Rewatching *SINGIN IN THE RAIN* (1952) | MUSICALS IN MARCH

Hey Everyone! Had to take this down and re-edit for coryright purposes. Thank you so much for your patience :)
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Hello Everybody! Happy Thursday!
Today we are finishing our Musicals in March series with the MUSICAL OF MUSICALS!!! We are watching SINGIN IN THE RAIN (1952)! I have been looking forward to this moment since the beginning of the month!
In our next video, we will be starting our new monthly series with THE APARTMENT! So, y'all know the deal, make sure to check out the movie beforehand, then come ready with all of your movie facts so we can talk about it in the comments :)
As always, please like and subscribe! Stay safe and healthy out there!
XOXO,
Mia Tiffany
follow me @mamamiatiffany
#singinintherainreaction
#classicmoviereaction
#movieswithmia
FULL VIDEO RUNDOWN
00:00 Intro
00:26 Film Background
00:42 Quick Synopsis
01:31 Historical Background
02:53 Interesting Facts
03:45 Film Reaction
43:56 Final Thoughts
44:28 Outro
44:56 Next Month's Series!
Original Source: Singin in the Rain (1952) MGM Studios
Copyright disclaimer under section 107 of the copyright act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

[@philipmay3548]

My favorite piece of trivia from "Singin in the Rain". In the scene where it shows Kathy dubbing Lina's lines, the mature voice you hear belongs to Jean Hagan (who played Lina). So, yes, reality was the opposite of the movie - Lina was dubbing Kathy.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Hahaha! Wow that is so cool! Yeah, definitely shocking!

[@ulriket7899]

Since you were referring to stuntmen and silent movies: an absolute MUST-WATCH is a Buster Keaton film. He was the inspiration for so many things in modern movies and stunt work. And an absolute legend!!!!

[@franciscogarza9633]

one my favorite musical movies of all time, it's clever incisive and funny singin in the rain is a masterpiece of the classical Hollywood musical, SINGIN IN THE RAIN (1952) 100/100% Certified Approved ☑️ Don Lockwood: 🎵 I'm singing in the rain just singing in the rain What a glorious feeling im happy again I'm laughing at clouds so dark up above the sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love let the stormy clouds Chase everyone from the place come on with the rain I've a smile on my face I walk down the lane with a happy refrain im dancing and singing in the rain 🎵.

[@thomast8539]

Amazing. A YT reviewer is actually bucking the trend and not reviewing the Marvel films, Star Wars or the Princess Bride. Thumbs up for just being unique.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you Thomas :) And thank you for watching :)

[@randywhite3947]

Yup

[@Bfdidc]

@@MoviesWithMia The whole transition from silent movies to talkies is a subject in Sunset Boulevard. It's well worth covering if you haven't done so.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Oh yeah!! We are watching that for our film noir month!!!

[@TinaTheNaughtyDragon]

I'd love to see you review the greatest Show on Earth. For a silent movie the gold rush.

[@RetroRobotRadio]

Number hearing that Bella Lugosi was one of the actors who had difficulty transitioning from silent film to talkies. He always played a romantic lead but when films went to talking he had a thick accent. He was able to play Dracula because Dracula had a thick accent but he had difficulty playing any romantic leads after film started talking.

[@paintedjaguar]

I've just rewatched "Fiddler On the Roof" (1971), which is a worthy companion to such films as "The Sound of Music", "Singin' in the Rain", and "West Side Story". I honestly don't recall how many times I've seen it, but it's been a few years and I had rather forgotten just what an impressive piece of cinema it is. The soundtrack is memorable of course (I hadn't realized it was adapted by John Williams), but the performances, both acting and singing, and the art direction, choreography and cinematograpy are all impeccable - a real feast for both eyes and ears. I've heard people talk about how great Zero Mostel was doing the lead role on Broadway but I really have a hard time seeing anyone but Topol in the role, it's so much his movie. The rest of the cast is uniformly good too, even the smaller side characters. Watching this reminded me that I used to have an LP album of the soundtrack, including some dialogue. Back in the olden times before home video that was about the only way to re-experience a movie unless one was lucky enough to catch a cut up pan and scan version on TV. We'd listen to a record over and over and remember what we'd seen and felt in the theater. Although it's a musical, this movie is right up there with other epic films of the time like "Lawrence" or "Zhivago". Besides the music and dance, there's comedy and romance mixed in with some serious drama. If you haven't ever seen this one, or haven't seen it lately, do yourself a favor and set aside a movie night. The runtime is just over 3 hours and the pace is quick enough to demand your full attention. At the time of this posting, it's free to watch on UToob.

[@drzarkov39]

Jean Hagen was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actress. Jean Hale is fantastic, and steals every scene she's in. She went on to be nominated three times for an Emmy for playing Danny Thomas' wife in "Make Room For Daddy".

[@JoseChavez-rf4ul]

Another wonderful rewatch, Mia. As you mentioned, the fact that Gene Kelly performed the titular number while burning up with a fever speaks to his ultimate professionalism as the quintuple threat he was: lead actor/singer/dancer/choreographer/co-director. He was basically shouldering the whole production (not to take anything away from his magnificent team in front of and behind the camera - but, you know, someone’s got to guide the train to its destination). And I agree that that number would not have reached its legendary status if it hadn’t been performed as a solo. After all, I think the intimacy of the setting is what elevates it to such poetry... it’s just one solitary individual expressing himself openly and authentically, with Mother Nature as his only audience. Simple yet profound. And now that we know the backstory, there’s something about a man performing with a 103 degree fever, smiling defiantly in the face of stormy weather that’s, well... How can that not be inspiring? Heck, by the time he’s stomping around in the puddles, it’s almost-kinda punk rock! - no wonder an officer has to ultimately shut it down... it must be illegal to be having so much fun. Gene Kelly’s moves are graceful and iconic - but they wouldn’t mean half as much if they weren’t matched by his charisma ‘cause that’s a million dollar smile if ever there was one (and I believe that’s a big reason that clip gets shown as much as it does, especially the close-up). This film is spectacular on so many levels, but the reason it may endure forever is probably this: Of the nearly 500,000 films currently in existence, I can’t think of another film that’s as consistently joyful from beginning to end as this one. And that’s an amazing accomplishment. Each number keeps outdoing the last. “Make ‘em Laugh” is such a showstopper that most movies would have reached its peak by then. And yet this film manages to keep going and keep changing gears. And all of its high energy is beautifully balanced by its soft and tender moments as well. This is a time capsule film. It captures the spirit of a time and place as well as anything I can think of. And as usual, your reaction was done with style and class. Thanks for letting us all be a part of it. ~ respectfully.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Jose, are you a writer? Because the way you describe certain elements of these films is absolutely poetic! I completely agree with everything you say! Seriously, thank you for comments! I always look forward to reading them 😊. I am so happy to be sharing these films and reactions with all of you! Thank you for watching :)

[@JoseChavez-rf4ul]

Thanks for those really nice things you said, Mia. 😊 I try to write when I can (story and script ideas, etc.). It’s hard to find the time while currently juggling a day job (which I find challenging but rewarding). However, it’s not hard to share my thoughts and ideas in here. In fact, it’s so much fun because your enthusiasm is so natural and contagious so it’s a really cool vibe. Keep up the great work. :)

[@cpete2976]

Well said!! 👍 it is such a joyful movie and it has such energy. Mia - you're right - it is timeless, because is is so excellently executed and partly because it's about events that transpired in 1929, 22-odd years before Singin'was made.

[@johnfraley8544]

I love that you love it so much. One of my Manny favorites. In the dubbing scenes, when they play back the Kathy Lena dub that is actually Jean Haven't real voice. How she managed Lenses shriek, I'll never know.

[@MoviesWithMia]

NO WAY!!! That is so cool! Wow!! I am shocked!! Her voice is beautiful! Wow haha!!

[@NateConklin]

“Singing in the rain” or “raindrops keep fallin’ on my head” : the go-to songs I sing when outside and it starts raining. 🤗

[@armandoucles5346]

I’m 38 years old and I’ve been a fan of Gene Kelly’s since I was I was a little boy. I remember being in grade school during recess and it was raining 🌧 hard. I was stomping and jumping in the rain like Gene Kelly and I got in trouble for that. But I didn’t care, I wanted to be Gene Kelly and I did it 💯💯💯

[@ead630]

I had grown up watching Debbie Reynolds on the Disney Channel movie "Halloweentown", and I was surprised when I first saw this movie to learn that it was the same actress!

[@MoviesWithMia]

Omg! I had watched this movie first and then Halloweentown and I was shook! I couldn’t believe it was Debby Reynolds! I absolutely love her!!

[@456loveluck]

Yes

[@parissimons6385]

Enjoying a number of your reactions to Hollywood classic movies! And you mentioned during this reaction that you were wondering about the darker side of the transition from silent movies to talkies. Here's a related movie recommendation for you: Sunset Boulevard. And you may want to see that one after some other noir, and suggest starting with John Huston's directorial debut, The Maltese Falcon. Btw, Huston acted in a modern noir, taking on a very dark role in Chinatown... And if you want to see the darker side of the Broadway theatre scene through a classic movie - with several great lead roles for actresses, please consider screening All About Eve. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm for great old movies with all of us!

[@cimarronwm9329]

I was able to see the whole rewatch, yay. Looking forward to The Apartment. I recommend To Kill a Mockingbird. It won Oscars for Gregory Peck, adapted screen play and set decoration.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Oh! I am so glad you were able to see the full reaction! Yes! Thank you for recommending! I will definitely take a look at To Kill a Mockingbird! It has been recommended in the comments!

[@schenzy]

Vaudeville started as a light hearted variety show somewhere in the 1870s and died out during the depression. It was a variety show with different acts, each lasting around 5 to 10 minutes. There was comedy, singing, dancing, juggling, acrobatics, ventriloquism, magic, funny skits, stand up comedy, even famous people just telling stories about their career, such as Babe Ruth, Mark Twain and Will Rogers. Several Vaudeville companies would take their entire show on the road and tour the country, performing anywhere there was a theatre. It was like a circus, only it was performed at a theatre instead of a tent. (Sometimes including animal acts such as dogs jumping through hoops, etc) since the acts were constantly changing from night to night, they couldn’t print up programs, so they would have an easel on the side of the stage with a stack of huge cardboard signs introducing the next act. In between acts, a pretty girl would go over and take the current card, and place it in the back of the pile. The card underneath was for the next act.

[@MoviesWithMia]

This reminds me of the musical Chicago! Which I am now realizing was a string of Vaudeville performances 😅 wow! I wish they still did something like this! That would be so much fun!

[@kamthornhill477]

Vaudeville style shows did continue but rather than traveling shows they were in stationary theaters... Many of these vaudeville performers think Abbott and Costello transitioned to the movies and later to TV which I think really killed vaudeville as the variety shows moved to TV in the mid 1950s to mid 1970s ) so why go to the theater for those acts (this was roughly the time period that theater shows switched to musical numbers accompanied by full orchestras that were not as affordable/capable of doing with the smaller stages.)

[@johnnehrich9601]

Vaudeville was a product of the technical innovation of railroads and street cars. It was practical for an act to finish a performance, hop a train, and be in another town with minimum hassle of just a few hours. Traveling by stage coach meant a much greater percentage of your time was devoted to travel, instead of being on stage and making money. Horse-drawn street cars and electrified trolleys provided a much larger audience base for any given theater. A trolley, for instance, traveling at 30 mph vs. walking/carriage of 3 mph, draws on an audience 10x10 or 100x times the area. Trolies made a la carte restaurants, department stores and professional sports teams an economic possibility too. Radio and of course movies spelled the death knell for vaudeville.

[@Ceractucus]

My favorite bit of trivia for this movie is that when Kathy does the dub for Lina Lamont the actress Debbie Reynolds didn't have a good enough singing voice so they dubbed someone for Kathy's voice, and that singer was Jean Hagen. None other than the woman who plays Lina Lamont.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yes! Someone else explained that in the comments 😂 that is so cool! I was genuinely shocked when I heard that! Wow she has such a beautiful voice!

[@JLynnEchelon]

That's an amazing fact. Thank you for sharing.

[@ellen6638]

@@MoviesWithMia It was actually a singer named Betty Noyes who dubbed the singing voice Jean Hagen dubbed the speaking voice.

[@ead630]

When I first watched Singin' In the Rain, I was thrown off at first by the whole concept scene for the "modern part of the picture", but after rewatching a few times, I now think it is one of the film's best moments.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Me too! As I was editing, I thought the same thing 😂

[@ericjanssen394]

Originally, the script showed them making The Dancing Cavalier, and O’Connor’s character got to do his old act with Kelly in the movie, finally breaking into Hollywood. But Gene Kelly’s artistic ballet in “An American in Paris” had just won the Oscar, and MGM felt they needed another Kelly ballet to top it.

[@Kris.K610]

One of the little details I noticed later was that the fight scene from the silent film in Singin in the Rain was fully taken from The Three Musketeers, which Gene Kelly also starred in. Pretty neat! My dad was born in the 1940s, so I grew up watching a lot of old films with him. He passed away almost a year ago, and when I was looking up clips from The Thin Man movies (which were some of our favorites) I stumbled across your channel. It's been a real treat watching someone else enjoying a genre that holds so many good memories😊

[@Hawk170122]

These guys were strong and in shape. Their movements are effortless. For them to seemingly float and glide takes a lot of core strength! Amazing!

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yes! I couldn’t agree more with you! So many great performances!

[@chag1pyk5]

You are so right! Gene Kelly is the only person I can think of that looks like he's moving even though he's absolutely still

[@moviebliss3893]

Perfect timing, yesterday was Debbie Reynolds birthday! My wife and I watched her Oscar nominated performance in The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Great movie.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Oh wow! That is amazing! Perfect timing indeed! So cool!

[@Progger11]

I am SO hyped to see your response to The Apartment. It's one kf my favorite movies of all time, and undoubtedly one of the most intellectual comedies ever written. Just a dynamite script.

[@a.g.marshall2191]

For April I recommend "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946), winner of seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director (William Wyler), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Frederic March), and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Harold Russell, who also won a second award for "bringing hope and courage to veterans.") In my opinion, "The Best Years of Our Lives" is one of the finest movies ever made, and its message is just as relevant, just as poignant today as it was in 1946. Keep the tissues handy. Lots of them.

[@paintedjaguar]

That would be an excellent choice.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you for your recommendation :) I will definitely add it to the list :)

[@catherinelw9365]

I third that suggestion! Such a moving film! Always brings tears to my eyes!

[@abevillanueva1974]

At 36:36 and 38:25 entered Hollywood's most beautiful, talented, graceful, and graceful dancer...Cyd Charisse. She was in the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo was she was 15! But, came home due to WWII and eventually got into MGM. Cyd was asked to come in to dance this Broadway Melody scene as Gene thought only she could do it. She just gave birth a few months earlier and also missed out on the leading part in An American in Paris (Leslie Caron) due to her pregnancy. Cyd was so breathtaking!

[@mikesgirl8304]

No celebrity can make my heart flutter like Gene Kelly, my mom would put on these movies when I was little and I just fell in love with him. That was a MAN

[@allcapsROB]

The “Gotta Dance” sequence with Cyd Charisse was part of a very typical formula of 50s musicals. With a few song and dance numbers tied directly into the story throughout the film followed by a BIG dream like sequence near the finale. You’ll find examples of that in films like, On The Town, American in Paris, Daddy Long Legs, etc.

[@amylou22snowhite]

If you ever get the chance, see this on the big screen. The color is so so much more bright and defined. It’s stunning. The movement of the fringe also shows up so much more.

[@Nicole-wj7yq]

The song ''Good Morning'' was actually originally in the Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney film Babes in Arms. The song ''Make Em Laugh'' is also almost 99% plagiarized from the song ''Be A Clown'' from the Judy Garland and Gene Kelly film The Pirate. I guess MGM didn't mind stealing from their own movies? Great reaction to a great movie by the way!

[@jenhalbert3001]

Hell, this was a15 of 10. I've adored this movie since high school (and I'm now 44), it's prettymuch prefect.

[@kruuyai]

My old boyfriend's sister was a Hollywood stunt person (mostly for swimming and diving), but I think she found a new career in pickle-tasting (true story). I read an interview with a stunt double once, and he said that he loved his job and would rather be a stunt double than an actor, because actors only get to pretend to have these experiences, but the stunt doubles get to actually live them.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Oh wow! Thank is cool! Pickle-tasting sounds like a fun job! Also, yeah, if I ever get the chance to be in an action film (or live out my life long dream of being in a Marvel film) I would love to try and do my own stunts! I think it’s so cool when an actor does their own stunts! Stunt people have all of the fun!!!

[@cineclassics2277]

Singin' in the Rain was meta before meta was really a thing. At one sequence in this film, there's a film within a film within a dream sequence. It makes Inception seem like child's play and yet it's also still so seamlessly executed. I truly adore this movie and I think the passage of time has only elevated its stature and importance in film history. It's also just a great feel good film and the one musical I always recommend to folks who aren't fans of musicals. Thanks for reacting! P.S. At the 22:00 mark, you mention the darker exploration of how difficult the transition must have been between silent and talkies---another film released around this same time that explores this is Sunset Boulevard. And it's also very self-aware, with the main actress a former silent film star attempting to make a come back. Highly recommend it.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Haha! Thank you for your insight :) and thank you for recommending Sunset Boulevard! I will DEFINITELY be reacting to this one during our Film Noir Month!!!

[@cineclassics2277]

@@MoviesWithMia oh wow, you're doing a film noir month? That's my favorite genre! Here are a few of my favorites: The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity, Laura, The Woman in the Window, The Big Sleep, Detour, Out of the Past, Nightmare Alley, Sunset Boulevard, Kiss Me Deadly, Touch of Evil.

[@MoviesWithMia]

@@cineclassics2277 wow! Some of the ones you recommended are on the schedule! Sweet! Can’t wait to watch these!!

[@cineclassics2277]

@@MoviesWithMia there are still a few film noirs I have yet to see so I'm catching up on the genre myself. And not sure how familiar you are with the genre, but some of the plots are highly convoluted, purposefully so. If you can figure out what is happening in The Big Sleep let me know 😆

[@collegealgebravideos9540]

A bit of trivia that I learned recently: Toward the end, when Cathy Seldon is dubbing Lena Lamont's voice, Debbie Reynolds only provided the singing voice. It was decided that her speaking voice didn't do well coming from Lena's mouth, so they had Jean Hagen just use her natural speaking voice for the speaking part. It's just so cute, knowing that Jean Hagen is dubbing herself.

[@BlueShadow777]

As far as I’m aware, during the silent movie era the ‘auditioning’ for actors and actresses relied on a number of factors. (Of course, it has to be remembered that the medium of film was a brand new concept and so artistes were not as prevalent as they are today). Silent movie era pre-auditioning criteria: 1. A talent of some sort 2. Luck 3. Looks 4. Fitting a particular part 5. Casting couch 6. Cronyism 7. Probably other things too

[@craigdixon4113]

Yes, all that and I’m sure there were “Harvey Wienstien” types then too, I would point to the Moguls who ran the West Coast operations of the Studios, too.

[@Gravyballs2011]

5:06 This scene with the suits on stage was re-created in Michael Jackson's/Paul McCartney's "Say Say Say" video.

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

Here's the comment I posted before your original upload was blocked. I hope it stays up this time. ******************* Some silent movie actors really did lose their stardom because their voices weren't suitable for talkies. One who did make the transition was ZaSu Pitts, who acted mostly in dramas (such as Greed) during the silent era. She had a funny voice, though, sort of fluttery and unsteady. When talkies came along she transitioned to comedies and character roles. Voice actress Mae Questel is said to have based the voice of Olive Oyl in the Popeye cartoons on ZaSu Pitts. They did have problems with extraneous sounds in early talkies. When they made the Marx Brothers movie The Cocoanuts in 1929, they wet down all the paper props and backdrops to keep them from making crinkling noises. Betty Comden and Adolph Green wrote the song Make 'Em Laugh for Singin' in the Rain. It's almost identical to the song Be a Clown, which Cole Porter wrote for movie The Pirate in 1948 (Gene Kelly was in that one, too). Porter could have sued for copyright infringement, but he let them get away with it. Stanley Donen said, "It was 100% plagiarism." Donald O'Connor was in a lot of movies and TV shows. For some reason, he was cast in a series of movies with Francis the Talking Mule. It was kind of a precursor to Mr. Ed, but without the catchy theme song. The Francis movies are just about unwatchable today. The bit in the fantasy sequence with the tough guy flipping a coin (and later, Cyd Charisse doing the same thing) was a reference to George Raft in the 1932 movie Scarface. His character did that a lot in the movie, and it became part of the actor's image, sort of how the line "All right, all right, all right" is now part of Matthew McConaughey's image. Silent movies I would suggest include: - The General, starring Buster Keaton - Steamboat Bill, Jr., starring Buster Keaton - The Kid, starring Charlie Chaplin - City Lights, starring Charlie Chaplin - The Gold Rush, starring Charlie Chaplin - The Hunchback of Notre Dame, starring Lon Chaney, Sr. - The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney, Sr. - Safety Last, starring Harold Lloyd All of these are very entertaining. The General is one of my favorite movies. I looked through all the movies from before 1970 that won Oscars in major categories (best movie, director, actor, actress, supporting actor, supporting actress, cinematography). Here are some of the best, in my opinion: It Happened One Night (1934) Rebecca (1940) Laura (1944) The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) All About Eve (1950) The Third Man (1950) The African Queen (1951) A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) Roman Holiday (1953) The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) Spartacus (1960) The Hustler (1961) My Fair Lady (1964) Doctor Zhivago (1965) Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) The Graduate (1967) Cool Hand Luke (1967) Bonnie and Clyde (1967) The Lion in Winter (1968) Of all of these, the one I'd most like to see you react to is The Third Man, which I believe is among the best movies ever made. I also love Lawrence of Arabia (1962), but I wouldn't recommend watching that movie on a small screen. You really need to see it projected on a big screen to get the true impact. I'm really looking forward to watching your reaction to The Apartment. It's a favorite of mine. Thanks!

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you, Jeff :) yes hopefully this time it won’t get blocked 😂 thank you for your recommendations :) I will definitely check them out!!

[@EKS511]

I remember watching this for the first time when I was a teenager and having the biggest crush on Gene Kelly. That scene where he sings to Debbie Reynolds on the ladder. 😍 I too wanted him to sing to me like that.

[@iuile]

Donald O'Connor's eyes though, especially in the Moses supposes scene. Such an handsome man.

[@adrianaheiler9794]

Right? It seems everyone is always just gushing over Gene in this, while I instantly fell head over heels for Cosmo!

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

And Donal O'Connor really matches Kelly step for step. Really, how many dancers could keep up with this guy?? O'Connor is amazing!

[@blackiemittens]

O'Connor had beautiful eyes. Seeing this on the big screen during a TCM Fathom Event, was amazing. Especially coming from a smaller TV at home.

[@delinarandoma1053]

On the subject of how some actors didn't make it after the jump to sound, there were also actors who lost their popularity after color movies became predominant. The costumes had to change, suddenly red-heads and blue eyes were sought after, make-up had to change.

[@GrouchyMarx]

Three movies come to mind based on your criteria. "Mr. Roberts" (1955), a comedy-drama set in WWII, nominated for three and won Jack Lemmon an Oscar for best supporting. And he was surrounded by luminaries like Henry Fonda, James Cagney and William Powell in his final film appearance! Another bizarre and incredible movie performance by Gloria Swanson is "Sunset Boulevard" (1950) with William Holden, and is about the movie business. Even stars Cecil B. DeMille playing himself in it. Last is "Sergent York" (1941) that won Gary Cooper best actor, best editing and 9 other nominations including best picture. It's tough picking thru so many good ones, and I'm sure there are so many better ones to consider. BTW, I've ordered The Apartment because I haven't seen it yet; and if the copyright cops are reading this... see you chuckle-heads! Folks will poychase movies that reactors 'r covering so lay off muscle, will ya? LOL! ✌️😎

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thanks, Grouchy, for your recommendations! I will definitely give these films a look!! Let’s hope the Copyright cops don’t catch me this time 😂

[@cpete2976]

Three excellent movies!

[@randywhite3947]

“In an early version of the script, the musical number "Singin' in the Rain" was to be sung by Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor and Gene Kelly on the way back from the flop of a talkie movie. Also, the song "You Were Meant For Me" was not included in that draft. Instead, it was supposed to be Kelly's version of "All I Do Is Dream Of You," which would take place after the party at R.F. Simpson's house, when Kelly chases after Reynolds. The song would have ended up at Kelly's house. The footage of this scene has been lost, but the prerecording is featured on the soundtrack from Rhino. Remaining in the release print is the party sequence where Reynolds and chorus sing and dance a Charleston to "All I Do Is Dream of You."

[@MoviesWithMia]

Wow! Very interesting!

[@catherinelw9365]

Loved this reaction! I can’t recommend The Best Years of Our Lives more strongly, as others have done before. Mia, I confess I also look forward to your nails, haha! I love the color you’re wearing right now. I always have to check out what color nails you have for every reaction! 😂💅🏻💅🏾 Silly me!

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you for your recommendation! I will definitely check Best Years of Our Lives out! YAASS! Thank you so much 🤣 I love fun colors for my nails because why not, right 😊 I love that you look forward to them! You’ve made my day 😊😊

[@randywhite3947]

“The role of the ditzy movie diva Lina Lamont was written with Judy Holliday in mind. Holliday was a close friend of Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and they even modeled the character on routines they had worked up with Holliday back when they were part of a satirical group called The Revuers in New York. Timing was everything, however, and the idea of casting Holliday was vetoed after she hit it big in Born Yesterday (1950). Everyone figured she'd be uninterested in the supporting part but, as it turned out, Jean Hagen, Holliday's understudy on Broadway for "Born Yesterday", got the part. Additionally, both Holliday and Hagen had worked together in Adam's Rib (1949) both in key supporting roles, Hagen playing a woman involved with Judy's husband. Hagen's speech in that film was similar in "pitch" to what she later exhibited as Lina Lamont .”

[@MoviesWithMia]

Wow! Right place, right time for sure!

[@TheKelJacob]

Wow, I had no idea that Hagen was Holliday's understudy for Born Yesterday! No wonder!

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

I haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere, so just wanted to add that one of the primary motivations for Singing in the Rain was Arthur Freed, famous MGM producer, asking for a project that would feature all of his songs. Kelly loved working with Freed and referred to the company of MGM performers that Freed typically worked with as a kind of repertoire company within the studio. After all, An American in Paris was constructed around the melodies of Gershwin, so that's a bit of where the idea was born. Broadway melody and Singing in the Rain were Freed songs used frequently in early Hollywood flicks. Looking over the Freed catalog, the script writers could not really see a plot emerging or a way to modernize them, so they developed a storyline linked to the time period of the songs. A very 1920s/30s feeling became a foundation for the project.

[@kruuyai]

Those costumes are really out there (in the montage), and seeing how much you liked them, I can highly recommend that you see What a Way to Go starring Shirley MacLaine with Paul Newman, Gene Kelley, Dean Martin and Dick Van Dyke (and one other guy) as her various husbands. The costumes she wears when she's married to Paul Newman and the other guy whose name I forgot are probably Edith Head's crowning achievements, and there are so many of them.... really a feast for the eyes.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Awesome! I will definitely have that out :) thank you for recommending :)

[@cpete2976]

Robert Mitchum is the actor you're thinking of - he portrays her millionaire husband who is already a success before she meets him.

[@citydweller99]

And that movie was supposed to be a Marilyn Monroe vehicle before she passed

[@korgkeyboardpro]

Mia, since you are "in the biz" and no doubt you have had vocal training, it's probably obvious to others, but I must compliment you on having a simply beautiful singing voice. Thanks again for sharing even more of your talents!

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you! And one thing that might surprise you…. I haven’t had a single voice lesson! Not one 😂

[@cynthiahenley8692]

It wasn't until I was watching this reaction that I realized that this movie was made at the same point in color films as it was portraying about the invention of sound.... they were breaking ground with color in the same way the dancing cavalier was breaking ground with sound.... they took color to a whole new level.... my husband has not been a fan like I have been but he could not not watch it

[@melenatorr]

A favorite! Thank you for sharing this with us. Vaudeville was sort of like a variety show, with many theaters all over the country, of different quality; and many, many actors made their names there and progressed from that stage to more "legitimate" careers and to film. The Marx Brothers honed their chaotic craft on the circuit, as did WC Fields, Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen, and many, many others. Don and Cosmo are basically street rats scratching their way to accomplishment. I love Don's "Dignity, always dignity" while we get to see what the truth is. Don and Cosmo never really lose that quality either! Jean Hagen, who plays Lena, actually had a lovely speaking voice. She was a serious actress, more familiar in dramas. There's a great TCM filler with Donald O'Connor and he pays special tribute to Hagen, saying that it was a stroke of genius to hire, for this role, a person who knew how to play a character. While what Don says is true about actors, note that he is actually making a play for Debbie Reynolds, and he is using that thought as a "line", and she is not fooled for a second. That's the initial set up for their relationship - slight antagonism, but Don being aware that she has awakened something in him that his brashness and cockiness has allowed him to disregard for a long time. I lost my heart to Donald O'Connor in this movie (I confess, I loved him in this more than Gene Kelly...). And his character is important to Don, keeping him grounded, encouraged, and remembering reality. And of course that "Beautiful Girl" number is important because Cathy is there. Oh you didn't show the favorite scene in our family: "And I cahnt stand him." "An' I cayyint stan'in." - Equalled only by "Yes, yes, yes!" "No, no, no!" I actually feel for Lena here as she struggles to understand what is needed from her. In the Moses number (and I always feel bad for that poor professor, who's just doing his job), watch how O'Connor will occasionally glance over at Kelly to be sure they're in step, and manages to stay in character the whole time. Don's line about being a museum piece calls back to Cathy's earlier jab at him, in the car, a remark he carries with him after and which is the prompt for "Make Them Laugh". That's one huge house that Don has. I want his medieval stuff. I love that he gives his umbrella to a passerby who needs it. Favorite line in our family from Cosmo: "At last! I can start starving and write that symphony...At last! I can stop starving and write that symphony!" The speaking voice dubbing for Lena in the recording session, and which is supposed to be Cathy is actually Jean Hagen herself. So "Lena" is dubbing "Cathy" dubbing Lena. My introduction the the great dancer Cyd Charisse was this number. She gets a marvelous showcase of a starring role in "Silk Stockings", a musical version of "Ninotchka", with Fred Astaire, both must-watches. Charisse was, indeed, a ballet dancer. The coin tossing is a parody of a gesture from George Raft, a 30s actor who played gangsters, and who is rather famous for turning down a bunch of roles taken by Humphrey Bogart instead, leading to Bogart's success. Raft and Bogart play brothers in "They Drive By Night", a very good movie about the difficulties of truckers. The "Everybody Dance" sections from clowny to elegant is a shorthand funny way of showing the different stages of Vaudeville that you were speculating on before. The last stage is kind of Ziegfeld Follies, the pinnacle of the trade. What Lena is trying to do to Cathy is very similar to what Disney imposed on the voice actress for Snow White, Adriana Casellotti. (from the Wikipedia article on Casellotti: n 1935, after a brief stint as a chorus girl and session singer at MGM, Walt Disney hired Caselotti as the voice of his heroine Snow White. She was paid a total of $970 for working on the film (equivalent to $17,251 in 2019). She was not credited and had trouble finding new opportunities later in life. Jack Benny specifically mentioned that he had asked Disney for permission to use her on his radio show and was told, "I'm sorry, but that voice can't be used anywhere. I don't want to spoil the illusion of Snow White." Caselotti had two more jobs in the film business. The first was an uncredited role in MGM's (1939); she provided the voice of Juliet during the Tin Man's song, "If I Only Had a Heart", speaking the line, "Wherefore art thou Romeo?". In 1946, she had an uncredited role in Frank Capra's , singing in Martini's bar as James Stewart was praying.)

[@MoviesWithMia]

Are you able to see the whole video?

[@MoviesWithMia]

I am having the WORST time trying to get this video up 😅

[@MoviesWithMia]

Also, thank you for all of the insight :)

[@melenatorr]

@@MoviesWithMia Hi Mia - I watched the whole thing clear through last night; didn't get a chance yet to watch this iteration (I cheated and copied the comments from last night's watch). But I'll finish my work and watch this one again asap. It's really fun!

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thanks Maria :) I really appreciate it :)

[@roxiegraham8521]

Just found your channel today, and even though this video is a few years old , I hope you will see this comment. I love Gene Kelly musicals and recommend Brigedoon! It seems to be lesser known, but it is quite good. Lots of music and dancing, and Cyd Charris is in it too as the girl from the Scottish Highlands he falls in love with. It's one of my family's classic favorites. My eldest daughter actually got her name from o e of the key songs! Im planning on watching more of your videos now that i have looked through the list as i see several that I enjoy and loom forward to your reaction and insights!

[@vhamacgeek]

Love this film, and of course, the title number. Also a wonder is Kurt Browning’s recreation of the title number on ice. Btw, he also did one duplicating Casablanca. Kurt was a Canadian ice skating champion.

[@rocketdave719]

I'm always skittish when it comes to making recommendations, but The Third Man (1949), Marty (1955) and The Time Machine (1960) are a few Oscar-winning movies made prior to 1970 that come to mind.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Oh no! I encourage you to make recommendations, please because half the time, I have no idea what to watch next 😂 thank you for recommending :) I have The Third Man on the schedule, so we will definitely be watching it!

[@cpete2976]

A definite yes to Marty.

[@andreraymond6860]

@@MoviesWithMia I second Marty'. What a wonderful character piece.

[@Divamarja_CA]

I’d even piggyback off Marty, and recommend The Catered Affair, with Borgnine, Bette Davis, Debbie Reynolds and Rod Taylor, based off a Paddy Chayefsky story. Great stuff; working class New Yorkers at a turning point of their lives. Good stuff.

[@lisathuban8969]

So, according to Wiki, Vaudeville is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition or light poetry, interspersed with songs or ballets. It became popular in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s, but the idea of vaudeville's theatre changed radically from its French antecedent. The word vaudeville is derived from an old French term for a satirical song, vaudevire, which is a reference to the Vire valley of France, where the songs originated. Vaudeville developed from many sources, also including the concert saloon, minstrelsy, freak shows, dime museums, and literary American burlesque. Called "the heart of American show business", vaudeville was one of the most popular types of entertainment in North America for several decades. So, that's what Google and Wiki say. The closest "modern" version of a Vaudeville show I can think of is the old Ed Sullivan show from the 1960's. One minute, a love ballad, the next, preforming dogs, then after that, a plate spinner, then the Russian Ballet. The Vaudeville path to success went kind of like this... you would start out in small theaters, then, if your act was any good, get booked into a theater in a big town. If you really had something special, you could get to NY City and Broadway with your act. Florenz Ziegfield was the most famous producer of Vaudeville on Broadway. If he noticed you and put you in his show, you were a star. He started the careers of many huge stage and movie stars of the day including WC Fields, Eddie Cantor, and Bob Hope. His show always featured dozens of beautiful women. There's a NYC theater named after him now. However, something "Singing in the Rain" does not mention, because, as you observed, there is a dark story underneath the cheery plot, is there was a worse professional apocalypse for theater people which was happening at the same time as sound. The advent of film eventually killed Vaudeville. When movies were first shown, people saw them as an oddity, not much more. From about 1900 until about 1912, film acting was seen as very much beneath the dignity of a "real" stage actor. Then it became obvious that you could actually make more money and be an even bigger star than on Broadway. Big talent started to sign up with film companies. Many, many local theaters which had been for live performances, Vaudeville, stage plays, Opera, etc. were swiftly converted to movie theaters. It was obvious why. You can make so much more money with much, much less hassle. No need to keep track of actors or props. Just put up a screen and play the film. Vaudeville died a sad death in the 1920's and 1930's. The two films I can think of which have this as a plot point are "Footlight Parade", where they were still trying to integrate Vaudeville in some way with movie theaters, and "Gypsy" with Natalie Wood. "Gypsy" (great musical, btw) was made in the 1950's, based on the autobiography of Gypsy Rose Lee. Her mother had pushed the whole family into Vaudeville with big NY City dreams, only to see the profession melt away, and Gypsy herself had to ultimately become a stripper, because that was the only stage work left. As for silent films... "It" from 1927 with Clara Bow. "It" refers to sex appeal, btw. Clara Bow plays the saucy flapper girl who is shockingly modern (for then). Also "Broken Blossoms" 1919, with Lillian Gish - about a young girl's friendship with Chinese immigrant, who is her only friend in a harsh existence. Also, "The Thief of Bagdad" from 1924, with the amazing Douglas Fairbanks. I won't even get into Chaplin or Pickford, or the comedians like Keaton or Harold Lloyd, but eventually they are all worth a look. The one silent film to see eventually is "Intolerance" from 1916. Directed by D.W. Griffith, it intercuts four stories of good vs. evil in different periods of time. Many film techniques we take completely for granted now were invented for this film. It's a long one, almost three hours, but worth it. One last thing. You will probably screen some Kubrick films at some point, since he was one of the best directors of the 20th century. Fair warning, if you watch "A Clockwork Orange", it may well ruin the song "Singing in the Rain" for you as it did for Gene Kelly. I think "A Clockwork Orange" is actually kind of an important film, but only you can judge if it's worth it or not.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you, Lisa. This was a fascinating read! Wow! Gypsy did come up in my research for musicals, and now that you’ve explained more about it, I would definitely like to check it out! Also, thank you for the silent film recommendations! Finally, the only Kubrick film that i’ve seen is The Shining, which I absolutely LOVED, so definitely gonna have to check out more of his films! I really want to see 2001: A Space Odyssey!

[@lisathuban8969]

@@MoviesWithMia I think you will like "2001". I'd say that was Kubrick's most pro-humanity film. Kubrick always had two things to watch for in his films. 1. Amazing camera work. and 2. His films always have deep, disturbing, and thought provoking themes. I think his masterpiece was "Dr. Strangelove - Or How I Learned To Love the Bomb". It has some of the bleakest humor in a movie ever, but it's one of those movies everyone should see at least once. Seriously, though "Clockwork" has graphic violence, sex, and a very deep message about free will, creativity, and good and evil, but it's not an easy watch.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yes! I have heard that about A Clockwork Orange! That’s why I have been hesitant to watch it 😅 but I think I may give it a try

[@Divamarja_CA]

And a sidebar off Vaudeville is Burlesque, and that’s where Gypsy Rose Lee became famous.

[@boblester8641]

Acts were as varied as song dance comedy skits etc. Acts toured a circuit of theaters. More incites. Review Yankee Doodle Dandy. The George Cohen story

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

The color here is absolutely amazing! Unlike todays movies, it seems like follywood is going backwards with color technology.

[@andreraymond6860]

I'm late to the party, and I'm sure someone else has already written this in your comment section, but.... The funniest thing about this movie is that Ms Hagen actually dubbed Debbie Reynolds in the singing parts. That means that when she is singing in the 'Singing Cavalier' it is actually her own voice we are hearing!

[@mattn6066]

The jazz singer was in 1927. By 1931 studios had pretty much got how to record sound properly on set. In between this period it was a dark ages of how they would put mics in dinning set pieces, in clocks and vases for actors to lean into. This film is more a comedy for hollywood on how they converted to sound done by the people who were still working during that time

[@MyraJean1951]

Hagen's performance as Lina Lamont earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. To get a real treat, I highly recommend The Wind starring the great Lillian Gish.

[@jeffshirton7234]

Vaudevillians included all kinds of acts, including comedians, magicians, jugglers, singers, etc. Think Abbott and Costello, or Harry Houdini.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Wow! That must have been a show! I would have loved to see it!!

[@marthaanderson2656]

@@MoviesWithMia The Marx Brothers and Charlie Chaplin were Vaudeville stars before Hollywood. Think variety show with song, dance, and skits. There was often a low comedian with a female foil or a Pretty femme. Reference "Gypsy" for a look at Vaudiville acts. Elevated shows like Ziegfeld were glorified , reference Funny Girl.

[@renemoran7406]

I'm 63 years old my favorite Gene Kelly movie to watch is American in Paris. I have watch this movie as many times with my siblings growing up..

[@johnbcichon1375]

I don’t know if this falls outside of your parameters but the movie to be or not to be with Jack Benny was nominated for an Academy award for best music.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you for recommending I will definitely check it out :)

[@KTBroadcasting]

Vaudville was just talent on stage, kind of like bits or a sketch. usually multiple acts. And O'Connor is often overlooked, but he shines in this. As for getting into the business, it was more likely that just 'anyone' could take their shot, without experience and without being established, with and without an agent. The would have open calls a lot. Great movie and another great reaction, Tiffany! If you want to check out a silent film that's good - check out nearly anything from Buster Keaton, or Charlie Chaplin. They had big stars, but not many survived the transition to speaking because they had awful voices - which they show so beautifully here. Oh, and P.S - Gene Kelly's last dance performance in a film, was with Olivia Newton John in a campy, classic called Xanadu. If you haven't seen it and want to check out 70s/80s musical, you should check it out. I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on it.

[@kittylynnlpn]

I know this video is from last year but I just found your channel today and I have been binge watching like crazy. I love the fact that you are really one of the only reactors I have found to react to classic movies. I would love to see your reaction to Summer stock with Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. It was amazing

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you so much for watching and welcome aboard 👋🏽

[@randywhite3947]

“This was Gene Kelly's trump card to get out of his contract with MGM. He later stated that he was angry that MGM had repeatedly prevented him from accepting lead roles in other films, such as Guys and Dolls (1955). Kelly's extremely hostile attitude throughout the filming of Singin' in the Rain (1952) resulted in MGM releasing him from his contract.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Oh wow! I had no idea! Very interesting! It’s sad that he had to go to those lengths!

[@JLynnEchelon]

God, Gene Kelly should have been in Guys and Dolls.

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

No, Kelly was still with MGM after Singing in the Rain and later did "Brigadoon" and "It's always fair weather" with Cyd Charisse. In between, he made 3 or 4 smaller films in Europe, including a film based on ballet and dance that he loved, but it bombed big time. I think he was still with MGM when he did Inherit the Wind (supporting role). "Marjorie Morningstar" might be his first non contract movie. But yes, he did have an intense love/hate thing with MGM executives. He wanted to do Guys and Dolls. More importantly, Kelly was really angry about not being loaned to Rita Hayworth's studio to do Pal Joey. After his success with Cover Girl with Rita Hayworth, that was supposed to be their next movie. And the role of Pal Joey absolutely BELONGS to Gene Kelly because that was his breakout role on Broadway that literally made him a star. But Cover Girl made a lot of money, and MGM was jealous that another studio made that money from their dancer. Yeah, MGM was that petty. Basically, it's my baseball, and I'm taking it back now so no one can play. Frank Sinatra later did Pal Joey, but it really is completely different and has little resemblance to the amazing Pal Joey from Broadway. And btw Pal Joey as written does not have a happy ending with Sinatra walking off into the sunset with his girl. Pal Joey is a heel, that's the point, and he ends the show as a HEEL. Hate it when Hollywood messes stuff up! Okay, too much information. Sorry, sometimes I get triggered! 😎🍿😎

[@christopheryochum3602]

Hi Mia. I'd never seen you before, but you are quite captivating, in your enthusiasm and appreciation (obviously from your studies and knowledge). As KZbin reactors go, you're a bit of a freak, articulating such fine points about all manner of things: Lighting, staging, choreography, singing, and myriad other things. I was so surprised I watched the whole video. Oh, and another thing; you actually flesh out the movie and give us a very in-depth, more-than-ten-minutes-long appreciation ourselves. You're quite adorable. Will be subscribing and checking out some other gems you've put up there. Thanks for elevating KZbin with your very intelligent and so-enthusiastic appraisal of things long-gone, which is so rare among younger people. You're a gem. :)

[@MoviesWithMia]

Wow! Thank you so much Christopher! I am so glad you’ve found the channel!

[@bonitaburroughs8673]

How Green Was My Valley with Maureen O'HARA and Roddy McDowell is so good. Pre-1970 for sure.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you for your recommendation! I will definitely check it out!

[@bonitaburroughs8673]

@@MoviesWithMia I really have enjoyed musical March. It's nice to see someone enjoy the older movies and let me reminisce.

[@MoviesWithMia]

I am so glad you’ve enjoyed it! I love discovering these classic films with all of you 😊

[@iluvmusicals21]

Maureen O'Hara, the most beautiful actress EVER!

[@philipcochran1972]

Silent film, yes. Try Buster Keaton in Steamboat Bill Junior. It has everything, action, disaster, romance, humour and great stunts. Jean Hagan was a serious actress; see her in The Asphalt Jungle, which includes a nobody (at the time) named Marylin Monroe. The fashion show always makes me think of the fashion show in the Marx Brother's film, The Big Store, but that was 11 years earlier in 1941. Ironically and perhaps hypocritically, I heard that Debbie Reynold's singing voice was dubbed.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yes! Someone in the comments mentioned that Debby’s singing voice was actually Jean Hagen’s voice which I thought was kind of ironic 😂 thank you for insight 😊

[@verasileikis17]

Whenever I see that first dancing scene, I’m reminded that Debbie Reynolds was around the same age as her daughter Carrie Fisher was when she played Princess Leia in Star Wars. Moses Supposes is my absolute favourite dance scene on film and it’s mind-boggling that there are so few cuts in this scene. Did you know that Cyd Charrise is in Janet Jackson’s epic music video Alright? To address your questions about how Vaudeville came to be, you need to remember that acting was not considered to be a respectable profession by the upper classes and churches and it was thought of as just one small step above prostitution, so it took tremendous courage to go into that field many years ago. Of course there were dancers, bards, jokers, circus’s and other types of entertainment throughout history and travelling shows would have eventually developed into vaudevillian types of theatre. In the early part of the 20th century, as we all know, radio, movies and television became part of everyone’s life, so entertainment obviously became a much sought after profession, turning what was once a dubious way to make a living into a potentially lucrative career. I always think of the cast of Friends each making a million dollars per episode and wonder what veterans of ‘the craft’ must think of that. Harold Lloyd is the best I’ve seen in silent films.

[@thomast8539]

Mia, later on, when you have gone thru some silent films, perhaps you could review a couple from the Marx Brothers, the Thin Man, Robin Hood (1938) and then maybe some dramas like The Best Years of Our Lives and The Postman Always Rings Twice. Have fun. Glad someone out there is interested in all film, not just recent things.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you for your recommendations :) a few of the films that you recommended are on our schedule for the following months! So stay tuned for that :)

[@tdali8347]

You're right! Some of the biggest stars in Silents were driven out of the business with the introduction of Talkies. A few, like Marlene Dietrich, who had a heavily accented yet seductive voice, made the grade (see her sexy, shocking role literally driving a man to insanity in 1930's The Blue Angel).

[@jucadvgv3449]

so funny - i'm in my 60's and died for gene kelley back when i was a child, and i think it's so funny that you're having the same reactions that i had back then hahaha. i don't know how i came across your channel, but i watched several of your reactions over a few weeks' time before subscribing, and i think i've enjoyed all of them. thanks so much 😊.

[@felixjaitman4715]

talkies began in 1928, being the Jazz Singer played by Al Jolson the firs commercial talkie of all! Jolson was a singer and did have great voice, he also whistles great too!

[@TS-pl4tf]

FYI: Movies about vaudeville - Yankee Doodle Dandy. May 29, 1942. - There's No Business Like Show Business. December 16, 1954. -The Broadway Melody. February 8, 1929. Also, Debbie was so intimidated by Gene that she ended up crying under a piano. Fred Astaire found her and let her watch him practicing so that she would realize that dancing was amazingly hard and everyone had to work hard and hurt a lot. (When you’ve been around awhile, you pick up things.)

[@johanna2995]

This was fun to watch! I don't know a lot about it but, vaudeville has always fascinated me. Going My Way with Bing Crosby is a classic movie that won several academy awards, including best actor for Bing Crosby.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you for recommending :) yes Vaudeville is really fascinating and I always think about how that was entertainment before films became mainstream! Also, thank you for your recommendation! I will add it to the list :)

[@Divamarja_CA]

Vaudeville + Burlesque + Music = Gypsy! Watch the original with Rosalind Russell, Natalie Wood and Karl Malden. Classic Broadway musical brought to the screen.

[@johnfraley8544]

They shot the Singin' in the Rain number in the daytime with heavy tarps covering the back lot sets. It was hot out and when people in the neighborhood got home around 5 o'clock and turned on their sprinklers the set lost its water pressure so Gene was Singin' in a Drizzle.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Hahaha! Thank you for the insight that is hilarious! Could you imagine “I’m singin’ in a drizzle, just singin’ in a drizzle” 😂😂 hilarious

[@randywhite3947]

“During the pre-production stage, Judy Garland, June Allyson and Ann Miller were considered for the role of Kathy Selden, but all were considered "too old". Jane Powell and Leslie Caron were also briefly considered before Debbie Reynolds (then a newcomer) was cast.”

[@iluvmusicals21]

The movies writers were "ordered" to write this screenplay by Arthur Freed, the producer, who was the lyricist of all the songs.

[@GirlWithAnOpinion]

You're reacting to a lot of movies my family was involved in. Cool to see them! Thanks!

[@ZacBrzuchalski]

A fun fact.... The voice dubbing Lina's voice during the song "Would You?" is actually the real voice of the actress who played Lina. The actress who played Lina said that she didn't base that shrill voice off of anybody.... she thought it fit the character and she kept in mind about how some silent movie stars couldn't transition over to talking movies.

[@susansokoloski2233]

Fun fact. Gene Kelly didn't record his own tapping for the Singing In The Rain scene. His taps were prerecorded by the legendary Gwen Verdon for the sound recording in the movie.

[@agenttheater5]

Just keep thinking about everyone walking out making fun of the movie and how everyone can see it's a disaster and Lina's just like "Well I liked it!"

[@MoviesWithMia]

Haha! Yes, can’t help but appreciate Lina in that moment!

[@randywhite3947]

“The role of Cosmo was written with Oscar Levant in mind, but was eventually given to Donald O'Connor.”

[@MoviesWithMia]

Ha! Wow! How wild!

[@thomastimlin1724]

During the rain dance number, Gene Kelly jumps up on base of the lamp post and assumes the classic pose. I was at the Hollywood Wax museum as a12 year old with the family and saw the wax museum's replica of the exact pose with a wax Gene Kelly, exact suit and all. Had no idea who or what that was. then one day I saw the movie on TV as a high school senior 6 ears later. A loud "OMG! THAT's what that was!!!" came out of my mouth. My mom lost it laughing. I had to explain to her what was up and she only laughed harder.

[@stevenbosch429]

Vaudeville was the first instance of mass entertainment in the United States. There were theaters across the continent .They ranged from outdoor spaces in amusement parks up to the big vaudeville palaces that seated 500 and 700 people who watched singers, comedians, magicians, dancers, sketches and animal acts. There were enough entertainers crossing the country that a small industry of manufacturers who specialized costume trunks and portable stoves. It lasted until the depression.

[@nathanbohlig6931]

Donald O'Connor's one-liners are the highlight of the film.

[@kruuyai]

Woohoo! I love The Apartment. Can't wait!

[@MoviesWithMia]

I know me neither! I am super excited!

[@savannah65]

When I was a kid, I saw the end of vaudeville. Short acts on stage, singing, dancing and jokes. Hey, before TV, it worked. The people that performed were talented, and they toured the small towns across America. Mickey Rooney did it with his parents, when he was a child. If a child was born to vaudeville parents while they were on the road, the child was said to be "born in a trunk". It was a tough life for talented people.

[@kathleenmayhorne3183]

From watching old movies... performers had to "Work up an act," audition or perform it on amateur night, hoping not to be booed or get the hook. work out another act if the one you have is old or a failure, or when partners move on. Vaudeville was put on in small theatres, performers had to find the next hall to perform in, pay for costumes, live out of heavy trunks, put up with jealous rivals, who can be vicious and keep it all together. Travelling at night on ricketty trains, finding food wherever you can. Finding cheap places to stay, it was not an easy life by all accounts. She danced in "Two weeks with Love."

[@philipholder5600]

The Silent Film SUNRISE....real tear jerker

[@MrATN800]

Cyd charisse was my very first crush. Immortal to this day

[@MoviesWithMia]

She is a MAGNIFICENT dancer!!

[@davidneel8327]

Kelly was running a fever during the Singing in the Rain scene.

[@jeffanderson8143]

***Movie Facts*** Hello! Brand new to your channel! You are awesome by the way. A movie fact here: In the scene where Lina and Don are performing in what you think is a silent picture (it begins with the words "I think I hear a footstep") is actually taken from Gene's earlier film "The Three Musketeers" (a film you should most certainly add to your list-stars also Van Heflin, Lana Turner and Vincent Price). They simply cut scenes with Lana Turner and added Lina into it and Gene Kelly simply wore the same outfit from the actual film. I'm sure this was one of many ways to cut some costs by using footage from his previous movie. Also, one other quick point: Some in the comments stated Jean Hagen dubbed the singing of the song "Would You", but the song was actually sung by Betty Noyes. The part where Jean Hagen does actual dub over Debbie Reynolds (who is dubbing for Lina Lamont) is the clip of the scene in which they show Debbie Reynolds doing the dubbing of the line: "Nothing can keep us apart, our love will last till the stars turn cold". This is where we hear the quite true beautiful voice of Jean Hagen rather than the grating voice of Lina Lamont! Keep up the great work and hope to chat with you again soon. Take care and please stay safe and healthy! Peace.

[@tracy4290]

I've just discovered your channel and am really enjoying your enthusiasm! For a "modern" take on vaudeville-type shows, you might enjoy the original "The Muppet Show", from the 1970s. And if you're still looking for recommendations for old films, my two all-time favorites are "The Mark of Zorro" starring Douglas Fairbanks, from 1920 (so it's also silent) and "Cyrano de Bergerac" with José Ferrer, from 1950. Zorro is funny, and must be watched several times to catch all of the physical comedy, especially when Don Diego is trying (not to) woo Senorita Lolita Pulido. "Cyrano" is, of course, sad, so have the tissues ready!

[@laurab391]

I love Gene Kelly too! He is so handsome. Love your reactions and review.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you, Laura :) yes! Nothing comes close to his million dollar smile! and thank you for watching!

[@glawnow1959]

The first "talkies"...films with speeches on records...were not huge mega-hits. But then Warner Bros released "The Jazz Singer." It wasn't the songs or the speeches that knocked audiences out, it was the improvised dialogue that Al Jolson did, especially when he talked to his mother in the film. THIS--hearing people talk like real people in real situations--THIS is what knocked people out about "The Jazz Singer" and killed the silent film. Good thing, too, because it meant all the studios and movie theaters had to invest in sound equipment immediately. Two years later, the Great Depression began and sound was already in place. If it had not been by October 1929, we might have had mostly silent films until after WW2.

[@GeekGirl-ub7ki]

Vaudeville was a variety show. A theatre specifically set-up to be specifically for Vaudeville would audition acts which could be skits, comedy routines (Laurel and Hardy and Abbot and Costello came from Vaudeville too), ventriloquists, plus dancing and singing acts. Vaudeville was both a place where a stage actor could get their break into plays and musicals and a washed up stage actor would go to get work if their popularity waned. When the talkies came in a lot of Vaudeville stars came into films since they already know how to act and sing to an audience. Some adapted to the camera better than others.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yeah I would imagine the transition from vaudeville to talkies could make it break an actor! Very interesting insight!

[@liteflightify]

Have you gotten to any Hitchcock (Vertigo, North By Northwest, Psycho, Notorious, Rear Window, Strangers On A Train, Rebecca)? He’s arguably the most influential filmmaker ever and definitely has the most “classics”. Also, I’d love for you to eventually get to some great classic foreign language directors. Ingmar Bergman in particular has directed some of my favorite classic movies (Persona, Cries and Whispers, Scenes From A Marriage, Sawdust and Tinsel). Finally, there’s Sunset Boulevard (1950). It’s incredible, might be my favorite movie ever.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Hi John! Yes! We’ve got an entire month of Hitchcock on the schedule! I am so amped for it because a lot of people have been raving about his movies! Also, yes I would love to venture into international films!! Thank you for your recommendations! And we will be watching Sunset Boulevard!! I have it on the list for our Film Noir month!! Thank you so much for watching :)

[@liteflightify]

@@MoviesWithMia Sunset Boulevard is about the film industry and has some surprising connecting themes to Singin’ In The Rain, despite being very different in tone. Cant wait till you get to that one.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Yes! I am excited to watch it!!

[@TS-pl4tf]

Dubbing: Reynolds' singing "Would You" is dubbed over by Betty Noyes, but the best part is the scenes where Reynolds' (Kathy Selden) voice is supposed to be dubbing Jean Hagen's (Lina Lamont) voice in the movie is really dubbed by Jean Hagen herself in regular voice!! Jean Hagen was a fabulous.

[@jackjules7552]

Dubbing actors who could not sing in the movies had been common practice since sound films began. It was all on the down low to the point where if the one who is doing the dubbing ever revealed that they were the singing voice in the movie, his or her career would be destroyed by the studio by being placed on a blacklist and they could never find work again. Ask Natalie Wood whose voice was dubbed in West Side Story. Natalie was very upset that her singing voice was not going to be used in the film West Side Story and that her voice was going to be dubbed by a professional singer. Audrey Hepburn was also none too pleased when an unknown professional singer dubbed her singing voice in My Fair Lady. And let's not forget how Debra Kerr had her singing voice dubbed in the film The King and I. Everyone involved was sworn to secrecy about the dubbing. The only ones who were not fooled were the critics who reviewed the films on opening night. Dorothy Killgalin who was a well known film critic and journalist wrote in her column that the film studios must think the public has a low IQ if they think Natalie Wood does her own singing in West Side Story. And you know what? The public is that gullible as they actually believed that Natalie Wood did her own singing in West Side Story. After the film critics let the cat out of the bag the studios found that it was impossible to keep this a secret any longer. After the cat was let out of the bag, the studios had no choice but to hire real singers who could act for the movie musicals. For example, Julie Andrews, unknown to the movie going public was cast as Mary Poppins. Pop singer Petula Clark, also an unknown to movie audiences was cast in Finian's Rainbow. And so on for the rest of the 1960's and 1970 and through the 1980's.

[@lynnsebrell5130]

I just came across your channel tonight (via Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) and had to follow watching that with coming here for this, my favorite musical, and certainly the best screen musical of all time. Your enthusiasm and love of film is so contagious! I've always adored Gene Kelly, but this movie gave me great appreciation for Jean Hagen as a comedienne. When you get to silent film month, I hope you'll include Chaplin's City Lights (I see that others have also recommended this). It is so sweet and romantic. I've got some catching up to do on your channel - I see you've already visited one of my favorite genres (screwball comedy) with The Philadelphia Story and My Man Godfrey. I love seeing strong, independent women such as Katharine Hepburn (Adam's Rib), Barbara Stanwyck (The Lady Eve), Claudette Colbert (It Happened One Night), or Rosalind Russell (His Girl Friday). I hope some of those titles will be featured eventually.

[@celinhabr1]

Your channel is giving so much joy. And you are so charismatic and eloquent. Thank you!

[@TheMiracleKid1]

When Gene Kelly Filmed This Scene For "Singing In The Rain" Gene Kelly Was Incredibly Sick With 104 Fever With Walking Pneumonia And They Had To Carry Him Onto Set And Then Back Off Set After He Was Done And They Had To Film It Multiple Times!!!!! He Could Barely Stand Up Or Walk On His Own When He Did This But Somehow He Managed To Pull It Off!!!!! I Did A Big Project On Him In College (I Have Been A Tap Dancer Now For 34 Years) And This Is One Of My Absolute Very Favorite Tap Dance Movie Scenes Ever!!!!! I Love Love Love Love Love It And Gene Kelly As Well As Many Others Have Been My Tap Dance Idols & Heroes Since I Was A Little Girl And Now I Am 37 Years Old And Now I Can Definitely Relate To What He Was Dealing With And Going Through At This Time Because I Am A 21 YEAR, 4 MONTH & 16 DAY CHILDHOOD/TEEN/YOUNG ADULT CANCER SURVIVOR/THRIVER/CONQUEROR/WARRIOR!!!!!

[@randywhite3947]

“Call me a Cab” “Okay You’re a Cab” 😂

[@MoviesWithMia]

Hahaha yes! Such a funny moment!

[@cheryljohnson733]

This in my opinion is one of the finest movies ever created.