- Format: NTSC
- Studio: Warner
- Release Date: Oct 8 2010
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (152 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0047CG9B6
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #37,720 in DVD (See Top 100 in DVD)
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Product Description
From Amazon.co.uk
Decades before the Hollywood film industry became famous for megabudget disaster and science fiction spectaculars, the studios of Southern California (and particularly Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) were renowned for a uniquely American (and nearly extinct) kind of picture known as The Musical. Indeed, when Sight & Sound conducts its international critics poll in the second year of every decade, this 1952 MGM picture is the American musical that consistently ranks among the 10 best movies ever made. It's not only a great song-and-dance piece starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and a sprightly Debbie Reynolds; it's also an affectionately funny insider spoof about the film industry's uneasy transition from silent pictures to "talkies". Kelly plays debonair star Don Lockwood, whose leading lady Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) has a screechy voice hilariously ill-suited to the new technology (and her glamorous screen image). Among the musical highlights: O'Connor's knockout "Make 'Em Laugh"; the big "Broadway Melody" production number; and, best of all, that charming little title ditty in which Kelly makes movie magic on a drenched set with nothing but a few puddles, a lamppost, and an umbrella. --Jim Emerson
Additional Features
The 50th-anniversary double-disc reissue of arguably the best musical ever gives us the goods. No flimsy "featurettes" here: a 90-minute Great Performances program from 1996 on the Arthur Freed unit at MGM anchors the extra disc. A new 35-minute documentary hosted by Debbie Reynolds gives a thorough once-over of the film's history--much of which is also found in the excellent commentary track featuring most of the major players. The source material of the songs is included, with an option for the viewer to directly link to the original production numbers while watching the film. The disc also delves into the film's plot--when sound entered film, with glimpses of The Jazz Singer and other early talkies. Audio recording sessions and deleted songs are some of the other treats. Last but not least is a knockout remastering of sound and picture, making the movie look and sound better than ever. --Doug Thomas
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Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Grungy Audio, cuts in major dance scene,
By Great Movie Addict (New York City) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Singin' in the Rain (Full Screen Special Edition, 2 Discs) (DVD)
... Unfortunately, this 2-disc "improvement" is a [disappointment]. The digitally remastered sound is harsh and grungy. Worst of all, there's a horrendous piece of censorship in Gene and Cyd's classic Broadway Melody dance number, a cut so obvious that it verges on sheer, criminal stupidity. I'm returning this 2-disc edition and searching for an uncut version to replace my ancient home-made VHS tape from the early 80's off a PBS station, where this dance scene is complete (and really gorgeous). What a shame.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Grand-daddy of Them All,
By dantes (York, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Singin' in the Rain (Full Screen Special Edition, 2 Discs) (DVD)
Where to start? Simply put, Singin' in the Rain is the premiere "integrated" musical in cinema history -- embodying the very best of Hollywood's post-war optimism, imagination and talent. Many other musicals come close, but none quite as comprehensively captures the essence of the genre as does SitR. When folks say "they don't make 'em like they used to," SitR is the type of film to which they're referring. Anyone having even a passing interest in this quintessentially American art form simply must have this film in their collection.Technically, Warner has provided us with an outstanding Special Edition of Singin' in the Rain. As for the feature quality, the transfer is, in a word, magnificent ("Glorious Technicolor," for sure), and the remastered audio is a sonic delight. As for extras, the feature disc contains a commentary track hosted by Debbie Reynolds that is well worth visiting, as well as some clips from the earliest "talkies" playing off of the feature's plot. For me, the crown jewel of the extras provided with this SE is the documentary located on disc 2, which concerns itself with the films emnating from MGM's Arthur Freed Unit, and the people responsible for those efforts. If you haven't yet developed a taste for the integrated musical, this documentary is virtually guaranteed to stoke the fires of interest. Since the release of the SitR SE, Warner has continued to lavish loving attention upon its Special Edition releases and, in my opinion, now sets the standard for studio catalog releases. Although I'm always excited to see new catalog releases from any studio, it is the Warner releases (SE or not) that set me to drooling. SitR is a top-notch SE and of tremendous historical importance. There is not a single reason to pass up this wonderful set.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Sound--only 2/3 of the picture.,
By geode2000 "geode2000" (Omaha, NE United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Singin' in the Rain (Full Screen Special Edition, 2 Discs) (DVD)
Why anyone would release the greatest screen musical of all time in full screen format is a mystery to me. Singin' In The Rain is everything you've ever heard it is....but to have 1/3 cut off such a spectacular piece of art is just criminal. Rent this one until they decide to let you have it all.
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