was also played on the piano by Chico Marx in the 1935 Marx Brothers film A Night at the Opera.
• “Singin’ in the Rain” from The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929). Kelly’s performance in the song is now considered iconic.
• “Make ‘Em Laugh“
• “Beautiful Girl Montage” comprising “I’ve Got a Feelin’ You’re Foolin'” from Broadway Melody of 1936(1935),  “The Wedding of the Painted Doll” from The Broadway Melody (1929), “Should I?” from Lord Byron of Broadway (1930) and “Beautiful Girl” from Stage Mother (1933)
• “You Were Meant for Me” from The Broadway Melody (1929)
• “You Are My Lucky Star” from Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935)
• “Moses Supposes” (music by Roger Edens, lyrics by Comden and Green), from a 1944 version based on the tongue-twister with the same title.
• “Good Morning” from Babes in Arms (1939)
• “Would You?” from San Francisco (1936)
• “Broadway Melody” composed of “The Broadway Melody” from The Broadway Melody (1929) and “Broadway Rhythm” from Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935).  The music for the “Broadway Ballet” section is by Nacio Herb Brown.” (Wikipedia)

Are you a fan of Singin’ In the Rain? Do you agree with Ebert that it is the best Hollywood musical ever made? GRADE: A