Saturday, July 27, 2019

Singin' in the Rain (1952): Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds


     Now widely considered to be one of the best films ever made, Singin' in the Rain (1952) was only a mild success upon it's release. Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donnen, and full of elaborate, choreographed dance numbers, the schedule was strenuous on the cast members. Debbie Reynolds said,  "Singin' in the Rain and childbirth were the two hardest things I ever had to do in my life." Reynolds feet were blistered and bleeding after the "Good Morning" scene, and Donald O'Connor had to be hospitalized after his "Make 'em Laugh" routine. Gene Kelly was ill with a 100+ degree fever for much of the shooting of the film's most famous title song scene. Nevertheless, their hard work paid off and Singin' in the Rain deserves every bit of praise it receives. It is an undeniable classic. 
     Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) are the biggest stars in Silent cinema...

Singin' in the Rain. 1952: Gene Kelly

      Off screen, however, Don detests Lina. Lina is spoiled and jealous, and doesn't take kindly to Don's new love interest, Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds)... 

Singin' in the Rain. 1952: Gene Kelly

     Tragedy strikes the Silent film world with the advent of talkies. Reluctant at first, Don and the studio head know they must adapt to the new format of sound. There is just one major problem: Lina has a terrible, annoying voice... 

Singin' in the Rain. 1952: Gene Kelly

     and their first effort at a sound picture is a horrific flop at a test screening... 

Singin' in the Rain. 1952: Gene Kelly

     With only weeks to spare, Don must adapt the film and make changes, with the help of Kathy and his friend Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor)... 

Singin' in the Rain. 1952: Gene Kelly

     the changes include having Katy overdub Lina's lines... 

Singin' in the Rain. 1952: Gene Kelly

     and coming up with some entertaining musical numbers... 

Singin' in the Rain. 1952

     to ensure that the film is a hit... 

Singin' in the Rain. 1952: Gene Kelly

Singin' in the Rain. 1952: Gene Kelly

     and that he and Kathy will still have a future in motion pictures...

Singin' in the Rain. 1952: Gene Kelly