>Although it thoroughly avoids any kind of racial reference, I can think
>of no better film as a prototypical musical than SINGIN' IN THE RAIN.
 
        You can introduce the issue of race in *Singin'* by pairing it with
*Illusions* (1981), Julie Dash (34'), in that the issue of dubbing becomes
a highly racialized one: the film can be used to problematize the "fact" of
Jean Hagen dubbing Debbie Reynolds dubbing Jean Hagen's character in
*Singin'* (never shown diegetically) by *showing* the African-American
characters dubbing the white singer and remaining uncredited in the film
within the film.  *Illusion* also credits Ella Fitzgerald for dubbing
Rosanne Caton's character.
        I used the two films in my Intro. to FilmSt course and it worked
very well.
 
        Gloria Monti
 
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