January 22 movie: Singing in the Rain. I love this movie so much that I don't really have that much to say about it. Lots of great singing and dancing of course, and a funny story too. I think my favorite character is Jean Hagan as Lina Lamont, the spiteful star with the horrible voice. I've heard that she was a composite of several silent movie stars whose careers were ruined by talkies. But then again, I've also heard that this phenomenon (silent stars who couldn't act with their voices) was grossly overstated, and really the studios used it as an excuse to reassert power and get rid of a bunch of actors who had too much clout.
The only thing I don't like about this movie is the interminable "Gotta Dance" sequence. It stops the movie dead in its tracks, goes on forever, and doesn't even have that much dancing. I don't know why Gene Kelly had such a thing for those stupid fantasy dance numbers. I always fast forward through that part, but last night I was watching live so I had to mute and wait for it to be over.
That is the worst scene in the movie. It always felt out of place to me too. The dance scenes with Donald O'Conner are so much better.
i agree. the fantasy dance sequence in "an american in paris" grates on my nerves, too. (though i have to admit gene kelly's costume in that scene shows off his fabulous tush! :-)
i think i like "make 'em laugh" the most in SITR. and it's not even a gene kelly number!! ((gasp!!))
"Make Them Laugh" is my favorite too! Donald O'Connor's finest moment :)
Since I've never been much of a fan of dance movies, I only recently got around to seeing Singing in the Rain.
Wow.
The commentary on the DVD indicates that much of "Make 'Em Laugh" was improvised.
Double Wow.