Singin' in the Rain

Last night I watched "Singin' in the Rain" as part of the spring Dartmouth Film Society series, "Color by Numbers." I was surprised to find a sizable group in the theater, given the fact that it was the first Monday of the term and I'd figured people would've preferred to have mini-reunions all around campus and whatnot.

But the movie was absolutely the perfect to jumpstart the spring; idealistic triple-threats tap dancing through the Hollywood film industry is pretty inspiring! Plus, I now have a crush on Gene Kelly.

What ever happened to the happy-go-lucky protagonist? Why must so many movies be categorized as "dramatic," "macho," "chick flick," and "bro-comedy?" Or even, why don't we have any good musicals anymore? Isn't there any talent out there? Why are so many of our musicals somewhat depressing and just remakes (Moulin Rouge!, Chicago)?

Perhaps the musical niche was filled during the faux-vanilla 1950's when so many of these idealistic films were churned out. But I think, with the war and the recession, this country needs Hollywood to do a better job of creating some escapist cinema. I'm sorry, but numerous Holocaust/apocalyptic films is not going to comfort me.

I'll probably just have to resort to watching these films on my own (or with DFS).