Director
Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
Leading Actors/Actresses
Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds
Supporting Actors/Actresses
Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell
Genre
Comedy, Musical, Romance
Language
English
Awards
Nominated for 2 Oscars: Best Music-Scoring of a Musical Picture, Best Actress in a Supporting Role-Jean Hagen
Date of Release
1952
Producer
Arthur Freed
Setting and Context
1927 Hollywood transition from silent era into talkies
Narrator and Point of View
There is no narrator, but we follow Don Lockwood's perspective throughout.
Tone and Mood
Comedic, Dramatic, Romantic, Silly, Fun, Feel-Good
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonists are Don, Cosmo and Kathy. Antagonist is Lina.
Major Conflict
The first conflict is the question of whether Lockwood and Lina will be able to successfully transition into careers in "talkies." The second is Lina's desire to control and limit Kathy's career. After Kathy is used as the voice for Lina in her first talkie Lina demands that she continue to be her voice and give up her own career.
Climax
Lina, in search of attention from the crowd, is asked to sing. Cosmo, Simpson, and Lockwood raise the curtain to reveal to the adoring audience that it was not Lina's voice in the film, but Kathy's. Don announces that Kathy is the true voice behind the film and the audience cheers for her.
Foreshadowing
The introduction of the "talking picture" and the party guests' shrugging it off foreshadows the studio's inability to move with the times and make a successful talkie at first.
Understatement
Cosmo's contribution to Don's fame is understated. Cosmo is, indeed, the brains behind the operation.
Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques
Allusions
The film itself is an allusion to the silent film era. Allusions are made to silent films, to King Lear, Ethel Barrymore.
Paradox
Lina is one of the biggest stars on the planet, but her voice is so off-putting that if it was revealed to the public she would fall from grace.
Parallelism
Kathy and Lina are placed in parallel. They are opposites of sorts. Where Kathy is wholesome, Lina is jaded. Where Kathy is talented, Lina is not.