10 Film Sidekicks More Interesting Than The Main Character

9. Cosmo Brown - Singin' In The Rain

Donald-OConnor-Gene-Kelly-and-Debbie-Reynolds-in-Singin-in-the-Rain-1952 Gene Kelly has the advantage of being Gene Kelly, so he's not exactly easy to compete with. I have to say, though, Donald O'Connor gives him a serious run for his money. In Singin' in the Rain, Don Lockwood (Kelly) is a fabulously talented Hollywood star, who turns to singing and dancing to save his acting career after the talkies hit it big. Cosmo (O'Connor) is his best friend who's been with him since the beginning, and is pretty much just as talented as Don, but doesn't quite have the matinee idol looks. Does that bother Cosmo? No. Definitely no. Positively no. Decidedly no. Uh-uh. He's totally happy being the set musician, and is secure in the fact that he's hilarious and one of my favorite people ever to have (fictionally) lived. There's something so effortless about his comedy and dancing style that gels fantastically with Kelly, who was known for being a perfectionist (read: pain in the ass). At the end of the day, Kelly's Singin' in the Rain number is iconic, but I'd much rather watch O'Connor's Make 'Em Laugh.
Contributor
Contributor

Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.