The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Collection: Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

What film defines the cinematic power of the musical? There have been so many iconic musicals to grace the silver screen since the onset of sound. Musicals are not the most popular genre in film today (unfortunately some of the greatest musicals of the last decade have not been successful at the box office) but there was a time when this musically inclined genre was one of the most successful. There was a time when the highest grossing film of all time was a musical (looking at you, The Sound of Music). There are so many stories in so many places from so many perspectives that have been elevated by incredible songs that came to life on screen. One of the most iconic, impactful, influential, and genre-defining is Singin’ in the Rain. 

What makes Singin’ in the Rain such a genre-defining piece of cinematic art? The musical (especially traditional ones) has a few essential tenements that make them stand the test of time.

First off, you need great music…Singin’ in the Rain has that. Just look at the title song. This is one of the most vibrant and charming songs ever put into film. The impressively effortless vocal performance from Gene Kelly pales in comparison to his impressive dancing skills and choreography on display. Swinging from lampposts to spinning with an umbrella in the rain, this sequence is so full of life as it mixes music and dance so perfectly. When you look at a song like “Make ‘Em Laugh”, there are few comedic songs from musicals that come anywhere near the entertainment value and craft. Donald O’Connor’s physical comedy, stunt work, and facial expressions are incomparable. You can take the challenge of finding someone else who could have made these stunts (like running up and flipping on walls) work and you will be hard pressed to find them. The songs themselves are so clever, charming, and entertaining to listen to. “Good Morning”, “All I Do Is Dream of You”, and “Moses” are all so charming and fun (infectiously so). Even more impressive is the dancing that goes along with so many of these numbers. Kelly and O’Connor are a pair of revelations when they move those feet in their dance shoes. 

But the music is just not great, is it? Singin’ in the Rain is such a powerful and iconic musical because it has transcended its own story and crossed over into pop culture. In one of the most twisted ways possible, “Singin’ in the Rain” was used to unnerving perfection by Malcolm McDowell in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange. You may never hear the song the same way again, but the cultural reach is fascinating. The film wears its influences on its sleeves as Kelly and co-director Stanley Donen borrowed plenty from Powell and Pressburger’s The Red Shoes in the more abstract and introspective musical numbers that have a fantastical and dreamlike atmosphere. The dream ballet sequence in Singin’ in the Rain has been deeply homaged over the last 75 years including the iconic modern version that capped off Damian Chazelle’s La La Land. There has been a lot of influence on music-centered shows like High School Musical (which borrowed a lot of its dance choreography from Singin’ in the Rain). Kelly’s physicality and motion on screen have been an incredible influence on action stars of modern cinema like Tom Cruise (oddly enough) as well. Just the idea of singing in the rain has become synonymous with a feeling of euphoria and floating on a cloud of joy. There are so many threads that have originated in Singin’ in the Rain and grown into one of the most influential cinematic works of all time. 

But what about the story that Singin’ in the Rain tells? The actual story of the film is one of the most important stories in the history of cinema. The most game-changing moment in the history of cinema was the dawn of sound. The leap from the silent era to the sound era was such a seismic shift that it reflects the rippling change that the industrial revolution had in so many industries. During the silent era, being a star centered on your expression, movement, and physicality. But the onset of sound changed not only in the film’s technological approach, but what makes a movie star successful. We witness that shift in the character of Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen). Her shrill voice made her unemployable in sound films as audiences literally laughed at her and no longer took this mega star of silent film seriously. This was a common occurrence for many stars of the silent era with broken English, “unattractive” voices, and the lack of vocal confidence to meet the new expectations for the big screen. Kelly and Donen also show all the growing pains of this new technology as their first screening of their new film goes horribly awry. Unsynchronized sound. Poorly placed microphones. Actors didn’t understand how to approach the new form of acting yet. Uneven sound mixing. These were all real issues that came to life so vividly on the silver screen. They even captured the opportunity that some new, up-and-coming stars found with a character like Debbie Reynolds’ Kathy becoming a star-in-waiting. Many stars got the opportunity to shine due to sound and being able to sing on the silver screen. Musicals became so popular as they were able to show off these new technological advancements. You have a film like The Artist which explores all the same types of themes and ideas as Singin’ in the Rain. No Singin’ in the Rain means not Best Picture winning The Artist. 

Just how influential is Singin’ in the Rain? Kelly’s project is so powerful and influential that almost every musical out there has something that is rooted in the success of this brilliant picture. Kelly is a force on screen with his impressive singing and dancing that is unmatched. O’Connor crafts the benchmark for all comic relief characters in musicals for the next 75 years. The mixture of iconic musical numbers, sharp dance numbers, and the impressive visuals (this is one of the most vibrant and colorful films you will find out there) makes this a magical recipe for cinematic success. If you have never seen this iconic film, don’t miss out any longer.