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Erin Coggins
Prof. Julie Hicks
LBST Arts and Society: Film
September 16, 2014
Singin in the Rain Response
The film Singin in the Rain, made in 1952, is set in the 1920s and captures the
transition from silent films to talkies with charm and comedy. Staring Gene Kelly,
Donald OConnor, and Debbie Reynolds, this movie includes singing and dancing
throughout the storyline. The various editing techniques, shots, cuts between scenes, and
the integrated songs allow the audience to better understand the story. This film also
relates to many cultural aspects of todays society. Further, Singin in the Rain has
definitely become one of my favorite films after watching and discussing the plot, songs,
characters, and editing techniques.
Throughout the film, the editing techniques allow the audience to better connect
to the storyline through the various shots, cuts and transitions between scenes, and
integrated musical numbers. The shots varied between close-ups during most
conversations or intimate scenes and more distant shots during the dancing scenes. For
instance, both of these types of shots were used in the song You Were Meant for Me.
In the beginning of the song, the camera is focused on Don Lockwood. As he moves
toward Kathy Seldon, the camera zooms in to capture their faces. This shot allows the
audience to see the intimacy between these two characters. Then, as Don Lockwood and
Kathy Seldon begin to dance, the camera pans out to show their steps. This shot allows
the audience to enjoy the dancing in full. By using both close and more distant shots, the

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audience is able to understand the feelings of the characters and enjoy the choreography
of the musical. The cuts and transitions between scenes also allow the audience to follow
the plot line more easily. Fade cuts shift the audience into Don Lockwoods flashback of
his claim to fame and between locations. Additionally, spinning news headlines serve as
a transition and an avenue of information to the audience. After Don Lockwood and
Kathy Seldons You Were Meant for Me, newspapers spin into the middle of the
screen. The headlines explain the upcoming improvements in the company and updates
on their movie Dueling Cavaliers. After the headlines disappear, the audience sees Lina
Lamont in the midst of a diction lesson to prepare for the new talkie. The cuts and
transitions used keep the audience up to date on the location and setting of the scenes.
Further, Singin in the Rain is known as an integrated musical because the songs continue
the plot. The audience is able to learn more about the story through the characters
singing and dancing. For example, as Kathy Seldon performs the song All I Do Is
Dream of You, the audience can see her sneaking glances at Don Lockwood. Kathy
dances in the middle of the other girls, drawing the attention to her. At this point in the
movie, both Don Lockwood and Kathy Seldon realize more about each other. This
mutual realization is furthered by the song lyrics and performance. Throughout Singin
in the Rain, the different shots, transitions, and songs allow the audience to understand
and enjoy the storyline completely.
Although Singin in the Rain is set in the 1920s, there are many cultural
correlations to todays society displayed in the movie. As the film opens, fans are
anxiously awaiting the arrival of Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont to the premier of their
new movie. The fans shower them with affection, and the paparazzi snap pictures as the

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stars emerge from the car. Today, as celebrities walk the red carpet, reporters and fans
gaze at them with wide-eyes and the flashes from nearby cameras seem incessant. Along
with the continuous obsession over celebrities, todays stars rely on the publicity through
fan magazines, television, and other social media. In Singin in the Rain, Lina Lamont
sends in stories about herself to the newspaper to promote her voice in the new talkie
movie. Although the voice actually belongs to Kathy Seldon, Lina Lamont uses the
publicity to advertise that it is her singing in the new film. Likewise, celebrities today
use magazines, social media, and television as avenues for advertisements for their new
roles and performances. Linked to publicity, fans still enjoy involving themselves in the
relationships of their favorite actors and actresses. Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont
pretend to date to encourage crowds to watch their films, including the new Dancing
Cavalier. Similarly, actors and actresses play into the emotional appeal of society today.
For example, The Last Song starred the popular couple, Miley Cyrus and Liam
Hemsworth, increasing its popularity. Lastly, this film emphasizes the importance of
dancing in the 1920s, which is still prevalent in modern culture. Don Lockwood and
Cosmo Brown catch their break tap dancing and playing music. Although tap dancing is
not as prevalent, hip-hop is becoming an extremely popular discipline. Dancing is
incorporated in current award shows, concert choreography, music videos, and films.
Many aspects of Singin in the Rain including the popularity of celebrities, their
publicity, relationships on camera, and dancing are still found in the current culture of
Hollywood.
Further, I absolutely adored watching Singin in the Rain! The characters are
charming, the songs are catchy, and the storyline is engaging and interesting. Studying

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dance for almost 9 years, I was captivated by the dancing done by Gene Kelly, Debbie
Reynolds, and Donald OConnor. Tap is one of my favorite disciplines, and I loved
watching their fun, intricate choreography. I think my favorite dance to watch is Donald
OConnors Make Em Laugh. It amazed me that he was able to dance with a sense of
structure while his choreography was clumsy and scattered. The contrast kept my eyes
glued to the screen for the entire number. Also, I, like most other teenage girls, always
enjoy a sweet love story. Although it is a classic, predictable plot line, my heart melted
as I watched Kathy Seldon and Don Lockwood fall in love. As they sang You Were
Meant for Me in front of the sunset backdrop, a faint smile spread across my face and
my heart filled with delight. Overall, Singin in the Rain has earned a place on my top 10
favorite movies list.
The film Singin in the Rain, directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen,
incorporates many of the issues that come with the transition from silent films to
talkies. The mis-en-scene of the film, including the various shots, cuts and transitions,
and integrated musical numbers allow the audience to better engage with the storyline.
Also, the ideas of celebrities and dancing in the culture of the 1920s are still relevant in
todays Hollywood. I thoroughly enjoyed watching and discussing the plot, songs,
characters, and editing techniques of Singin in the Rain.