What is your favorite musical?

Considering that the challenge I chose to do was was a thirty day challenge, I felt the need to challenge myself in this thirty-one day month.  Some would probably say that was when I played catch up last weekend, but nope.  I was determined to come up with a subject to write about for day thirty-one.  After looking over what I have already written about, I debated on writing about my favorite hero.  After all, I shared my favorite villain so that makes sense.  However, I soon realized that I have yet in my thirty day challenge to talk about any musical outside of my guilty pleasure film.  How is this even possible?  How can there be a movie challenge that does not ask me about my favorite musical?!  I know some of you are probably shocked, considering how much I love horror, to learn that I love musicals just as much.  The truth is though Singin’ in the Rain is the film that truly made me love movies.  I fell in love in that classroom trailer watching this one in music class on the smallest television ever.  If I were not enamored by cinema prior, Singin’ in the Rain solidified my love for movies.

Day 31: Your favorite musical – Singin’ in the Rain

As stated above, the first time I viewed Singin’ in the Rain was in the third grade.  I remember sitting in the music trailer and she told us that she was going to show us a musical the next couple of classes that changed her life.  I wish I could remember that particular teacher’s name but time has not been my friend in that manner.  What I do remember though is being upset that we had to go back to our day of what was dubbed essential learning for the day.  I wanted to stay in the trailer.  I wanted to watch this movie that was nothing short of spectacular even on a small television screen.  I wanted to lay there and learn more about Don Lockwood, Cosmo Brown, Kathy Seldan, and even Lina Lamont.  I did not get my way though.  Upon finally finishing the film in class I felt a little sad because I found myself wanting to watch it all over again.

Often times when I saw the film on a television channel, I would beg my mom to watch Singin’ in the Rain.  It got to the point that I’m positive she hated that film as much as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  Maybe my mom just had something against most musicals.  Or maybe I really did kill the films for her.  Now I’m wondering if she ever felt that way about the ninja turtles.  That is not the point though.  I remember when I watched my Godson later on in life I brought Singin’ in the Rain over as well as Drop Dead Fred.  Before he chose to watch Drop Dead Fred he asked if we could watch the Cosmo movie again.  I was shocked he had enjoyed the film as much as I had when I was younger and I said of course.  I believe that was when my mom went upstairs to talk to her sister as we stayed and laughed at various moments in the film.

There was also a part of me that was pleased he had taken to Cosmo because he was always my favorite growing up.  I now cannot help but think is because he was beyond sarcastic.  Cosmo did not play in regard to how he felt about anything or anyone.  And how can someone not appreciate “Make ‘Em Laugh?”  I don’t think anyone can deny the brilliance of that particular scene.  And though Donald O’Connor was merely twenty-seven years old when the sequence was filmed he was also a smoker. Between the physical demands of the scene and his smoking habits, O’Connor was bedridden for days after filming.  His dedication produced a scene though that stays with us and has since been duplicated by many people throughout the years.  It is also the pinnacle of physical comedy routines at this point in time.  And despite the fact that I know I would probably break something attempting this even at my ideal weight, this is the one scene in the film I would never think to touch.

Likewise, filling Gene Kelly’s shoes would be beyond intimidating.  There are so many classic moments within the film based around Don Lockwood, but nothing more famous than his “Singin’ in the Rain” number itself.  This has been used in commercials, an amazing mashup on Glee was formed by using this song, and I would venture to say we have all tried to mimic this particular scene.  Any time I had to walk to my car while it was raining on campus when I was in college, I always would swing around the lampposts available.  I’m still shocked I did not manage to injury myself.  Granted, I never attempted to jump up on the base and lean out while singing, but I did find myself singing most of the time in the rain while walking to my car.  Most of the time people were not around, but even if they are I don’t regret my actions.  I also would stomp around in puddles and splash the way he did, but I’ve never attempted the tricky sidewalk work.

Additionally, I loved the character of Kathy Seldan.  She was not razzled or dazzled by Don Lockwood initially.  She only did what she wanted to do ultimately and that was unheard of during that area.  In a lot of ways I feel that Kathy was one of the ultimate feminists of her time far more than Lina Lamont who constantly depended on a man in her life to guide her career.  And in the moment that Kathy felt trapped she was willing to walk away from the company instead of moving forward with the company who was basically putting her on the back burner thanks to Lina’s demands.  Thankfully that did not occur and a new star was born based on her talents.  Talents that Don made sure the world knew about even if Kathy might have felt embarrassed at first by the actions Don, Cosmo, and R.F. took.  She was willing to give up a career to stand for her principles.  If that’s not inspiring then I don’t know what is at the end of the day.

Ultimately, Singin’ in the Rain has taught me many things over the years.  I find myself watching the film at least once every two years.  I cannot go longer without watching this film.  The fact is I don’t want to go any longer than that to watch this fantastic film.  I even found myself going to see Singin’ in the Rain on the silver screen for it’s 60th anniversary release in theaters thanks to TCM (Turner Classic Movies) and Fathom Events.  It was by far one of the best moments I’ve experience in theaters despite having to remind myself not to sing and let others around me enjoy the movie that we have all come to love over the years.  The drive to Atlanta was worth seeing this film presented how it was meant to be seen.  Plus, I drove to numerous locations before giving up and ordering the special anniversary addition of the box-set online for this particular film as well.  The truth is Singin’ in the Rain will always hold a special place in my heart. Without fail it always brings out a glorious feeling inside of me and let ms know I’m happy again. So bring on the rain, I’ve got a smile on my face that no one can take away when I’ve got the power of this film on my side.