The List: Singin' in the Rain (dir. Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen, 1952)

What is there to say?

This film is a classic. Arguably the greatest musical comedy ever made (there are plenty of great musical dramas, but comedies this buoyant and joyful are hard to come by), it's also a moving love story and a scathing satire of Hollywood. All that plus the actual "Singin' in the Rain" musical sequence (guaranteed to make you smile).

But I do have a few quibbles. Not with the film per se, but... WHY was Jean Hagen the only one in the cast who was up for an oscar??? Yes, she was great at playing a crappy singer/actress/bitch. But where's the respect who those who have the chops (and pipes) to play GREAT singers, actors and comedians? The three major players were all great, and IMO more award-worthy than Hagen.

And another thing. WHY did Donald O'Connor win the golden globe for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical? That was GENE KELLY'S award. No disrespect toward O'Connor, who was terrific... but he's not really the lead. Kelly is. And he wasn't even nominated for the frakkin' golden globe?? Go figure. I won't even get started on how he directed the film, too...

Anyway, for the record, the nominations should've gone like this:

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE: Gene Kelly
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE: Debbie Reynolds
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Donald O'Connor
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Jean Hagen
BEST PICTURE OF 1952: Singin' in the Rain

The under-awardage of this film when it was released was pretty criminal. Luckily, film history would provide some vindication.