Using some of TCM's Essentials Jr. summer programming as a guideline, I have appointed myself Grand Poobah of my niece Lenny's introduction to classic film.It is never too early to begin opening your mind to the riches of entertainment and art available to us.
Big news, Lenny. This week's entry for TCM's Essentials Jr. is a musical. Not just any old musical, but one considered by a lot of folks to be the musical, 1952s Singin' in the Rain. Critics and film historians feel that way about the movie because it is a perfect combination of a truly funny script that could stand on its own and skilful, entertaining musical numbers. A lot of fans feel that way about the movie because it may have been their first favourite musical or favourite classic movie. Your cousin Janet has loved it since her toddlerhood and had quite a crush on Gene Kelly who plays Don. (Since those days her affection has turned to Dana Andrews as Lt. MacPherson in Laura, but that's another lesson.)
Singin' in the Rain is bright and beautiful as it was filmed in Technicolor that we spoke of in the The Adventures of Robin Hood lesson. The story is set in Hollywood as movies make the transition from the silent film days, as we looked at in the The General lesson, to the era of sound pictures.
Lenny, you will like the characters in Singin' in the Rain, Cathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds), Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor) and think of them as your friends. They are your singing and dancing friends. People love to sing and dance, and love to watch other people sing and dance. In Singin' in the Rain your friends make music for their job, and when they are happy and sad.
Most of the songs in the movie were written by Nacio Herb Brown with lyrics by Arthur Freed. Mr. Freed was a producer at MGM, the company that made Singin' in the Rain. He wanted a movie featuring his songs and the writers Betty Comden and Adolph Green came up with the idea of the story and all the funny lines that the actors say. In the story of Singin' in the Rain, your friends Cathy, Don and Cosmo have a big problem, but by the end of the movie they discover that they have the answer to their problem and the ability to solve it with their own skill and work. Lenny, when you are faced with problems remember your friends from Singin' in the Rain and you may find the answers right at your finger tips.
Lenny, it has been fun for me to talk to you about these movies. Here is TCM's Essentials Jr. line-up for the rest of the summer:
King Kong - A Caftan Aunt fave
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington - Uncle Garry and cousin Janet love this one
Horse Feathers - Ask Aunt Mo about the Marx Brothers
The Thing from Another World - A Caftan Aunt super fave that frightened Janet when she was little
Road to Utopia - Liking Bing & Bob is a family requirement
The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Broke Janet's heart when she was little
His Girl Friday - A Caftan Aunt essential
Gunga Din - All your aunts and your mommy enjoy this comedy-adventure movie
My Man Godfrey - All your aunts and cousin Janet love William Powell
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington - Uncle Garry and cousin Janet love this one
Horse Feathers - Ask Aunt Mo about the Marx Brothers
The Thing from Another World - A Caftan Aunt super fave that frightened Janet when she was little
Road to Utopia - Liking Bing & Bob is a family requirement
The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Broke Janet's heart when she was little
His Girl Friday - A Caftan Aunt essential
Gunga Din - All your aunts and your mommy enjoy this comedy-adventure movie
My Man Godfrey - All your aunts and cousin Janet love William Powell
