Singin' in the Rain (1952) Rank 4 Reviews

eFilmCritic.com (--)

Gene Kelly is brilliant. There's no other word for him. Brilliant, as in a genius. Brilliant, as in luminous. Brilliant, as in a set o' hooves that had a brain behind them that just wouldn't quit. Let's get the plot out of the way right now. Boy ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at eFilmCritic.com (--)

VideoVista

It's Hollywood in 1927. Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) are the biggest stars in town - and a couple off-screen as well as on, or so gossip has it. In reality, the two can't stand each other. But then a bigger threat to showbiz care ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at VideoVista

Deep Focus (Bryant Frazer)

Hollywood's changeover from silents to talkies is the backdrop for MGM's most perfect musical, a vehicle for Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor, who gotta sing, gotta dance. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Deep Focus (Bryant Frazer)

TV Guide Entertainment Network, Movie Guide

Very likely the greatest musical MGM or anyone else ever produced, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN has everything--great songs, great dances, a wonderful, nostalgic story, and a dependable cast, although we're beginning to find Kelly and O'Connor a trifle overanimate ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at TV Guide Entertainment Network, Movie Guide

Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)

This truly is one of the all-time great feel-good movies. Musicals tend to be a lot of fun, but this Gene Kelly vehicle is particularly enjoyable. It's full of memorable songs and impressive dance numbers, plus it's clever, sweet and funny. Kelly, who ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)

DVD Net (Anthony Clarke)

Singin' in the Rain is a great American movie musical, standing high within a special genre which no other country ever managed to conquer. If we talk about American movie musicals, we are talking about the world's movie musicals - these confections of ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at DVD Net (Anthony Clarke)

digitallyOBSESSED.com (Jeff Rosado)

How many films can you think of that are worthy of the term 'perfection'? Able to balance all the primary elements of movie making and not come up shortchanged in any area? Singin' in the Rain is one of those few cinematic masterpieces to have achieved s ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at digitallyOBSESSED.com (Jeff Rosado)

Orbital Reviews

Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) are two of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Their silent era films captivate audiences and have made them among the most famous stars in the industry, but a revolution in filmmaking threatens to ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Orbital Reviews

Teen Movie Critic (Roger Davidson)

Not only is this the greatest musical ever made, but also a touching tribute to a Hollywood of a bygone era (the 1920's silent films). Gene Kelly plays a major silent star, who's studio is going through a crisis, thanks to the smash hit "talkie", The ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Teen Movie Critic (Roger Davidson)

filmsgraded.com (Brian Koller)

"Singin' in the Rain" is generally considered to be the best Hollywood musical ever. It may well be, as I have seen no other musical that comes close. Perhaps the difference between this film and others is that it is not only a musical. If you remove ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at filmsgraded.com (Brian Koller)

Reel.com

Yes, that "happy refrain" is back. For the third time in five years, a new DVD edition of the quintessential musical Singin' in the Rain makes an appearance on store shelves. But while the first two versions were bare-bones, this new 50th anniversary two- ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Reel.com

filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)

Being a child of Star Wars and Pretty in Pink, it's usually hard for my generation to appreciate frou-frou musicals. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)

Entertainment Insiders (Stephen Wong)

Singin' in the Rain will forever be known as the greatest American musical of all-time. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Entertainment Insiders (Stephen Wong)

Cinema Laser (Derek M. Germano)

What can be said about a classic of the caliber of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN ($25) that hasn't already been said? SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is one of my personal favorites amongst musical film simply because it is one of the most exuberant, joyful and funny films eve ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Cinema Laser (Derek M. Germano)

The Movie Chicks

Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and his buddy Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor) take their vaudeville song-and-dance routine on the road and wind up in Hollywood. They get jobs at Imperial Studios and soon Don becomes a star of the silent movies. His co-star, the n ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at The Movie Chicks

Lars Lindahl

Very rarely does a movie have it all. It's almost impossible to find a film (or anything for that matter) that contains a perfect mixture of whatever elements it attempts to combine. Whenever one of these gems is released, word of mouth travels quickly an ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Lars Lindahl

Three Movie Buffs (Patrick Nash)

Certainly one of the best loved musicals ever made, Singin' in the Rain has something for everyone; great songs, unforgettable dance numbers, laughs galore and heartfelt romance. Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds match each other line for li ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Three Movie Buffs (Patrick Nash)

DVD Authority.com (Matt Brighton)

"What a Glorious Feeling!" It's hard to imagine, but it's been fifty years since Singin' in the Rain graced the silver screen for the first time. Granted, "yours truly" was still about twenty years in the future; but watching a movie like this ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at DVD Authority.com (Matt Brighton)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

In "Singin' in the Rain," MGM has turned out another exuberant and bubbling musical comedy that seems to me to surpass the same studio's "American in Paris." ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at St. Louis Post-Dispatch

rec.arts.movies.reviews (Max Scheinin)

For me, there are certain moments that define what the movies are about. Apu finding his son in Satyajit Ray's The World Of Apu. The two wedding scenes in The Godfather. The discovery of Mother in Psycho and the final scene in Vertigo. The airport scene ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at rec.arts.movies.reviews (Max Scheinin)

rec.arts.movies.reviews (Frank R.A.J. Maloney)

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is film directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen and produced by Arthur Freed. It was written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, based on a song by Freed and Nacio Herb Brown. The film stars Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at rec.arts.movies.reviews (Frank R.A.J. Maloney)

Movie-Musicals.Com (Wenkai Tay)

...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Movie-Musicals.Com (Wenkai Tay)

Andrew Hicks (Andrew Hicks)

...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Andrew Hicks (Andrew Hicks)

TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

Very likely the greatest musical MGM or anyone else ever produced. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

Dallas Morning News (Jane Sumner)

Fifty years later, it's still a delight with everybody working at the top of his or her game. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Dallas Morning News (Jane Sumner)

culturevulture.net (Ben Stephens)

It feels like it was made out of whole cloth rather than just being a showcase for its dancers. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at culturevulture.net (Ben Stephens)

Zertinet Movies (Steven Snyder)

It is an improbable masterpiece; a film where everything just has that indistinguishable quality of fitting together. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Zertinet Movies (Steven Snyder)

Detroit Free Press (John Monaghan)

A rare musical whose story -- scripted by Betty Comden and Adolph Green -- is just as good as the songs. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Detroit Free Press (John Monaghan)

Empire Magazine (Ian Freer)

One of the highpoints of hoofin' history but, more importantly, an unadulterated joy. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Empire Magazine (Ian Freer)

ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Watching Singin' in the Rain is an exuberant, magical experience -- a journey deep into the heart of feel-good territory. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Austin Chronicle (Marjorie Baumgarten)

Arguably the greatest movie musical of all time. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marjorie Baumgarten)

Steve Rhodes

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, a wonderfully sweet and happy film that is perhaps the best example of Hollywood's golden age of musicals, is being released on an eye-popping new DVD that literally explodes with color. For its fiftieth anniversary, they are releasin ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Steve Rhodes

Dragan Antulov

Contemporary Hollywood producers are often accused for the damage they do to the reputation of American and world cinema heritage by misusing old, classic movies as nothing more than basis for cheap, empty and soulless remakes. However, the misuse of the ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Dragan Antulov

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

No one imagined in 1952 that "Singin' in the Rain" eventually would be the most beloved movie musical of all time. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

ToxicUniverse.com (John Nesbit)

Ranking #10 on the 2002 Sight & Sound critics poll for best movies of all time, Singin' in the Rain easily stands as the quintessential cinematic musical, one that holds up to multiple viewings to chase away all traces of cynicism. Everyone remembers the ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at ToxicUniverse.com (John Nesbit)

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The image that everyone remembers from "Singin' in the Rain" has Gene Kelly, dressed in a yellow slicker, hanging from a lamp-post and swinging his umbrella in the wild joy of new love. The scene builds to agloriously saturated ecstasy as Kelly stomps thr ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

DVD Movie Guide

Frequent readers of my reviews probably know of my oft-stated antipathy toward movie musicals. (Actually, I hate stage musicals even more, but that's a different issue.) The format actively annoys me. I've found some pleasure in a few of the films; ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at DVD Movie Guide

DVD Journal

If you've been a fan of this joyous and rhapsodic satire of Roaring Twenties Hollywood since long before this DVD came out, you already know how beloved Singin' in the Rain is. You don't need me to tell you that this 1952 romantic comedy transcended ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at DVD Journal

DVDBeaver.com (Gary W. Tooze)

Quintessential classic musical that features standard song and dance numbers. The plot is also somewhat of a historical expression for the film genre with the prevalent mention of the advent of talkies, how it was done and the technical bridges that were ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at DVDBeaver.com (Gary W. Tooze)

CultureDose.net (John Nesbit)

Ranking #10 on the 2002 Sight & Sound critics poll for best movies of all time, Singin' in the Rain easily stands as the quintessential cinematic musical, one that holds up to multiple viewings to chase away all traces of cynicism. Everyone remembers ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at CultureDose.net (John Nesbit)

Critic Doctor (Herb Kane)

Even if Hollywood doesn't resurrect the movie musical, Roger Ebert will every year at the Virginia Theater in Illinois. In 2001, we watched mainstream movie stars sing and dance in Woody Allen's "Everyone Says I Love You". In 2002, George ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Critic Doctor (Herb Kane)

Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)

The Oscars are known for "catching up" to filmmakers and actors who have been overlooked or forgotten. Sometimes they have been ahead of the game, too -- but even then, they were a little off the mark. Take 1951, for example, when the Academy of ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)

The Boston Phoenix (Steve Vineberg)

Among the jewels that Arthur Freed's musicals unit turned out at MGM in the '40s and '50s, Singin' in the Rain (1952) is the Hope diamond. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at The Boston Phoenix (Steve Vineberg)

Filmdog - (Mike Fisher)

They don't make films like "Singin' in the Rain" (1952) anymore. And it's quite glaringly unfortunate. "Singin' in the Rain" is the single best reminder of the days when Hollywood musicals where still all over the place. Nowadays, Hollywood is ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Filmdog - (Mike Fisher)

DVD Savant (Glenn Erickson)

Singin' in the Rain is one of the most entertaining films ever made, and among all the Classics You Must See, it's the easiest one to watch again and again. MGM made its share of clunker musicals, but at the top rank are some dazzling wonder movies ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at DVD Savant (Glenn Erickson)

About.com - Home DVD Review (Ivana Redwine)

I recently acquired the "Singin' in the Rain" Classic Collection Box Set, which contains two DVDs and one music CD. I've never seen this joyous classic movie looking and sounding better, the DVDs are loaded with extras, and it's fun to have the ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at About.com - Home DVD Review (Ivana Redwine)

filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)

Being a child of Star Wars and Pretty in Pink, it's usually hard for my generation to appreciate frou-frou musicals. Not so with Singin' in the Rain, probably the best musical ever made and 50 years after its original production, its special edition ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)

eFilmCritic

Gene Kelly is brilliant. There's no other word for him. Brilliant, as in a genius. Brilliant, as in luminous. Brilliant, as in a set o' hooves that had a brain behind them that just wouldn't quit. Let's get the plot out of the way right now. Boy ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at eFilmCritic

Decent Films Guide - faith on film

People who say they don't like musicals should watch Singin' in the Rain, and find out how sweet eating one's words can be. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Decent Films Guide - faith on film

Urban Cinefile (Louise K)

This is undoubtedly one of the happiest musicals of all time, with arguably the most original dance routine ever. The sheer genius of Gene Kelly's Singin' in the Rain routine as he splashes in the puddles and exudes sheer joie de vivre is one of the great ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Urban Cinefile (Louise K)

BBCi - Films

It was never expected to become immortal and the best Hollywood musical of all time. Made towards the tail end of the Arthur Freed production era at MGM that spawned "Meet Me in St Louis", "Easter Parade", "On the Town", and "An American in ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at BBCi - Films

DVD Verdict

In June 1950, screenwriters and lyricists Betty Comden and Adolph Green were summoned to Hollywood to write an original story and screenplay for the Arthur Freed musical unit at MGM. Their guidance was simply that the film should utilize a number of ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at DVD Verdict

Edinburgh U Film Society (Leslie Meyer and Pauline Chung)

Before it was a classic, before it was a hit musical, Singin' in the Rain was a hit song. 'What?' you say. Yup. Gene Kelly decided to build a wonderful movie around a hit song. But it works to perfection. Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Edinburgh U Film Society (Leslie Meyer and Pauline Chung)

The Movie Mom (Nell Minow)

Plot: Silent movie star Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) is paired on screen with Lina Lamont (Jean Hagan), who would like to be paired with him offscreen as well. But Lina�s personality is as grating as her squeaky, nasal voice. She is mean, selfish, arrogant, ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at The Movie Mom (Nell Minow)

Reel Movie Critic (Cathy Edsey Collins)

30 Second Bottom Line: One of the best films ever, this 1952 classic MGM musical dazzles with memorable songs, clever dance numbers and a romance that pokes fun at the turmoil in Hollywood during its sticky transition from silent films to talkies in the 1 ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Reel Movie Critic (Cathy Edsey Collins)

Movierapture (Keith Allen)

Thanks to its abundant energy, its wildly vivid colors, its nearly perfect musical numbers, and its genial, if somewhat forgettable story, Singin' in the Rain is always a pleasure to watch. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Movierapture (Keith Allen)

Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)

The best Hollywood musical of all time, or at least the most popular and the most colorfully shot and one of the most free-spirited fun films that was an original and not taken from the stage. It's co-directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, with the lat ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)

Movie Vault (Vadim Rizov)

Other musicals might be more complex, but none is more beautiful or stylish then this classic ode to the studio system. Ostensibly, Singin' In The Rain is the story of the transition in Hollywood from silent films to talkies as personified by Don ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Movie Vault (Vadim Rizov)

IndependentCritics.com (Richard Propes)

1952's "Singin' in the Rain" is about as surefire method for lifting one's spirits as it is possible to find in the history of film. The film stars and is co-directed by the wonderful Gene Kelly and centers around that period in film history that ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at IndependentCritics.com (Richard Propes)

The City Review (Carter B. Horsley)

Jean Hagen deservedly would win an Oscar nomination as best supporting actress for her fabulous performance, and the film was also nominated for best score, but incredibly it received no Oscars. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at The City Review (Carter B. Horsley)

The Greatest Films - comprehensive analysis of classic US film

Singin' in the Rain (1952) is one of the most-loved and celebrated film musicals of all time from MGM, before a mass exodus to filmed adaptations of Broadway plays emerged as a standard pattern. It was made directly for film, and was not a Broadway ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at The Greatest Films - comprehensive analysis of classic US film

Movie Reviews UK

Regarded by many as the finest movie musical, Singin' in the Rain is a fantastic mixture of dancing, humour and keen observation as Hollywood takes a good look at itself. The setting is the Twenties when films were just making the transition to sound, a t ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Movie Reviews UK

Parent Previews

AT THE GALA PREMIERE of a 1927 silent film, adoring fans clamor for a glimpse of The Royal Rascal's illustrious stars: Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen). The heartthrob and bombshell woo the crowd but play down a tabloid-reported off- ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Parent Previews

At-A-Glance Film Reviews

Not only frequently considered Gene Kelly's best work, but almost universally acclaimed the best screen musical ever. Singin' In the Rain works in every way. There's lots of humor, lots of dancing (jazz, tap, and Gene Kelly's trademark surreal choreograph ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at At-A-Glance Film Reviews

UpcomingDiscs.com (David Annandale)

The plot is very simple, as the spectacular song-and-dance numbers are the real star of the show. Gene Kelly and Jean Hagen are big stars of the silent screen. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at UpcomingDiscs.com (David Annandale)

Appreciating Great Trash

An infectious bout of sheer, grandstanding spectacle that miraculously keeps managing to top itself, Singin' in the Rain is usually named as the best Hollywood musical ever made, and, well, sure, why not. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Appreciating Great Trash

The Onion A.V. Club (Nathan Rabin)

Singin' In The Rain defies an auteurist reading. As the film's star, co-director, and co-choreographer, Gene Kelly would seem like a likely candidate for authorship, but the fact that Kelly shares the last two roles with Stanley Donen reveals the ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at The Onion A.V. Club (Nathan Rabin)

Boxoffice Magazine

Against a background of delightful and hilarious satirizing of the early days of motion picture production is woven a behind-the-scenes, boy-meets-girl yarn, while those two surefire elements of entertainment are blended, through inspired filmmaking ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Boxoffice Magazine

A Guide to Current DVD (Aaron Beierle)

I've let it be known on a few occasions on this website that I'm not particularly fond of the musical. Most films in the genre spend largely too much time on the singing and dancing aspect, which I feel doesn't communicate feelings and emotions if not ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at A Guide to Current DVD (Aaron Beierle)

Reviewlets (Brian Robert Hischier)

One of the few musicals I can stomach---very entertaining songs, powerful dancing and a pretty decent love story---many fine set pieces litter this excellent film, and it's filled with top-notch humor---Certain numbers can be watched again and again witho ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Reviewlets (Brian Robert Hischier)

Apollo Guide (Cheryl Northcott)

A hysterically funny "backstage" musical set in 1927 Hollywood during the difficult transition from silent films to talking pictures. A great cast, a great story and a great score â�� they just don't come any better than this. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Apollo Guide (Cheryl Northcott)

Film as Art

I never came to appreciate the movie musical until I realized how much better and colorful the world would be if people really could break out into song at any moment and display uncharacteristic, amazing physical dancing feats. With a seemingly ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at Film as Art

DVDTown (John J. Puccio)

Some people consider "Singin' in the Rain" the greatest musical ever made, and it isn't just film critic Roger Ebert, who is quoted on the packaging. A lot of other folks will tell you the same thing. There is no doubt this 1952 movie ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at DVDTown (John J. Puccio)

New York Times (Bosley Crowther)

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 carefuly contrived and guaranteed to...put you in a buttercup mood. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at New York Times (Bosley Crowther)

The Spinning Image (Samantha David)

Of course, Singin' in the Rain is the world's best musical film ever. ...read the complete Singin' in the Rain movie review at The Spinning Image (Samantha David)