Comments on: Movie. Singin’ in the Rain, 1952. (HIx: 2) http://butler-harris.org/archives/165 How can you have the last word if you haven't heard the first? Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:35:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Vanishing American http://butler-harris.org/archives/165#comment-2473 Thu, 08 Feb 2007 06:42:15 +0000 http://butler-harris.org/archives/165#comment-2473 This is one of those movies that everybody seems to love, and I've watched and enjoyed it several times. After a few viewings, though, I began to notice the caricaturing of silent films and silent film actors. I noticed it more after I had seen many silent movies; the movie looks down silent films, which were made out to be quaint and corny, and silent actors were the butt of many jokes. The condescension bothered me. 'Lina Lamont' was too cartoonish to be remotely believable, with her exaggerated voice and accent. Another irony I've noticed is that Debbie Reynolds' supposedly superior voice is dubbed in for Lina Lamont's, when in actuality,Jean Hagen (Lamont) is singing for Debbie on at least one song. ('I Would, Would You?') The music in the film is good, but the title song 'Singin' in the Rain' is a period song which made its debut back in the 20s. This is one of those movies that everybody seems to love, and I’ve watched and enjoyed it several times. After a few viewings, though, I began to notice the caricaturing of silent films and silent film actors. I noticed it more after I had seen many silent movies; the movie looks down silent films, which were made out to be quaint and corny, and silent actors were the butt of many jokes. The condescension bothered me.
‘Lina Lamont’ was too cartoonish to be remotely believable, with her exaggerated voice and accent.
Another irony I’ve noticed is that Debbie Reynolds’ supposedly superior voice is dubbed in for Lina Lamont’s, when in actuality,Jean Hagen (Lamont) is singing for Debbie on at least one song. (’I Would, Would You?’)
The music in the film is good, but the title song ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ is a period song which made its debut back in the 20s.

]]> by: razzendahcuben http://butler-harris.org/archives/165#comment-2450 Thu, 08 Feb 2007 03:04:11 +0000 http://butler-harris.org/archives/165#comment-2450 Ah, my favorite movie of all time. I can't tell if your criticisms are criticisms against the movie itself, or if you are simply pointing out the satire within the movie. And Gene Kelly's voice is <i>weak</i>? Not at all. Ah, my favorite movie of all time.

I can’t tell if your criticisms are criticisms against the movie itself, or if you are simply pointing out the satire within the movie.

And Gene Kelly’s voice is weak? Not at all.

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