SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN

Of all the groups giving awards in 1953, only the WGA got it right: “Best Written American Musical” prize for Betty Comden & Adolph Green? Hooray!

Now recognized as one of the Best Musicals ever made anywhere on Planet Earth, this Gene Kelly classic makes merry with Hollywood lives impacted by the transition from silent films to “Talkies” in the late 1920s. They sing! They dance!! Wow, do they ever 🙂

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Top Photo: Jean Hagen as Silent Screen star “Lena Lamont” carries most of the verbal comedy. Note that she was the only cast member to receive an Oscar nomination in 1953.

2nd Photo: Gene Kelly as “Don Lockwood” with his Vaudeville partner “Cosmo Brown” (Donald O’Connor) & his new Lady Love “Kathy Selden” (Debbie Reynolds) do the title number.

3rd Photo: In dream sequence, Don is seduced by gorgeous “Mystery Woman” Cyd Charisse.

4th Photo: Gene Kelly seen here as we will always remember him.

Bottom Photo: Debbie Reynolds as the adorable  “Kathy Selden.”

Photo Credits: Eric Carpenter/MGM

Q: Does Singin’ in the Rain pass the Bechdel Test? 

Yes, but it’s a bit of a stretch…

There are also some pretty funny scenes of “Lena Lamont” (Jean Hagen) with her female Voice Coach!

Then later, when Lina finds out that “Kathy” (Debbie Reynolds) has been dubbing her voice, she tries to intimidate Cathy and force her to remain in that backstage role permanently.

But as I say, it’s a stretch. Both women have most of their interactions with “Don” (Gene Kelly) and Don is definitely the main character in Singin’ in the Rain!