As a child MGM musicals were my escape. I used to sit down in front of the television and drift off to a world of singing cowgirls, tap dancing sailors, top hats and tails. My favourites were Calamity Jane, High Society, Oklahoma, Showboat, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers to name but a few. But I’ll never forget the first time I watched Singin’ In The Rain which has taken the top spot as my all time favourite film. It has everything: catchy tunes, impressive dance routines, lots of laughs, love and most importantly, the genius that is Gene Kelly.
So, you can imagine my excitement when I heard that the Royal Albert Hall were putting on a special Singin’ In The Rain Live event to mark the 60th anniversary of the films original release. The set up is this – a large cinema screen takes pride of place with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra seated in front of it on the stage. In the summer I went to see them perform West Side Story Live and was totally amazed by the difference of hearing the accompanying score being played live by the orchestra along with the film. The film plays as normal, with all of the original dialogue in tact but the soundtrack is blanked out and is instead played live by the orchestra. As the film came out in 1952, I wasn’t around to go and see it on the big screen so I jumped at the chance to get tickets.
Before the film started, Gene Kelly’s widow, Patricia Kelly came out onto the stage to introduce the production. The elegant biographer and film historian told fascinating anecdotes about Gene and the cast including, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds. She explained how contrary to popular belief there is no milk in the water during the famous rainy scene and that Gene absolutely wanted Debbie Reynolds in the picture. She also mentioned how he thought Donald O’Connor was the greatest comedian and improviser that he’d ever known, and I’d have to agree. His comedic timing is impeccable. My favourite line in the film comes when Don Lockwood calls to his friend Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor) from a mad mob of screaming fans “Hey Cosmo, call me a cab”, to which Cosmo looks on and replies, “Alright you’re a cab”. She talked about his commitment to dance and making all of his performances current, and despite the film being 60 years old, his routines seem fresh and new. Which is why it still so popular with audiences today. It was amazing to hear someone who had known Gene Kelly talk about him and it somehow made the whole occasion much more special.
In case you’ve been living under a stone for the last 60 years and have never seen the film, it tells the story of Don Lockwood, a major Hollywood silent movie actor, facing a challenging task when talking movies are introduced. His acting partner, and on-screen love, Lina Lamont (Jean Hagan) has a high pitched, screeching voice and strong accent which will destroy their reputations if it is revealed to their adoring fans. Along with his best friend and musical genius Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor) they aim to turn the film into a musical with his off-screen love Kathy Seldon (Debbie Reynolds) providing the voice for Lina. A random dream section includes the famous number ‘Broadway Melody’ which incorporates a strange seductive dance between Gene Kelly and the long-legged Cyd Charisse. It provides nothing extra to the story line but a bit of Broadway glamour. And that’s just fine.
When the film began it was as if we had never seen it before. The orchestra struck up the powerful music and once again we were swallowed up into a world of silent movies in 1920’s Hollywood. The packed out Albert Hall erupted with laughter at the one liners and tongue-in-cheek take on Hollywood movie stars. My favourite songs in the film are Moses Supposes, Make ‘Em Laugh and Good Mornin’. They are all uplifting and catchy and you can’t help but tap your feet and sing along. It is pure entertainment. Patricia Kelly spoke of how Rita Moreno (Anita in West Side Story) who stars in the movie described Singin’ In The Rain:
‘Rita described Singin’ in the Rain as a “perfect” musical, and I’ve heard others refer to it that way since. She felt it was on target in every way – witty, sophisticated, fun, full of joy.’
The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra conducted by Neil Thomson were, as usual, perfect. The music was flawless and the acoustics in the Royal Albert Hall with the impressive echo diffusing discs suspended from the ceiling just added to the nostalgic atmosphere. When the familiar opening bars to the title number rang out over the audience a hush descended and you could almost hear the hairs rising on the backs of necks. Magical.
Singin’ In The Rain is a timeless classic, it was my nan’s, my mum’s and now my favourite film and I’m sure it will be loved as much by future generations.
See it.
all the dinky details 