See this film retrospective: Gotta Dance: The American Movie Musical 1929-1953 @ ArtsEmerson

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Although The Artist celebrates the golden age of silent movies, the first talkies were no slouch, either. The early Hollywood musicals are unsurpassed when it comes to integrating sound into cinema, as is evident in the wonderful retrospective Gotta Dance: The American Movie Musical 1929-1953 at ArtsEmerson. It starts today with one of the earliest musicals, Harry Beaumont's surprisingly sophisticated The Broadway Melody (1929; January 21 at 6 pm + January 22 at 2 pm). Also screening is everybody's favorite, Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly's Singin' in the Rain (1952; 8:30 pm + January 21 at 2 pm). And as special treat Phoenix classical music editor Lloyd Schwartz will introduce both. It takes place in the Bright Family Screening Room in the Paramount Center, 559 Washington St, Boston | $10; $7.50 seniors; $5 students | 617.824.8400 or artsemerson.org.