"What A Glorious Feeling!"

Rating: 10/10 (5 August 2017)

If you read about all the complications, detours, and personality conflicts that plagued the making of this film, it seems nearly impossible that the final result could be so enjoyable. But many films have braved a gauntlet of problems only to have the final product shine.
The bones of this film--the story by the talented team of Comden and Green--is ingenious: A movie studio must adjust to the sudden success of talkies. This is a great setup for comedy and musical entertainment.
"Singin' in the Rain" includes just about every element featured is musicals and it does them well: Chorus girls, a pas de deux by the leading couple, vaudeville-styled acts, a dream/ballet sequence, love songs, a nod to Busby Berkeley, and great dance solos.
Fresh-faced Debbie Reynolds plays the actress (Kathy Selden) new to film who is championed by the matinée star, Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly). Donald O'Connor portrays Cosmo Brown, friend and comic relief.
Cyd Charisse dances in Don's imagination of a musical show, and she is sublime. Jean Hagen is Lina Lamont, the beauteous silent film star with a voice like a caterwauling feline.
It is very compelling when a cast performs at the height of its talents. This film contains so many iconic moments. Like the song says, "That's Entertainment!"