Singin' in the Rain (1952), 10+ Color

A silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound.
1h 43min | Comedy, Musical, Romance | 11 April 1952
Directors: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Stars: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell, Cyd Charisse.
Stanley Donen ... musical numbers staged and directed by
Gene Kelly ... musical numbers staged and directed by
Jeanne Coyne ... assistant dance director (uncredited)
Ernie Flatt ... tap dance instructor (uncredited)
Carol Haney ... assistant dance director (uncredited)
Gene Kelly ... dance choreographer (uncredited)
Gwen Verdon ... assistant choreographer (uncredited)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045152/

In the Tap! Appendix for Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds.

Songs performed (38 chapters with menu):

• ch1. Singin' in the Rain, briefly Sung by Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds 
• ch3. Fit as a Fiddle, Originally from the 1932 stage revue "George White's Music Hall Varieties", Sung/danced by Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor 
• ch8. Temptation, Originally from Going Hollywood (1933), instrumental
• ch9. All I Do Is Dream of You, Originally from Sadie McKee (1934), Sung by Debbie Reynolds and Chorus 
• ch11. Make 'em Laugh, Sung/danced by Donald O'Connor 
• ch13. cookie-cutter musicals, rotating through:
• I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin', Originally from Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935), Sung by chorus 
• The Wedding of the Painted Doll, Originally from The Broadway Melody (1929), Sung by chorus 
• Should I?, Originally from Lord Byron of Broadway (1930), Sung by Wilson Wood 
• ch14. Beautiful Girl, Originally from Stage Mother (1933), Sung by Jimmy Thompson
• ch16. You Were Meant For Me, Originally from The Broadway Melody (1929), Sung by Gene Kelly
• ch18. Moses Supposes, Sung/danced by Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor 
• ch23. Good Morning, Originally from Babes in Arms (1939), Sung/danced by Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds 
• ch25. Singin' in the Rain, Originally from The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929), Sung/danced by Gene Kelly  
• ch27. Would You?, Originally from San Francisco (1936), Sung by Betty Noyes dubbing for Debbie Reynolds 
• ch28. The Broadway Melody opening, Originally from The Broadway Melody (1929) sung/danced by GK, ensemble
• ch29. Broadway Rhythm Ballet, Originally from The Broadway Melody (1929), Sung by Gene Kelly, danced by GK, Cyd Charisse
• ch33. The Broadway Melody finale, sung/danced by GK, ensemble
• ch37. Singin in the Rain (in A-Flat), Originally from The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929), Sung by Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Millard Mitchell  
• ch38. You Are My Lucky Star, Originally from Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935), Sung by Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and offscreen chorus 
• ch38. Would You? (End Title), Sung by Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Chorus 

Extra dvd feature "Reel Sound" (with clips) mentions these major transitional films:

• Don Juan (1926, Warner) duel scene had synchronized score and sound effects.
• A Plantation Act (1926, Warner), a short where Jolson sings and declares "You ain't heard nothin' yet!", as he was wont to do.
• The Jazz Singer (1927, Warner), first feature with synchronized dialogue and songs.
• Lights of New York (1928, Warner), first all-talking feature.
• The Broadway Melody (1929, MGM) first Best Picture talkie.

Then within the film, reel icons mark additional historic/inspirational clips from:

ch2. Show Girl in Hollywood ('30), H'wood premiere sequence

I gave up after several chapters when I didn't see the reel come up. And on this dvd, you can't play the commentary with this "reel" feature. Navigating to those titles doesn't tell you what films are excerpted or why. Nor do you see the "reel" when you fast forward. Ugh.

Disc2 has excerpts of the films where the songs originated.

Also an episode of Great Performances on the Freed unit, and a featurette on SitR, and the outtake of DR singing You Are My Lucky Star.

So why is the film so wonderful? All the ingredients are great: the players are perfect, the songs are old, but arranged for a modern ear, and the dancing is delightful. The story is sensational; not only do we meet some interesting people in an interesting situation, but we get a glimpse into history: specifically the transition from silent to sound, lovingly spoofed. The direction is excellent: no lulls, no reason to criticize any performance. Even the new songs (Make 'Em Laugh, Moses Supposes) composed for the film are well done.

MGM, dir. Donen & Kelly; 10+