SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and newcomer Debbie Reynolds deserve all the praise and attention they get for their roles in this 1952 movie, arguably the best film musical ever made. And they get a lot. But pay attention, this time around, to two of the invaluable supporting players whose contributions also are vital to making this movie, about Hollywood’s transition from silent to sound cinema, such a classic. There’s Jean Hagen as silent screen siren Lina Lamont (pictured), whose actual speaking voice is closer to a high-pitched screech – and whose comic timing here is flawless. Then, in the extended musical-within-the-musical sequence, there’s dancer Cyd Charisse, who steals her scenes with Kelly without saying a word.