Singin' In The Rain

The second of Greater Union Miranda's Masters of Hollywood film is this much beloved classic musical.

I have long been a fan of films about film making. The whole film making process is something that fascinates me. I've been on a few film sets and while I know for most people it is really boring I find it interesting. Most of the time it is all just people setting up to film something but I love to see where the camera and lighting is set up and what goes into making each shot. This film is set in 1927 when talking films were starting up and some silent stars were getting nervous about this new technology. Writers Betty Comden and Aldolph Green have come up with an excellent story that really takes advantage of this major change in film making. There is also the excellent look at celebrity and tabloids. Two famous stars being romantically linked is not something new and happens today all the time. But today I can't imagine a film studio making a couple stay together and pretend to have a relationship for the sake of a film. But besides the excellent story there are the brilliant musical numbers. I've always been a fan of fun songs and musical numbers and this film is full of them. Most of them fit nicely into the story but there are a couple that feel tact on. This would be my only minor criticism of the film.

Gene Kelly would have to be one of the most brilliant dancers who ever lived. The way he moves is simply stunning. He is also an excellent actor too. He nicely plays up the satirical nature of his character who is not above using his star status to get what he wants but in a good way. He is joined with two brilliant partners. Debbie Reynolds is delightful as Gene's love interest in the film and is excellent at song and dance. The best thing though is Donald O'Connor. Gene and Donald make a wonderful comedy double act and are really funny. But Donald is a brilliant performer in his own right with his stunning dance sequence for the song 'Make 'Em Laugh'. One of the best dance scenes ever put to film.

The big screen is certainly the place to see grand musicals like this one. The vibrant dance numbers prove the adage that 'they don't make them like they used to'.