Singin' in the Rain * FIRST TIME WATCHING * reaction & commentary

[@scottb3034]

Couldn't help but smile when you mentioned Leia/Padme's hair since Debbie Reynolds is Padme to Princess Leia's Carrie Fisher...aka mother. A happy coincidence.

[@rondanakamura2655]

Perhaps a "Happy little accident" (ala Bob Ross)? 😄

[@greypossum1]

Debbie Reynolds was 19 and had almost no experience dancing or singing when cast for this role. Reynolds was given three months to “learn to dance.” Three teachers would alternate giving her private lessons for up to eight hours a day. This was how she miraculously keeps up with Kelly and O’Connor, especially in the “Good Morning” number.

[@robburns4176]

Gene Kelly was such a perfectionist, that by the time they finished filming "Good Morning", Reynolds' feet were bleeding.

[@charlieeckert4321]

True enough. The whole thing was an ordeal for Debbie, especially after Gene was told in L.B. Mayer's office when she was present that she was his co-star. When she said she couldn't dance (she was a gymnast though) Gene said "L.B., you're killing me." So Debbie went through he'll. After weeks of Gene's demands and endless lessons, Fred Astair found her hiding under a piano bawling her eyes out. He encouraged her to stick with it. And she did, in spite of it all. By the way, Zelda was played by Rita Moreno, who is another legend!

[@yummi4tunekookie]

@@robburns4176 Right? Wasn't she crying under a piano between filming, when Fred Astaire found her and gave her some tips?

[@yummi4tunekookie]

@@charlieeckert4321 YES! I love the bit about Astaire.

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

@@robburns4176 she said it was because the shoes were too tights lol

[@anthonyvictor3034]

How they did the dances…Gene Kelly. Utter perfectionist. Not only did he dance in this he choreographed much of it. He did the rain sequence with a fever of 103 degrees.

[@Mugthraka]

The times when an Actor had to know how to dance and perform. Just like todays actors train 6 weeks with the army for an action movie.

[@johncooper7570]

Gene Kelly also co-directed the movie.

[@jayeginn5963]

Another fun fact is that the actress who plays Lina Lamont's real singing and speaking voice is actually used for the soundmovie remake because Debbie Reynolds was just 18 years old and her voice was too high. In the looping sequence, Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) is seen dubbing the dialogue for Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) because Lina's voice is shrill and screechy. However, it's not Reynolds who is speaking, it's Jean Hagen herself, who actually had a beautiful deep, rich voice. So you have Jean Hagen dubbing Debbie Reynolds dubbing Jean Hagen. And when Debbie is supposedly dubbing Jean's singing of "Would You?" the voice you hear singing actually belongs to Betty Noyes, who had a much richer singing voice than Debbie.

[@MikeJohnson-hp8lr]

Fun fact: the diction coach was played by Kathleen Freeman, who was not credited at the end of the film. She had a long career as a character actress and voice-over artist until the year 2000. She appeared in countless films and television shows. You may know her best as Sister Mary Stigmata, a.k.a The Penguin who was the head of the orphanage in “The Blues Brothers.”

[@jameskirschling7887]

If I'm not mistaken Kathleen Freeman was in every Jerry Lewis movie. If not every one at least most of them.

[@toddtheiste5068]

I know her as Burkhalter's sister on "Hogan's Heroes"

[@manya623]

Want she also the teacher at the beginning of Hocus Pocus?

[@clarkb1900]

@@toddtheiste5068 "GehrTRUdehr!" ;D

[@BrendanJSmith]

THAT WAS HER?!?

[@victorsixtythree]

24:30 - I believe in those scenes where Kathy is voicing the dialogue for Lina, the producers thought Debbie Reynolds had a bit too much Texas twang in her voice so it's actually Jean Hagen (who played Lina - and brilliantly!) voicing Debbie Reynolds who's voicing Lina.

[@meredithchandler73]

Absolutely correct! The actress who played Lena is actually dubbing herself except at the end when Kathy is shown singing for Lena.

[@joshridderhoff2050]

Yep! Learned that thanks to the awesome video ‘The Problem With Auto-Tune’ from the channel ‘Sideways’. Great video!

[@sslssg247]

I think this is my favourite trivia about this movie. I came here to see if anyone else mentioned it.

[@pineconey]

Wow!

[@jamesa.romano8500]

Young Rita Moreno at 2:20 - probably the last surviving major cast member of Singin in the Rain

[@chrisedwards7095]

The dancer in the green dress was Cyd Charisse. She did "Brigadoon" with Gene Kelly, and "The Band Wagon" and "Silk Stockings" with Fred Astaire. Gene Kelly also did "An American in Paris" with Leslie Caron.

[@007videovixen]

Brigadoon is a must!!!!!

[@ronbock8291]

Oh man, Cyd Charisse could dance. She was my mom’s favourite. She took particular delight in pointing out that she was taller than Gene Kelly, which is why she danced barefoot in this movie.

[@itzakpoelzig330]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, so I'll point out that Gene Kelly's character, Don Lockwood, is essentially meant to be the great silent star and matinee idol John Gilbert. Gilbert had had a huge career in silent films, starting in 1915, and had achieved enormous stardom by the time the talkies appeared. His first sound film was 'His Glorious Night' in 1929. 'The Dueling/Dancing Cavalier' is a direct spoof on that film. Gilbert's career fell into a precipitous decline after the release of 'His Glorious Night,' mainly because of his over-affected line deliveries, and because of the inanity of the lines in the first place. At one point in the movie he is sitting on a bench in a garden with his leading lady (just as we see in 'Singing In The Rain') and is kissing up and down her arms and saying "I love you, I love you, I love you" over and over again. This scene (and others) drew titters from audiences, although it would have been perfectly normal in a silent film. In sound, it became ridiculous. Rumors were spread that Gilbert had a high "gelded" voice, and his self-respect took a beating. The truth is that he sounds tinny, like everyone in early talkies, but he didn't have the high or squeaky voice that was reported. Film historians now generally believe that Gilbert's career was deliberately ruined by Louis B. Mayer (of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, a.k.a. MGM Studios) who had a grudge against Gilbert ever since Gilbert had punched him in the face at Gilbert's intended wedding to Greta Garbo, after Mayer made some comment about Garbo. (I say intended wedding because she stood him up. She never married, and was bisexual leaning towards lesbian.) Gilbert became an alcoholic then, but did continue to work in films until 1934. At the end of 1935 he suffered a heart attack, and then another one at the beginning of 1936 which killed him. That gives you a good idea of how much he had been drinking, because he was only 38 at the time of his death, and had been athletic and healthy his whole life until turning to alcohol. A pretty tragic story, which sadly, there were plenty of during the change-over between silent and sound films.

[@VonPatzy]

She gets Princess Leia vibes 2 min before Princess Leila’s mom take the screen. I love you Ashleigh. Please watch Debbie Reynolds in “the unsinkable Molly Brown”. More song, more dance, the Titanic happens, more sass, more red hair!

[@maxnorton1209]

Even more impressive than the dancing and singing Gene Kelly did in the “Singin’ In The Rain” solo street scene is that he had a 103 degree fever when he filmed it, and did it in just a couple of takes.

[@craigmartin3827]

I love Kelly’s dancing in Singin’ in the Rain, but he quite literally outdoes himself in a film he directed called It’s Always Fair Weather that co-stars Cyd Charisse.

[@tremorsfan]

Plus he was wearing a wool suit.

[@NafNav32]

And, because water didn't show up on cameras well against a dark set, he was dancing in the milk. In a wool suit.

[@tremorsfan]

@@NafNav32 That's a myth. Any good cinematographer knows how to light rain so it shows up on camera.

[@darastarscream]

Well hell, O'Conner spent a week in bed recovering from filming Make 'Em Laugh. 🤕

[@gippywhite]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👍🏻 This has been my all-time personal favorite movie for at least 30 years. Debbie Reynolds, in case you didn’t know, was Carrie Fisher‘s mother. And all of the dubbing that she did… That was the other actress’s REAL voice. So Debbie was dubbing a dub. 🤭 I always get a kick out of that. I am so glad you liked it so much!!! You would not believe the number of people unwilling to watch this movie just because it’s old. As you can see, it’s AMAZING!!! THANK YOU FOR WATCHING IT!!! 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️👯‍♀️💃🏻🕺🏻💙💙💙

[@donaldball3245]

Debbie Reynolds was nineteen when she made this movie- the same age her daughter Carrie was in Star Wars: A New Hope...

[@robertawesome2410]

Debbie Reynolds made a lot of good/great movies, but I really love her in How The West Was Won and her singing Home In The Meadow.

[@IsaacLikesGames]

Donald Ball Carrie Fisher was actually 21 in A New Hope

[@donaldball3245]

@@IsaacLikesGames She was 21 when it was released. She was 19 when she started working in it.

[@Jessica_Jones]

Yes! I always thought it was funny how the real actress's voice was used, and it also makes me totally happy to see someone watching the movie and so enjoying it. As a young person with many peers who simply have no interest in older movies, all I can think about is, "Agh, you're missing out."

[@carltonbakerii8274]

Adding to the history lesson about this movie (apologies to anyone above who's already mentioned this): This was Debbie Reynolds' first "big picture" and she wasn't a dancer; she had a gymnastics background. She had to learn all the choreography before filming and spent grueling hours rehearsing. The first scene they shot, her first on-camera experience with Kelly and O'Connor, was the "Good Morning" number. No pressure!

[@tremorsfan]

One time Gene Kelly upset her so much that she ran away. Fred Astaire found her crying in one of the unused studios and decided to help her with her dancing.

[@mehlev]

Nailed it. Tremors, that's amazing, what a tutor.

[@rayevarney501]

Gene Kelly was the most compelling dancer of his generation. He wanted to show the world that dancers were athletes, and his personal performances were always incredibly physical and demanding, and he makes them look effortless. On the Town is another gem as is the Immortal An American in Paris.

[@sam11771177]

Fun fact: Jean Hagen (Lena Lamont) was actually known for her beautiful speaking voice and perfect diction. The voice she has in the movie is put on and was so convincing and perfect for the role its what landed her the Oscar for the role! Also my absolute favorite movie of all time and have been requesting it forever and so glad the day has finally come! Love your reactions and glad you loved it!

[@JPSE57]

In fact, Jean sang the Would You number, so she was over-dubbing Debbie Reynold's character dubbing her character!

[@adamvialpando106]

@@JPSE57 I learned about that from the music oriented channel Sideways.

[@bmw128racer]

Oscar nomination. Jean Hagen didn't win the Oscar.

[@ifeelpretty5790]

@@JPSE57 She didn’t sing it, that was Betty Noyes; she did speak Kathy’s spoken dubbing in her real voice though. Debbie sang Kathy’s uptempo songs like “All I Do Is Dream of You”, “Good Morning” and the title song but Betty Noyes sang Kathy’s ballads like “Would You” and “You Are My Lucky Star”.

[@mistere1984]

Fun Fact: Donald O'Connor, who played Cosmo in this movie, ran the whole Make Them Laugh routine in one take, but there was an accident during editing and the footage was destroyed. So Donald shoots the whole thing again in one take, which was quite an accomplishment since he was a heavy smoker, like several packs a day smoker.

[@rickardroach9075]

This song is closely based (i.e. 100% plagiarised) on Cole Porter's "Be a Clown" from _The Pirate_ (1948), in which it was sung by Gene Kelly and Judy Garland.

[@gaynor1721]

@@rickardroach9075 You're repeating yourself.

[@gaynor1721]

The scene with Donald O'Connor in which he did his own stunts almost put him in hospital. He was ordered to have several days off to recover.

[@rickardroach9075]

@@gaynor1721 Facebook glitch.

[@warre1]

I simply cannot understand why Donald wasn't bigger star. He was amazing.

[@JonS0107]

“Singin’ in the Rain” and “Some Like it Hot” are the two highest rated movie comedies of the 20th century according to professional critics.

[@KevyNova]

As they should be.

[@curtismartin2866]

Fun Fact: Some Like it Hot is headed to Broadway.

[@crankfastle8138]

Well professional critics obviously havent seen howard the duck.

[@suzannemilligan8648]

@@curtismartin2866 It's already been there. The show was called "Sugar".

[@curtismartin2866]

@@suzannemilligan8648 Amber Ruffin is producing this time. And it's called Some Like it Hot.

[@Alicatie]

I ADORE this movie. ADORE IT. The humour still stands up today, the dancing is phenomenal (I regularly rewatch the Moses Supposes scene on YT) and it’s such a feel good film. And Gene Kelly could get it.

[@wynnyx7071]

Gene Kelly's thighs. He could DEFINITELY get it.

[@rochellehershberger9539]

Petition to have Ashleigh watch a load of Classic Musicals!!!

[@MsWaif]

Cosign!!!

[@krose6451]

I give all my backing to this!

[@revjohnlee]

Gene Kelly was one of the greatest song and dance men ever. Fred Astaire would be in the same category but both would and did bow at the feet of the Nicholas brothers, the absolute greatest. Check them out dancing to "Jumpin' Jive" with Cab Calloway singing. Supposedly they did it in one take. I first saw it about 20 years ago and I'm still tired!

[@johnfraley8544]

Don calls Kathy "Ethel Barrymore" a few times. Ethel was part of a large acting family that went back a couple of generations. During this period the most famous members were Ethel, her brother Lionel who played Mr. Potter in "It's a Wonderful Life", and "The Great Profile" himself, John Barrymore who is the grandfather of Drew Barrymore. So glad you loved this movie. Your reaction made my day!

[@mildredpierce4506]

The Barrymores have been acting since the late 1800s as theater actors before the existence of movie pictures. I was surprised to find this out.

[@aveemarie268]

I believe one of the Barrymore had cameo if I'm not mistaken.

[@briansmith48]

Witch leads to Drew Barrymore's roll in the movie E.T. the extraterrestrial. That Ashleigh hates. 😅😂🤣

[@sallyh5413]

This is the best movie musical ever made. They actually teach you about it in film school. It is perfect in every way. And of course we all gasped when you mentioned Princess Leia!!

[@RonJDuncan]

Indeed. The second she said Princess Leia, it made me pause just as so many else did in that moment.

[@tylerfoster6267]

As several have mentioned, Kathy Selden was played by Carrie Fisher's mother Debbie Reynolds. I'm sure that will delight you, especially with the Leia hair reference. If you do see The Jazz Singer, be prepared for the blackface. I don't think this should discourage you from seeing it, but I definitely think you should be warned. The Broadway sequence they show with the woman with the scarf was a way to work in a cameo from Cyd Charisse, another famous musical star (she was the one with said scarf). "Hoofer" is slang for dancer. I don't think I've ever seen you go through a wider range of emotions in as short an amount of time as seeing the various fashions during the one musical number. You've seen a couple of Jackie Chan movies. Maybe someday you'll see the one with the fabulous little tribute to Singin' in the Rain, which is one of his best action/comedy sequences in any American movie -- I won't spoil which one it is. Thinking of some other older movies, I thought of two with Barbra Streisand: the full-on musical Funny Girl, and the chaotic screwball comedy What's Up, Doc?

[@scottb3034]

Loved that jackie chan movie.

[@les4767]

If that disturbs you, try the remake with Neil Diamond from 1980.

[@derick_d5344]

Lets Goo!

[@Loulizabeth]

I genuinely think you would absolutely love What's Up Doc! It's one of the craziest and funniest films I've seen! Brilliant acting, singing and the comedy is off the charts.

[@derick_d5344]

I forget not everyone’s a cinephile and thats not common knowledge

[@lpeterson2336]

I once worked on a film that had Debbie Reynolds in the cast. Off set she walked past and I happened to look up from my book as she approached and as strangers sometimes do when their eyes meet we smiled nodded and exchanged "lovely day isn't it?" Off she went to be forever in my heart as a gracious lady.

[@mikeking7710]

"You Were Meant For Me" was a great pop standard that was actually released in 1929 and covered by many artists over the years. So it was perfectly suited for the timeframe of this film.

[@1210620]

personal story; my family is from the west coast of Ireland. when my grandmother was a child, they filmed a movie called The Quiet Man in her town outside of Galway, and they brought this movie to show the town. it was the first movie she ever saw and loved it. she's always good to watch it. it was also my personal favorite sheen i was a kid too and i loved watching it with her.

[@skwervin1]

The Quiet Man is a famy favourite. Had the longest continuous fight scene until Clint Eastwood's Movie, Everywhich way but loose.

[@no2all]

My sister and I watch it every year. "The Quiet Man" is also one of those rare movies that I will stop on while channel surfing - just to finish the rest of the movie uninterrupted.

[@laurabryannan]

I'll third the recommend for "The Quiet Man." A masterpiece unlike any other. One of the few movies I can watch again and again.

[@ianobrien3248]

Greatest movie fight ever!

[@etherealtb6021]

Such a great movie!

[@SeniorBaybee03]

I’m so excited for you to get to experience this for the first time! This is my #1 comfort movie. Fun fact: Debbie Reynolds is the grandma from HalloweenTown. Also, she actually was not an experienced dancer and had to work so hard to keep up with the boys, ESPECIALLY Gene.

[@drakeredwingofficial]

And she was Carrie Fisher's mom

[@FromRussiaWithLuv007]

Debbie Reynolds: AKA Charlotte (Charlotte's Web) AKA Agatha (Halloween Town (DISNEY) AKA Carrie Fisher's mom

[@hadassah179]

and Unsinkable Molly Brown

[@UnholyTriforceDelenn]

22:27 Ashleigh, if you like rotating stages, you should see the filmed stage play of "Victor Victoria" (1995) starring Julie Andrews. That set was sheer magic! Also, given how you didn't recognize her name, Debbie Reynolds has a "Star Wars" connection. She is Carrie Fisher's (Princess Leia) mother.

[@charlesspringer4709]

They died the same week!

[@VespersVids]

Singing in the Rain is one of my go to movies to turn my day around. It pleases me to no end that you enjoyed it so much. It's a love letter to the early days of Hollywood and it's a touchstone for cinema and popular culture. It was actually part of the curriculum for a Fine Arts course I took back in my early university days. Keep being your wonderful self; you give me hope and joy with your reactions.

[@rebeccahowe5558]

Debbie Reynolds is Carrie Fisher's mother.

[@brandonmelling771]

She's also the grandma in the Halloweentown movies on Disney Channel, which is most likely what younger generations would best know her from

[@MacDorsai]

So glad you liked it! The classics didn't depend on CGI (it didn't exist!). Again, a CLASSIC you'll love as well.... Arsenic and Old Lace. Another Cary Grant favorite...Operation Petticoat. Monkey Business with Marilyn Monroe. And I agree with Some Like It Hot as well!

[@darkofthemassenet8649]

Agree with all these but adding my all-time favorite, Bringing Up Baby! Also, another great musical starring both Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse (dancer in the Broadway Rhythm scene who was the mobster's boo) that I think you'd enjoy is Brigadoon.

[@fad23]

I've been requesting Some Like It Hot since about the time this channel began.

[@joep4751]

Great list. I would add Seven Brides For Seven Brothers.

[@monacaravetta]

And Born Yesterday with the amazing Judy Holliday (I wonder if Lina's voice is a rip off of Billie Dawn's voice lol)

[@macmcleod1188]

Bringing Up Baby with Katherine Hepburn and Archie Leach

[@adaddinsane]

"I ain't people!" is a favourite line in our household. Great reaction, Ashleigh.

[@alanholck7995]

But, Soylent Green is people.

[@rcrawford42]

"We are not people. We are actors, the opposite of people." -- the Actor, "Rosencranz and Guildenstern are Dead"

[@allisonsmith8025]

We use that one in our house a lot too. And also, "...and I keeeeeent stan' 'em!"

[@ronbock8291]

Donald O’Connor’s performance in this movie is perfection. Man oh man he was great.

[@John-pj9vd]

Definitely one of the best musicals made. That being said, I would say "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" is a good runner-up!

[@duanegiddings4981]

High school we did, Lil Abner, Hello Dolly, Bye Bye Birdie and Anytthing goes. irdie would be my first choice, love the songs in it. Then Abner and Dolly. Dolly has Barbara Striesand and Walter Mattheau (sp?)

[@kendramalm8811]

I'll add my vote for "Seven Brides"!

[@Sailorgirl1207]

I loooooove Seven Brides!!!

[@detsportsfan18]

One of my favorites! None better than Howard Keel.

[@danieldekok6949]

"Seven Brides"? Are you daft? If you like "Bless you beautiful doll" for 45 minutes ad nauseum, not to mention a misogynistic storyline that makes Jeffery Epstein look like Billy Graham, I suppose that that's for you...but not for me.

[@caldodge]

Gene Kelly's specialty was athletic dancing. In the late 50s he had a skiing accident, and couldn't dance like that any more. So he switched to choreography and direction, including the stage version of "Flower Drum Song" and the movie version of "Hello, Dolly!"

[@hectorsmommy1717]

Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire were the ultimate in movie dancers. Such different styles, Kelly being very athletic and low to the ground and Astaire being more elegant and standing tall and lean, but both were masters.

[@LudvikM]

Ashleigh would absolutely love "Hello, Dolly!"

[@victorsixtythree]

I love how this film has a running theme of reality vs. fiction in practically every scene - from Don Lockwood telling his life story while we see the actual reality ("Dignity. Always dignity.") to the studio creating the romance between Don and Lena, to Don creating a fake romantic sunset to woo Kathy, to Don and Lena being romantic on screen while in reality saying how much they hate each other, to seeing the various movies in production on the stage at the studio, to the whole idea of Kathy voicing Lena...and on and on...Brilliant!

[@johnanderson5558]

“I’m having the best time. I’m having the best time. I’m continuing to have the best time.” -favorite Ashleigh response to Singing in the Rain.

[@BrynHiggins]

Debbie Reynalds is Carrie Fisher's mother, as seen in other posts. Carrie Fisher wrote a book turned into a movie, which is about her life and relationship with her mother . That movie is called "Postcards from the Edge." The daughter, Suzanne (representing Carrie Fisher) was played by Meryl Streep, while the "mother , Doris (representing Debbie Reynalds), was acted by Shirley MacLaine. If you have not seen movies in which Shirley Maclaine has been in, you will probably enjoy many of them. Also, as I see a picture of Kathy Bates from Misiery in the background, here is an interesting fact: Shirley MacLaine, once had a dustup with Reynolds over the lead role in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” because Reynolds was cast instead. & in Titanic, Kathy Bates plays the Unsinkable Molly Brown.

[@LogicalNiko]

A masterpiece, I'm sorry you didn't get to explore one of the best musical comedies earlier in your life; but on the other hand I'm extremely glad you got to share that with us. I'd recommend The Music Man, West Side Story, Chicago, Sound of Music, The king and I, and Fiddler on the Roof

[@thereturningshadow]

Ashleigh, I think the Princess Leia vibes you were getting were actually coming from her mother, Debbie Reynolds, who played Kathy.

[@DriveHead]

I first saw this years ago in college in a film appreciation course and it remains one of my absolute favorites. Besides the songs, the film is a veritable feast for the eyes. The ballet dream sequence with Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly is a work of art just by itself. So happy you finally got to see it!

[@no2all]

I guess I won't have to repeat word for word what you just said. Just a big "ditto".

[@ericjanssen394]

In fact, the whole long "Broadway ballet" wasn't even in the original script--They were set to do a subplot where Cosmo gets to be part of the Dancing Cavalier, but "An American in Paris", where Kelly and Charisse create a whole Gershwin ballet, had just become a big hit for MGM the year before and won the Oscar, and Singin' felt it had to follow suit.

[@katwithattitude5062]

This is absolutely one of my all-time favorite movies. I was waiting for your reaction to Cyd Charisse in the green dress and you did not disappoint. Cyd, by the way, had just had a baby a few weeks before filming this.

[@karolinemueller8262]

"This makes me so happy" RIGHT THERE is why this movie is so beloved!

[@terenzo50]

Jean Hagen is doing Judy Holiday's voice as Billie Dawn from Born Yesterday (1950). She had been Holiday's understudy and replacement in the 1946 Broadway play and knew her well. And the Billie Dawn character was based somewhat on Kitty Packard from Dinner At Eight (1933), another must-see film.

[@HollieGoFrightly]

One of my favorite movies! Debbie Reynolds was stunning. My mother was fortunate enough to spend an hour with her after a stage performance of “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” (Titanic reference). Amazing thing about these old dance movies is most were all one take, no cuts. When stars were stars ✨

[@crealkillr]

Yes i agree. The most amazing thing back then was that they actually could act, dance, do stunts, and sing. I too heard that they were so good, most of the dances were done in one take. You was losing money if you had to keep redoing a scene, and imagine how much training and experience you need to do the dance and not make mistakes. These actors back then were talented for sure.

[@FireheartKR]

'I did not know that song was from this movie...' WOW Ashleigh, you picked the ONE song that was actually written specially for this movie. ALL the others are picked from existing hits and the whole musical is written around them. Like Moulin Rouge was. You did well. Thank you.

[@crealkillr]

To be fair... there are alot of references of that song all over. How was she supposed to know it was from this movie and not something even older than this. She was just being cautious as she doesnt know alot of movies and references. Give her a break. I grew up in 1989, but i wasnt interested in movies like this when i was a 1 yr old. Even as an adult, im not actively searching out EVERY old movie that ive missed, so you cant expect someone who hasnt seen the movie to jump to that conclusion.

[@dragon-ed1hz]

All the songs came from earlier MGM musicals. Actually, the new song was Moses Supposes. Singin' in the Rain was from "The Hollywood Revue of 1929."

[@caldodge]

Two other great Gene Kelly musicals: "On The Town", about 3 sailors on 24 hours leave in New York City. You'll love Ann Miller in "Prehistoric Man". "It's Always Fair Weather", which was going to be a sequel to "On The Town", until they realized how much it would cost to get Frank Sinatra. 3 army buddies pledge to meet together in 10 years, but find out they've all changed. Famous scenes include Gene tap dancing on roller skates, and all three ostensibly drunk, dancing with trash can kids on one foot.

[@LeighMet]

to forget take me out to the ball game 1949

[@chiconeededthemoney]

An American in Paris. Anchors Aweigh with Frank Sinatra is another one of his classics. It has a fantastic number with him dancing with Jerry the Mouse of Tom and Jerry.

[@j.munday7913]

I have a soft spot for Xanadu. Its made of pure cheese but Olivia Newton John and him make it so cheesy good.

[@kelly9876]

I recommend Brigadoon (so romantic and has the lady in green in it), Pirate (Judy Garland is so funny), and American in Paris (may be a little long but the fashion is amazing and Gene is so handsome).

[@chiconeededthemoney]

@@kelly9876 Leslie Caron is so beautiful. Speaking about Ann Miller, she needs at watch Kiss Me, Kate. Great musical with the incredible number, Tom, Dick and Harry with a young Bob Fosse.

[@krose6451]

I ADORE this movie and try to get anyone who says they have never seen it to give it a chance so just seeing the thumbnail made me happy. Im even happier that it brought so many smiles to you. Thank you for sharing your reaction to this classic.

[@roadrunner3100]

This movie is in my top 10 of all time. You were spot on when you said it made you happy. More than any other movie I can think of, this move just makes you happy - the dancing, the story, the humor - all of it so well done. Thank you for the reaction.

[@fayesouthall6604]

It’s such a happy film

[@dokidaddy1056]

ASHLEIGH Great review! Here's a Fun Fact that not to many people know: During the filming of the title song (Singing In The Rain) the production crew were having a heck of a problem. Back in those days CGI didn't exist and the filmstock they had to use just wasn't picking up the "rain". - After a great many takes, someone decided to mix a great amount of powdered milk into the tanks (I think it was Boysco brand, but I don't know for sure) to make everything show up right for the camera. So in reality, he was Singing In The Milk. :)

[@usascorpio]

- not milk, it was backlight to illuminate the water

[@kieronball8962]

Fun Facts For Ashleigh: The Good Morning dance routine was the first scenes filmed for the movie, by 19 years old Debbie Reynolds. They mixed milk in with the water, during the Singin' In The Rain dance routine, so the rain would be visible on screen. Gene Kelly was seriously ill and had a high fever, when he performed the Singin' In The Rain dance routine.

[@usascorpio]

- not milk, the water was back-light to make it visible.

[@RetroClassic66]

Shortly before this classic was released on DVD for its 50th Anniversary in 2002, it was rereleased in selected theaters in North America. I was fortunate to be able to see it on the big screen then, and it was incredible! The film had just recently been restored using a patented method by Warner Bros., and it was so good that the director of the film, Stanley Donen, who was still alive then, remarked that the film actually looked better than it had when it originally opened in 1952! This is a film that is so full of life and positivity that it’s impossible not to break out in a great big smile while watching it! Everyone should see it regularly! By the way, the method of using big records to sync up the sound to the film was an actual film sound process, Warner Bros.’ Vitaphone process to be specific. Eventually it was replaced with a magnetic soundtrack on the film print (there have been other film sound processes over the decades as well), but today, since the 90s, there’s actually a similar process to Vitaphone: the DTS (Digital Theater Sound) or Datasat process, which syncs up the image with the sound on a CD, using computer controls and time codes on the film or DCP (Digital Cinema Print) file.

[@RetroClassic66]

Also, Variety and the Hollywood Reporter were both trade newspapers originally, and were only distributed in certain locations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, or by mail. They were originally only read by people in showbiz, not by the general public. That began changing in the 80s and 90s, and then when digital publishing began their distribution went worldwide.

[@kathyastrom1315]

I saw it in college at the campus auditorium in the mid-80s-it wasn’t a great print, but it still was really fun to see it on a bigger screen than my tv at home.

[@callieluna2459]

Wonderful reaction - thank you! If you liked this Gene Kelly movie you will love the Gene Kelly movie "An American in Paris" which was filmed in 1951, one year before "Singin' in the Rain", and incudes one of the most celebrated dance sequences in cinema history.

[@megwilcox2878]

OMG, every one of your comments on this are golden! The practical effects of the dance fabric!! Silk georgette, probably. Opaque, but liquid! You do need that green dress, you would rock it! This is my absolute favourite musical film, Gene Kelly was the first man I got hot for in my mind, and his talent always wowed. I knew you would love it, but hearing you say what a good time you were having was the best. You brighten up my day every time, but this is special. No one has had the gall to try to remake this movie. It's unrepeatable, I really hope no one tries. I was really shocked and saddened when I found out how much torture Debbie Reynolds went through! It's important that we keep talking about the abuses in the movie industry, past, present and future. Also, you should take tap lessons, Ashleigh. You've got at least as much talent as Debbie thought she did, and a better build. Something most people won't know or notice - Debbie Reynolds' figure, a little broad in the beam, short legs, square frame, was considered very fashionable in the 1920's, when this movie was set! The Queen Mother was built this way, and you'll see all the bathing beauties at the time were, too! That's after corsets went out of fashion, and the idea of "natural beauty" and The English Rose really hit. I'm a historian of this sort of thing, and it makes me love this movie even more.

[@patrickgermain1643]

Hey Ashleigh! So glad you've had a chance to watch this gem of a movie. I've owned copies of this movie for 30 years, and I watch it when I'm having a really shitty day and it's never once failed to cheer me up! I've been watching your channel for about 2 and a half years and it still puts a smile on my face. I feel very bad that I can't support you on Patreon, but I have Cerebral Palsy and only have my disability pension to live on. Sorry.

[@briangroboski4751]

This is, hands down, the BEST movie musical ever made. (Debbie Reynolds was 19 years old). The only musical that comes close is "An American in Paris," which also stars Gene Kelly. I hope you'll get to it sometime. Always love your reactions. ❤ They are as entertaining as the movies!

[@mena94x3]

On the Town was pretty good.

[@sallyh5413]

I agree, best ever made, there will never be a better one than this.

[@wyrmshadow4374]

No. Best musical is Southpark.

[@Georgefhaley]

IDK...is it better than West Side Story?

[@Ecrocken]

@@Georgefhaley In my opinion, absolutely! :)

[@willv7868]

Fun fact. The first women who got out of the car was Rita Moreno from West Side Story.

[@agenttheater5]

I love seeing people's reaction to hearing Lina's voice for the first time

[@gmhchaos]

This film has been a personal favorite for me for decades. Donald O.connor was one of the most underrated and skilled dancers and performers in his day and age. He has almost always been the comedic part of a show. But he has performed many of his own leads as well.

[@ADuchessInside]

Your pure joy while watching this is the experience I have every time I see Singin' in the Rain! I'm so glad you loved it!

[@dabe1971]

These classics will indeed stand the test of time as long as there are new generations like yourself who are prepared to view them for what they are and appreciate the joy they bring. Timeless.

[@jeanpaulmedellin]

One of my all-time favorites. Not only they had to act but also danced and sang really good. Actors in that time period truly were something else.

[@TTM9691]

THANK YOU!!!!! I've been DYING for you to watch this since I first discovered your channel a year and a half ago. Hands down: greatest musical ever. You don't have to love musicals to love this movie. Perfection from the very first frame to the very last frame. Your reaction was so great, I actually CRIED. This movie teaches you so much about the early history of movies, it entertains the frickin' hell out of you, this movie is LIFE and FUN and BEAUTY.....and it will always be one of my favorite movies. We all knew you'd love it, and that it would make a very special reaction. LOVE YA, ASHLEIGH!!! THANK YOU! (AND THANK YOU TACHIE!)

[@simonbeaird7436]

10:30: I love Donald O'Connor! Everyone remembers Gene Kelly and (usually) Debbie Reynolds but a lot of people forget our Don. Who is just wonderful in this film. 23:08: I know those legs! Cyd Charisse, a dance legend. A liitle-known fact is that Nana Visitor (Star Trek: Deep Space 9) is her niece.

[@DrGregoryHouseIT]

Trivia: Donald O' Connor was a pack-a-day smoker, and that and the intense work shooting the 'Make' Em Laugh' sequence sent him to exhaustion. And when he was recuperating he received the news that they hadn't actually recorded any of the sequence, so he'd have to do it AGAIN.

[@katenunyabizness9221]

Gene is such an all around talent. His dancing is so graceful. There is a version of The Three Musketeers that stars Gene as D'artagan that is worth a watch.

[@kathyastrom1315]

Yes! That is a really fun movie. I saw it on tv when I was a tween back in the late ‘70s and actually appreciated it more than the Michael York version.

[@kristeninlow3411]

Another great oldie is Some Like It Hot. A must watch from '59.

[@johnspikes8102]

Debbie Reynolds is Carrie Fisher's mother along with father, singer Eddie Fisher. The movie, Postcards From The Edge, is the story of Carrie growing up with Debbie Reynolds as a mom.

[@rickcoona]

Gene Kelly's Last film role was the 1980 movie *Xanadu* with Olivia Newton John. ELO and The Tubes. you will like it as it harkens back to the days of great musicals

[@ShawnRavenfire]

One of the things about this movie that makes it so unique is that almost all the songs were just old songs that the studio happened to have the rights to, but hadn't been used in a movie yet, so the execs just handed the writers a list of songs and said, write a movie around these. And this is what they came up with. It won the Oscar for best picture that year!

[@jamesmoyner7499]

Unfortunately it did not win the Oscar For Best Picture. It wasn’t even nominated for that. What did win was one of Cecil B. DeMille’s lesser films The Greatest Show On Earth which won over the more deserving High Noon. Also a majority of the songs including the title one had been used in films before.

[@jvondd]

It was nominated for two Oscars (Best Picture wasn't one of them), but it didn't win either.

[@victorsixtythree]

It's what's known as a "Jukebox Musical"- a musical where the songs are well known popular songs rather than original music. Most of the songs in 'Singin' in the Rain' are from the 1920's and 30's composed by a guy named Arthur Freed. Freed was at MGM studios and had the idea to make a musical using those songs and they came up with a story to tie them together.

[@shauntrek]

This isn't accurate. It wasn't even nominated for Best Picture.

[@jamesmoyner7499]

@@victorsixtythree Also a majority of the MGM musicals were made at the Arthur Freed Unit as he was the one who oversaw their production.

[@ozfroggirl9221]

Singin' In The Rain is just the best. You just can't help singing and dancing along with it. Singing' In The Rain and Casablanca are my all time greatest comfort movies. They never fail to make me happy.

[@bethcushway458]

Fantastic reaction Ashleigh. I think you'd like "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and the original "West Side Story". Also, as several other people have mentioned, "Some Like It Hot". It's so funny, Jack Lemmon steals every scene he's in, Tony Curtis' Cary Grant impersonation is hilarious and Marilyn is just fabulous, flawless and wears the most scandalous dresses I've ever seen!

[@Abbriscoe]

Ashleigh Burton ,It's funny that you made the Princess Leia hair remark, because the character in this movie named Kathy Selden is played by Debbie Reynolds. Debbie Reynolds is in real life the mother of Carrie Fisher, who plays Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies..

[@michelleangel6948]

never knew how much I needed a reaction for this movie! I'm obsessed with Gene Kelly and this movie is just perfect 😍

[@geminiacleo7ewe]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOOOVE that you seemed to have genuinely enjoyed this movie!!! It's one of my absolute favorites

[@KirSim92]

You should recognize Debbie Reynolds as Grandma Aggie from the Halloweentown movies; and she is also the mother of Princess Leia (Star Wars), Carrie Fisher. Gene Kelly did a lot of musicals back in the day and directing some as well like he did for this movie and doing the choreography. Gene directed and helped choreograph a little movie called "Hello Dolly" with Barbara Streisand (which imho you should totally react to...I think youd absolutely adore it! Keep up the reacts girl!

[@StPatrick89]

That is one of the best musicals of all time. You need to watch "An American in Paris." and "My Fair Lady". Hope to see you watch more classics on your channel.

[@ScooterBond1970]

Fun fact: the "Make Em Laugh" song was added to the script last minute because Gene Kelley wanted one number where Donald O'Connor could just cut loose. And it really was the performance of his life -- he was apparently bedridden for several days afterward, from sheer exhaustion (he was, like most folk in those days, a heavy smoker). Also, Debbie Reynolds was going to have her own solo song but it got cut for time and pacing. The scene does appear on the 60th anniversary bluray. But seriously, we all need a friend like Cosmo Brown. Make em laugh!

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Fun trivia -- the "REAL" voice that was singing was actually the actress who played Leia!

[@rickardroach9075]

Now you can check out _Xanadu_ (1980). It’s one of my so-bad-it’s-good guilty pleasures, along with _Can't Stop the Music_ (1980) and _The Pirate Movie_ (1982). _Xanadu_ was Gene Kelly's final film role, except for compilation films of the _That's Entertainment!_ series.

[@shannonbryan2191]

Love love love Xanadu and The Pirate Movie! I would recommend she watch The Pirates of Penzance with Kevin Kline before The Pirate Movie

[@stern12akachris32]

Just Remember Princess Leia Mother is in this, Debbie Reynolds who played Kathy in her first major Movie roll . This is one of the Greatest Musicals Ever !!!!

[@nathan3252]

I had a feeling this was gonna be a top 10 must see. Gene Kelly is truly a song and dance legend. He could do it all and that is what made everything he touched gold. Check out Christopher Walken on Gene Kelly. Its a great documentary about how incredible Gene Kelly was. Great choice. Glad you had a blast.

[@ninamravlja3632]

I’m 65 and I just watched this movie for the first time just a few years ago, so don’t feel so bad 😁

[@GeneralNerd]

There's a subtext here that the lavish sets and costumes are a celebration of the fact that films could do color now, and the film is set when films could do sound now.

[@jamesmoyner7499]

You don't know Gene Kelly from anything as you haven't watched anything with him yet, A majority of the songs in this film including the title song were recycled from previous MGM musicals. So one of the sad things is this film is kind of art imitating life as so many stars of the silent era of films were unable to make the transition over to talkies because of their voices, Gene Kelly had an over 100 degree fever while doing the “Singin in the Rain” number, Debbie Reynolds lied about her age to be in the film, young people will know her better as Grandma Aggie in the Halloweentown films and people will also know her as the mother of Carrie Fisher and since the two of them were so close a few days after Carrie died Debbie died as well from a broken heart. Donald O Conner went through the whole make em laugh number only to have to do it all again as they realized they forgot to film it because they were so mesmerized watching him perform, Some great musicals of this era from MGM and others I recommend include: Summer Stock, Brigadoon, The Band Wagon (in public domain), Oklahoma, South Pacific, State Fair, Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1960’s with Leslie Ann Warren, and the 90’s version with Brandy), Slipper and the Rose, On the Town, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, Showboat, Hello Dolly, It’s Always Fair Weather, Bye Bye Birdie,

[@Alicatie]

I would like to add My Fair Lady to that list, I think Ashleigh would get a kick out of that.

[@shannonbryan2191]

I would also like to add Kiss Me, Kate!

[@jamesmoyner7499]

@@shannonbryan2191 I love Keenan Wynn’s performance of Brush Up Your Shakespeare.

[@armastat]

Add all the Bing And Hope Road Shows.

[@shannonbryan2191]

@@jamesmoyner7499 Me too! So good

[@sarahrosencrans2402]

For consideration to the poll, sound of music. You mentioned not seeing it before. it’s a classic, and such a good watch in my opinion.

[@shainewhite2781]

Gene Kelly had a 110 degree fever while he was "Singing In The Rain." He got through it like a champ. Also, the rain used in the scene was in fact, water downed milk.

[@caldodge]

He was a hard guy to work with, but he pushed himself as hard as he pushed everyone else.

[@TangentOmega]

You probably mean 101°, otherwise, his brain would have fried.

[@manoflemancha2407]

@@TangentOmega yeah 106 your organs start to shutdown

[@sebastianfiel1715]

@@TangentOmega About to comment on that. 110 degree fever? an average human would be very much dead at that point.

[@jasonlane1528]

Correction: it was actually a 210° temperature that he had.

[@elijahvincent985]

17:16 The process of the film sound on a record is known as a Vitaphone recording. It is the same format that was used for the 1927 as-mentioned-onscreen film "The Jazz Singer." It is a 16 inch vinyl record that would play at 33-1/3 RPM (backwards compatible with LP records of today) and sync up to 11 minutes (or 1000 feet) of 35mm film. The first feature-length film to utilize this (without dialogue) was the 1926 film "Don Juan" which included sound effects and an original score. The format itself (as presented in this movie) was notorious for being out of sync with some movies on account of film splices or skips on the records. After 7 years from being conceived in 1924, it was abandoned in 1931 due to better sound-on-film systems being implemented. Also, Gene Kelly sang the title number with a 103 degree fever and was sicker than a dog. He about collapsed after the number was finished.

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

I loved your reaction, Ashleigh. I was brought up on classic films and musicals like this, they were the best with great dialogue, acting and dancing.

[@paulgunderson4721]

One of the things I love about this movie is the scarcity of cuts in the dance numbers. For example, I think Moses Supposes has 5-6 cuts in the entire thing. It shows the talent of the dancers. Relatively easy to make a non-dancer look like a dancer when you have zillions of cuts and few full-on face shots.

[@alexius23]

The song “Singing in the Rain” was “old” even when this movie was produced. It was first performed in a very early “talkie”. Decades later Stanley Kubrick produced/directed a movie called Clockwork Orange. The central character would sing Singing in the Rain as he brutalized people.

[@CrimsonRoseDancer]

So the woman who played Lena has a wonderful voice, in fact it was her real voice in the speaking dub part, so her performance was outstanding. Lol if you loved this…please, please, watch Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Seven hot guys who can dance and do acrobatics and of course Jane Powells voice and July Newmar a.k.a. Cat woman.

[@craigalbrechtson5364]

It's worth noting that when sound movies came out, there were a number of silent film stars who couldn't make the transition to sound as they had thick accents. This film reflects that.

[@jenniferrussellstudio]

Thank you! It was SO MUCH FUN watching this with you!

[@maxnorton1209]

I’ve suggested you see this for a while, and am glad you got to it. There are several other classic musicals you should see. “The Music Man” (1962) and “West Side Story” (1961) are my top suggestions.

[@mikebourgeois2742]

Also "South Pacific"

[@pj9654]

Yes, PLEASE review the 1961 "West Side Story," with Rita Moreno in a principal role. BTW - Rita was also in "Singin' In The Rain." She plays Lena's friend, the little snitch. Rita has been around for a very long time. She recently appeared in the Spielberg remake of West Side Story. Quite the career. :)

[@TV-j144]

Also, "My Fair Lady".

[@dadoctah]

@@TV-j144 And "Oklahoma!"

[@kelly9876]

I would add Gypsy (1962 with Natalie Wood), and Easter Parade (1948)

[@mariak.chalmers2577]

So happy you enjoyed this so much. This is my favorite video of yours because you are so genuine in your appreciation and reaction to this film classic.

[@TheOicyu812]

This movie has always been on my short list of favorite musicals. My other favorites are The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, Hair, and Fiddler on the Roof.

[@benjamansharer7969]

I would love, LOVE to see her reaction to Fiddler on the Roof!!

[@troidva]

Fun fact: Debbie Reynolds was 19 when she got this first big starring role. Her daughter Carrie Fisher was also 19 when she got her first big role in "Star Wars."

[@mikedignum1868]

The dancer in the green dress was Cyd Charisse one of Hollywood's greatest dancers and best known for two acclaimed dance sequences, the "Broadway Melody Ballet" from the movie Singin' in the Rain with Gene Kelly and the "Girl Hunt Ballet" from The Band Wagon.