Singin' in the Rain (1952)

A silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound.

Directors:

Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly

Writers:

Betty Comden (story by), Adolph Green (story by)

Stars:

Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds

Top Rated Movies #93 | Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gene Kelly	...	Don Lockwood
Donald O'Connor	...	Cosmo Brown
Debbie Reynolds	...	Kathy Selden
Jean Hagen	...	Lina Lamont
Millard Mitchell	...	R.F. Simpson
Cyd Charisse	...	Dancer
Douglas Fowley	...	Roscoe Dexter
Rita Moreno	...	Zelda Zanders

Storyline

1927 Hollywood. Monumental Pictures' biggest stars, glamorous on-screen couple Lina Lamont and Don Lockwood, are also an off-screen couple if the trade papers and gossip columns are to be believed. Both perpetuate the public perception if only to please their adoring fans and bring people into the movie theaters. In reality, Don barely tolerates her, while Lina, despite thinking Don beneath her, simplemindedly believes what she sees on screen in order to bolster her own stardom and sense of self-importance. R.F. Simpson, Monumental's head, dismisses what he thinks is a flash in the pan: talking pictures. It isn't until The Jazz Singer (1927) becomes a bona fide hit which results in all the movie theaters installing sound equipment that R.F. knows Monumental, most specifically in the form of Don and Lina, have to jump on the talking picture bandwagon, despite no one at the studio knowing anything about the technology. Musician Cosmo Brown, Don's best friend, gets hired as Monumental's ...

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Plot Keywords:

national film registry | afi | black and white segues into color | title based on song | cake | 

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Taglines:

MGM's Musical Treasure !

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Re-Issue from 1952

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 April 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cantando bajo la lluvia

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,540,800 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$8,819,028

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,979,088

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After the movie premiere when the cast is standing in the theater lobby, there's very clearly a poster advertising an upcoming movie. The poster is for Lovey Mary (1926) which starred William Haines and Bessie Love.

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Goofs

In the "Moses Supposes" scene, the book that Cosmo Brown throws over his shoulder can be seen on the floor behind and to the left of the desk. By the end of the song, the book is gone and a previously not-present small trash can is now on the left side of the desk.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dora Bailey: [broadcasting on radio] This is Dora Bailey, ladies and gentlemen, talking to you from the front of the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. What a night, ladies and gentlemen, what a night! Every star in Hollywood's heaven is here to make Monumental Pictures' premiere of "The Royal Rascal" the outstanding event of 1927! Everyone is breathlessly awaiting the arrival of Lina Lamont and Don Lockwood!

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Connections

Referenced in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Julie Chen/Billie Lourd/Maureen Dowd/Dave Lombardo (2016)

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Soundtracks

Fit as a Fiddle
(1932)
Music by Al Hoffman (uncredited) and Al Goodhart (uncredited)
Lyrics by Arthur Freed
Originally from the 1932 stage revue "George White's Music Hall Varieties"
Sung by Gene Kelly (uncredited) and Donald O'Connor (uncredited)

User Reviews

Delightful!

Many good things can be and have been said about this one and they're all true. It's a great movie. The title number gives us Don Lockwood (Kelly)...In love as no other person has ever been in love, no doubt. He steps out the door and it's raining but he's oblivious to the rain. Who needs an umbrella when you've got wings on your heart and on your feet? Not the incomparable Gene Kelly as he treats us to THE single finest moment in the history of cinema. Do not miss this one.