truly terrific

Rating: 8/10 (21 June 2003)

"Singin' in the Rain" is rightly regarded as one of the most fondly regarded musicals of Hollywood's golden age. Not only does it contain four superb performances (Gene Kelly as vain silent screen idol Don Lockwood, painfully making the transition to sound; Debbie Reynolds as Cathy Selden, a chorus girl who wants to be a great actress; Donald O'Connor as Cosmo Brown, the dependable friend who puts fun into the movie; and Jean Hagen as the screechy Lina Lamont, Don's erstwhile co-star) but is an affectionate tribute to the birth of the talkies.
The best scene of all is of course, Gene's dance down a rain-sodden street, much anthologised and by far the most technically accomplished and totally joyous piece of musical cinema. I also have to mention the Broadway Melody sequence, featuring the great Cyd Charisse - perfection itself.