Singin' in the Rain

  • Review Date: May 4, 2003
  • NR
  • Genre: Musical
  • 1952
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Often considered the finest musical of all time.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Singin' in the Rain is widely considered to be the best Hollywood musical ever made, and while it's on and working its magic, that's hard to dispute. There is some flirting and kissing, brief incidents of smoking and drinking, and some characters arguing. The characters are a bit on the rowdy and/or naughty side here and there, but they're good-hearted, and good-natured at the core. This movie will make anyone's day, provided kids are about 6 or older.

  • The movie offeres a fascinating glimpse of film history, wherein the silent era gave way to talking pictures.
  • These Hollywood types don't always behave responsibly, and sometimes their actions result in the ridiculing or embarrassment of others. But some them eventually team up and work together to solve a sticky problem.
  • Oddly, despite the good nature of this movie, not many of these characters are particularly admirable. Don is a bit of a spoiled movie star. Cosmo is smart, but also a clown and a goofball. And Kathy seems pure-hearted, but in her first scene with Don, she says mean things and hurts his feelings. Still, the good people do eventually begin to work together to solve their problems.
  • The movie features some passionate arguing. Fans are seen tearing at Don's clothes.
  • Don flirts heavily with Kathy, and somewhat inappropriately on their first meeting. Don and Lina share an intense kiss while shooting a movie.
  • Not applicable.
  • Not applicable.
  • Lina is seen holding a cigarette in a holder, but she doesn't smoke it. Cyd Charisse is seen smoking. During a musical number some dancers are holding martini shakers. In another number, dancers drink champagne.

What's the story?

Silent movie star Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) is paired on screen with the ultra-annoying Lina Lamont (Jean Hagan), who would like to be paired with him off screen as well. Sparks fly when Don encounters actress Kathy Seldon (Debbie Reynolds), which makes Lina jealous. When the first talkie, The Jazz Singer, becomes a hit, the stars of the latest Lockwood/Lamont movie, The Dueling Cavalier, are coached in vocal technique in an attempt at a talkie, but the results are disastrous. Meanwhile, Don and Kathy have fallen in love. After an all-night brainstorming session, Don, Kathy, and Don's best friend, Cosmo (Donald O'Connor), decide to turn the production into a musical, dubbing Kathy's voice for Lina's. However, it's not long before Lina and Kathy are put on the spot and have to face the music.


Is it any good?

 

This is often considered the finest musical of all time. Certainly it has it all: classic musical numbers and a witty script that's unusually sharp and satiric for a musical comedy, especially one making fun of the industry that produced it. Asked to name the top ten moments in the history of movies, most people would include the title number from this movie, in which Gene Kelly splashes and sings in the rain a "glorious feeling" that's contagious.

Only in a movie containing that sequence would Donald O'Connor's sensational "Make 'Em Laugh" number be mentioned second. It is a wildly funny pastiche of every possible slapstick gag, done with energy and skill so meticulous that it appears entirely spontaneous.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the history of movies, and the period in which silent movies gave way to talking movies. What were some of the problems? What were some of the benefits? What was left behind?

  • How is this movie different from modern films? What is it missing? Does it still entertain modern audiences?

  • Are there any role models in this film? If so who and why?


This review was written by Nell Minow
Teen, 17 years old
July 15, 2009
 
e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
"I'm singin in the rain, just singin in the rain!" This is the ultimate feel-good, laugh out loud movie, with a little romance too!

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Adult
April 22, 2010
 
Truly the best Hollywood musical of all time
It could also be the best "putting on a show" movie ever made. I mean, wow, it's incredible that all of this was done in one take! Gene Kelly truly was the king of broadway dance and this proves it. I'd recommend everyone see this at least once.

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Teen, 15 years old
January 30, 2010
 
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.
This is the best musical ever. The songs are classics. I love the songs. This is one of my favorite movies.

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Adult
September 14, 2009
 

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Parent of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 year old
February 11, 2010
 
a family singin in the rain
it's one of my faves.we love the music,dancing,and the comedy

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Parent
August 18, 2009
 
My three and five year old both love this film and choose to watch, because they can get up and dance.

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Teen, 16 years old
October 6, 2009
 
People usually think of this when they think of musicals
I saw this in Video Production, although it's a typical formulaic musical, it is very entertaining and lively, a movie everyone should experience to get their opinons on it. It gets racy at times though, especially during the lengthy penultimate number.

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Kid, 11 years old
October 13, 2010
 
COOOL SOOO BRILLIANT
I LOVE THE SONG SINGIN IN THE RAIN ITS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COOOOOOOOOOOOOL I LOVE THIS FILM OK FOR ALL AGES LEENA IS SO FUNNY A HILARIOUS FILM FOR ALL THE FAMILY ONE OF THE BEST MUSICALS IN THE WORLD

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Parent of 7 and 12 year old
April 9, 2008
 
this one's fine for toddlers
the music numbers are great, a little kids love them. my son loved this movie at age 3. the dialogue is inane, but it doesn't really matter. the costumes and dance routines are what make the film fun.

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Adult
October 31, 2010
 
This is movie is for Pre-Teens and Adults!
Singin' in the Rain is awesome to watch over and over again! I just loved it!

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This review was written by Nell Minow
Studio:MGM/UA
Director:Stanley Donen
Cast:Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, Gene Kelly
Genre:Musical
Run time:102 minutes
Theatrical release date:April 11, 1952
DVD release date:August 22, 1997
MPAA rating:NR

This review was written by Nell Minow
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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