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

The Unknown (1927): Lon Chaney, Joan Crawford and Tod Browning

     Shocking during it's time, and still chilling today, not only is The Unknown (1927) one of director Tod Browning's best Silent Horror Films, it is also one of the best and most influential of Lon Chaney's roles. Critics often hail Chaney's performance in The Unknown as one of the greatest ever captured on film, and both Joan Crawford and Burt Lancaster cite his acting as a major inspiration for their craft. The Unknown is also notable for an early performance by a young, scantily-clad Joan Crawford. Browning's empathetic direction and Chaney's emotional style meshed perfectly and created a work that has had a lasting and resounding effect, influencing the other Horror films of the Silent and early Sound eras, and still being sensed in the cinematic works of the present.

     A Circus Freak known as Alonzo the Armless (Lon Chaney) uses his feet to shoot a rifle and throw knives at his assistant, Nanon (Joan Crawford)...

The Unknown. 1927: Joan Crawford and Lon Chaney

     The two have a good rapport, and Alonso lusts after Nanon, but he is hiding a secret...

The Unknown. 1927: Joan Crawford

     Alonso is not really armless. He is a murderous fugitive that binds his arms to his body with a harness to pass himself off as a Freak...

The Unknown. 1927: Lon Chaney

     When his employer (Nanon's father) discovers that he has arms, Alonzo kills him with his bare hands...

The Unknown. 1927: Lon Chaney

     That is just the start of this macabre tale, as Alonzo is willing to do anything, harm anyone, who will either expose him...

The Unknown. 1927: Joan Crawford and Lon Chaney

     or get in the way of his love for Nanon...

The Unknown. 1927: Joan Crawford and Lon Chaney

     So, when Nanon falls in love with the Circus Strongman, naturally, horror ensues...

The Unknown. 1927: Joan Crawford

What Ever Happned to Baby Jane? (1962): Bette Davis and Joan Crawford

     The careers of both Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were rapidly fading by 1960. Their acting styles and the typical characters they played from the 1930's -1940's were no longer in demand. It was a different time and they seemed unable to adapt. A glorious chance came when Robert Aldrich cast them as the Hudson sisters in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962). The parts of the bitter, feuding sisters were departures for both actresses, and re-introduced them to a new genre, and generation of film goers. The film was a success, and provided the format for many similar films over the next decade and beyond.

     In the 1910's, Baby Jane Hudson was the darling of Vaudeville. In the 1930's, Blanche Hudson was the biggest movie star in Hollywood. Now... in the 1960's, both Jane (Bette Davis) and Blanche (Joan Crawford) find themselves old and lonely, living together in Blanche's once fashionable home with each one blaming the other for their failed success. Blanche, in a wheelchair as a result of an "accident", depends on Jane for her care... 

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford

     However, Jane has been acting a tad crazy lately...

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis

     Pining for her fame, lost  so many years ago, she harbors jealous feelings as well... 

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis

     News that Blanche plans to sell their house due to financial problems does not go over well... 

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford

     With Jane slipping into increased fits of hatred and delusional rage...

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford

      and her being the one entrusted with Blanche's care...

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford

      Blanche realizes that her life is in grave danger... 

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford