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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Singin' In The Rain

    Featured In Issue 171, November 2012

    Picture4
    Sound4
    WSR Score5
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Warner Home Video
    (Catalog Number):
    3000043461
    (MPAA Rating):
    G
    (Rating Reason):
    (Retail Price):
    $84.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    103
    (Color Type):
    Color With B/W Sequences
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    1951
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    07/17/2012
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    DTS HD Lossless 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    "Sixty years ago, no one dreamed that we would still be watching Singin' In The Rain in 2012. But here we are with a beautiful new 60th anniversary digital restoration on Blu-ray. Gene would be very proud," notes Gene Kelly's widow, film historian Patricia Ward Kelly. "Singin' In The Rain," set in the days of Hollywood's transition from silent films to "talkies," continues to this day to provide pure cinematic entertainment. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards®. (Tricia Spears)

    The three-disc 60th Anniversary Numbered Ultimate Collector's Limited Edition includes a 48-page hard-bound book filled with never-before seen production memos and photos, reproductions of the original 1952 theatrical posters from the film's premier, a full-size commemorative umbrella, a Blu-ray Disc™, a DVD, and a special features DVD. Special features on the Blu-ray Disc include commentary by Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, Cyd Charisse, Kathleen Freeman, Co-Director Stanley Donen, Screenwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, and Author/Historian Rudy Behlmer; the documentary Singin' In The Rain: Raining On A New Generation (HD 50:48); a Jukebox, where you can play the entire set list or choose individual songs to play; and the theatrical trailer. Special features on the DVD bonus disc include the 1996 PBS documentary Musicals Great Musicals (SD 01:26:03), the Singing' In The Rain making-of featurette What A Glorious Feeling (SD 35:33), excerpts from features where the songs originated (SD 50:12), You Are My Lucky Star outtake (SD 04:06), a stills gallery, and Scoring Stage Session Cues.

    The 1.37:1 1080p AVC picture exhibits a wonderful remastered and impressive visual quality. The original source elements were extensively cleaned up, yet the inherent light grain is still evident, and thus, the filmic quality is preserved without distracting worn scratches and blemishes. Resolution is, at times, problematic with segments either softly focused or artificially sharpened. Occasional edge enhancement artifacts are evident. At times the images appear pasty. The color palette is gorgeously saturated with vivid and popping hues, though blacks, while deep and solid, tend to be nondescript. Still primaries are strong, and fleshtones appear warmly hued and at times oversaturated. Contrast is excellent throughout. This is a wonderful trip back 60 years to the golden age of Hollywood, and Singin' In The Rain has never looked better. This is a real cinematic trip! (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack has been mastered from the original Western Electric Sound System monaural elements. The result is a refreshing fullness and pristine dynamic quality that really enhances the experience. Still frontal focused but now supported with a wide frontal soundstage and an effective surround presence to balance out the soundfield dimension. Dialogue and singing quality is impressive. The orchestral accompaniment is freshly presented with a sense of dated recording quality but nonetheless is wonderfully engaging. The LFE energy is restrained but does provide supportive bass foundation, which enhances the dynamics and sense of sonic fullness. This is just a sonic trip that is absolutely satisfying and amazingly engaging, and celebrates the beginning of the talkies and musicals. (Gary Reber)

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