Singin' In The Rain <3 Flashcards
When was SITR set and filmed/premiered
Set in 1927 Hollywood
Filmed/premiered in 1952
Who were the directors of SITR
Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly
What studios was SITR created with and who composed the music of this work
Studio - MGM
Music - Nacio Herb Brown and Lennie Hayton
What were some origins/starting points of SITR
—> Filmed in 1952
—> Set in 1927 Hollywood
—> A silent film company and cast making the transition to talkies
—> The script was written around the songs that were part of producer Arthur Freed’s repertoire - produced most of MGMs productions in the 40s and 50s
What was the subject matter of SITR
—> A humorous look at Hollywood and how not everything is how its depicted in Hollywood
—> Each main character has some sort of facade that they hide behind a mask
—> Don Lockwood and his partner Cosmo Brown hide behind a false backstory of privilege and wealth, when in reality they grew up poor and worked as travelling street performers
—> When the film industry acquired the technology to add sound to their motion pictures
—> True love
—> Action vs fiction
—> The exploration of the end of silent movies
What are the musical numbers we study in SITR in order
1 - Always Dignity
2 - Fit as a fiddle
3 - All i do is dream of you
4 - Make ‘em laugh
5 - beautiful girls montage
6 - You were meant for me
7 - Moses Supposes
8 - Good Morning
9 - Singin’ in the rain
10 - Broadway melody ballet
What’s some features of the aural setting within the section ‘Always Dignity’
—> Violin - while he is describing his story
—> Harmonica - Cosmo plays while Don performs a tap solo - links to vaudville/street performers
—> Violin and piano - saloon style
—> Comical band music for clowning section - movements not specifically in time to the music for a satirical effect
—> ‘Jobs pouring in’ while they’re stood outside an employment office - irony
—> ‘My roles in these films were sophisticated’ - while running into buildings that then exploded as a stunt double
What are some key physical setting points within the section ‘Always Dignity’
—> The lighting in this section is quite simplistic and gives this natural everyday life feel rather than lighting similar to watching a broadway show with bright colours and flashing lights etc. Adds this element of naturalism in Gene Kelly’s works
—> Props - microphone, Harmonica, Piano, Violin, Canes (water pistol, large ones which drag the duo off stage) etc
What’s some of Dons key costumes within the section ‘Always Dignity’
—> Beginning - white suit, white collared shirt, white bow tie, white hat with a black ribbon in the middle
—> Pool room - white blazer like collar on his long sleeved black shirt, grey knee length shorts black knee length socks, black tap shoes
—> ‘Fit as a fiddle’ - green and white chequered suit, green fedora type hats with a red ribbon and white underneath, white T-shirt, red tie, red flower
What are some of Cosmos key costumes within the section ‘Always Dignity’
—> Beginning - navy blue suit, white top which looks like a scarf at the top
—> Pool room - white t-shirt, black sleeveless top, black trousers, black shoes
—> ‘Fit as a fiddle’ - Green and white chequered suit, green fedora type hat with a red ribbon and white underneath, white t-shirt, red tie, red flower
What are some key themes within the section ‘Always dignity’
—> Dignity
—> Facade
—> Vaudeville
—> Irony
—> Illusion vs reality
—> Living up to societal expectations
—> Carefree attitudes towards negativity
—> New experiences
—> Youth/childhood
—> Flashbacks
—> Honour
What’s the choreographic style within the section ‘Always Dignity’
