Among the most beloved of all musicals, Singin’ in the Rain is the most fun of the small genre of films dealing with Hollywood’s transition to talkies. Modern day film composer David Newman leads the LA Phil in a live score of the musical classic.
Gene Kelly stars as silent movie star Don Lockwood making an uneasy transition to sound, though he admittedly has a much easier time of it than his squeaky-voiced leading lady. Luckily Debbie Reynolds and pal Donald O’Connor are around to help him out. The film’s musical performances are what stick in your mind, from O’Connor’s hilarious “Make ’Em Laugh” routine to the title track to the stylized “Broadway Melody.” The song-and-dance numbers and laughs never fail to disappoint, even after seven decades.