Singin' in the Rain (1952) was successfully adapted as a West End (London stage) musical in 2000 and was awarded Outstanding Musical Production in 2001 at the Laurence Olivier Theatre Awards.
Arthur Freed was the legendary producer of many memorable classic movie musicals during the Golden Age of MGM, many featuring his own his compositions. He relied heavily on the talents of his cast and crew ("The Freed Unit"), since he lacked the ability to visualize a movie scene before it was made. Freed was spoofed by Millard Mitchell as film producer R.F. Simpson in Singin' in the Rain (1952). Many clips from Arthur Freed's films were celebrated in the very popular films That's Entertainment! (1974), That's Entertainment, Part II (1976), and That's Entertainment! III (1994).
Brother of Ralph Freed and Patty Fisher.
Father of Barbara Saltzman.
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972.
President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1963 to 1967