Double Feature: SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, discussion between films with actress Debbie Reynolds. April 9, 2013

Tuesday, April 9 – 7:30 PM
Double Feature: SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, 1952, Warner Bros., 103 min. Dirs. Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen. On a short list of the greatest screen musicals ever made, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN began with legendary MGM producer Arthur Freed giving screenwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green a stack of songs he'd written early in his career (with partner Nacio Herb Brown) - including "Broadway Melody," "You Are My Lucky Star" and the title song - with the simple request to weave a story around the numbers. What emerged was a sublime marriage of song and dance, innocence and nostalgia, heart-tugging romance and surreal comedy (especially in co-star Donald O'Connor's show-stopping "Make 'Em Laugh" routine). Co-director Kelly shines as silent movie idol Don Lockwood, whose career (and leading lady, hilariously played by Jean Hagen) are imperiled by the coming of sound - until he hooks up with lovely ingenue Debbie Reynolds. The brilliant supporting cast includes Millard Mitchell, Douglas Fowley and the great Cyd Charisse, whose long-legged "Broadway Melody" ballet with Kelly nearly steals the show! {DCP}
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36QiuRc_3I8
THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, 1964, Warner Bros., 128 min. Dir. Charles Walters. This big-screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical earned Debbie Reynolds many critical accolades, including an Oscar nomination. When the charming, hard-working hillbilly Brown finds herself vaulted to high society after her husband (Harve Presnell, in his movie debut) strikes it rich, gaining the respect of her new peers proves to be a grand struggle. In the title role, Reynolds plays the legendary woman who, after rising from rags to riches, went on to famously survive the sinking of the Titanic. Includes the songs "I Ain’t Down Yet," "Belly Up to the Bar, Boys" and "He’s My Friend." THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN originally premiered at the Egyptian.
Discussion between films with actress Debbie Reynolds. Signed copies of her book Unsinkable: A Memoir will be for sale in the lobby beginning at 6:30 PM. {35mm}
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBFup7ci9ss

Official Website: http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/egyptian_theatre_events