Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
You Were Meant For Me
Costume and make up- In this scene we get to see the importance of each aspect of mise-en-scene, and how it has been used to portray different meanings for each of the characters and the storyline. For example, in this scene the costume and make up plays an important role to highlight Kathy's innocence and angelic appearance through the subtle and light colours. Both of their costumes and the colours suit the backdrop really well which brings the characters, the dance and the setting together as one. Her lilac dress is very similar to the colours used in the background and fits in with the dreamlike constructed setting, his costume too fits in with the light, ethereal backdrop, and so I think the costumes in this scene have been used to further emphasise that the setting has been constructed and it is not natural or reality; it is a place that Don is familiar and comfortable in, but is somewhere new and unusual to Kathy. As well as this, as they begin to move around the stage, Kathy's costume is a bit unkempt and flaps in the wind, whereas Don's stays in the right place throughout the whole scene, this almost shows how comfortable he is in the fake surroundings that he spends so much of his time in.
Props - The props in this scene are also quite significant because each one has been used and gestured by Don as he shows Kathy around the studio, this has been done to show the audience the scale of the studio and he almost treats it as though it is his home because he is so familiar with it all, this is what Kathy fears as she doesn't want to fall into the fake world that he lives and works in. The two main props used in this scene is the step ladder and fan. At the beginning of the scene, as they both walk in, Don switches on the fan and this is why Kathy's dress flaps later in the scene. The step ladder is shown quite a lot as it seems to be a place where Kathy repeatedly walks back to, to hide and seek comfort, it also acts as a prop to show the power balance between the two characters because as they walk up the ladder, neither of them are below each other which could imply that they are both equal.
Location - The setting (another part of mise-en-scene) is very simplistic; it is just a studio with multiple different props that we would expect to see in a film production. This location in particular though, does lend to the narrative because it is the first time where Kathy really sees Don's world and fears that his life and love is only a constructed reality, instead of true like hers. Finally, the character movement and performance in this scene isn't too dissimilar to that of the silent era because it still seemed to be quite over dramatic and each movement and hand gesture for example, was accentuated.
Character expression and movement - Although Don seems so in love with Kathy and the idea of her, there is a distance between them for most of the scene to remind the audience that in this scene, the chemistry and connection between them doesn't really exist, but only in the filming world. As well as this, as I mentioned earlier regarding the stepladder, we see that there is a complete power balance because he is never higher than her physically or socially which is important because it shows the equality within the relationship which is often non-existent in film, and as she hides behind the step ladder, he seems to almost appreciate that that is where she is most comfortable in a place that is unfamiliar to her. As well as this, initially their dance together is slow as they walk with each other across the stage, but as they continue to dance the pace quickens slightly it is apparent that they are interested in each other. And finally, at the end of the scene, their hands on the step ladder are positioned right next to there hearts, subtly showing their love for one another, whether it is real or not.
Editing and camera angle and movement - The editing in this scene is very different from the editing used in the silent era, and more specifically The Gold Rush that we have already looked at in detail. For instance, the scene begins with an establishing shot to show the size of them compared to the size of the studio, which is huge in comparison. There are many different camera angles and shots used in this scene, as it switches back and forth from one to another, and this has been done really well because each shot flows into the next and there aren't any noticeable misplaced parts. They also use long shots to really catch their emotions and feelings for each other, and the audience gets to see them get closer to each other and further understand how they are falling more in love, which is also obvious through their figure expression and movement. There are various different camera angles and shots used in this scene, including the low angle shot to show the large scale of the setting, an establishing shot for the same effect and close-ups to show the emotion in Don's and Kathy's faces as they dance with each other. The variety of different shots ensures that the audience stays interested and I think it allows them to show off the technology that was available at the time that didn't exist in the during the 1920's.
Lighting - Throughout the scene, various different lights are used, and most of them are turned on by Don as he walks around the studio showing Kathy all of the different props. The coloured lighting complements the light colours of the backdrop as they shine on Don and Kathy as they dance together. The beginning of the scene starts very dark inside of the studio, but we see Don open the door and the light streams and fills the room, this also shows the huge scale of the studio as the door is huge compared to Kathy on Dom. The lighting throughout the scene, I think, is quite subtle but we are constantly reminded that the lights they are using are simply props and used to make the setting more romantic and dreamlike, along with the location and backdrop.
Sound - There are both diegetic and non diegetic sounds in this scene. The diegetic sound in the scene is the dialogue and singing between Don and Kathy, as well as the click of each prop as Don walks around the stage. The non diegetic sound is all of the music used which would have been added during the editing stage of the production. The sound is very important because we know it is a new era in film, so they used it in every second of the scene to really exaggerate each movement, and the sound is necessary for Kathy and Don to dance, because without the singing and dancing, there may not be another opportunity for them to explore the connection because I think this dance was the key moment where they notice that they are both falling for one another.
Good Morning
Costume and make up- When you first look at the costumes in the scene, it seems that they all share the same wealth and status as each character is well dressed and although Cosmo, Kathy and Don all have different positions, there doesn't appear to be one person with more power, so there is a power balance between them. Furthermore, in this scene we see the famous, trademark yellow raincoats so this dance is probably one of the most important scenes in the whole film because the dance and song is so memorable that the coats signify 'Singin' in the Rain' themselves. Their clothing seems very stylish which is typical for the Hollywood setting that they live in, but more importantly comfortable as the dance is very fast paced and the three of them are so synchronised that it is obvious that the choreography is quite strenuous. The makeup is very simple and doesn't make any of the characters stand out against each other so it doesn't say much about them, only that she isn't the typical, stereotypical Hollywood actress as they are stereotyped as glamorous and eccentric people, but Kathy doesn't appear so in this particular scene, she seems more natural and genuine.
Props - The props in this scene are the coats and the hats that they use as accessories when they dance, this is where we see the famous yellow coats that are featured in the film's poster. These props are also very important because they have been incorporated into the choreography and keep the dance exciting and new, because this scene is quite long. There is also a part in the scene where Kathy stands on a stool whilst dancing and singing, with Cosmo and Don standing beside her; this is the only part in the scene where Kathy is literally higher than them and this draws the audiences attention towards her and for those few seconds, Don and Cosmo are insignificant and maybe irrelevant. As well as this, they use the bar and sofas (which are originally a part of the background). The final sofa they collapse on at the end of the scene is where Don has a revelation and realises that Kathy's voice is perfect for his voice, which is a huge turning point in the film.
Location - The scene starts in Don's kitchen, as they all stare out of the window with depressing expressions, as Don says how his acting career is over, and a few seconds later they are dancing around his home. His house is quite large which I think is expected because of his profession and the amount of money he makes, but I think it is only really used as a background to show Don's wealth (with expensive, unusual objects dotted around).
Character expression and movement - The excited expressions they all have on their faces when they begin to dance really contrasts against the dullness of the weather that we can see through the window in their house. At the very beginning of the scene, they all seem to be tired and drained with dull expressions, but when Don has a lightbulb moment, all of there faces light up together and the mood is instantly uplifted which is also portrayed through the semi-spontaneous dancing. Their movement in this scene is so important because it is the whole purpose of the film: it is a musical so the singing and dancing is only expected, also because it is a new era, it seems that each movement they make is exaggerated to show their full ability, and it makes for a much more enjoyable watch as it very fast paced and almost electric. There is also a distance and closeness between the three of them that shows that they have a connection and they are all experiencing the same emotions and their synchronicity is excellent which adds to their performance.
Editing and camera angle and movement - The editing in this scene is very different from the editing used in the silent era, and more specifically The Gold Rush that we have already looked at in detail. The scene begins with a mid shot, then to a long shot, then to a close up and it shifts back and forth before they begin to dance. A long shot is used when the three of them dance which allows the audience to see their body movement as they glide from room to room in Don's house. As well as this, it is as though the screen is split into thirds, and they each fill one third of the screen which I think shows how well constructed and choreographed the whole dance is, also Kathy is always in the centre of the screen which I think has been done to balance the three of them because there are two men and one woman so it makes the performance more attractive but also balances the dance. The scene itself too seems to be split in three, the scene begins with a depressing, miserable mood as Don is upset with his situation, the second part is when they begin to sing together to make Don feel better, and the final part is when they come up with a solution to Don's problem. All of the camera angles and shots help to build up the positivity and optimism that each of them have when they are dancing together; it starts of gloomy and then builds up showing that anyone in a bad situation can turn it in to a good one.
Lighting - The lighting in this scene is symbolic and literal; the scene starts off dark and gloomy to portray Don's depressing situation, it then begins to get brighter indicating that the situation is turning around, which is confirmed by the song and dance.The lighting that they have used as the scene develops. The lighting is all artificial and 3 point lighting has been used in each shot so each character is lit well and we can see there facial expressions really easily, but as the three of them move from shot to shot they seem brighter only to emphasise the mood.
Sound - There are both diegetic and non diegetic sounds in this scene. As I mentioned for the other scene, the sound is very important because without it this whole scene would be irrelevant and the storyline therefore wouldn't make sense. This song is one of the most memorable, and definitely one of the most important because this scene results in Don's amazing plan and it is one of the few points where the plot changes. The music is really upbeat and quick which complements the mood because they get happier when they begin to dance, and I think the song really shows how the scene began with them sitting sadly at the table, and by the end they seem ecstatic as the collapse, exhausted on the sofa after they dance.
Good Morning
Costume and make up- The costumes in this scene are as glamorous and sophisticated as they were at the beginning of the film, but now both Cosmo and Kathy are wearing elegant, expensive clothes too, showing that they were as successful as Don after the film. Although it isn't until the very end of the film, in this scene, that the audience know the real star is Kathy and not Lina. Cosmo is wearing the same pristine suit that Don is wearing which I think shows there is finally an equality between them, and that now Cosmo will be as successful and famous as Don, as well as this, for once Cosmo doesn't stand out from the crowd but instead fits in with the audience and appears very comfortable as he does so. Don looks the same as he does throughout the whole film, but at this point we see how wealthy he is as he is wearing a similar suit as the men in the audience, who are probably the richest people in hollywood, so his costume only validates our assumptions of his wealthiness. To contrast, there is an elegance and beauty to Kathy which has been accentuated through the lighting and the subtle makeup and costume, but Lina seems to be missing this as her dress is pretty but not beautiful, as it is instead over-the-top like her character and voice. Her dress is quite similar to the dress she wears in 'you were meant for me', which is the most loving, sweet, tender, charming and romantic part of the movie and it is again replicated in this scene as it contrasts with her anger and embarrassment that she is experiencing in the moment, after the audience see the curtains open revealing her standing behind Lina. I think the costumes altogether show the wealth and money that is present in the Hollywood scene: a place that Don is comfortable and familiar with, and a place that is almost only a constructed reality and nothing more.
Props - The props in this scene include the stage, microphone, curtains and the curtain ropes. Each prop holds individual significance because they all contribute to Lina being exposed and Kathy being revealed as the real singer. Kathy was put in the spotlight as the curtains opened, which made her run away in embarrassment and therefore lead to Don and Kathy declaring their love and admiration for one another. The curtain rope was used at the beginning of the scene when Don and Cosmo walk around it after conjuring a plan that will show the audience the truth, the rope is pulled as part of the plan and the audience is quickly aware that Kathy has been the voice all along. The microphone is used more comedically because Lina's mic is turned off and Kathy's on, so when Cosmo begins to sing into it the audience is in hysterics as they laugh at Lina's expense and embarrassment because she is unaware of the situation for a long time.
Location - The scene is set at the premiere of The Dancing Cavalier, and we see the crowd loving it, with the best part being Lina's miming after the curtain is revealed. This location is one of the most realistic scenes because most of the film is set on other film sets around Hollywood, and in this part we are in a real movie theatre.
Character expression and movement - The movement and expression makes this scene particularly enjoyable and is one of the funniest parts of the film, although there is no dancing so most of the movement is with Lina when she tries to sell her miming as singing by over exaggerating her arm movements. The other part in the scene where character expression is particularly important is with Kathy's close up because we see her pain, sadness and beauty all at once as she looks to Don. They stand very closely to each other and he leads her back to the stage where he feels most comfortable and where he holds her to reassure her and it makes her more relaxed. The scene ends with the two of them kissing in front of their billboard and it shows their dream is now a reality and all of their success, and the audience feel proud that Kathy is on the billboard alongside Don.
Editing and camera angle and movement - The scene is mostly mid shot so that we can see everything that is happening, there are a few shots of the audience so that we can see the large scale of the premiere and how it is a big deal, there is an establishing shot in when Lina is performing to show how the curtain is dividing the two of them literally, but I think it also shows their divide in society (before her secret is revealed tot he world). But more importantly there is a close-up of Kathy which is probably most memorable. For instance in this close-up we see all of her emotion and her face lights up as though she is glowing; her beauty is radiant. The editing isn't
Lighting - All the lighting in this scene is artificial, 3 point lighting would most likely have been used, but because of the setting a spotlight is used on stage which follows the characters closely to keep the audiences attention on the character under the spotlight, Lina began in the spotlight but as her lie was revealed, Don stole the spotlight figuratively and literally, and it is then shared by him and Kathy. I think it has been used to show who is most important in the scene, but to also fit in with the setting because a theatre is where spotlights are expected to be. The light that is on Kathy when she tries to leave the theatre is the most interesting because it makes her appear angelic, as she radiates which is how Don has seen her all this time, it shows her completely natural beauty which was often avoided at that time, and was solely the reason that Lina was so famous at the beginning. The close up at this point makes Kathy's beauty look effortless and almost perfect, with the lighting complementing her face in every way.
Sound - This scene is similar to the other scenes because it is mostly singing, and it is the most iconic song of the whole movie which I think makes the scene even more memorable. The diegetic sound in this scene is Kathy singing, which is the main purpose of the scene- it is to show off Kathy's voice and to show the crowd that Lina was lying the whole time. The crowd also make quite a lot of sound and adds to the atmosphere making the setting even more realistic.
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