Films are something that we all look towards for escapism – the action, the humour, the romance, the animation. Sometimes these can hold so much more meaning then just an image on a screen and create narratives and memories in our own lives. Welcome to the sister article to Music Memories where we take a look at some of these personal stories attached to films.

Film: Singin’ In The Rain
Original Release Date: 1952

The other day I was in London – I had a bit of spare time on my hands and I noticed that the cinema on the canal at Kings Cross was going to play Singin’ In The Rain in about an hour. This is one of my all time favourite films and the opportunity to see it in a public environment seemed pretty special, so I went.

It had been a very long time since I had seen this film and it was such a delight to see it again. Seeing some of the best moments of the film such as Make ‘Em Laugh was great and hearing the audience react was also amazing – they even gave it an applause afterwards.

I was introduced to Singin’ In The Rain at a young age and fell in love with it straight away. I have always been a huge fan of Old Hollywood and the fact that it was focussed on going from Silent Films to the Talkies amazed me. I don’t think I really understood it as a kid but as I have gotten older I have fallen in love with it more and more and more as I love the production side of Old Hollywood era.

I found that this film is just magical – it has some fantastic songs, some fun comedy and is just a feel good film. The one thing I love is the dancing and the talents of Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor.

I will always love this film, it is such a feel good movie and I will always have a big smile on my face when I do watch it. The narrative is so clever and well before it’s time and that is why it is done so well.

Facts About Singin’ In The Rain

• Gene Kelly was a taskmaster with Debbie Reynolds, who had never danced to this degree before rehearsals started. Fred Astaire, who was in an adjacent dance studio, found her crying under a piano and reassured her that all of her hard work was worth the effort.
• A microphone was hidden in Debbie Reynolds’ blouse so her lines could be heard more clearly. During one of the dance numbers, her heartbeat can be heard, mirroring what happens to Lina Lamont in the movie itself.
• Only 19 when cast to play the film, Debbie Reynolds lived with her parents and commuted to the set. She had to wake up at 4:00 a.m. and ride three different buses to the studio; sometimes, to avoid the commute, she would just sleep on the set.