20 Films From The 1950s That Everybody Should Watch

12. Singin' In The Rain

Though only a modest success upon its release, 1952's Singin' In The Rain earns its place on this list for having been re-watched, reanalysed, and re-loved by generations of viewers since. After decades of cinema musicals, few stand out as definitively as this one. Unlike most Hollywood musicals, it wasn't a Broadway adaptation. It was made directly for film, and charts the struggle of three late '20s performers making the transition from silent movies to talkies. The music flows smoothly and flawlessly with the action, rarely coming across as jarring or unnecessary, a trait that was largely uncommon in adapted productions. Behind the scenes, however, things ran slightly less smooth. On set tension was caused when leading man and director Gene Kelly criticised Debbie Reynolds for her lack of dancing experience, whose background was in gymnastics. Luckily for Reynolds, a chance encounter with Fred Astaire meant that she had found herself her very own dance tutor. Reiterating its status as a classic and a must-see movie, even those who have never sat down to watch it will recognise the title song. The scene is iconic even to those unfamiliar with it.