General News

Gene Kelly is SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN at The Hi-Pointe Saturday Morning

By Tom Stockman | April 7, 2014

“She can’t act, she can’t sing, she can’t dance. A triple threat!”

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN is part musical, part comedy, and part romance, but it is always all of these things at the same time. The story follows Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly), a famous silent movie star, and his friend Cosmo (Donald O’Connor) as they brace for Hollywood’s transition into the Age of Sound. This period in film history serves only as a backdrop for one of the most lavish films ever made. In addition to the comedy, what makes SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN so memorable is the dance numbers. Watching O’Connor flail around during “Make ‘Em Laugh” is hilarious and nerve-wracking at the same time, and Gene Kelly’s famous “Singin’ in the Rain” epitomizes the film’s spirit.

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN is a perfect example of that kind of great film that unites its audience through pure, unfettered entertainment. The musical numbers (directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly) are energetic, the sets and costumes are colorful, there are heroes and villains, and many scenes are hilarious. Made in the time when Hollywood was able to produce great art and even satirically look at itself, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN is one of those timeless classics that still have appeal to the audience, even those younger generations that never experienced the true power of musicals.

And now, lucky St. Louisans will have the opportunity to see SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN on the big screen when it plays this Saturday morning (April 12th) at the fabulous Hi-Pointe Theater (1005 McCausland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63117) as part of their Classic Film Series.