A few years after Stanley Kubrick's dark satire "A Clockwork Orange" was released in 1971 the film's star, Malcolm McDowell, made his first trip to Los Angeles -- and to his first Hollywood party.

Someone introduced the English actor to Gene Kelly. The "Singing in the Rain" star turned around, looked at McDowell and walked away.

Kelly's reaction was not entirely surprising.

One of the most horrific scenes in "A Clockwork Orange" involves Kelly's celebrated tune. A bowler-topped hoodlum breaks into a house with his mates, beats the home's owner and rapes the man's wife while crooning "Singing in the Rain."

That controversial scene shocked the world back in 1971. Forty years later that shock value is revived in a special edition Blu-ray set that commemorates the anniversary of Kubrick's influential film.

"Gene must have just hated that ‘Singing in the Rain' scene. I can understand why," McDowell told CTV.ca from New York City.

"That scene was very violent and surreal. It also attached this dark new meaning to one of the most joyous tunes in film history. But that's life. You can't do things because people will love them. You have to take risks," he said.

The film centres on Alex DeLarge (McDowell), a homicidal maniac who spent his days avoiding school and his nights wreaking all manner of violence on innocent victims.

The film's rampaging violence earned an X-rating in the United States. But the controversy did not stop there.

Death threats were directed at Kubrick and his family after the movie's release.

Accusations also flooded the British newspapers that Kubrick's film had inspired copycat crimes across England.

Kubrick responded by withdrawing the film from circulation in the U.K., where it wasn't seen again for 25 years.

"I think every generation finds this movie and responds to it in different ways. A big part of ‘Clockwork Orange' is wrapped up in this idea of man's freedom to choose his destiny. That's as much of an issue today as it ever was, especially after 9/11," said McDowell.

"But what makes me so happy now is that younger audiences get the black satire. When ‘Clockwork Orange' first launched it was like a bomb went off and left everyone in the theatre completely stunned. It was true in America. It was true in England. Time has finally caught up with Stanley's vision. Stanley would have loved that."

McDowell's memories rekindled by Blu-ray edition

The anniversary Blu-ray tribute from Warner Bros. Home Video includes a few documentaries on the film's cultural impact, as well as a full-length movie, "Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures."

For 67-year-old McDowell, the release rekindles many memories of working with Kubrick, a celebrated filmmaker who was known for his reclusive ways.

"Working with Stanley was a hell of a ride," said McDowell.

"He was only 47 at the time. But he was a master. His thing was ‘Don't talk. Just show me.' The whole experience was like walking the plank and getting thrown into the deep end. I wish every young actor could go through something like that," he said.

McDowell cannot say that "A Clockwork Orange" plucked him from obscurity. That credit goes to director Lindsay Anderson, who cast an unknown McDowell to play a school-age rebel in the 1968 film, "If…"

But Kubrick's film won McDowell international acclaim, including a Golden Globe nomination and an award by the New York Film Critics Circle for Best Actor.

"‘A Clockwork Orange' will go down in history as a masterpiece. I can say that without any qualms," said McDowell.

"The only thing I'd change about ‘Clockwork' is the bloody haircut," he added, with a laugh.

"The Beatles have a lot to answer for."