Singin’ in the Rain (1952) is definitely one of my all-time favorite movies! This musical is a delightful spoof about the debut of speaking films in the movie-making industry. Starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds, Singin’ in the Rain is full of sensational singing, fabulous dancing, and even a crowd pleasing love story.

The musical is set in the late 1920s Hollywood scene, where heart-throb actor Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) absolutely cannot tolerate his annoying leading lady Lina Lamont. Don and Lina have been made famous by their on-screen love stories in the silent pictures. However, now the motion picture industry is making a move toward talking pictures. One problem…Lina’s speaking and singing voice is atrocious! Since no one can stand to listen to her on screen, Don and his musician best friend Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor) devise a plan to use Don’s real love interest Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) as Lina’s dubbed voice in the talking pictures. As Don and Kathy’s romance blossoms, so do Don and Lina’s careers, as a blockbuster musical is made that makes Lina look and sound too good to be true. The musical ends with a very publicly embarrassing scene for Lina that puts her in her place and gives Kathy her credit due.

I love this movie for so many reasons! First off, would be the fantastic dance numbers. I was never a dancer, and my most of dancing experience comes from my high school pom squad and five years of dancing during college cheerleading. In Singin’ in the Rain, Gene Kelly’s dancing and tapping evokes so much jealously for his ability and ease. Who doesn’t want to watch Gene Kelly tap dance in the rain? His movements are magnificent and effortless as you watch him in awe. Timeless. The other actors (including a guest performance by Cyd Charisse) are also beautiful in the many dance numbers showcased in this musical, but Gene Kelly memorably shines in these performances, all which demand respect, respectfully.

Secondly, I love the songs and singing in this musical. “Singin’ in the Rain,” of course, and “You Were Meant for Me” are two of my favorite songs in the movie. “Good Morning” and “Make ‘Em Laugh” are also wonderful songs that get stuck in my head for hours. Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds’s songs are brilliantly composed and performed. Everything a musical should be.

Finally, I adore this musical because it’s comical. It’s not just a serious musical with only singing and dancing. The storyline itself is funny and amusing. They way the musical portrays the motion picture industry’s transition to talking pictures is witty and creative in showing the entertainment side of filmmaking.

Singin’ in the Rain will forever be one of my favorite movies (in my top five for sure!). With its superb cast, choreography, and musical compositions, the movie is complete with a favorable love story set in the fabulous roaring 20’s. The musical’s excellent dancing and singing puts me in a blissful time-warp for an hour-and-a-half. I’m left smiling, feeling happy and lucky that I was able to watch such incredible talent on screen. I couldn’t ask anything more from a GREAT romantic comedy musical.