There are few musicals that are the epitome of the genre and one of them is the iconic classic Singing in the Rain. The film is now out on a 75th anniversary 4K Blu-ray upgrade that is worthy of the film’s place in Hollywood history and its long-term legacy. It has never looked crisper and sounded better. Honestly, overall, it feels like a whole new Singing in the Rain experience.
If there is a classic film that is worthy of the 4K upgrade and adding it to your collection, it is the Gene Kelley and Debbie Reynolds’ starring Singing in the Rain. The film is timeless and timely—a rarity in the landscape of Tinsel Town’s legacy.
Immediately viewers will notice a difference in your usual 4K upgrades. The studio decided to upgrade the audio, including the 5.5 remixes of the original audio, and it brings back the film’s original release in mono. The songs and the dialogue will pop off the screen and add resonance to the experience that is 70 years in the making.
It’s not the most perfect mix, but we are talking about a movie that came out 70 years ago. What you will hear is a not as vigorous and all-encompassing as some current 4K Blu-ray releases, but what you dear hear is musical magic. The dialogue is crystal clear as it comes, and the musical numbers will pierce your speakers and get goes a-tappin.
Now, the visual on the other hand is exquisite. The 2012 Blu-ray came sharp and left viewers thinking that is as intense as the visual can get. Think again. The new 2160p transfer of Singin’ in the Rain practically explodes with sonic succulence. What else is noticeable is the use of Technicolor to amp and define textures as we’ve never seen on a release for this title. Now, there is only one reel for the three-strip Technicolor negative that still survives. The rest burned in the tragic 1978 Eastman House fire. Those in charge of the 4K upgrade have outdone themselves in taking a 70-year-old movie and making it feel as it came out of today’s studio in terms of its visual resonance.
There is also a stellar use of HDR, which culls the more vivid colors of Kelley’s signature role, and with 4K televisions, you will notice the difference immediately. That contributes to the use of color exploding sequences of dancing and spectacle, not to mention clearing some of the darker scenes that bring out the darker, grey, and black hues. It is mind-blowing and worthy of this film’s place in Hollywood history.
Singin’ in the Rain was one of the initial twenty-five films that were selected by the United States Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry. It was deemed a deep “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” cinematic experience. Meanwhile, look for it to start the top ten for AFI’s 100 years countdown.
When it comes to extras, you do not want to miss:
The insightful audio commentary was recorded with vintage thoughts from stars Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, Cyd Charisse, Kathleen Freeman, co-director Stanley Donen, screenwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green, as well as filmmaker extraordinaire Baz Luhrmann, and author Rudy Behlmer.
There’s also access to all the Musical Numbers. Among those included are:
- Fit As a Fiddle
- All I Do Is Dream of You
- Make ‘Em Laugh
- I’ve Got a Feelin’ You’re Foolin’
- Wedding of the Painted Doll
- The Should I?
- Beautiful Girl
- You Were Meant for Me
- Moses
- Good Morning
- Singin’ in the Rain
- Broadway Melody / Rhythm / Ballet
- Singin’ in the Rain (Reprise)
- You Are My Lucky Star
Also included are previously released bonus features that include Singin’ in the Rain: Raining on a New Generation Documentary—which you will not want to miss.
Film Grade: A+
Bonus Features: B