Blu-ray Review: Wonderful Limited Edition of Timeless ‘Singin’ in the Rain’

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
No votes yet

CHICAGO – The best musical of all time was recently released in a beautiful, lavish, packed limited edition — the kind that we see typically around the holiday season but rarely in July. The gorgeous box set for the timeless “Singin’ in the Rain” is easily one of the best Blu-ray releases of the year to date, a must for true movie collectors.

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-ray rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

What more is there to say about “Singin’ in the Rain” that hasn’t already been written? (Although it is interesting to notice the thematic and visual parallels to the 2011 Oscar winner for Best Picture, “The Artist,” something I hadn’t considered when seeing Michel Hazanavicius’ film last year.) “Singin’ in the Rain” is a pure delight, the kind of movie that I enjoy more with each passing year. And even though I’ve seen the movie a dozen times (I have a mother who adored it and I believe the number of times that I saw it early in my youth truly shaped my future love of cinema), I’ve never seen it look as striking as the HD transfer on the new Blu-ray. The movie looks amazing. Whether you buy the Limited Edition or the standalone version without all the physical collectibles (to be fair, the non-Limited Edition costs significantly less and so might be the better choice), just buy “Singin’ in the Rain.” It made me a movie lover. It could do the same for someone in your family.

What’s in the big box? There’s no studio like Warner Bros. when it comes to physical collectibles. They’ve released massive sets in the past for films like “Harry Potter,” “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory,” and “Ben-Hur,” among many others. They release holiday season movies like “Elf” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” every other year with new collectibles. And so what’s the natural association with “Singin’ in the Rain” and collectibles? Why, an umbrella, of course. There are also some cool lobby cards and a nice hardcover book.

While the film, the HD transfer, and the strong special features (including a documentary about the influence of the movie on a number of household names) mean more than the umbrella, it’s just a fun added touch from a studio that really knows how to treat fans of its most beloved films right. They’ve done it again.

Singin' in the Rain was released on Blu-ray on July 17, 2012
Singin’ in the Rain was released on Blu-ray on July 17, 2012
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Synopsis:
Silent movies are giving way to talking pictures - and a hoofer-turned-matinee idol (Gene Kelly) is caught in the bumpy transition, as are his buddy (Donald, O’Connor), a prospective ladylove (Debbie Reynolds) and shrewish costar (Jean Hagen). Rediscover the musical masterpiece, Singin’ In The Rain, in dazzling, restored high definition, featuring an all-new documentary special feature that salutes not just this all-time favorite but also the musical legacy of its producer, songwriter Arthur Freed.

Special Features:
o Commentary By Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, Cyd Charisse, Kathleen Freeman, Stanley Donen, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Baz Luhrmann and Rudy Behlmer
o Singin’ In The Rain: Raining On A New Generation Documentary
o Juke Box Jump-To-Song Feature
o Making Of Singin’ In The Rain and Musical Great Musicals: The Arthur Freed Unit at MGM - Documentaries
o Nacio Herb Brown / Arthur Freed Film Excerpts
o “You Are My Luck Star” Musical Number Outtake
o Stills Gallery
o 48 Page Hardcover Commemorative Book
o Collectible Full Size Umbrella With Charm
o Original Theatrical Door Panel Display Reproduction

“Singin’ in the Rain” stars Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor. It was directed by Stanley Donen & Kelly and released on Blu-ray on July 17, 2012.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
referendum
tracker