An American in Paris (1951) v Singin' in the Rain (1952)

[zen007]

v




Considered to be among the best Gene Kelly films. Which one is your favorite?

[traths]

Singin' in the Rain is the greatest musical of all time.

[DR Herbert West]

Singin' in the Rain

[Winslow Leach]

Singin' in the Rain

[Cremildo]

Singin' in the Rain B
An American in Paris B-

[Beckford]

Grew up loving MGM musicals and a whole pile of them enjoy permanent residence on my all-time favorites list.
Yet - in spite of the excellence of many of its individual parts - I've never been really taken with "Singin' in the Rain". Topnotch songs. Some impressive dancing, for sure. And superb work from Donald O'Connor. But the script just never quite jells for me.
Certainly, part of that's because I just can't buy into the central romance between Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. Just find there's no chemistry, no real spark between them.
And - although Jean Hagen's a fine actress - her universally adored Lina Lamont is also something that never really lands for me. Clearly, the sole point of her shtick here is to be funny but I've just never responded. Same thing happened for me when the great Lesley Ann Warner delivered a similar performance in "Victor/Victoria". Like Hagen, she was praised to the skies and Oscar nominated. Barbara Nichols has played types like this more than once and - when she does it - I find she generally carries it off brilliantly.
I certainly don't consider "Singin' in the Rain" a bad movie. And obviously millions continue to celebrate to it as an all-time classic. My heart just doesn't feel it.
Now "An American in Paris" is another story. Love every minute of it. Great Alan Jay Lerner script - clever, heartfelt and touching. Kelly's in peak form. And the whole thing's imaginative and daring in concept and execution. The Gershwin music is presented brilliantly. And the central romance between Kelly and Leslie Caron represents one of my all-time favorite teamings. What a fantastic debut for Caron! Supporting cast is spot on too. Wish Georges Guetary had made more American films. And Nina Foch (with help from Lerner's script) provides a brilliant spin on "the other woman", cynical but sympathetic. I'd have definitely nominated her for a supporting actress Oscar that year.
Anyway, bottom line. This poll was no contest for me.
It's "An American in Paris" all the way.

[zen007]

Watched both films back to back:

Singin' in the Rain: Amazing film about films. It could even have a case to be the greatest film (not just musical) of all time. Whenever I watch this film, I tend to give it a thumbs up and/or clap once it ends.

An American in Paris: Like the love story in this one and the environment in Paris. It feels like a multiple Oscar-winning film. I tend to give it a thumbs up as well.

One can discuss which one is the better film. However, as favorites, I find them difficult to separate. Will go with the tie!

[kylor]

Singin' In The Rain.

[RFK]

Even Bob Fosse couldn't top Singin' in the Rain though Cabaret comes very close.

[Cruel Angel]

Rain

[jeangreyforever]

Singin' in the Rain. I never could get into An American in Paris and it didn't deserve best picture over A Streetcar Named Desire. For that matter, even The African Queen or A Place in the Sun would have been worthier winners.

[Canada]

Singin' in the Rain is one of the best musicals ever made.