Oldie but a Goodie

Remember when movies were a big deal?  Remember when famous people were talented and capable singers, dancers, and played the big screen?  If you do, congrats.  You're old. 

Just kidding.  Kind of.  Movies today have changed drastically since the days when they first started.  "Talkies" were revolutionary, but, honestly, how many people know what that is?  So, today, when I sat in on a chorus class watching "Singing in the Rain," my curiosity equalled my scepticism.  How were 5th and 6th graders going to react to a really old movie.  (At least, "really old" to someone who only has 10 years of Earthly experiences that revolve around Sponge Bob, Facebook, Twitter, and Justin Beiber). 

In case you don't know much about "Singing in the Rain", it is a movie produced in 1952 about the transition from silent films to "talkies", or films with sound.  Staring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds, this film already promised to be a smash when it came out and a classic for those still around to enjoy it today.  However and pathetically enough, the only thing I knew about it was that it was about some people dancing in rain and included a really famous guy in the cast.  Lame.  (And yes, I know.  I don't win the AMC award of the month).  Happily, though, I LOVED this movie and, although I only was privy to a small snippet of it, I definitely would love to see it in its entirety.

Best scenes?  "Make 'em Laugh" and the vocal coaching, at least from the very small preview I had.  Astoundingly, though, not only was I laughing and smiling and thoroughly enjoying myself, but the students laughed at the right times, pointed to the screen when they wanted to share a funny moment with their friend, and genuinely seemed interested.  And better yet, they received a free cinematic history lesson in the process! 

So, while "talkies" may be a novelty of the past, remembering the classics and what made them revolutionary at the time is essential to understanding the progression of cinema and how we arrived at their Pixar creations and action flicks of today.  And, if you haven't seen it, make a point of Netflix-ing it, or maybe even reviving your dead and buried VHS player from its basement crypt.  (Remember what a VHS is??  That scary thing that ate videos when the rewind button didn't work).  Either way, this movie is a must-see and will surprise you at how much it makes you laugh and enjoy yourself even in a world that barely resembles that of the past.