Singin' in the Rain (1952 Film Soundtrack)
This MGM musical helps to epitomize the genre. The 1952 film starred Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. Reynolds's tracks, particularly "All I Do Is Dream of You" tend to make her sound like one of the munchkins fromThe Wizard of Oz, which is unfortunate. It's Gene Kelly's songs that are the most enjoyable. The title track is still wonderful, and so engaging you'll want to swing on lightpoles all over town. An outtake of Kelly's version of "All I Do Is Dream of You" is another gem, and the M-G-M Studio Orchestra is at its flawless best throughout--even if some of the incidental music sounds like a Tex Avery cartoon score. --Scott Wilson