The American musical Singin’ in the Rain is the choice for next week’s ‘Classic Tuesdays’ at the National Gallery, Castellani House

Co-directed in 1952 by Stanley Donen and dancer Gene Kelly, Singin’ in the Rain opens the 2008 season of ‘Classic Tuesdays’ on January 8 at 6 pm, a release from Castellani House said.

Singin’ in the Rain stars dancers Kelly and Donald O’Connor with then newcomer Debbie Reynolds and Jean Hagen. The film features characteristically athletic and inventive choreography from Kelly and comic, ebullient and romantic routines enhanced by clever lyrics and memorable music.

The story line sets the plot of the film in the days of the silent film era one as one of its stars, Don Lockwood (Kelly) and his studio make the transition to newfangled talking pictures. Problems abound in particular the unsuitable voice of the leading lady (Hagen), which Lockwood’s love interest (Reynolds) is chosen to overdub, much to the fury of the star. The film has twice appeared on the American Film institute’s list of ten best American films and in the prestigious British film journal Sight and Sound’s list of ten best films of all time. Hagen was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and the film for Best Original Musical Score.

The film’s running time is 1 hour 43 minutes and the public is cordially invited to attend this event, the release said. Admission is free.