Singing in the Rain premiered

March 27, 1952 –

The apex of movie musicals, Singin’ in the Rain, starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor, opened in New York on this date.

Debbie Reynolds remarked many years later that making this movie and surviving childbirth were the two hardest things she’d ever had to do. The filming experience was particularly unpleasant due to her harsh treatment by perfectionist Gene Kelly. Decades later, Kelly expressed remorse about his behavior: “I wasn’t nice to Debbie. It’s a wonder she still speaks to me.”