Rating: 
Summary: The Greatest of All Movie Musicals.
Review: This is a movie I put away to watch when I'm home with a cold or just feeling down. One of my top 3 favorite movies of all time, it never fails to raise my spiritsThe movie was produced as a showcase / musical review of composer Nacio Herb Brown's songs. Screenwriters Camden & Green did a wonderful job at weaving a story that brings it all together in the most fun & entertaining way. Donald O'Connor is SO underrated. Gene Kelly has a wide range to his talent (Acting + Writing + Dancing + Choreography), but Donald O'Connor is pure genius in matching Kelly, step-for-step, and adding so much humor at the same time. I think O'Connor is a better singer than Kelly and better suited to comedy. Both work terrific together and each actor's strengths shine through. And what a find Debbie Reynolds was! I think she was only 17 when she made this movie, yet her singing and dancing talents are splendid. I so wish they hadn't cut her solo scene, singing, "You Are My Lucky Star". Luckily, it re-appears in the extra material presentations of some later editions (at least on one VHS version that I know of). Definitely add this movie to your collection, and keep an eye out for the Anniversary edition, reportedly due out later this year. It will have plenty of DVD extra goodies. In the end, a solid movie musical. A few flaws, yes (the fantasy sequence with Cyd Charisse is incredible and groundbreaking, but just plain doesn't fit in the story line), and yet this gem shines as an enduring classic that should be in every collection.
Rating: 
Summary: Have a smile on my fave
Review: I am 27 years old, so the era of the big musical was well before my time. Consequently, I've never acquired a proper taste for them. I do admit, though, that when isolated and out of context, a good musical 'number' can be a beautiful thing: athletic grace, pin-point choreography, a snappy song, all combining together to create a whirling dervish of kinetic energy on the screen, and a visceral thrill in the heart of the audience. But in the middle of a story, when all the characters break into (superfluous) song and dance, I get annoyed. I mention the above because I've seen Gene Kelly singin' in the rain a couple of dozen times. But I'd never seen Gene Kelly in "Singin' in the Rain". On numerous Hollywood retrospective TV specials, Gene's damp little moment in the street is always accounted for, and I've always enjoyed it. But I shied away from the movie because, as outlined above, I wondered how it could be as magical when my particular tastes don't want it in the movie? Well, after having seen the full movie for the first time only recently, I'm here to report, to like-minded individuals, that it maintains all its magic and then some. This is true probably because the moment is integrated into the story. It is the culmination of a lovely moment, and an expression of the joy overflowing. When the other musical numbers are likewise integrated, the film works beautifully. For a script written after the songs were chosen, with the sole purpose of swiftly getting from song to song (Hey! Isn't this the story within the movie as well? Self-reflexivity in a Gene Kelly picture? Who'd have thunk it?), the story moves along at a nice pace, and rarely is there any questionable narrative logic. But when the musical numbers are superfluous to the story, the film drags. It appears padded, as if the producers found themselves in the enviable position of being severely under-budget, and decided to blow their wad on grand spectacle. These numbers always work on their own, though. "Broadway Melody" is a gargantuan set-piece that is stunning on so many levels, and includes the sensuous moves of Cyd Charisse. "Moses" finds Donald O'Connor and Kelly caught in rapid-fire linguistic duel at the elocutionist's office, and then a stunning dance dyad. But neither scene really fits into the story (although the former is almost saved by a funny tag-line). Said story, when it's utilized, is actually quite clever. Silent film stars Don Lockwood (Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) must learn to adapt when sound infiltrates their ranks. One problem: Lina has a voice like an ill parakeet. Enter Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) a singing-and-dancing pixie who may solve all their problems, while she steals Don's heart. Throw in happy-go-lucky music man Cosmo Brown (O'Connor) who lightens the mood when needed, and there's your story. It appears quite frothy on first glance, but is really a deft satire on the Hollywood star machine. The three leads are all, on top of being obviously talented, terribly charismatic. Kelly never lets that sparkling grin leave his face, even when he's dancing with the grace of a gazelle and the power of a boxer. O'Connor is a mess of limbs and joints, but will amaze and stun you with his vast array of near-acrobatic moves. And Reynolds, only 20 at the time, may be unrefined and inexperienced, but she more than matches her male co-stars' energy and gusto. And her voice, especially on "Good Morning", is just so bright and cheery you can't help falling for her. Hagen, for her part, plays a character that's both the villain and the comic foil. She is strong in both parts of the role. Besides the wonderful musical numbers, the film has a number of sharp comic moments. Don's recapping of his and Cosmos' early career, where the myth he presents to the media doesn't match the reality, is a funny extended sequence. The test-screening of "Dueling Cavalier", Don and Lina's first sound film, is a riotous example of 'Murphy's Law'. And of course there's O'Connor's famous "Make 'Em Laugh" routine, which most certainly achieves the goal of its title. So against my better judgment and contrary to my prior experiences, I thoroughly enjoyed "Singin' in the Rain". Its story moved me, its comedy tickled me, and its singing and dancing wowed me. While not nearly as coherent as I would have liked, you can't ask much more from a movie whose only goal it to entertain you.
Rating:
Summary: no widescreen because was filmed in full frame
Review: This is the greatest musical ever made, making fun of the very industry these people work in. It's wonderful! For those of you disappointed that there is no widescreen, Singin' in the Rain was not filmed in widescreen. Cinemascope and other widescreen processes were not used all the time until the middle fifties, so this film is meant to be and remains in full frame. Sorry to those expecting more, but it was filmed in and remains in 1.33:1 ratio and is still as beautiful as ever.
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Summary: The "Citizen Kane" of musicals
Review: This was the first DVD I bought (even before I actually owned a DVD player) and if I could only own one DVD, this would be it. "Singin' in the Rain" is filled with likeable, humable tunes throughout. The dancing is spectacular. And the story and comedy elements are sidesplitting. The DVD is not letterboxed because its 1.37:1 aspect, still the norm in 1952, is about the same as the 1:33:1 TV screen. It's too bad that the film was about 4 years too early for widescreen and stereo sound. Some would select "The Sound of Music" as the greatest musical. Certainly no one in "Rain" has a voice half as good as Julie Andrews. But then, there are no dancers in "Music" on par with Gene Kelley or Donald O'Connor. I find "Rain" holds up to repeated viewings better. A perfect film? No. Neither is "Citizen Kane." What is missing from the DVD are the feature commentary, documentary, and outtakes included on the various Laser Disc releases. Also some versions of the DVD jacket imply that one of the audio tracks has an isolated music track (that is a track without dialogue and sound effects). A few DVDs have offered this feature and the music tracks are nearly always kept separate from dialogue and effects to facilitate foreign language dubbing, but there is no such feature on this DVD. It's odd that this film, usually included on lists of the top 10 American Films of all time, is given so little respect by its copyright owners. This is a much better film than "The Wizard of Oz," which MGM/UA re-releases on video every few years with fancy packaging, a multitude of extras, and lots of marketing hype.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Very Best
Review: SINGIN' IN THE RAIN's story is well known, and concerns 1920s silent romantic acting team Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen.) Trouble is that sound is coming in--and Lina's speaking voice could peel paint off the wall. The solution? Don's best friend (Donald O'Connor) and love interest (Debbie Reynolds) have the inspiration of revamping Lockwood and Lamont's debut sound film as a musical, with Reynolds dubbing Hagen's vocals. The resulting story is a high-energy, extremely witty, and truly sparkling film laced with period songs by Arthur Freed, a film that many regard as the single finest musical to emerge from Hollywood. In many respects SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is a throwback to the early musicals of the era it satirizes, for many of its musical numbers ('Make 'em Laugh' is a notable example) have absolutely nothing to do with the story it tells--but unlike such early musicals the storyline is exceptionally strong, and since the film is about the creation of an early "all talking, all dancing, all singing" movie in which such musical numbers were typical, they have here a certain validity that could not otherwise be achieved. The cast is absolutely flawless, and without exception Kelly, Reynolds, O'Connor, and Hagen (particularly memorable as the literally unspeakable silent star) give the finest performances of their respective careers. The musical numbers range from the vibrant and complex 'Good Morning' to the lyrical 'You Are My Lucky Star' to the brilliantly conceived and executed title song, each without exception the definition of perfection. The art designs are meticulous, beautiful, and recreate the late-silent and early-sound era of Hollywood with considerable wit and charm. As a whole, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN possesses an engergy and vitality that simply makes you bounce in your seat from excitement. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is a musical that even people who hate musicals love. Whether or not you consider it "the" finest musical ever created by Hollywood is, ultimately, a matter of personal preference; there are several contenders for that title, most notably MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, GIGI, and THE WIZARD OF OZ. But no matter where you personally rank it, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is certainly ONE of the best, a film that simply gains in critical and popular stature with every passing year, a national and a world treasure of cinematic art.
Rating:
Summary: Love the movie, but no widescreen!?!
Review: I love this movie and bought it for that reason, but I was disappointed to find that one side of the disc is blank, and there is no widescreen version on the disc. I guess they're not making DVD's like they used to... 5 stars for the movie, 3 for the DVD so an average of 4 stars.
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Summary: GOTTA DANCE, GOTTA DANCE, GAAHHHHDAAAA DAAAANCE!!!!
Review: OK, there was a time when I just didn't feel like seeing this movie, because I dismissed it as one of those cheesy musicals that Hollywood put out year after year when this one was made, but then I actually saw it. What a fun, fun movie! The music is exceptional, the story is incredibly amusing, and there are plenty of classic moments to be found here besides Mr. Kelly hanging from the lamp pole. Anybody who gets through the "Make 'em Laugh" number without at least chuckling isn't human. Lots of funny jokes about the times, like people calling talking motion pictures "vulgar!" Well, I'm not gonna give the whole thing away, so just check out this movie. It'll change the way you think about musicals forever.
Rating:
Summary: A Truest and Feel Greatest Musical!
Review: This is one of the best musicals there is. I have loved this musical as a teenager and now my twin toddlers cannot get enough of Singin' in the Rain. Gene Kelley is master of tap and Donald O'Connor is lovable as well. Singin in the Rain is pure happiness ..at its finest. You just can't get tired of this musical. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, and even very young children will get their kicks out of the songs like Moses Sposes...as well as Good Mornin, Good Mornin!, with Debbie Reynolds alongside singing and tapping away. A real treat again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Proof that they don't make them like they used to.
Review: "Singin' in the Rain" is often considered the greatest film musical ever made (Though some would probably disagree, preferring "The Sound of Music" or "West Side Story" instead). With so much happiness, it is impossible not to like this movie. Unless you have a problem with feeling good, you should see this movie. The cast is dynamic. Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds all show real enthusiasm as though they want to star in the movie, not "I was forced to by my contract" or "I did it for the money". Despite the fact it runs at less than two hours, this movie packs more excitement and great music than most dull, three-hour musicals combined. With enormous laughs (The biggest provided by O'Conner and Jean Hagen), great dialogue ("Why, I make more money than - than - than Calvin Coolidge, put together!") and fourteen wonderful songs including "Fit as a Fiddle", "Beautiful Girl", "You Were Meant for Me" "Make Em' Laugh" and "Good Morning". But the one everyone remembers the most is the title song, sung as Gene Kelly dances, twirls and, of course, sings in a storm (Stanley Kubrick later used the song in a less flattering way, but that's another story). I have also seen few movies take such beautiful and generous use of Technicolor. As many fans should know, this gem turns fifty this year. Perhaps Warners (Or whoever owns the rights) should celebrate this golden anniversary by putting out a special edition DVD. Better yet, I would love to see this projected on the big screen. If you're listening out there, don't hesitate. Many others are waiting like I am.
Rating:
Summary: They don't call it a classic for nothin'
Review: Okay, so I'm just another tree in the forest of voices, but I have to sing my praises for this film along with everyone else. There's a joyous innocence about it that you can't help but fall for; watching it just makes you feel good. It does have flaws, but they're all part of the charm: some of the lines are kind of hokey and Gene Kelly's a bit of a ham (but that's the Lockwood character coming out), but he's so handsome and he's got such a great smile that I'm more than willing to forgive him for it. Favorite dance numbers:
Moses Supposes - I never get tired of watching this one. The only problem is that it's too hard to figure out whose legs and feet to watch. I usually watch Gene's, but Donand O'Connor is almost as good. His dancing comes off as being a little bit "lighter" than Gene's, I suppose because he's a smaller man. Singin' in the Rain - sheer, ebullient, childlike joy... It makes me smile every time to watch Gene Kelly play in the rain like no one else can. It's sweet and whimsical and just plain PERFECT. Make 'em Laugh - What I love about this is the part where he sits down on the sofa and flirts with that dummy. And I love how he turns his face into rubber (before Jim Carrey was even born!) and plays with that scrunchy little hat. The part where he's rolling around on the floor gets a little old after a while, but I can't resist anyone who can do backflips off of walls. I've watched this at 1/8 speed on my DVD player and it's absolutely amazing. The Broadway Melody sequence doesn't bug me anymore. The best parts involve Cyd Charisse, especially when she's wearing that green dress and knocking Gene's socks off. Good Mornin' is pretty darn good, as is Fit as a Fiddle, though it isn't given much of a spotlight in the film. That part where they crouch way down and kick their legs straight out is incredible. Have any of you ever tried to do that? I tried to do just one leg kick like that and I embarrassed myself; I can't imagine doing it over and over again. It requires amazing leg strength and coordination. My favorite lines are usually uttered by Lina. Her best scene is when she's being wired for sound and can't seem to speak into the microphone no matter where they put it. Don has a good line early on when he chases after Kathy Selden and meets up with the other chorus girls in the dressing room. One of them says, "Anything I can do?" in a very flirtatious tone, and he says, "I don't have time to find out." These are just my random thoughts. Watch it and feel good.
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