Singin’ in the Rain
1927 Hollywood. If the gossip and trade papers are correct, Monumental Pictures’ most famous stars, Lina Lamont (on-screen) and Don Lockwood (off-screen), are both on-screen couples. They perpetuate public perceptions to please their fans and get people in the cinemas. Don doesn’t tolerate Lina at all, while Lina thinks Don is beneath her. Lina believes the screen to boost her stardom and self-esteem. R.F. R.F. Simpson is Monumental’s chief, and dismisses the idea of talking pictures as a “flash in the pan”. The Jazz Singer (1927), which is a huge hit, sees all of the theaters install sound equipment from R.F. Monumental is well-known, especially Lina and Don, who jump onto the talk picture train despite not knowing much about technology. Cosmo Brown, Don’s friend and best man, is hired to be Monumental’s musical director and ideas man. Don is secretly dating Kathy Selden (a girl in the chorus who wants to be a big star in photos), at this point. Don and Kathy have a great relationship, despite their awkward first meeting. Cosmo and Kathy assist Don who has worked his way through movie stardom to the top, while Kathy follows along. They must overcome technological obstacles. Lina is the problem. She will go to any lengths to make sure she makes it into talking pictures. –Huggo
Director: Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen
Actors: Cyd Charisse, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, Douglas Fowley, Gene Kelly, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell
Country: United States
