Sunday Classics: Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Image: wolfwhistle.org

"What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again..."

It's been a while since the last Sunday Classic. Three months to be exact. So to remedy this poor effort, I have picked my favourite film of all time.

Singin' in the Rain has been featured several times on Ticket Stub: on the Top Ten Dance Sequences in a Film list and, inevitably, in the Top Ten Scenes in the Rain.

Why is it my favourite film of all time? Well, for several reasons.

Firstly, it is a musical.
I love this genre and the film has become one of the ultimate classic film musicals in cinematic history. Full on dance routines, catchy songs, comedy and romance. My favourite!

Check out a snippet from one of the best dance sequences, Broadway Melody:

And another cracking routine and one of the best songs, Good Morning:

Second, it is a film about film-making. 
It's an important movie highlighting the evolution of movies after the introduction of sound: seeing its impact on the studios, audience and actors.

Image: mcphedranbadside.com

Third, Gene Kelly and Donold O'Connor are mesmerizing.
How can you not be in awe of their performances in Moses Supposes, Kelly's infamous Singin' in Rain and O'Connor's Make 'Em Laugh?

Fourth, Debbie Reynolds is a trooper.
In her first on screen role, Gene Kelly was a harsh director and tutor with Reynolds often in tears and left with her feet bleeding after the intense dance rehearsals. But it pays off as her performance is effortlessly charming. (Even if that isn't her real voice singing - ironic to say the least as the film is about her dubbing another actress due to her awful voice!)

Image: dtfst.wordpress.com

It is the perfect Sunday musical movie that I will never ever get bored of. 

It instantly makes me happy and is even more perfect on a rainy afternoon with a large slice of cake.

What's your favourite film of all time?

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Top Ten Scenes in the Rain

Clockwise from top left: Bambi (1942), The Notebook (2004), Forrest Gump (1994), Spiderman (2002) and centre, Singin' in the Rain (1952)

It is getting to that time of year again, where the leaves fall and the rain pours. Therefore, inspired by all the dreadful weather this week, I have chosen my Top Ten Scenes in the Rain.

Adding rain to a scene can immediately make a moment more dramatic, romantic or poignant.
So, here are my top picks...

1. Forrest Gump (1994)

Out in the Vietnam War, Forrest sees all kinds of rain...

2. Bambi (1942) 

A childhood favourite. Not only is the animation adorable but the orchestration and the sound of the choir creating the storm is remarkable.

3. Pride & Prejudice (2005)

This is as close as we get to seeing Matthew MacFadyen as Mr Darcy in a wet shirt...but the chemistry between Darcy and Lizzie is evident here, made all the more dramatic with the rumbles of thunder between their dialogue.

4. The Notebook (2004)

Everyone wants to be kissed in the rain. Especially if it is with Ryan Gosling looking splendid with a beard.

5. Garden State (2004)

Screaming into the infinite abyss in the pouring rain with Simon and Garfunkel on the soundtrack. How could  you not love this moment? If you like the sound of Garden State, check out the Saturday Soundtrack I did back in August.

6. Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The rain, thunder and lightning fits perfectly to show Andy's release of freedom and triumph. Surely one of the best scenes.

7. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Another wonderful kissing scene in the rain from the classic Breakfast at Tiffany's. There are indeed several kissing scenes in the rain on this list, which leads me onto number eight...

8. Spiderman (2002)

Although the film itself was rather unmemorable, the upside-down kiss in the pouring rain has become one of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history.

9. Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Poor Marianne. This scene truly shows her heartbreak after learning that the man she loves, Willoughby, is engaged to another woman.

10. Singin' in the Rain (1952)

No list could be without this scene. It made the Top Ten Dance Sequences in a Film list earlier this month, and it would be a crime not to include it here.You would never guess that Gene Kelly performed this scene with a 103°F fever!

What are your favourite scenes in the rain?

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Top Ten Dance Sequences in a Film

From top left: Pulp Fiction (1994), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), The Artist (2011) and below (500) Days of Summer (2009)

As Strictly Come Dancing waltzes back onto our TV screens, I have been inspired to pick my top ten favourite dance sequences in a film and ask what your favourites are too...

1. Singin' in the Rain (1952)

I wish I could pick every dance sequence in this film. I was seriously struggling to choose between the crazy tap dancing Moses Supposes and the unbelievable spectacle of Broadway Melody but it has to go the most iconic scene not only of the film but in Hollywood's cinematic history. 

The title song Singin' in the Rain performed by Gene Kelly. It immediately makes me want the heavens to open so I can splash in puddles, twirl my umbrella and have not a care in the world...except the strange looks from passers by...

2. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

The climactic ballroom sequence with Pat (Bradley Cooper) and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) is one of the big highlights in the film. The couple need to just get an average score of 5/10 so his father can win a parlay against his gambling friend. According to choreographer, Mandy Moore, Cooper had "some real natural dancing ability" whereas Lawrence described herself as "a dad at prom". The Oscar winner certainly does not look like that here in one of the most charmingly quirky dance sequences.

3. (500) Days of Summer (2009)

I love this dance sequence because it is completely unexpected. The scene takes on a whole new genre suddenly as we see Tom's character on top of the world the morning after he finally has sex with Summer. The blue bird is genius and the music by Hall & Oates fits perfectly. Plus, it has Joseph Gordon-Levitt dancing...what's not to love?

4. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

In an attempt to save Pedro's campaign for class president, Napoleon dances to Jamiroquai's Canned Heat. Clearly, those lanky Michael Jackson-esque moves work. The entire hall gives Napoleon a standing ovation and Pedro becomes president. Could this campaigning technique be used in real politics? I definitely think we should see this in the next presidential election. No? Maybe not then...

5. Mary Poppins (1964)

Mary Poppins is the first Disney classic out of two on this list. Leaping between the rooftops of Edwardian London before descending on Mr Bank's town house, the energy of Bert and all the chimney sweeps is infectious. Also, Julie Andrew's head spins at a hypnotizing speed...

6. Pulp Fiction (1994)

It's become one of the top dance scenes: John Travolta and Uma Thurman doing the twist. Simple. Tarantino tells a very interesting story on The Graham Norton Show on how their twists came about.

7. The Artist (2011)

Harking back to the old silent cinema days, The Artist tells the story of George Valentin, a silent cinema star who's career is soon to be shattered by the 'talkies' and the rising star Peppy Miller. This dance sequence is at the very end of the movie. Sound reappears for the tap dancing number which has echoes of the great Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. In fact, the two lead actors Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo rehearsed for five months in the same studio as Kelly and Reynold's did for Singin' in the Rain. 

8. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

The best dance sequence in this childhood classic has to be Me Ol' Bamboo. Dick Van Dyke's character is running away from a very unhappy customer left with the most ridiculous haircut after his hair-cutting contraption fails at the fair. Attempting to find an escape, he manages to pass as one of the performers in a sing and dance show, trying to keep up with their intense routine. Van Dyke has said that this was the most difficult dance he ever did on screen and you can see why. Hats off to him!

9. Pride & Prejudice (2005)

From the energetic number in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, to the sedate and elegant dance found in Joe Wright's Pride & Prejudice. Lizzie Bennett and Mr Darcy's dance at the Netherfield ball is full of heat and tension despite the calm slowness of dance itself. 

10. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

The final pick and the second Disney classic. Beauty and the Beast's ballroom dance is the perfect romantic  moment, with the swooping shot from the golden chandelier to the couple below. All accompanied by the legendary Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts singing the title song. Beautiful.

I want to know what your favourite dance sequences are! 

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