A week ago, I shared the wonder of seeing a classic film on
the big screen. This past Thursday, I was once again able to do that with all
my ‘daughters.’ We participated in the
Turner Classic Films one-night nation-wide showing of Singing in the Rain (sponsored by Fathom Events). The house was packed. It
was wonderful to see men, women, young and old, seasoned SITR veterans to first-timers. There were families and ‘party’
groups just all there to enjoy seeing the picture on the big screen, and we all
there knew other people in other locations were doing the same right along with
us.
This showing was to celebrate the 60th
anniversary of the premiere of Singing in the Rain. The digitally restored film premiered in
April at the annual TCM Film Festival, so we were privy to an interview of
Debbie Reynolds by the renowned Robert Osborn.
It included
archival interviews with Donald O’Connor, Cyd Charisse, and Gene Kelly's widow,
Patricia Ward Kelly.
As a seasoned musical lover, I enjoyed learning new insights and
trivia, adding to my adoration of the genre, as well as these legendary
performers. Their hard work and perseverance
have made this film be named AFI’s #1 Musical and secured these faces as "shimmering, glowing
stars in the cinema firmament." * Every one of those on the screen are now
legendary. Not only Gene, Donald, and
Debby, but also Jean Hagen was also a class act and brought her ‘dumb blonde’
Lina Lamont to life.
Kathleen Freeman as
the dialog coach, Phoebe Dinsmore – love her! - a consummate character actress.
When Rita Moreno (Zelda) is on screen, you can’t take your eyes off of her! No
wonder she eventually won an Oscar, a Tony, and an Emmy! And Cyd Charisse? (My dad always said she had
the ‘best legs in the business!’) Um…yes!
When she and Gene dance in the “Gotta’ Dance” numbers? You could literally
feel the heat come off the screen – sex may have been under more control in
1952, and the film may be rated G, but you can’t generate that kind of’ steam
today – Whoa!
To
see the costumes and tiny details that otherwise get overlooked when watching
on a home screen was fantastic! From the
brocade fabrics & buttons, to all the wig work and time period components
that make this film universally loved, I was overwhelmed at times, not to mention some of the best song and dance numbers assembled into one film!
A couple of years ago, I took tap dancing
lessons. For two reasons mainly: to do something I had never done and had
always wanted to do, and to appreciate that hard work that some of my favorite
films stars could do and appear to make easy.
I often watch my dancing films just at the ‘foot level,’ (since I’ve
seen them so many times, I can watch for different things each time now), and
with the big screen showing, I could ‘up close and personal’ watch the mastery
with which the dancing was executed. My
appreciation goes deeper even more so now.
Lastly,
it was a pleasure to be part of these applause; we all knew those on screen couldn’t
hear us, but we were appreciative of what we just saw and wanted to give our thanks. That made it all worthwhile.
“What a grand, what a glorious feeling! I’m happy again!” **
*Lina Lamont, Singing
in the Rain
** Singin' in the Rain
(1929) (uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown, Lyrics
by Arthur Freed
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