Finally, a billboard proclaims that don and kathy are costars of the new monumental film singin in the rain. In the movies, this film seems to say, anything is possibleand almost none of it is true. Singin in the rain is a metamusical it explores the transition of a movie studio from silent film to sound, all set to a musical script. It took some time, but i would really like to do it with other movies.
Reflexivity in singin in the rain film analysis at the. It lets us know that the main characters are actors in the movie. Singin in the rain 1952 is an american musical film starring gene kelly, donald oconnor and debbie reynolds. Singin in the rain was originally released in 1952, until it concealed by another prestigious film called, an american in paris. Singing in the rain analysis film studies essay free essay. I wrote this analysis for one of my film classes and had a bawl doing. Singin in the rain is a musical film, interweaving the characters and songs to advance the plot. Sep 27, 20 within the classic hollywood musical, singin in the rain, there are many historical references associated with the birth of the talkies. This film has a generally joyful and uplifting mood throughout, somewhat of a norm for musicals. These sets are examples of miseenscene within the world of singing in the rain, and are all constructed to show the audience everything that went into the making of a film during this time. Oct 02, 2017 singing in the rain analysis film studies essay read this full essay for free. Robert van deering timothy robinson eng 2300 september 26, 20 there are several reasons why the film, singin in the rain was created when it was.
Nov 20, 2018 being a revolutionary thing in cinema, of course, theres going to be technical difficulties along the way. It did well at the box office, but won no academy awards and was on no critics yearend lists of best films. Lina runs off screaming, and an embarrassed kathy starts to leave the theater, until don tells the audience that she is the real star of the film and has her join him in a song. The inciting incident is when moving pictures are produced with sound. Singin in the rain emerged in the early 1950s, when the industry had achieved a mature distance from its silent origins, and its possible this film helped promote the idea that with. You have to put the light behind the rain so that the raindrops show. Analysis of a scene when i was little my parents showed me the infamous scene in singin in the rain where gene kelly, in a moment of genuine happiness, dances and sings on the side of a street in the pouring rain. For all these reasons, it serves as a fitting culmination to this course. This film tells us that in 1927 film was a business that was booming. Film analysis singin in the rain acting technique shane lawrence. Singin in the rain, by including a character like lina, whose voice does not match her appearance, capitalizes on the comical ironies of a film industry in which sound doesnt exist, and the ways that the absence of sound could create an even more illusory and deceptive pantheon of stars, ones who did not quite live up to their own hype. Voice and sound in singin in the rain ufilm analysis blog. Donen got an honorary oscar in 1998, and stole the show by singing cheek to cheek while dancing with his statuette.
First of all, we have a lengthy flashback right out of the gate, as don tells dora bailey his life story. Film analysis singin in the rain acting technique youtube. However, singing in the rain closely follows what classical hollywood film is supposed to be and a clockwork orange definitely tests the idea. Singin in the rain s ingin in the rain 1952 is a metamusical which captures the struggle a silent film production company has in the process of transitioning into talkies films with actual sound dialogue between characters.
Love and music in singin in the rain film music notes. Two film stars go through trials and tribulations to create a talkie for their upcoming film. Singin in the rain is a 1952 moviemusical all about the movies, including musicals. Being a revolutionary thing in cinema, of course, theres going to be technical difficulties along the way. Essay singing of the rain directed by gene kelly and stanley donen. The case of singing in the rain demonstrates how the popular film, which has endured in value over the years to achieve canonical status as a classic, changes in its meaning. Don tells the crowd all about his cultured, utterly refined upbringing, while flashbacks reveal that hes lying his pants off. Rain illustrates the qualities of the classical hollywood narrative. Unbeknownst to lina, as she starts singing, don, cosmo and r. Film historian ron haver, who does the scenebyscene commentary on an alternate sound track of the laserdisc, points out that singin in the rain was not immediately hailed for its greatness. In other words, singin in the rain is all up in the movie businesss, well, businessso why not end the picture on a reference to the picture itself.
The functions of sound in the film singin in the rain. The gaudy, overthetop, and arduously rehearsed musical numbers add to the films reflexivity. Mar 19, 2012 s ingin in the rain 1952 is a metamusical which captures the struggle a silent film production company has in the process of transitioning into talkiesfilms with actual sound dialogue between characters. We seldom get a word of their own analysis, so driven are they to marrying the rich lode of earlier writings on the film to the defense of their thesis, genuine if not very original, that singin in the rain is, as their title announces, an american masterpiece. This statistic can be attributed to the musical numbers that it incorporates. But from another, it is an exploration of false exteriors covering a deeper truth beneath. The dialogue was very witty, especially amongst don, kathy, and cosmo.
Instead of rain he says oil to fit the films theme, and emulates gene kellys iconic swing on the lamppost. It changed how the movie business was run, and it proved a test for the actors who only knew. Kelly was the mastermind behind the final form of the singin in the rain number, according to wollens study. I feel it is important to define the word classic as it will be used here. May 04, 2019 thank you for watching the summary of singing in the rain. Even though singing in the rain is an old movie, and there are more and more good movies coming out which have brilliant technology skill and computer effort, i want to say that it is a movie that you will not feel regret to watch, even over and over again. Singin in the rain is a 1952 american musical romantic comedy film directed and choreographed by gene kelly and stanley donen, starring kelly, donald oconnor, and debbie reynolds. Singing in the raina is an american comedy musical movie starringa gene kelly, a debbie reynolds, a donald oconnora anda jean hagen, a and directed by gene kelly anda stanley donen. It was enjoyable to watch, particularly because it was comedic in nature. Apr 18, 2014 even though the song singing in the rain was used many times in japanese commercials and familiar with me, this is the first time for me to watch the singing in the rain as a film and i realized this film has not only the singing in the rain but also other memorable impressive songs.
It offers a amusing word picture ofa hollywood, and its passage froma. It address the conflict between television and film industry. Apr 17, 2014 these sets are examples of miseenscene within the world of singing in the rain, and are all constructed to show the audience everything that went into the making of a film during this time. Singin in the rain cinema and media studies oxford. A parody of the number singin in the rain was featured in the 2005 animated film robots where fender robin williams breaks out singing and dancing after dropping off a date. I have to give credit to jim emersons blog post on some of the greatest long takes in cinema history for this weeks observations on a shot inspiration. This film has stood the test of time as one of great classics.
When kathy tries to run away as well, don has her stopped and introduces the audience to the real star of the film. Also, another threat to the film industry was the greater highculture pretensions posed to films that were just for. Singin in the rain 1952 is one of the mostloved and celebrated film musicals of all time from mgm, before a mass exodus to filmed adaptations of broadway plays emerged as a standard pattern. A couple of traits about this genre is that there are song and dance routines and the main cast does a lot of the singing. The implicit meaning of the film would be adapting to a changing world. On march 27, 1952, mgm hosted the premiere for singin in the rain at radio city music hall in new york. As a musical ive never seen anything so perfectly in tune i can see how many directors have been influenced by the soul of this gorgeous movie. Apr 30, 2015 film analysis singin in the rain acting technique shane lawrence.
It was made directly for film, and was not a broadway adaptation. In the movie, the opening sequence began with gene, donald and debbie dressed in yellow raincoat, singing and dancing the song singing in the rain. Singin in the rain is often cited not only in research into the studio system mgm in particular and as an arthur freed production of the producerunit system, but also in cinematic analysis of almost. An example of the construction of miseenscene within the film is the scene in which don confesses his love for kathy. The film, starring gene kelly and debbie reynolds, was nominated for two oscars at the 25th. After the indepth analysis of two scenes from the film signin in the rain, it is now evident that directors gene kelly and stanley donen utilize the cinematic.
Vintage movie stars vintage movies rain costume retro bob pictures of mary mary pickford singing in the rain silent film celebrity hairstyles. Thank you for watching the summary of singing in the rain. The real meaning behind the creation of singin in the rain. Gene kelly old hollywood movies classic hollywood hollywood hills vintage movies old movies rain costume donald oconnor film inspiration. It stars don lockwood and lina lamont, two of the brightest silent film stars in hollywood. The film, starring gene kelly and debbie reynolds, was. What the cinematography did for actors singing in the.
The 1952 film, singing in the rain was directed by gene kelly and stanley donen. The longer you look at singin in the rain, the more the films actors start to blur into the characters they play. Also, another threat to the film industry was the greater highculture pretensions posed to films that were just for entertaining. Apr 19, 2011 singin in the rain is a metamusical it explores the transition of a movie studio from silent film to sound, all set to a musical script. It helped me come to grips with the film like i have never before. It is able to stand on its own, even without the dance numbers. Marketing singing in the rain 1952 marketing initial budget. From one point of view, the classic 1952 film musical singin in the rain is a comical take on hollywoods transition from the silent to the sound era in the late 1920s.
During you are my lucky star, the last number, the film fades from don singing to kathy in profile, to a drawing of his profile, then zooms out to reveal a billboard for a movie starring both don and kathy, also titled singin in the rain. It offers a lighthearted depiction of hollywood in the late 1920s, with the three stars portraying performers caught up in the transition from silent films to. Within the classic hollywood musical, singin in the rain, there are many historical references associated with the birth of the talkies. Singin in the rain starts off at the 1927 premiere of the new monumental pictures film the royal rascal. Singin in the rain makes no attempt to make its audience believe it is in any way an exercise in psychological realism or naturalistic acting. Sep 26, 20 robert van deering timothy robinson eng 2300 september 26, 20 there are several reasons why the film, singin in the rain was created when it was.
Singin in the rain shows that hollywood and show business are built on illusions. The original screenplay placed it later in the film and assigned it to all three stars who can be seen singing it together under the opening titles. The movie is set in 1927 and it takes a look at hollywoods reaction when the sound was first introduced and used into the film production industry. An example of the construction of miseenscene within the film. Exploring singin in the rains costume designs helen. Film analysis of singing in the rain 26 words 6 pages. Film analysis of singing in the rain 26 words bartleby. The varieties of commentary represented by the entries in this bibliography show that it has also become the site of serious film study. This film has a generally joyful and uplifting mood throughout, somewhat of. Singin in the rain s ingin in the rain 1952 is a metamusical which captures the struggle a silent film production company has in the process of transitioning into talkiesfilms with actual sound dialogue between characters. The movie is about dom lockwood and lina lamont, two superstars from silent film movies.
As a satire, it deconstructs the movie trade and finds humor in the truth about the industrys shortcomings. Singin in the rain codirector stanley donen explained in this directors guild association column, there have been a lot of stories about how we put milk in the water so you could see the rain. Of course, since i am not a film major, i didnt notice a lot of the technical things that you pointed out. Singing in the rain analysis film studies essay free. Film streams is a 501c3 nonprofit organization in omaha, nebraska. Lockwood could have been ruined as an actor with the new development of sound in film making but instead he found a way to use his old talents to become a star as a musical actor. Although i cant remember what age i was when i first witnessed this classic moment in. The shot this scene during the day and had to stretch huge tarps over city blocks to make it night. Singin in the rain stands as a supreme example of evolution in this technique as is evident in the selective editing and use of long shots in numbers. Dont let the fact that singin in the rain is a bright and shiny musical fool you. Don escaping the groupie brigade and winding up in the codriver seat of kathys car. Film essay singin in the rain by lorne graham, national affiliate program manager, nemc as a professional musician and film lover, i will offer recommendations to visitors to the website on musicbased films that are inspiring, joyous, artistic, and exhibit fine filmmaking. Huge assortment of examples to help you write an essay.
This study guide consists of approximately 20 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of singin in the rain. Dec 29, 2016 on march 27, 1952, mgm hosted the premiere for singin in the rain at radio city music hall in new york. Buster keaton practiced a strict standard of space and movement within an environment and extended that focus to the space and movement within the frame of the camera lens. One of the most expertly lit scenes in the film is the classic singin in the rain number. It was codirected by stanley donen, then only 28, and kelly, who supervised the choreography. Singin in the rain has gradually grown in popularity and appeal. Apr 05, 2020 singin in the rain is my favorite movie that is not apart of a series aka the lord of the rings.
Gene kelly, like don lockwood, was an alist leading man with a slightly bloated ego, and debbie reynolds, like kathy selden, was a 19yearold ingenue in her first starring role. Singin in the rain music analysis singin in the rain kellydonan, 1952 is known to be one of best musicals ever made and one of the funniest movies of its time. If we look at the film and break it down, we can see that the elements that make it so great are partly unique to the time of its. It starred gene kelly who also served as choreographer as the popular, but humble, silent film star don lockwood. Make em laugh in particular has a series of long shots to display the ever increasing physical choreography along with some select full and medium shots to bring focus to donald o.
Analysis of singin in the rain essay 1112 words bartleby. Singing in the rain and a clockwork orange are both classical hollywood films. Final cue of they both kissing in front of a huge billboard advertising the film singin in the rain with don lockwood and kathy selden. Singin in the rain uses popular music of its time that people may already be familiar with. Whether its shaggy like siennas, sleek like jourdans or curled like emmas, the bob is the alist hairstyle to have at the. Film analysis of singing in the rain by john lockwood 827 words 4 pages. I had read and heard so much about it over the years that i knew i was going to be disappointed. May 06, 2012 the original scoremusical numbers, the era and the characters all emphasized sound in singin in the rain. Sep 25, 2015 the final image is when don and kathy are standing and kissing in front of the billboard with their film singin in the rain on it.
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