Final answer:
'The Dueling Cavalier' was initially a failure due to being an outdated silent film with poor sound, but after being reworked into a musical 'talkie', it became a success.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question "Was 'The Dueling Cavalier' a success?" seems to be referring to a fictional film within the classic movie Singin' in the Rain. In the context of the film, 'The Dueling Cavalier' was not a success initially. The movie started as a silent film and was poorly received by audiences due to its outdated format and poor sound synchronization in its first test screening. However, the film's cast and crew reworked it into 'The Dancing Cavalier,' a musical with synchronized sound, which then became a success.
The turn of events in the film highlights the transition from silent movies to 'talkies' during the late 1920s. The struggles faced by the characters show how innovation in technology can drastically change an art form and that embracing these changes can lead to greater success. In summary, 'The Dueling Cavalier' went from a failure to a success after it was transformed into a musical that adapted to the audience's new expectations for sound in cinema.