I've never really been one for musicals or extended dance sequences, and it seems this film is almost completely just about that, with some scant plot thrown in to connect all of the numbers together. I'd be hard pressed (more like tortured) to say this was deserving of its 1952 Best Picture Oscar, especially when you consider it was contending with "A Place In The Sun", "A Streetcar Named Desire" and the not-even-nominated-for-Best-Picture "The African Queen" (perhaps my favorite mentioned thus far). True, the cinematography is breath-taking, the obvious sets are lavish, and the song and dance sequences captivating...if you're into that sort of thing. As a whole, though, does that constitute it being the best picture of that year? I would say no. No way. I bought this because not only did it win Best Picture, it also found its way onto AFI's 100 Best Films of All Time list, and I would MOST DEFINITELY say that "Singin' In The Rain" is the superior picture, and much more deserving of its status. This is certainly a charming film, but so is "Rain", and charm a best picture does not make.