Kelly's Singin' tops musical poll

Singin' in the Rain is also famous for its dance routines

Singin' in the Rain has been crowned the greatest movie musical of all time in a poll carried out by the American Film Institute (AFI).

The 1952 song and dance classic, which starred Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, was described as "truly memorable".

It beat competition from the likes of West Side Story and The Wizard of Oz in the vote by 500 film professionals.

The top 20 was dominated by films from the '40s, '50s and '60s with the newest entry being 2002's Chicago at 12.

TOP TEN MUSICALS 1. Singin' in the Rain 2. West Side Story 3. The Wizard of Oz 4. The Sound of Music 5. Cabaret 6. Mary Poppins 7. A Star is Born 8. My Fair Lady 9. An American in Paris 10. Meet Me in St Louis Source: AFI

Singin' in the Rain, based around stars of silent cinema struggling with the arrival of the talkies, did not win any Oscars and was nominated for only two.

The most successful musical in terms of Oscars is West Side Story, with 10, followed by 1958's Gigi with nine.

Kelly has another entry in the top 10 with an American in Paris but was beaten by Judy Garland who has three with The Wizard of Oz, A Star is Born and Meet Me in St Louis.

Cabaret, which starred Garland's daughter, Liza Minnelli, was voted number five.

The AFI invited 500 film artists, composers, musicians, critics and historians to vote on a shortlist of 250 American movie musicals.

They were asked to judge the entrants on historical significance, creative impact, legacy as well as how effectively the music and songs were used.