Singin' in the Rain (NR, 1952)

common sense media says

Often considered the finest musical of all time.


parents & educators say
  • 40% say there are positive messages
  • 30% say there are positive role models

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.

Educational value: The movie offeres a fascinating glimpse of film history, wherein the silent era gave way to talking pictures.
Positive messages: 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.
Positive role models: 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.
Violence & scariness: The movie features some passionate arguing. Fans are seen tearing at Don's clothes.
Sexy stuff: Don flirts heavily with Kathy, and somewhat inappropriately on their first meeting. Don and Lina share an intense kiss while shooting a movie.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: 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.

More on Singin' in the Rain

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • 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?

What's the story?

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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Stanley Donen
Cast: Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, Gene Kelly
Genre: Musical
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: April 11, 1952
DVD release: August 22, 1997
MPAA Rating: NR

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

5
Based on 10 parent & educator reviews:
  • 40% say there are positive messages
  • 30% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

SomebodysMe
teen, 17 years old
 
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!

perfectionist
teen, 15 years old
 
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.
This is the best musical ever. The songs are classics. I love the songs. This is one of my favorite movies.

 

nduns
adult
 
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.

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

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

 
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!

jammy145
kid, 11 years old
 
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

hrhphd
kid, 12 years old
 
GOOD FOR EVERYONE!
WOW!

BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
 
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.

bubbo
adult
 
Great
One of the best musicals ever made, a feel-good, hilarious, and colorful film! Nothing here parents would object to, this film is accepbtable for kids of all ages.

kvirgin
parent of 7 and 12 year old
 
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.

moviebash
teen, 15 years old
 
I Laughed!
Probably the greatest movie of all time!

 
A glorious feeling...
It's rare to find great, wholesome, innocent movies everyone can enjoy. This is a great film which can pretty much be seen by anyone. The songs are catchy and fun and the dancing routines are beautiful. Have fun!

Miss Muffett
teen, 17 years old
 
Outstanding Movie
I love watching this movie. It has a love story that is not at all sappy mixed in with good clean fun.

BKF
parent of 3 and 6 year old
 
My preschoolers love this one!
My kids are 2 1/2 and 5 and have seen almost no tv or movies but i let them watch this and they just love it. The few iffy moments are the stunts at the beginning (where "Don Lockwood" looks like he's getting killed in various stunts) and which we describe to our 2 1/2-year-old as "pretend" and the "dumb blonde" role. The former is a bit of a problem but, honestly, the portrayal is so stereotyped that I don't think my kids even take it seriously -- it's just not what they see anywhere else.

LECkitty
kid, 11 years old
 
A beloved classic.
A truly great musical, with catchy songs and pretty positive messages. However, there is some smoking (especially from Lina) and mean revenge.

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