Gene Kelly

"Singin' in the Rain" (1952)  Gene Kelly had what Fred Astaire didn't: sex appeal. This is why "Singin' in the Rain" is still a thrilling dance movie to watch more than 50 years later. Kelly plays Don Lockwood, a multitasking actor/stuntman/singer from the silent movie era.... more The studio has paired him with Lina Lamont, a sexy siren with a voice like a crow. To keep her from wrecking their first talkie, the studio hires Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) to do Lina's singing. This has to be kept secret, of course.

Naturally, Kathy and Don fall in love (after some comical pie-throwing). But is their love stronger than the secret of their movie's success? Do we have to answer that? The money quote here is perfection: "Ladies and gentlemen, stop that girl, that girl running up the aisle. Stop her! That's the girl whose voice you heard and loved tonight. She's the real star of the picture. Kathy Selden!" (Everett Collection)