10 Best Singin’ in the Rain Moments
Singin’ in the Rain was well received upon its release in 1952, but it wasn’t immediately obvious what a cultural behemoth it would become. It has gone down in history as one of the greatest musicals (and films) ever made.
Co-directed and co-choreographed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, it uses a roster of pre-existing songs largely written for other movie musicals, and does so in an era long before the trend of jukebox musicals – think Moulin Rouge! (2001) or Mamma Mia (2008). The songs featured in Singin’ in the Rain have become so synonymous with the film, it’s hard to imagine any other versions existing.
The story is simple enough, following Hollywood stars Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly), Lina Lamont (Jean Hagan), musician Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor) and singer Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) as the film industry transitions from the silent era to the talkies. But there’s so much more to it. It is a loving and somewhat meta gaze at Hollywood and the silver screen.
Blending memorable musical numbers, incredible choreography, laugh out loud comedy and, of course, romance, Singin’ in the Rain has rightly become a classic.
In a film packed with iconic scenes, it’s hard to choose just ten moments to look out for. Nevertheless, in this Movie List, we at The Film Magazine have chosen the funniest, most impressive, and most memorable. These are the 10 Best Singin’ in the Rain Moments.
Follow @thefilmagazine on X (Twitter).
10. “Can’t a girl get a word in edgewise?“
It’s an easy joke but it packs a punch and it works.
The wonderful Jean Hagan is soundless for the first thirteen minutes of the film, like her counterpart Lina Lamont in her silent movies.
Lina Lamont is beautiful, elegant, and completely revered by fans. Dressed in her finery, we expect a voice to match. But Lina’s voice is shrill, loud and her rough accent is strong. It’s a brilliant and unexpected juxtaposition to what she looks like, and it’s the driving force behind the whole plot of the film.
Fortunately, this isn’t a one-dimensional joke. Lina’s delusional ranting is just as funny as the way she says it.
9. Good Mornin‘
The studio’s first attempt at a talking picture, The Duelling Cavalier, is not going well. Kathy (Debbie Reynolds), Cosmo (Donald O’Connor) and Don (Gene Kelly) hatch a plan to save the picture, planning to change the disastrous movie into a musical. And in Hollywood, there’s no other way to celebrate a good idea than with an intricate dance number…
The song is cheering, and the dance routine shows the growing warmth between the three main characters.
Debbie Reynolds famously spoke of her bleeding feet after this sequence, which took over twelve hours to film, so it feels important to include it as a best moment purely for her dedication to the craft.
Recommended for you: Babylon (2022) Review
