"Singin' In The Rain": Establishing A Genre Movie

Abstract: 9 pages in length. Love abounds when Don (Gene Kelly) expresses his love for Cathy (Debbie Reynolds) in the deserted stage room while singing "You Were Meant For Me" in the 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain. Understanding how the scene's theatrical presence seems to exemplify the workings of a genre movie encourages one to refer extensively to the specific textual characteristics such as lighting, framing, editing, camera work, as well as indicating how textual features may be related to broader questions such as ideology, generic conventions, visual style and narrative structure. Experiencing this particular scene is much more than merely watching two actors complete their routine; rather, everything about that stage -- from the lighting to the sets to the scenery -- plays an enormous role in the overall genre appeal. Without appropriate appearances to effectuate the scene's depth, there would exist little cohesion with regard to musical characterization so prevalent to all four genres that this film represents: Classic, Comedy, Music and Romance. Bibliography lists 5 sources. TLCsingn.wps

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Catagory: Film & Television

Subcatagory: Music, Film, Television, Theater & Photography

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