A nostalgic 30-year-old

Back in 1974, few would have expected the documentary “That’s Entertainment!” to be a hit. In fact, writer-director Jack Haley Jr.’s tribute to the classic MGM musicals of the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s wasn’t even initially produced for theatrical release.

But not only did the film that featured clips from such films as “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Gigi” and “The Wizard of Oz” become one of the top-grossing movies of the year, its effect is still felt today.

“The fact that all these musicals are constantly being seen now and are remembered fondly is partly due to ‘That’s Entertainment!,’ which revived interest in them,” says Roger Mayer, president of Turner Entertainment. It also encouraged studios to preserve their film libraries, Mayer adds.

On Friday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will celebrate the 30th anniversary of “That’s Entertainment!” with a remastered digital presentation in Beverly Hills and a cast-and-crew reunion. MGM veterans Cyd Charisse and husband Tony Martin, Howard Keel, Russ Tamblyn, Janis Paige, Esther Williams, Betty Garrett, Janet Leigh, Debbie Reynolds and Margaret O’Brien are scheduled to attend the evening, hosted by Mayer.

And if that isn’t enough to satisfy fans’ nostalgia, “That’s Entertainment!” and its sequels will make their DVD debuts Oct. 12 from Warner Home Video. “That’s Entertainment: The Complete Collection” ($50) contains an extra disc of features including three documentaries, premiere night footage, TV specials, “making of” featurettes and outtakes.

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“That’s Entertainment!,” Samuel Goldwyn Theater, 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. 8 p.m. Friday. $5; academy members, $3. (310) 247-3600.