Singin' in the Rain was co-directed by Stanley Donen and the film's star Gene Kelly. It is widely considered the greatest film musical ever made. Kelly choreographed the film and adds a spirit of charisma, joy and fun. The film's tone—signalled by its title—is unique, maintaining a sense of hope in conflict and the persistent opportunity for humor and good cheer. Additionally, its subject matter—show business and the movie musical—give it an autobiographical authenticity and a satirical bent.
Gene Kelly first encountered Stanley Donen when Donen was a chorus boy in a Broadway musical. Kelly brought Donen along with him to Hollywood and their first experience co-directing was on the film On the Town, a smash hit for both of them. The initial idea for the film was to string together a number of notable pop songs from the time with a screenplay by beloved theater writers Betty Comden and Adolph Green. This formula had already worked for producer Arthur Freed on An American in Paris.
The process of shooting Singin' in the Rain was grueling and exhausting for all involved. Gene Kelly was notoriously a task master with his dancers, a single-minded perfectionist, and a genius. One notable piece of movie trivia that highlights the struggles of shooting is the fact that Gene Kelly himself had a fever of 103 degrees when they shot the title song, after days of filming the soaking wet dance. Additionally, it took 40 shots to perfect the final shot in the song, "Good Morning." Movie magic indeed.
