Why the golden age of film musicals can never be recaptured: From Singin’ in the Rain to An American in Paris

As the BFI hosts an epic film musical season across the UK, starting with the re-release of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, Geoffrey Macnab looks back at how the older movies are reminders of an art and a perfectionism that have, at least partly, been lost

‘Singin’ in the Rain’ is surely still the most popular movie musical of all time

From next week, for three months, there will be hundreds of screenings all over the UK of the greatest musicals in cinema history.

“What better way to escape from our uncertain times than by immersing yourself in the emotional, hairs on the back of your arms raising joy of the film musical? Forget your troubles, come on get happy!” enjoins Robin Baker, the British Film Institute curator behind the season.

Inevitably, the season starts with yet another re-release of Singin’ in the Rain (Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly, 1952), which is surely still the most popular movie musical of all time.