Singin' in the Rain (Two-Disc Special Edition) | 
 enlarge | Director: Donen, Stanley
Actors: Cyd Charisse, Mae Clarke, Harry Cody, Douglas Fowley, Lance Fuller
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $26.98
Buy New: $15.99
You Save: $10.99 (41%)
New (52) Used (16) from $15.99
Rating:  324 reviews
Sales Rank: 1343
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Special Edition, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 103
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.8 x 0.7
MPN: 012569562127
ISBN: 0790765195
UPC: 012569562127
EAN: 9780790765198
ASIN: B00006DEF9
Theatrical Release Date: April 11, 1952
Release Date: September 24, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Factory sealed
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Amazon.com essential video
Decades before the Hollywood film industry became famous for megabudget disaster and science fiction spectaculars, the studios of Southern California (and particularly Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) were renowned for a uniquely American (and nearly extinct) kind of picture known as The Musical. Indeed, when the prestigious British film magazine Sight & Sound conducts its international critics poll in the second year of every decade, this 1952 MGM picture is the American musical that consistently ranks among the 10 best movies ever made. It's not only a great song-and-dance piece starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and a sprightly Debbie Reynolds; it's also an affectionately funny insider spoof about the film industry's uneasy transition from silent pictures to "talkies." Kelly plays debonair star Don Lockwood, whose leading lady Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) has a screechy voice hilariously ill-suited to the new technology (and her glamorous screen image). Among the musical highlights: O'Connor's knockout "Make 'Em Laugh"; the big "Broadway Melody" production number; and, best of all, that charming little title ditty in which Kelly makes movie magic on a drenched set with nothing but a few puddles, a lamppost, and an umbrella. --Jim Emerson
Product Description
A Hollywood actor who has risen from vaudville to become a silent film star must make the difficult transition to sound.
Genre: Musicals
Rating: G
Release Date: 24-SEP-2002
Media Type: DVD
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| Customer Reviews: Read 319 more reviews...
 Masterpiece and Lots of Fun! June 22, 2008
This movie isn't just a masterpiece, it is lots of fun to watch. It is really enjoyable. The songs are wonderful. The story is amusing, and the dancing is infectious. The actors seem to be having so much fun, the audience just can't resist. If you love movies, you can't miss Singin' In The Rain. It's just wonderful. The extras are great on this DVD. The commentary is one of the best I've ever listened to. Just plain buy this DVD.
One of the Ten Greatest Films ever! June 12, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am not going to try to reiterate all of the laudatory reviews from other customers. But I will restate the claims of many who regard SITR as one of the ten best films ever made. Without a doubt it is, and that includes all types of films. Yes, the very theme of the film is a little "corny." but so was the era it portrays - when movies were "king" and the industry was in a tremendous state of transition. "Tongue-in-cheek" about covers the story line, which is beautifully woven into "the" classic Hollywood musical.
From beginning to end, the film is a masterful blend of romance, great humor, cinematic history with a clever touch of sarcasm, and some of the best dance performances ever seen anywhere. The title performance of Gene Kelly actually "singing in the rain" is the most memorable solo dance routine in the history of film. But there are some points in the film where Donald O'Connor almost steals the show, and his solo dance number of "Make 'Em Laugh" must be seen to be believed, and he put on some of the funniest sequences ever.
The lavish number performed by Gene Kelly with the incredibly beautiful Cy Charisse is simply breathtaking, and Jean Hagen's role as Lena Lamont is truly excellent. And Gene Kelly? At least the equal of Fred Astaire in dancing sensitivity, and much more athletic. You will also be a bit (pleasantly) surprised by the dance competence of Debbie Reynolds, who is at her charming and lovely best in the film.
It is an excellent, fast-moving, and wholly entertaining story throughout, and is a masterful piece of cinematography. I cannot imagine a classic film collection that does not include this wonderfully enjoyable DVD.
A Memorable Classic May 15, 2008
Singin' In the Rain is without a doubt the best musical ever made, with one of the best musical actors of the time ever, Gene Kelly. It's a great love story, and has an overall great story in general. It's a great movie about Hollywood during the transition from silent to talking pictures and a popular actor who is having trouble with the transition, he meets a girl and they fall in love. It is a fun movie for everyone and has wonderful music, I would recommend it to anyone.
What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again! May 12, 2008
I'm in my mid-twenties, and I have really enjoyed the musicals Hollywood had produced recently ("Chicago", "Phantom", "Hairspray"). I haven't seen a lot of "older" musicals, but I have seen "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", and I enjoyed that. I guess that those things combined led me to seek out some of Hollywood's "classic" musicals, and "Singin' in the Rain" was the first one I thought of.
I'm glad that was the case, because I really enjoyed it. It had great dancing and singing, wonderful acting, physical comedy, and a good message. It made me smile so many times I lost count of the smiles. I'd never seen a Gene Kelly film, but now that I have, I understand why so many people speak fondly of him. I enjoyed Debbie Reynolds' performance, but in truth, it was Donald O'Connor's performance that I'll remember for the longest. His dancing, singing voice, and most of all, his facial expressions, were fantastic.
So, if you're like me - someone who has seen the new group of Hollywood musicals and is wondering if you'd enjoy the older ones, too - I highly recommend "Singin' in the Rain". Go for it!
 Excellent Musical! Terrible DVD! May 8, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is an excellent comedy musical with a brilliant screenplay which ages very well and I can say that most of the jokes are still funny today. The dialogue is exceptionally witty and the choreography is first class. Gene's moves are great but I thought that O'Connor's were even better! The storyline is also intelligent concerning the demise of silent movies and the advent of sound told in a very amusing manner. This is much, much better than "An American In Paris" which had a brilliant score which is obvious because you can't go wrong with anything composed by the genius Gershwin but the choreography and storyline pales in comparison with this masterpiece.
Too bad about this dvd though which is an abomination and an insult to its content. The soundtrack is advertised as being remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1 but you certainly can't tell as the sound quality is really very poor and I found myself straining at times to hear the dialogue at some points which alternates in volume from soft to loud. Also the picture quality has not been restored at all and imperfections abound throughout. Thankfully with the advent of Blu-ray, here's hoping they do the right thing and take the opportunity to do a massive restoration job on both the picture (especially the picture) and the sound quality (the very least one should expect from a great musical is good sound quality!) Although "Oklahoma" will always be my favourite musical, this and "Yankee Doodle Dandy" come in a close second and third.
Great musical, great film but you should give this dvd a miss and wait for a much better restored version to be released. I know I am.
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