Singin' in the Rain

As silent movie megastar Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and his onscreen costar Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen), whom he secretly loathes, walk the red carpet for their latest premier, the rumbling of the talking pictures is just a shout away. Don and his best friend/piano player Cosmo (Donald O'Connor), who have a background as song and dance men, will be well suited to the new format, but screechy voiced Lina will probably not survive the transition. Now, after falling for a perky chorus girl with the voice of an angel (Debbie Reynolds), all Don has to do is figure out how to save his latest project with Lina, "The Dueling Cavalier". "Singin' in the Rain" is a sheer delight, and one of the all-time great musicals, if not movies of all time. Codirected by Stanley Donen with Gene Kelly, the film is a mash-up of a story by Adolph Green and Betty Comden and the songbook of classics works by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown. The result is a free wheeling, toe tapping joy enhanced by the engaging performances of its casts. Gene Kelly shines both as an actor and in his song and dance acts, Debbie Reynolds is delightful as Kathy the chorus girl, Jean Hagen is hilarious as the heavy, and Donald O'Connor is excellent, particularly in the "Make 'Em Laugh" dance number where he performs a seemingly impossible set. "Singin' in the Rain" is a celebration of the movies done in jovial fashion that is a wonder every time it is revisited.