We’re showing Singin’ in the Rain as a tribute to codirector (with Gene Kelly) Stanley Donen, who died on February 23 at the age of ninety-four. In addition to Singin’ in the Rain, Donen directed Seven Brides for Seven Brothers with Jane Powell, Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, and Damn Yankees with Tab Hunter and Gwen Verdon. He also put a dancing Astaire on the ceiling in On the Town. Jean-Luc Godard called him “the master of the musical.” Singin’ in the Rain, starring Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor, is one of the greatest and most successful musicals ever filmed. It is filled with memorable songs, lavish routines, and Kelly’s fabulous song-and-dance numbers performed in the rain. Also with Cyd Charisse and Rita Moreno.
“This exuberant satire of Hollywood in the late 20s, at the time of the transition from silents to talkies, is probably the most enjoyable of all American movie musicals.” — Pauline Kael, New Yorker
“There is no movie musical more fun than Singin’ in the Rain, and few that remain as fresh over the years.” — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
“Compounded generously of music, dance, color, spectacle and a riotous abundance of Gene Kelly, Jean Hagen and Donald O’Connor on the screen, all elements in this rainbow program are carefully contrived and guaranteed to…put you in a buttercup mood.” — Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Betty Comden (story by), Adolph Green (story by)
Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen
MGM