In an era known for its movie musicals, the 1952 hit, "Singin' in the Rain," provided audiences with an entertaining look into the glamorous world of 1920's show-biz. "Singin' in the Rain" showcases the tumultuous transition from silent movies to the "talkie" films with the story of the business relationship between silent film stars, Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen).
"Lockwood and Lamont," as they are affectionately referred to, star together as a team in numerous silent films, however Lina is never given a chance to talk to anyone, let alone the press, due to her horrible, squeaky voice. In the 1920's an actress did not even need to know how to speak, since the films didn't have sound.
However, as the 1920's came to a close, "talking pictures" became the new must-have movie craze. Studios were racing around to see who could produce a "talkie" with the best technology, and the best actors. Thus, Lina Lamont is supplied with a vocal coach to help her overcome the high-pitched shrills in her speech. When that plan fails, Don Lockwood's friend, Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor) comes up with a sensational idea - let another actor speak the words, and let Lina Lamont move her mouth to the words. The trick is, nobody tells Lina that her voice is being dubbed by unknown actress, Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds).
The dance numbers in the film are amazing! In fact, after filming finished on the "Good Morning" dance number, Debbie Reynolds had to be carried to her dressing room, due to the several broken blood vessels in her feet. Debbie would later remark that surviving childbirth, and making this film were the two hardest things she had ever done in her life.
Debbie wasn't the only one to suffer physical set backs while filming the movie. During the "Make 'Em Laugh" number, Donald O'Connor decided to revive an old dance trick he had done in his younger years - running up the wall and flipping with a finished summersault. The trick turned out to be so physically straining, that after filming a few takes for the scene, Don went home and stayed in bed for a week - suffering from exhaustion and painful carpet burns. Unfortunately, an accident ruined all of the initial footage shot, so after a short resting period, Don, ever the champ, agreed to come back and shoot the sequence again.
Of course, not even dancing great, Gene Kelly could not get away from the film without a little deteriorating health. During the day the "Singin' in the Rain" dance number was shot, Gene had a 103-degree fever. Whoever said show business is a piece of cake must not have been on the set of "Singin' in the Rain." However, we must not forget the wonderful, and far too often overlooked, Jean Hagen. She gave a superb performance as Lina Lamont, and truly did a wonderful job of bringing an outrageous character to life. Also, when filming wrapped, she one of the few actors left standing with good health.
Aside from the fact that each of the three main characters health was not in the most ideal of conditions, the actors gave it their all. In fact, most working days on the set lasted 19 hours! But that's only a small price to pay, considering that the American Film Institute named the movie the 10th best film of all time, and the #1 best musical of all time!
All the acclaim the "Singin' in the Rain" received and will continue to receive is not in vain, as proven by the audience, who continue to adore the film 56 years after its debut.
Kelcey Bridges
Singin in the Rain (1952)
In an era known for its movie musicals, the 1952 hit, "Singin' in the Rain," provided audiences with an entertaining look into the glamorous world of 1920's show-biz. "Singin' in the Rain" showcases the tumultuous transition from silent movies to the "talkie" films with the story of the business relationship between silent film stars, Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen).
"Lockwood and Lamont," as they are affectionately referred to, star together as a team in numerous silent films, however Lina is never given a chance to talk to anyone, let alone the press, due to her horrible, squeaky voice. In the 1920's an actress did not even need to know how to speak, since the films didn't have sound.
However, as the 1920's came to a close, "talking pictures" became the new must-have movie craze. Studios were racing around to see who could produce a "talkie" with the best technology, and the best actors. Thus, Lina Lamont is supplied with a vocal coach to help her overcome the high-pitched shrills in her speech. When that plan fails, Don Lockwood's friend, Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor) comes up with a sensational idea - let another actor speak the words, and let Lina Lamont move her mouth to the words. The trick is, nobody tells Lina that her voice is being dubbed by unknown actress, Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds).
The dance numbers in the film are amazing! In fact, after filming finished on the "Good Morning" dance number, Debbie Reynolds had to be carried to her dressing room, due to the several broken blood vessels in her feet. Debbie would later remark that surviving childbirth, and making this film were the two hardest things she had ever done in her life.
Debbie wasn't the only one to suffer physical set backs while filming the movie. During the "Make 'Em Laugh" number, Donald O'Connor decided to revive an old dance trick he had done in his younger years - running up the wall and flipping with a finished summersault. The trick turned out to be so physically straining, that after filming a few takes for the scene, Don went home and stayed in bed for a week - suffering from exhaustion and painful carpet burns. Unfortunately, an accident ruined all of the initial footage shot, so after a short resting period, Don, ever the champ, agreed to come back and shoot the sequence again.
Of course, not even dancing great, Gene Kelly could not get away from the film without a little deteriorating health. During the day the "Singin' in the Rain" dance number was shot, Gene had a 103-degree fever. Whoever said show business is a piece of cake must not have been on the set of "Singin' in the Rain." However, we must not forget the wonderful, and far too often overlooked, Jean Hagen. She gave a superb performance as Lina Lamont, and truly did a wonderful job of bringing an outrageous character to life. Also, when filming wrapped, she one of the few actors left standing with good health.
Aside from the fact that each of the three main characters health was not in the most ideal of conditions, the actors gave it their all. In fact, most working days on the set lasted 19 hours! But that's only a small price to pay, considering that the American Film Institute named the movie the 10th best film of all time, and the #1 best musical of all time!
All the acclaim the "Singin' in the Rain" received and will continue to receive is not in vain, as proven by the audience, who continue to adore the film 56 years after its debut.
