SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)

Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Producer: Arthur Freed

Director: Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen

Music: Nacia Herb Brown (Music), Arthur Freed (Lyrics).

Awards: Singin' in the Rain was only nominated for two Oscars: Best Supporting Actress (Jean Hagen) and Best Music. Donald O'Connor, however, received a Golden Globe. It has been nominated seven other times for awards and won two other ones. It was also listed as the #1 musical on AFI.

Interesting Fact: Debbie Reynolds said that both the making of this film and giving child birth were the two hardest things she has ever had to do.

My Favorite Scene: Who doesn't love the "Make Em' Laugh" sequence by Donald O'Connor. After some research, I discovered that the scene was very taxing on him, since he smoked four packs a day. The song was also written as the movie progressed and has a close resemblance to Cole Porter's "Be A Clown", shown in another Gene Kelly movie, "The Pirate" (1948).

This is the movie that re-defined the term "Musical." It has become a part of history, and not just for it's story-line. The songs are still sung today, while the movie itself is replayed constantly. It helps us see into the silent-era in a comical way. This is the film that has helped me understand the lifestyle of a star and way of living in that time.

This is my favorite because everything from the Dancing, to the Singing, to the comical relief, to the love story is at the top of it's game. It introduced to two new stars: Cyd Charisse & Debbie Reynolds. It also brought to light, the now immortalized, Donald O'Connor.


R. F. Simpson: "Don, it'll be a sensation! 'Lamont and Lockwood: they talk!'"
Lina: "Well of course we talk. Don't everybody?"

Trailer

"Make Em' Laugh"

PRESBYTERIAN LEGENDS OF HOLLYWOOD

Will H Hays (1879-1954)

Before the Censorship code, in 1934, was the "Hays Code", named after it's founder Will H. Hays. Already an Indianapolis Politician and a devout Presbyterian, he was asked to head this new organization and to end the immorality seen in many of the earlier films of the 1920's.

Though the Code itself was not accepted by most studios in it's time, it was a major precursor to the new code which in a way replaced it. His movement protected Hollywood from an eminent Government run censorship and helped clean up the scandals which plagued the newspapers. He later became known as the motion picture "Czar."

He, and many other Presbyterians, has been apart of the history of Hollywood. As I have said before, those shown below may have lapsed in their life or have been converted into this faith. I did not include John Wayne, who was born and raised Presbyterian, but then married and raised his children in the Catholic church before being converted himself right before his death.