I've been watching the wrong musicals.
Singin' in the Rain (Stanley Donen, 1952)

I have long held to a belief that Fiddler on the Roof was the only decent movie musical ever made (unless you want to count Pink Floyd: The Wall as a movie musical and not a long-form video, or The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, which I guess is more a musical than anything). I have now come to understand that I've just been watching the wrong movie musicals, because Singin' in the Rain is about as delightful as they come.

Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) comes to Hollywood looking to make it big in the movies. He quickly hooks up with composer (and funnyman) Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor, who comes perilously close to stealing the movie), and together, the two of them make great silent films with Lockwood's ultra-popular, but shrewish behind the screen, leading lady, Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen). Lockwood, meanwhile, has met someone he actually likes, a dancing girl with a marvelous voice named Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). The voice comes into play with the advent of talkies; Lina Lamont has a voice to match her personality. What to do?

I've been (no pun intended) dancing around this review for weeks now because I just don't know what to say about this movie. It's just out-and-out wonderful. Even if you think you don't like musicals, give it a shot; the music is much better-integrated here than it is in most musicals I've had the misfortune to come across, and of course the dancing is first-rate. This ain't world-famous for nothing. **** ½

Masterpiece and Lots of Fun!
This movie isn't just a masterpiece, it is lots of fun to watch. It is really enjoyable. The songs are wonderful. The story is amusing, and the dancing is infectious. The actors seem to be having so much fun, the audience just can't resist. If you love movies, you can't miss Singin' In The Rain. It's just wonderful. The extras are great on this DVD. The commentary is one of the best I've ever listened to. Just plain buy this DVD.

One of the Ten Greatest Films ever!
I am not going to try to reiterate all of the laudatory reviews from other customers. But I will restate the claims of many who regard SITR as one of the ten best films ever made. Without a doubt it is, and that includes all types of films. Yes, the very theme of the film is a little "corny." but so was the era it portrays - when movies were "king" and the industry was in a tremendous state of transition. "Tongue-in-cheek" about covers the story line, which is beautifully woven into "the" classic Hollywood musical.

From beginning to end, the film is a masterful blend of romance, great humor, cinematic history with a clever touch of sarcasm, and some of the best dance performances ever seen anywhere. The title performance of Gene Kelly actually "singing in the rain" is the most memorable solo dance routine in the history of film. But there are some points in the film where Donald O'Connor almost steals the show, and his solo dance number of "Make 'Em Laugh" must be seen to be believed, and he put on some of the funniest sequences ever.

The lavish number performed by Gene Kelly with the incredibly beautiful Cy Charisse is simply breathtaking, and Jean Hagen's role as Lena Lamont is truly excellent. And Gene Kelly? At least the equal of Fred Astaire in dancing sensitivity, and much more athletic. You will also be a bit (pleasantly) surprised by the dance competence of Debbie Reynolds, who is at her charming and lovely best in the film.

It is an excellent, fast-moving, and wholly entertaining story throughout, and is a masterful piece of cinematography. I cannot imagine a classic film collection that does not include this wonderfully enjoyable DVD.

A Memorable Classic
Singin' In the Rain is without a doubt the best musical ever made, with one of the best musical actors of the time ever, Gene Kelly. It's a great love story, and has an overall great story in general. It's a great movie about Hollywood during the transition from silent to talking pictures and a popular actor who is having trouble with the transition, he meets a girl and they fall in love. It is a fun movie for everyone and has wonderful music, I would recommend it to anyone.

What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again!
I'm in my mid-twenties, and I have really enjoyed the musicals Hollywood had produced recently ("Chicago", "Phantom", "Hairspray"). I haven't seen a lot of "older" musicals, but I have seen "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", and I enjoyed that. I guess that those things combined led me to seek out some of Hollywood's "classic" musicals, and "Singin' in the Rain" was the first one I thought of.

I'm glad that was the case, because I really enjoyed it. It had great dancing and singing, wonderful acting, physical comedy, and a good message. It made me smile so many times I lost count of the smiles. I'd never seen a Gene Kelly film, but now that I have, I understand why so many people speak fondly of him. I enjoyed Debbie Reynolds' performance, but in truth, it was Donald O'Connor's performance that I'll remember for the longest. His dancing, singing voice, and most of all, his facial expressions, were fantastic.

So, if you're like me - someone who has seen the new group of Hollywood musicals and is wondering if you'd enjoy the older ones, too - I highly recommend "Singin' in the Rain". Go for it!