The year is 1927. Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are the biggest silent screen stars in Hollywood. Their careers are going strong and public interest is at a high point, due to a fictitious romance created by their publicity department. Trouble arises when Don falls for newcomer Kathy Selden. Though they begin with a rocky start(as his friend Cosmo observes, "She's the first dame who hasn't fallen for your line since you were four.")the two quickly fall in love. This greatly annoys Lina who actually believes that she and Don are an item. To further complicate matters, THE JAZZ SINGER has just been released and is acheiving great success. The studio decides to make Lockwood and Lamont's next picture a talkie. Lina's terrible speaking voice and inability to act coupled with technical problems make the movie a disaster. Don is about to give up hope when Kathy suggests they reshoot the movie as a musical, and Cosmo suggests dubbing Kathy's voice for Lina's. All goes well until Lina discovers the plot and threatens to sue the studio unless Kathy is contracted to do Lina's voice and nothing else. Everything runs smoothly at the new movie premier until Lina is asked to sing. Kathy is given a microphone and put behind a curtain to sing for Lina. In the middle of the song, Don, Cosmo, and R.F. raise the curtain exposing Lina as a fraud. Lina's career is over, but Kathy Selden's is just beginning as Don Lockwood's new screen partner.
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN has been my favorite movie for many years. Gene Kelly, as always, is simply wonderful in this movie. Donald O'Connor, with his comedic dancing, is an outstanding co-star; and Jean Hagen is the best dumb blonde I have seen. This movie has some of the best dialogue I have ever heard. I quote from it all the time, Just ask my husband and friends. SITR never fails to cheer me up when I am down. This truly is the best movie ever made.
