Singin’ in the Rain

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

Directed by Gene Kelly, and Stanley Donen. USA, Technicolor, 103 minutes

Cast(in credits order)

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)

Dawn Addams (Lady in Waiting)

Madge Blake (Dora Bailey)

Mae Clarke (Hairdresser)

Harry Cody (Bit Part)

King Donovan (Rod)

Kathleen Freeman(I) (Phoebe Dinsmore)

Lance Fuller (Bit Part)

Joi Lansing (Beautiful Blonde)

Elaine Stewart (Lady in Waiting)

Bobby Watson (I) (Diction Coach)

Tommy Farrell (Assistant Director)

Rudy Vallee Impersonator (Wilson Wood)

Carl Milletaire ( Villain "Dueling Cavalier" and "Broadway Rhythm"

Julius Tannen (Talking Picture Demonstrator)

Crew:

Writers: Betty Comden and Adolph Green

Cinematography: Harold Rosson)

Wally Heglin Music: Nacio Herb Brown

Musical Director: Lennie Hayton

Costume Design: Walter Plunkett

Film Editing: Adrienne Fazan

Vocal Arrangements: Jeff Alexander (II)

Art Directors: Randall Duell, Cedric Gibbons

Color Consultants: James Gooch, Henri Jaffa

Hair Stylist: Sydney Guilaroff

Set Decorator: Jacques Mapes, Edwin B. Willis

Orchestrator: Skip Martin(I), Conrad Salinger

Special Effects: Warren Newcombe, Irving G. Ries

Dancer: Shirley Jean Rickert

Sound recordist: Douglas Shearer

Make-up artist: William Tuttle

Produced by Arthur Freed for Meto-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture

Contemporary Reviews

Bosley Crowther

Bosley Crowther’s review describes Singin’ in the Rain as a musical full of "music, dance, color spectacle and a riotous abundance of Gene Kelly, Jean Hagen and Donald O’ Connor on the screen, all elements of the rainbow program are carefully contrived and guaranteed to lift the dolors of winter and put you in a buttercup mood." (Crowther, 2599) He doesn’t believe that the title has anything to do with the overall plot of Singin’ in the Rain.

Crowther believes this musical deals with the old ways of making movies and the change from silent movies to "talkies." He portrays Arthur Green and Betty Comden unfavorably but acknowledges them for sometimes having comical moments.

Crowther described the scene with Jean Hagen and the microphone as being entertaining. He feels that the clichés are historically funny. He describes Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen , and the authors as "lese majesty." On the contrary, he feels that the musical is light hearted and puts viewers in a carefree mood. Bosley Crowther enjoyed the antics of Donald O’Connor in "Make Me Laugh" and Gene Kelly in "Singin’ in the Rain.

My Reaction:

Overall Basley Crowther’s review is a favorable one. It provides readers with an informative sketch of Singin’ in the Rain. He captures the essence of the musical’s mood and the unforgettable moments, including Kelly’s soggy moments(The "Singin’ in the Rain" number) to O’Connor’s memorable antics.("Make Me Laugh")

Crowther, I feel didn’t understand the writers’ and directors’ point of view. He feel the overall writing and directing job was nonsense, but I feel that the crew did a masterful job in creating a fantastic musical. The musical, although not a serious-oriented film, is entertaining and leaves viewers with a satisfied feeling.

Jesse Zunser’s Review

Jesse Zunser feels that Singin’ in the Rain is poking fun of old 1928 movies. He suggests that Singin’ in the Rain is a lighthearted attempt to show the change from silent to sound films.

Zunser believes Singin’ in the Rain is a merry musical with a good soundtrack. A mention of the plot of Singin’ in the Rain which moves into a critique of actors and writers. A paragraph deals with song and dance.

My Reaction:

Jesse Zunser, in my opinion has done a well-done short review of the film. Mentioning typical films of the time, and contrasting the contemporary film with films "typical" from the 1928 era, he gives a sense of the time period to readers. He describes Gene Kelly’s and other major casts’ previous work. I feel that this could have been expanded, to give the reader a more intricate study of the film but Zunser gives a sense of what film were like before "talkies." I agree with his responses to the songs. They are entertaining and delightful. Once listened to, they stay in viewers minds.

Arthur Knight’s Review:

The review begins with a colorful opening describing the season and Singin’ in the Rain is believed to be a "big, bouncy, Technicolored show that has just about everything you could ask of a musical." Knight suggests that this musical is a spoof of early "talkies."

He believes that Singin’ in the Rain is an excuse for having a musical with memorable songs thrown in. I, on the other hand feel that Singin’ in the Rain is a good movie in itself despite its well known songs. A quick outline of the major characters gives readers a sense that the musical is a real ten.

My Reaction:

Although a short review, Arthur Knight captures the essence of Singin in the Rain in few words. He believes Singin’ in the Rain is a great musical with wonderful songs.

I don’t necessarily agree with his statement that Singin’ in the Rain is an excuse to use nostalgic songs, but agree with his description of the overall film. All in all, this a good film review.

Interesting Facts:

Singin’ in the Rain’s spectacular cast made the movie a great success. From Gene Kelly’s acting ability to Arthur Freed’s producing talent. The film is well represented masterpiece. The leading actors’ and crew members’ other films should be credited.

Gene Kelly was born August 23, 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Active in films for fifty-two years, he was an actor, choreographer, director, and producer. He was a chorus member in Leave it to Me in 1937 but had a large role in One for the Money and finally a significant part in The Time of Your Life. Richard Rogers noticed him and cast him as Pal Joey. An Oscar nomination, Anchors Aweigh, showed his climb to the top. An American in Paris, gave Kelly "a special Oscar in honor of his versatility as an actor, singer, director and dancer, and specifically for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film."(http://moviepeople.hollywood.com/people.html? P-ID=P197107)

Singin’ in the Rain was the role of a lifetime and many viewers felt that his work went under from here. He directed Hello Dolly, which although unpopular at the time grew to be a success. Later years were spent on a TV mini-series in 1985 called North and South and another Sins. At the age of eighty-three on February 2, 1996, this movie legend died.

Debbie Reynolds was born Mary Frances Reynolds on April 1, 1932 in El Paso, Texas. She was active in film for forty-nine years. Winning Miss Buband, a beauty contest in 1948, resulted in a contract from Warner Bros. She was given small roles in a 1948 production of The June Bride and a 1950 production, The Daughters of Rosie O’ Grady. MGM contracted her for Three Little Words, and a significant role in the 1950 production of Two Weeks of Love. A big break through for Reynolds was starring in Singin in the Rain(1952). Susan Slept Here was one of her better works which gave her a seven year contract with MGM. In 1955, she appeared with the legendary Frank Sinatra in The Tender Trap. Her children became products of the Hollywood’s show business, for they entered in the entertainment field as well. In the meantime Reynolds career continued. Other recognized great movie were: It Started with a Kiss(1959), The Pleasure of His Company(1961) and The Unsinkable Molly Brown(1964), an Academy nomination. After a hurtful divorce, from Eddie Fisher, her popularity grew, later on it would decrease once more. She started her own television show The Debbie Reynolds Show and played the leading role in Charlotte’s Web. Her more recent films include: Irene(1974), Annie Get Your Gun(1977), Sadie and Son(1987), Perry Mason; The Case of the Musical Murder(1989), The Bodyguard(1992), Heaven and Earth(1993), and Mother(1996), people thought this was her best performance. Her last films were the Wedding Bell Blues and In and Out.

Jean Hagen was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 3, 1923. A major in drama and music at Northwestern University, she soon set her eyes on stardom by going to New York. She worked as an usherette and as a radio actress. Her first Broadway experience was in Adam’s Rib and this performance entitled her a contract with MGM and a starring role in Asphalt Jungle(1950). 1952 was the year of Singin’ in the Rain, where she played Lina Lamont and captured a nominee for best supporting actress. Her last works include: The Shaggy Dog(1959), Sunrise at Campobello(1960), Panic in the Year Zero(1962), Dead Ringer(1964) and Alexander: The Other Side of the Dawn(1977). On August 29, 1977, Jean Hagen died at the age of 54.

Donald O’Connor was born August 28, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois. His father was a stage acrobat and Donald toured with the families’ vaudeville act. In 1938 he was discovered in the film Sing, You Sinners. A universal contract gave him additional roles: Get Help to Love(1941), Are You With It(1949), and Francis(1950). During his Francis era(in which he played in different shows concerning a lead character, Francis) he was loaned to MGM for his best role ever…..as the delightful Cosmo Brown. After some small movies her returned in a 1981 rendition of Ragtime and then a 1988 hit A Time to Remember and in Time to Remember(1990), Toys(1992), and Out to Sea(1997).

Cyd Charisse was born Tula Ellice Finklea on March 8, 1992, in Amarillo, Texas. In 1935 she entered the Ballet Russo and in 1940 married her ballet instructor, Nico Charisse. In 1943 she had small roles using the name Lily Norwood. She changed her name in 1946 and became Gene Kelly’s dance partner in 1952. After declining other roles she focused on "straight acting." In 1953, she acted in The Band Wagon and in 1954, Brigadoon. In 1972 she was in No No Nanette. Cyd and her second husband, Tony Martin, authored The Two of Us. Recently she starred in That’s Entertainment! Part 3 and performed in 1996, Musicals, Great Musicals: The Arthur Freed Unit at MGM.

Millard Mitchell was born in Havana, Cuba, on August 14, 1903. He worked as a radio actor and a based stage employee in the 1930’s; he appeared in MGM’s Mr. And Mrs. North(1941), My Six Convicts, and Singin’ in the Rain(1952). He died of lung cancer at the age of 50.

Douglas Fowley was born May 30, 1911, in New York City. His first acting experience was at the St. Francis Xavier Military Academy. Normally a gangster, he played a romantic role in The Devil with Hitler(1942). MGM offered him another role in Singin’ in the Rain(1952). He directed Macumba Love(1960). From 1955-1961 he played Doc Holliday on the television show Wyatt Earp. His final shows were Pistols and Petticoats(1974), Detective School: One Flight Up(1974), Homebodies(1974) and North Avenue Irregulars(1979).

Rita Moreno was born Rosita Moreno on December 11, 1931 in Humacao, Puerto Rico. She was fourteen and for fifteen years she played small parts. Her first well known film was Pagan Love Song(1950). Afterwards, The Toast of New Orleans (1950), Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation(1953), Untamed(1955), The King and I(1956), and The Vagabond King. West Side Story, 1961, brought her an Academy Award. In 1969 she appeared in Marlowe, in 1971, Carnal Knowledge, and The Four Seasons. Television shows were graced by her talent, for she appeared in 9 to 5(1982-3), a regular on the Electric Company, and won two Emmies in 1977 for The Muppet Show and The Rockford Files(1978). In 1995 she was in Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business.

Arthur Freed was born on September 9, 1894, in Charleston, South Carolina. His career began as a result from his love of popular music. This caused him to work as a song plugger and a vaudeville performer. "I Cried For You" was his first big hit. MGM hired him afterwards and was teamed frequently with Nacio Herb Brown. Arthur Freed was responsible for the top songs played on the talkies. These included "Broadway Melody", "My Lucky Star", "Wedding of the Painted Doll", and "an Oscar Winning "Singin’ in the Rain." He was assistant producer in 1939’s Wizard of Oz. His new approach was a success and MGM have him his own production movie. He changed the "typical" movie. His productions were Meet Me in St. Louis(1944), The Harvey Girls(1945), Easter Parade(1948), The Band Wagon(1953), An American in Paris(1951), Gigi(1958), and Singin’ in the Rain(1952) with MGM. In 1961, he left and served as president of the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. On April 12, 1973, Hollywood lost a great producer and composer.

Betty Comden was born May 3, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York City and Arthur Green, December 2, 1918 in The Bronx. They were members of The Revellers and Comden and Green became writers/acting collaborators. Their hits were On the Town(1949), Billion Dollar Baby(1949), Good News(1947), The Barkleys of Broadway(1949), Take Me Out to the Ball Game(1948), Singin’ in the Rain(1952), and The Band Wagon(1953). This ended their contract with MGM but they still continued to work together on Bells are Ringing(1956), Auntie Mame(1958), What a Way to Go(1964), and I’m Getting Married(1967). Through teamwork, Comden and Green won Tony Awards for On the Twentieth Century and The Will Rogers Follies. In 1984 Betty Comden played Greta Garbo in Garbo Talks(1984). Adolph Green returned to acting in a supporting role in My Favorite Year(1982) and played the leading role in I want to Go Home. They recently worked together in Musicals, Great Musicals: The Arthur Freed Unit at MGM(1996).

Harold Hal Rosson was born in 1895 in New York City. This cinematographer’s first encounter was a bit part at Brooklyn’s Vitagraph Studios in 1908. He came from a movie family. Metro Studios gave Rosson a chance to be an assistant in every aspect. Technicolor was tried in the 1936 production of The Garden of Allah. This movie won him a special Academy Award. He won four other Oscar nominations for Room Town(1940), Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo(1944), The Asphalt Jungle(1950) and The Bad Seed(1956). His last movie was El Dorado(1967). On September 6, 1988 in Palm Springs, California, Harold Hal Rosson died leaving behind big footprints for other cinematographer.

Nacio Herb Brown was born on February 22, 1896. This composer was active from 1929-1964. He began working with MGM during the early sound years. Collaborating with Arthur Freed, he wrote the scores and songs for The Broadway Melody (1929), The Ziegfield Girl(1941) and Singin’ in the Rain(1952) He died in 1964.

Lennie Hayton was said to have been born in 1907. A brilliant composer and music director that’s first work was Going to Hollywood and known for Hello Dolly(1969), and Singin’ in the Rain(1952). In 1971, Lennie Hayton died.

Walter Plunkett was born on June 5, 1902 in Oakland, California. A costume designer that started in stock and vaudeville as bit parts. An old friend, Howard Green, gave him a job at Joseph P. Kennedy’s FBO Studios. In 1929 he was given a designer position. He worked on Rio Rita(1929), Morning Glory(1933), and Flying Down to Rio(1933). In 1939 he was given the opportunity to design the costumes for Gone With the Wind and later received an Academy Award for An American in Paris. On March 8, 1982 he died.

*** "The script was written after the songs, and so it had to generate a plot to fit."

*** "Gene Kelly had a 103 degree fever when he danced to the title song."

*** "The rain consisted of water plus milk, and caused Kelly’s wool suit to shrink."

*** "Jean Hagen’s voice can be heard through the overdubbed Debbie Reynolds."

Film negative format(mm/video inches): 35 mm

Cinematographic process: spherical

Printed Film Format: 35 mm

Aspect ratio: 1.37:1

Lina Lamont: "What do you think I am, dumb or something?"

Don Lockwood: "Kathy Seldon as Juliet! As Lady Macbeth! As King Lear! You’ll have to wear a beard for that one of course."

Don Lockwood: "Farewell Ethel Barrymore, I must tear myself from your side."

Cosmo Brown: "Sure! Make a musical! The new Don Lockwood: he yodels! He jumps about to music."

Don: "I’m no actor. I never was. Just a bunch of dumb show. I know that now.

Cosmo: "Well at least you’re taking it lying down."

Don: "No. No Kidding, Cosmo. Did you ever see anything as ridiculous as me on that screen tonight?"

Cosmo: "Yeah, how about Lina?"

Don: "All right. I ran her a close second. Maybe it was a photo finish. I’m through, fellas."

Kathy: "Don, you’re not through!"

Cosmo: "Why of course not. Why, with your looks and figure, you could drive an ice wagon or shine shoes."

Kathy: "Block hats!"

Cosmo: "Sell pencils!"

Kathy: "Dig ditches!"

Cosmo: "Or worse still, go back to vaudeville."

Cosmo: "Lena. She can’t act, she can’t sing, she can’t dance. A triple threat."

Don Lockwood: "Cosmo, call me a cab."

Cosmo: "OK, you’re a cab."

Cosmo: "Talking pictures, that means I’m out of a job. At least I can start suffering and write that symphony."

Simpson: "You’re not out of job, we’re putting you in as head of our new music department."

Cosmo: "Oh, thanks, R.F.! At least I can stop suffering and write that symphony."

Lena Lamont: "Why, I make more money than-than-than Calvin Coolidge, put together!"

Lena Lamont: "People"? "I ain’t "’people."’ "I am a "’shimmering, glowing star in the cinema firmament."

Lena Lamont: "If we bring a little joy into your humdrum lives, it makes us feel as if our hard work ain’t been in vain for nothing."

********************** The above information has been taken from**************

-http://us.imdb.com/cache/title-movie/quotes111798

Showing Just Credit:

Behlmer, Rudy. America’s Favorite Movies. New York: Fredrick Ungar Press, 1982.

Crowther, Bosley. The New York Times Film Reviews (1949-1958). 14(1952): 2599-2600

Knight, Arthur. "TV. Radio." Saturday Review 35(1952):41-2.

Slide, Anthony. "Singin’ in the Rain." Selected Film Criticism 1951-1960. 1985: 123-4.

Internet Addresses

http://us.imdb.com/cache/title-more/quotes+111798- This site gives movies quotes from Singin in the Rain.

http://www.tvgen.com/movies/data-+abase.pl?MPGName= This site gives a detail summary of casts past films and the years they acted in them.

http://www.rip-intl.com/as/html/as-cyd.HTM This site is on Cyd Charisse

http://mgmua.com/bio.html This gives more background information.

http://diva.eecs.berkely.edu/~tito/debbiebio.html This is information on Debbie Reynolds

http://us.imdb.com/cache/title-more/technical+111798 This is on technical aspects of the show.

http://us.imdb.com/cache/title-more/+awards=111798(These are the awards that the film was nominated for).

http://www.mrshowbiz.com/reviews/moviereview/movies/33076.html#credits(reviews)

http://us.imdb.com/cache/title-more/plot+111798 This is about the plot of Singin’ in the Rain.

http://moviepeople.hollywood.com/people.html?P-ID=P/97107 This gives biographies of certain stars.