SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
How many times have I recommended this 1952 musical comedy already this year? Every time TCM has shown it, I’m guessing, because this Gene Kelly musical is so iconic, and so perfect. Arguably, with this 2001: A Space Odyssey and Singin’ in the Rain double feature, TCM is showing movies that represent the pinnacle achievements of their respective cinematic genres: the best sci-fi movie, and the best musical. And when Debbie Reynolds was tapped to co-star in Singin’ as the female romantic and singing-dancing lead, she was what? Nineteen years old? And the film just keeps inspiring: One song, “Make ‘em Laugh,” just figured in the finale of AMC’s Dispatches from Elsewhere.