1. Singin‟ in the Rain
1952
103 Minutes
Directors: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Written By: Adolph Green (story), Betty Comden (story)
Stars: Gene Kelly, Donald O‟Connor, and Debbie Reynolds
Nominated for 2 Oscars with another 4 wins including Best Motion Picture Actor, and
nominated for 7 other awards including Best Motion Picture.
Filmed in Color in the United States
The 1950‟s hit musical “Singin‟ in the Rain‟ was perhaps one of the greatest musicals of
all time. It is a story of the film industry in the 1920‟s making a transition from silent to
talking pictures. The stars of Hollywood at the time, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont
are viewed as the perfect couple by their fans. In reality Don and Lina are only together
for publicity‟s sake to enhance their career. Lina neglects to understand that Don is only
her on screen lover, however she will to anything to be with him. Following a premiere
of their newest movie Don is mobbed outside the theater by adoring fans and runs from
the crowd and ends up in Kathy Selden‟s car. The two argue throughout the car ride and
leave on bad terms. Several weeks later and after many attempts by Don to locate Kathy,
their paths cross at a party when she jumps out of a cake at performs. Don is very much
attracted to her and wants to boost her career. Kathy is hired by the head of the studio
where Don and Lina work and does a phenomenal job, causing Lina to be jealous. When
Don and Lina‟s first sound film premiered everyone could hear how irritating Lina‟s
voice was. Eventually, Kathy would be chosen to dub Lina‟s voice from behind a
curtain. Don and Kathy develop a love for one another and Lina tried to destroy it.
When the head of the studio tried to make Kathy a star, Lina threatens to leave which
would be the end of the “Hollywood couple” and decrease the studios profits. Don
comes up with an idea and when Lina was “singing” he lifts the curtain and reveals to
that audience that it is in fact Kathy singing and Kathy the one that he loves.
In relation to the text, sound played a huge part in the film. The entire movie was based
on the transition of silent to sound movies. The movie not only shows the hardships of
capturing dialogue at the time, but it also displays the use of early dubbing. The funny
thing is while Kathy (Debbie Reynolds) is shown throughout the film dubbing Lina (Jean
Hagen) voice at the very end when Lina is “singing” Singin‟ in the Rain to the live
audience it is actually Jean dubbing Debbie‟s voice.
The film theory that applies best to this particular film is the formalist theory. A basic
definition of this theory is that film is indeed and art form and not a reproduction of
reality. Nobody breaks out into a song and dance in reality, however in Singin‟ in the
Rain in seems that in every scene someone burst into a song and dance to get a main
point across within the plot, thus making the film into an art form and being part of the
formalist theory.
Betty Jo Tucker wrote on the AuthorsDen.com on April 5, 2009 that she and her cousin
were reminiscing about how much they enjoyed “Singin‟ in the Rain” when it first came

2. out in 1952. “”You really lost it during „Make „Em Laugh, she recalled. “I still do.”
Fifty-seven years later this woman still laughs at the same movie as do new views even
today, thus proving how much of a classic it is.
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewArticle.asp?id=47189
On Filmcritic.com Christopher Nullwrote, “Put simply, they just don‟t make movies like
this anymore, movies where the cast and crew are clearly in love with the project”. He
then goes on mention how at this time movies did not have models, pop stars, and sports
figures as actors, the actors were actors and scenes were choreographed for long
durations of scenes with out a dozen cuts. Then he says “The physical humor, with
O'Connor crashing through walls and messing with his face, gets a giggle, but the
dazzling script from Betty Comden and Adolph Green reminds us just how sophisticated
the movie's humor is.” All of which aids to what makes this movie a class.
http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/1952/singin-in-the-rain/
In my opinion “Singin‟ in the Rain” is the greatest musical of all time, and just as
Christopher Null said “they just don‟t make movies like this anymore.” It was a classic
feel-good movie that keeps you smiling all throughout. I have seen these movie several
times in my life and probably will see it many more. I would definitely recommend it
anyone because a movie just about anyone could appreciate.
Works Cited
Tucker, Betty Jo. "Singin' in the Rain Movie Review." AuthorsDen.com. 5 Apr. 2009.
Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewArticle.asp?id=47189>.
Null, Christopher. "Singin' in the Rain." Filmcritic.com. 10 Feb. 2002. Web. 23 Apr.
2012. <http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/1952/singin-in-the-rain/>.
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Name__ Dan Wargo____ Date____4/24/2012____