![[box cover]](../../reviewimgs/s/singinintherain_se.jpg)
Singin' in the Rain
The greatest of all the lavish MGM musicals gets the royal treatment on a splendid two-disc 50th Anniversary Special Edition DVD. Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds star in a funny, affectionate, romantic spoof of 1920s Hollywood, specifically the troubled transition between silent films and sound technology. Jean Hagen steals the show as a screechy-voiced screen queen, but the reals stars here are some of some of the finest song & dance numbers ever put on film, including Donald O'Connor's acrobatic "Make 'em Laugh," the extraordinary "Broadway Melody/Broadway Rhythm" ballet between Kelly and Cyd Charisse, and, of course, Kelly's signature showstopper, "Singin' in the Rain." This Warner Brothers' release offers an all-new 2002 digital transfer from state-of-the-art restored elements delivers one of the best restoration and preservation jobs ever put on a disc. The detail and definition are exquisite, and the colors are utterly rock solid. The actual digital transfer is perfect, with no artifacting at all. Accompanying the original monaural soundtrack (DD 1.0) is a new DD 5.1 remix that's fuller and more robust than this soundtrack has ever been. Both options are as clear and strong as anyone could ask for, with excellent clarity and dynamic range. Extras include a commentary track with Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, Cyd Charisse, co-director Stanley Donen, screenwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann, and others. Also here are two fine "making of" and historical documentaries, Reynolds' deleted "You Are My Lucky Star" solo number, click-through items on early sound films and Singini in the Rain's screen inspirations, audio scoring session music cues, a stills gallery, and the theatrical trailer. Dual DVD digipak with paperboard sleeve.
—Mark Bourne
