Singin' in the Rain

Singin' in the Rain Literary Elements

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.

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