Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly’s glorious musical was just a modest box office hit when it was first released in 1952, yet it has since come to be regarded as one of cinema’s greatest spectacles. An intriguingly self-referential film that looks back to a period of transition in Hollywood when silent movies were being overtaken by talkies, Singin’ in the Rain has endured because of some immaculately choreographed set pieces that are still stunning; the wonderful music that forms its soundtrack (the title song, ‘Good Morning’, ‘You Were Meant For Me’, etc.); and the infectious charm of a memorable cast led by Kelly, featuring Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds. MH