A Closer Look: Unveiling the iconic number in Singin’ in the Rain

Widely recognized as one of the best musical films ever made, the movie Singin’ in the Rain is not lacking when it comes to spectacular song-and-dance numbers. Most of the routines remain iconic by today’s standards — from Gene Kelly’s performance of the titular song, ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, to Donald O’Connor’s ‘Make ‘em Laugh’ (which based on research, was plagiarized. BUT that’s a conversation for another time).

One among many iconic dance numbers in the film

A performance that has always stood out to many who adore the film was when the main trio did the ‘Good Morning’ number. It was incredibly executed as a whole, from the choreography to the camera techniques and down to the post-production splicing of it (if you pay close attention, you’ll find that there are only NINE long cuts within the three-minute performance). What we’ll highlight, however, is Debbie Reynolds’ performance.

Debbie Reynolds: The striking gem of the movie Singin’ in the Rain

“Making Singin’ in the Rain and childbirth were the two hardest things I’ve ever done.” – Debbie Reynolds, from her 2013 memoir, Unsinkable.

Though fairly new to the industry at the time, Debbie Reynolds completely devoured that number. Aside from being magnetic throughout the entire sequence, her performance stands out even more once you realize she was only nineteen at the time of filming, she had no prior background in dancing (aside from the months of grueling training she endured in preparation for the role), and she had to perform alongside her two much older and professionally trained co-stars who have been dancing their whole lives.

To add to all this, it turns out that after the fifteen-hour mark it took to film the entire thing, Debbie’s feet were bleeding inside of her shoes and she had to be carried back to her dressing room. And guess what? Gene Kelly, who co-directed the film and choreographed the dance sequences, ultimately chose to use the first take they shot to include in the film, deeming it the best out of a multitude of takes to choose from.