Dated, but fun...

Rating: 7/10 (19 April 1999)

This film, one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) musicals ever made, unfortunately shows its age. Redeemed by several outstanding song and dance routines, the film is a fun and fast way to spend 90 minutes or so. However, at the risk of sounding jaded, much of the film is corny and borderline mawkish. It has not aged well. I recently saw "Singin' in the Rain" at Oakland's Paramount Theatre, a refurbished '20s movie house that can accommodate huge crowds in its big-screen auditorium. (Those that can should attend - tickets are generally $5, and while food and drink are not allowed in the movie, they have a full bar and beverage service before the show. Films selected are usually "classics" like "Gone With The Wind" or "Casablanca", and they have live organ music and Deco Win before each film.) I was amused by both Donald O'Connor, who is great, and the film's dated sensibilities. Many people were humming to Gene Kelly's famous solo, however, and that's what counts. That particular scene must be among the ten greatest or most memorable in film history, and it never disappoints. I rated the film a "7" just for that scene alone.