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Morgan Flitt
Professor Julie Hicks
LBST 1102
15 September 2014
Singin in the Rain Response
The appeal that musicals hold is a unique one; the bright dance numbers, the overthe-top costumes, the sheer power of the talent present on the screen, and the lighthearted
nature of the films keep audiences holding the musicals near and dear to their hearts for
numerous years after they watch them. Singin in the Rain, made in 1952 and directed by
Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, is certainly no exception to this general rule. Many even
go so far as to argue that it is one of the most beloved musicals of all time. After viewing
the film and seeing the exceptional screen work, the iconic dance numbers, and the
lovable characters it is unsurprising why this might be the case. Singin in the Rain is not
just a lighthearted film with silly characters and misplaced musical numbers, it acts as
somewhat of a social commentary, meant to highlight issues present in celebrity culture
and even the film industry itself. It is these subtexts to the film that not only make it so
beloved, but also long standing and a worthwhile film to experience and enjoy.
Without a doubt, one of the most iconic scenes in the film is its title track; the
musical number Singin in the Rain. The audience cant help but to be enchanted by the
warmth emulating in the number. Don Lockwood has just kissed Kathy, a romantic
moment that viewers have all been waiting for. The streets are dimly lit, but still with
enough light to see the warmth and happiness radiating from his character. The charm the
scene holds is only enhanced when the rain falls and Don, so carefree and in love, begins

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to dance merrily through the streets. Nothing can make him less joyous than he already
is, and as he swings on lampposts and taps in the street, the audience falls in love as well.
The artistic element of making the rain just barely visible but not distracting simply adds
more depth and character to the lull that Don admonishes to anyone (or no one) that will
listen. This scene is iconic because it puts a smile on the face for everyone in the
audience and keeps it there when remembered. In sharp juxtaposition to this scene is the
scene from Clockwork Orange, where a horrible sexual and physical assault is occurring
and Alex DeLarge, the antagonist, is singing loudly the same tune; Singin the Rain.
This beloved song instantly produces a much different reaction with the accompanied
action DeLarge is taking part in, as instead of leaving with a smile on their faces,
audiences are made extremely uncomfortable and horrified. The connotations associated
with the song Singin in the Rain, such as a carefree, unhindered mindset and an
unabashed pride, make the scene in Clockwork Orange that much more horrifying. The
image the audience gets is that of a sociopath to which rape and physical violence is
equivocal to the sensation of carelessness associated in most people with falling in love.
Though I do believe the scene was dark and hard to swallow, I find the choice to use the
song a brilliant one. The insight it gives into the character, just in that decision alone, is
noteworthy and I believe the studio made the right decision in allowing Kubric to use the
song to help truly point out the deranged nature of Alex in Clockwork Orange.
Singin in the Rain is iconic for a long list of reasons, but it seems as though one
of the large elements in why the film is still beloved by audiences today is because many
of the cultural connections brought up in the film are still relevant and prevalent in our
culture even over sixty years later. One of the main topics brought up in this film are the

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illusions that make up fame and the ways this affects those who are deemed celebrity.
In Singin in the Rain, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont have a relationship that is crafted
to appear as marvelous and incredible off-screen as it is on-screen, in order to make their
fans more invested in their films. This idea of manipulation of celebrity to consumer is
still a marketing strategy that is used commonly in our celebrity culture. As seen in the
film, these choices can have clear consequences on both interpersonal relationships
between celebrities as well as relationships outside of work, such as Dons with Kathy.
The games that Hollywood is willing to play in order to obtain the most money are
certainly still a component of our culture. The idea of innovation is another component of
culture that is still present today; in the film it was the innovation of breaking the sound
barrier but in current society there are an abundance of innovations that are occurring
almost constantly. The Internet is a great example of an innovation that is comparable to
that of breaking the sound barrier, as well as is an example of the extent of transitioning
that had to occur in order for that innovation to be successful. Innovation is huge in
Singin in the Rain and it is undoubtedly extremely important in our current lives as well.
Another cultural component present in the film that still holds relevancy would be the
idea of resilience in the face of hardship. In the film, Don, Kathy, and Cosmo and the
film studio as a whole face quite a few difficulties in attempting to save their film The
Dancing Caviler, and they have to stay resilient and overcome these hardships creatively
in order to find success. Cosmos lighthearted pep talk in the musical number Make Em
Laugh gives a great depiction of one of the manners that the characters in Singin in the
Rain find resilience. In addition, comedy is still a medium that our current culture today
is able to use in order to stay resilient. Still today there can be extensive hardship and

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finding ways to stay positive and creative and find success through that difficulty is
something most of us are still trying to learn how to do. Another component of the film
that connects to current culture is the idea of the self-made man versus those who are
given success in life without having to exert much effort. In Singin in the Rain, this is
depicted by the juxtaposition between those like Don Lockwood, Kathy Seldon and
Cosmo Brown and those more similar to Lina Lamont. The resilience, persistence,
gratitude and hard work ethic of those who had to work to make themselves successful
gives a foundation to face problems on. This foundation allows these Don, Kathy and
Cosmo to find creative and innovated solutions to stay successful, whereas Lina Lamont
crumbles under the pressure when she has to work for any measure of success. This issue
still exists in our culture today and I can even see this issue on a day-to-day basis in those
who have worked to obtain their college education and those who havent as well as in
who is succeeding under the pressure of not everything being handed to them.
I found Singin in the Rain to be one of the most enjoyable films I have seen in
quite some time. I have been in musical theatre for many years, but had managed to avoid
watching the movie-musical of all movie-musicals for some time now and I was
delighted to find that I really enjoyed this movie. The movie did not seem archaic or
outdated for the most part, even though it was made many years ago. I found the
characters to be lovable, the musical numbers to be dazzling, and the dancing to be
extraordinary. Though I knew the plotline between Kathy and Don and had seen it done
numerous times in other films, I liked the layered components that differentiated this film
from the normal, such as the film within a film within a film sensation, the antagonist
being a competitive co-worker and the lovable Cosmo Brown. The musical numbers were

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unique in the fact that they progressed the storyline along and I appreciated how they did
not seem out of place or irrelevant. I often found myself admiring the talent that the
actors had and I thought it was a great artistic decision to let their talents flourish with
underdone editing and camera work. The costumes, the play with color, and the framing
of the scenes made each moment vividly characterized, and even if the musical numbers
werent entertaining me, the other visual components in the shots were. It is this attention
to detail, development of storyline, light-hearted and enchanting writing, and musical
numbers that made this film one of my favorites that I have seen in a very long time.
Singin in the Rain is a musical with pizzazz, humor, genuine happiness,
overcoming, and creativity. The manner in which it depicted a crucial turning point in
cinematic history, while simultaneously confronting issues such as fame, celebrity, hard
work, and resilience made the film unique for any period in time in which it may have
been made. To imagine that this kind of film still holds relevancy and is loved in
audiences of today is what makes the film even more incredible. Musicals may not be the
taste of everyone, but I think it is hard to debate the exceptional quality of a movie with
outstanding talent, writing, and visual work, as well as a film with such heart and
lovability like can be found in Singin in the Rain.