Singin' In The Rain (1952)

When silent movies make the transition to sound, a popular leading man (Gene Kelly) is able to make the transition smoothly. Not so, his manipulative and mean spirited leading lady (Jean Hagen), who is jealous of his attentions to a young starlet (Debbie Reynolds). Co-directed and choreographed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, this is the crown jewel of film musicals. The superb screenplay by Betty Comden and Adolph Green is a hilarious satire of Hollywood as it makes the transition to sound. The script is so good in fact, that it could work wonderfully without the musical numbers. Fortunately for us, they didn't and we're left with some iconic moments like Kelly's thrilling rendition of the title song, Donald O'Connor's dazzling Make 'Em Laugh number and the sensational Broadway Ballet featuring Kelly and the sizzling Cyd Charisse. It also features one of the great comedic performances, Jean Hagen's Lina Lamont. Just about as perfect as perfection can be. The songs are by Arthur Freed and Nacio Brown. Justifiably lauded as one of the greatest movies of all time. With Rita Moreno, Millard Mitchell, Kathleen Freeman, Douglas Fowley, Dawn Addams, Madge Blake, Mae Clarke and King Donovan.