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Gene
Kelly is cast as a GI who stays on in Paris after the war
to become an artist, and has to choose between the patronage
of a rich American woman (Nina Foch) and a French gamine
(19 year-old Leslie Caron in her film debut) engaged to
an older man. The final section of the film comprises a
17-minute dance sequence that took a month to film and
is breathtaking. Songs include “’S Wonderful,” “I
Got Rhythm,” and “Our Love Is Here to Stay.” Also
starring Oscar Levant.
An American in Paris was considered one of the greatest, most
elegant, and most celebrated of MGM’s 50’s musicals,
with Gershwin lyrics and musical score (lyrics by Ira and music
by George from some of their compositions of the 20s and 30s),
lavish sets and costumes, tremendous Technicolor cinematography,
and a romantic love story set to music and dance. Gene Kelly
served as the film’s principal star, singer, athletically-exuberant
dancer and energetic choreographer. The entire film glorifies
the joie de vivre of Paris, but it was shot on MGM’s
sound stages in California, except for a few opening, establishing
shots of the scenic city. Nonetheless, it remains one of the
most optimistic American films of the post-war period, with
Paris at its center.The film brought eight Academy Award nominations
and won six of them: Best Picture (Arthur Freed, producer),
Best Story and Screenplay (Alan Jay Lerner), Best Color Cinematography,
Best Color Art Direction/Set Decoration, Best Musical Score,
and Best Color Costume Design. Gene Kelly received an Honorary
Award from the Academy the same year, presumably for his contributions
to this film; it was presented “in appreciation of his
versatility as an actor, singer, director and dancer, and specifically
for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on
film.”
“
Count a bewitching French lassie by the name of Leslie Caron
and a whoop-de-do ballet number, one of the finest ever put
upon the screen, as the most commendable enchantments of this
big, lavish musical.” —Bosley Crowther, The New
York Times 113 Minutes. MORE FILM INFO
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