An American in Parisis a 1951 Americanmusicalromantic comedy filminspired by the 1928jazz-influencedsymphonic poem(ortone poem)[4]An American in ParisbyGeorge Gershwin.StarringGene Kelly,Leslie Caron(her film debut),Oscar Levant,Georges Guétary,andNina Foch,the film is set inParis,and was directed byVincente Minnellifrom a script byAlan Jay Lerner.The music is byGeorge Gershwin,with lyrics by his brotherIra,with additional music byJohnny Green,andSaul Chaplin,the music directors.
| An American in Paris | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Vincente Minnelli |
| Written by | Alan Jay Lerner |
| Produced by | Arthur Freed |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | Adrienne Fazan |
| Music by |
|
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Loew's Inc.[1] |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 113 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2.7 million[3] |
| Box office | $7 million[3] |
The story of the film is interspersed with dance numbers choreographed by Gene Kelly and set to Gershwin's music.[5]MGM executive Arthur Freed bought the Gershwin musical catalog from George's brother Ira in the late 1940s, since George died in 1937.[5]Some of the tunes in this catalog were included in the movie, such as "I Got Rhythm"and"Love Is Here to Stay".[5]Other songs in the movie include "I'll Build A Stairway to Paradise"and"'S Wonderful".The climax of the film is" The American in Paris "ballet, a 17-minute dialogue-free dance featuring Kelly and Caron set to Gershwin'sAn American in Paris,with sets designed in the styles of various French artists.[5]The ballet sequence cost almost half a million dollars to shoot.[5]It was filmed on 44 sets in MGM's back lot.[5]According toLeslie Caronin a 2009 interview onPaul O'Grady's interview show, the film ran into controversy with theHays Officeover part of her earlier dance sequence with a chair; the censor viewing the scene called it "sexually provocative", which surprised Caron, who answered "What can you do with a chair?"
An American in Pariswas an enormous success, garnering eightAcademy Awardnominations and winning six (includingBest Picture), as well as earning other industry honors. In 1993, it was selected for preservation by the United StatesLibrary of Congressin theNational Film Registryfor being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[6][7]It is ranked number nine amongAFI's Greatest Movie Musicals.
Plot
editAmericanWorld War IIveteran Jerry Mulligan lives in Paris trying to succeed as anartist.His friend and neighbor Adam Cook is a struggling concert pianist and longtime associate of French singer Henri Baurel. At the ground-floor bar in their building, Henri tells Adam about his girlfriend, Lise Bouvier. Jerry then joins them before going out to try and sell his art.
Lonely heiress Milo Roberts notices Jerry displaying his work inMontmartre.She buys two paintings, then brings Jerry to her apartment to pay him. Jerry accepts an invitation to her dinner party for that evening, and on the way home, he sings "I Got Rhythm"with some local children. Upon discovering he is Milo's sole dinner guest, an offended Jerry says he is uninterested in being a paid escort. Milo insists she only wants to support his career.
At a crowded bar, Milo offers to sponsor an art show for Jerry. Milo's friends show up and while everyone is talking, Jerry notices a beautiful young girl at the next table. He pretends they know each other and asks her to dance, unaware it is Lise, the girl Henri loves. When Jerry wants her phone number, Lise, uninterested, gives a fake one. Someone at her table misunderstands and says the correct number. Milo, upset that Jerry flirted with another girl in her presence, wants to leave and later criticizes him for being rude.
The next day, Jerry calls Lise, but she refuses to see him. Meanwhile, Milo has arranged a showing with a collector interested in Jerry's work. Before the meeting, Jerry goes to theparfumeriewhere Lise works. She agrees to a late dinner, but wants to avoid public places; they share a romantic song and dance along the banks of theSeineRiver. She then rushes off to meet Henri after his performance ( "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise"). Henri tells Lise he is going on tour in America and proposes marriage to her.
Later, Adam humorously daydreams he is performing Gershwin'sConcerto in F for Piano and Orchestrain a concert hall. As the scene progresses, Adam is also the conductor, other musicians, and even an audience member enthusiastically applauding at the end.
Milo rents Jerry anart studioand says she is planning an exhibition of his work in three months time. Jerry initially refuses the studio, but accepts on condition he will repay Milo when his work sells. After a month of courting, Jerry brings Lise to his apartment building. When Lise suddenly rushes off in the waiting taxi, Jerry is confused and complains to Adam, who realizes that Henri and Jerry love the same girl. Henri and Jerry later discuss the girl they each love ("'S Wonderful") without realizing it is Lise.
That night, Jerry and Lise reunite by the Seine. Lise says she and Henri are to be married and going to America. Lise feels duty-bound to Henri for protecting her during the war. Jerry and Lise proclaim their love for each other before parting.
A dejected Jerry invites Milo to the art students' masked ball, where they run into Henri and Lise. Jerry admits to Milo that he loves Lise. When Henri overhears Jerry and Lise saying goodbye, he realizes the truth. As Henri and Lise drive away, Jerry fantasizes through a diverse and extended dance scene with Lise, all over Paris, and set to George Gershwin'sAn American in Paris.A car horn breaks Jerry's reverie; Henri returns Lise to him. They embrace and walk off together as the Gershwin composition (and the film) ends.
Cast
edit- Gene Kellyas Jerry Mulligan
- Leslie Caronas Lise Bouvier
- Oscar Levantas Adam Cook
- Georges Guétaryas Henri "Hank" Baurel
- Nina Fochas Milo Roberts
- Eugene Bordenas Georges Mattieu
Hayden Rorke,best known for playing Dr. Alfred Bellows on the TV seriesI Dream of Jeannie(1965–1970), has an uncredited part as a friend of Milo.Noel Neill,who had already portrayed Lois Lane in the twoColumbia PicturesfortiesSupermanserials, and would later do so again on the TV seriesThe Adventures of Superman,has a small role as an American art student who tries to criticize Jerry's paintings. Jazz musicianBenny Carterplays the leader of a jazz ensemble performing in the club where Milo first takes Jerry.
Madge Blake,best known for playingDick Grayson's aunt Harriet Cooper on the TV seriesBatman(1966–1968), and for her role as Larry Mondello's mother, Margaret Mondello, on theCBS/ABCsitcomLeave It to Beaver,has an uncredited part as a customer in the perfume shop in which Lise works.Judy Landon,better known for her appearance in Kelly's next musicalSingin' in the Rain(and as the wife ofBrian Keith), andSue Caseyappear as dancers in the "Stairway to Paradise" sequence.
Dudley Field Maloneplays an uncreditedWinston Churchill,painting in Montmartre.
Music and dance
edit
- "Embraceable You"– Lise
- "Nice Work If You Can Get It"– Hank
- "By Strauss"– Jerry, Hank, Adam
- "I Got Rhythm"– Jerry
- "Tra-la-la (This Time It's Really Love)"– Jerry, Adam
- "Love Is Here to Stay"– Jerry, Lise
- "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise"– Hank
- Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra– Adam, The MGM Symphony Orchestra
- "'S Wonderful"– Jerry, Hank
- An American in ParisBallet – Jerry, Lise, Ensemble
The 17-minute ballet sequence, with sets and costumes referencing French painters includingRaoul Dufy,Pierre-Auguste Renoir,Maurice Utrillo,Henri Rousseau,andToulouse-Lautrec,[8]is the climax of the film, and cost the studio approximately $450,000 to produce.[9]Some of the backdrops for this sequence measured 300 feet wide and 40 feet high.[10]Production on the film was halted on September15, 1950. Minnelli left to direct another film,Father's Little Dividend.Upon completion of that film in late October, he returned to film the ballet sequence.[11]
Reception
editBosley CrowtherofThe New York Timesgave a mostly positive review largely on the strength of the closing dance number which he called "one of the finest ever put upon the screen", as well as Leslie Caron's performance, writing that the film "takes on its own glow of magic when Miss Caron is on the screen. When she isn't, it bumps along slowly as a patched-up, conventional music show."[12]Varietycalled the film "one of the most imaginative musical confections turned out by Hollywood in years... Kelly is the picture's top star and rates every inch of his billing. His diversified dancing is great as ever and his thesping is standout."[13]Harrison's Reportsdeemed it "an excellent entertainment, a delight to the eye and ear, presented in a way that will give all types of audiences extreme pleasure".[14]Richard L. CoeofThe Washington Postcalled it "the best musical movie I've ever seen", praising its "spirit of crisp originality and sophistication rarely found in a screen musical".[15]John McCartenofThe New Yorkercalled it "a thoroughly pleasant musical film... Never too tightly confined by its slender story,An American in Parisskips from love in the moonlight to handsome ballets with the greatest of ease, and Mr. Kelly is always ready, willing, and able to execute a tap dance. "[16]The Monthly Film Bulletincalled it "merely a good musical, far more attractive than most, but considerably less than the material seemed to promise. This is due in part to unimaginative use of the Paris settings—a very obvious tourist's view—and to the rather curious way in which the story, after building up interest in Jerry's painting and in his one-man show, simply shelves the whole issue."[17]
Reviewing the film in 2011,James Berardinelliwrote that it "falls into the category of a weak Oscar winner. The movie is enjoyable enough to watch, but it represents a poor choice as the standard-bearer of the 1951 roster... It's a fine, fun film with a lot of great songs and dancing but there's nothing about this production that causes it to stand out when compared to one of dozens of musicals from the era."[18]
On review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes,An American in Parisholds a score of 95% based on 101 reviews, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "The plot may be problematic, but such concerns are rendered superfluous by Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron's star power, the Gershwins' classic songs, and Vincente Minnelli's colorful, sympathetic direction."[19]OnMetacritic,the film holds a weighted average score of 83 out of 100 based on 18 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[20]
Box office
editAccording to MGM records, the film earned $3,750,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $3,231,000 in other countries during its initial theatrical release. This resulted in the studio making a $1,346,000 profit.[3]
Awards and honors
editGene Kelly received anAcademy Honorary Awardthat year for "his versatility as an actor, singer, director and dancer, and specifically for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film".[21]It was his only Oscar.
In 1993,An American in Pariswas selected for preservation in the United StatesNational Film Registryas being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[22]
American Film Instituterecognition
- 1998:AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies– #68
- 2002:AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions– #39
- 2004:AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs– #32
- 2006:AFI's Greatest Movie Musicals– #9
AFI also honored star Kelly as #15 of the top 25American male screen legends.
Digital restoration
editIn 2011, the film wasdigitally restoredbyWarner Bros.for its 60th anniversary.[23][24]
Stage adaptations
edit2008 adaptation
editA stage version of the musical was adapted byKen Ludwig,and began previews at theAlley Theatre(Houston) on April29, 2008, officially opening on May 18 and running through June22. The production, directed by Alley artistic director Gregory Boyd with choreography by Randy Skinner, starredHarry Groenerand Kerry O'Malley. The musical had many of the film's original songs, and also incorporated other Gershwin songs, such as "They All Laughed", "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off", and "Love Walked In".[25][26]
2014 adaptation
editIn 2014, a stage adaptation premiered in Paris at theThéâtre du Châtelet,withRobert Fairchildas Jerry Mulligan andLeanne Copeas Lise Bouvier (here renamed Lise Dassin and turned into an aspiring ballet dancer). The production, which ran from November to January 2015, was directed and choreographed byChristopher Wheeldon,written byCraig Lucasand designed byBob Crowley.The musical then transferred toBroadway,with previews atPalace Theatrebeginning on March13, 2015, before officially opening there on April12.[27][28][29]
In popular culture
editThe epilogue of the 2016 musical filmLa La Landreferences the set design and costuming ofAn American in Paris,which directorDamien Chazellecalled "a movie that we just pillaged".[30]
InThe Boysseason 3 finale,Soldier Boy(Jensen Ackles) reminisces about starring in his ownbiopic,which lost the Oscar for Best Picture toAn American in Paris.
References
edit- ^An American in Parisat theAFI Catalog of Feature Films
- ^"An American in Paris - Details".AFI Catalog of Feature Films.RetrievedJune 20,2018.
- ^abcThe Eddie Mannix Ledger,Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
- ^Staff (April 1, 2017)."An American in Paris".Theatricalia.Archivedfrom the original on August 31, 2023.RetrievedAugust 31,2023.
- ^abcdefMcgovern, Joe (February 2017). "The Musical That Changed movies".Entertainment Weekly.No. 1451/1452. pp. 82–87.
- ^"National Film Registry".National Film Registry (National Film Preservation Board, Library of Congress).RetrievedMay 24,2018.
- ^"Librarian Announces National Film Registry Selections (March 7, 1994) - Library of Congress Information Bulletin".loc.gov.Retrieved2020-09-15.
- ^Koresky, Michael."An American in Paris and Gigi".RetrievedDecember 28,2016.
- ^McGee, Scott."An American in Paris: Articles".Turner Classic Movies.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^Marshall, Kelli (2015-05-19)."An American in Paris: Onstage and Onscreen".JSTOR Daily.Retrieved2019-12-02.
- ^"An American in Paris: Notes".Turner Classic Movies.RetrievedNovember 5,2022.
- ^Crowther, Bosley (October 5, 1951). "The Screen: Four New Movies Open".The New York Times:38.
- ^"An American in Paris".Variety:6. August 29, 1951.
- ^"'An American in Paris' with Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron and Oscar Levant ". September 1, 1951: 138.
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^Coe, Richard L. (November 7, 1951). "'American in Paris' Has Many Virtues ".The Washington Post.p. B9.
- ^McCarten, John (October 6, 1951). "The Current Cinema".The New Yorker.p. 73.
- ^"An American in Paris".The Monthly Film Bulletin.18(212): 323. September 1951.
- ^Berardinelli, James (January 24, 2011)."An American in Paris".ReelViews.RetrievedJune 20,2018.
- ^"An American in Paris".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.RetrievedAugust 13,2023.
- ^"An American is Paris Reviews".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.RetrievedAugust 13,2023.
- ^King, Susan (March 16, 2017)."Gene Kelly's widow recalls magic of the film 'An American in Paris' as the stage version comes to SoCal".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedSeptember 17,2018.
- ^"Complete National Film Registry Listing".Library of Congress.Retrieved2020-02-27.
- ^Braxton, Greg (October 21, 2010)."Restored 'An American in Paris' to open TCM Classic Film Festival".Los Angeles Times.
- ^"An American in Paris re-released after digital restoration".BBC.2 November 2011.
- ^"The Gershwins' An American in Paris Again Extends Houston Run".playbill. 2011-10-08. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-01-26.Retrieved2011-10-08.
- ^"The Gershwins' An American in Paris: 2007-2008 Season".Alley Theatre.RetrievedOctober 8,2011.
- ^Gans, Andrew."An American in ParisWill Open at Broadway's Palace in 2015 "ArchivedJuly 25, 2014, at theWayback MachinePlaybill, July 17, 2014
- ^Beardsley, Eleanor (December 25, 2014)."The French Go Crazy For 'An American In Paris'".NPR.
- ^Mackrell, Judith (December 8, 2014)."Return to rive gauche: how Christopher Wheedlon adapted An American in Paris".The Guardian.
- ^Harris, Aisha (December 13, 2016)."La La Land's Many References to Classic Movies: A Guide".Slate.RetrievedMay 13,2017.
External links
edit
- An American in ParisatIMDb
- An American in Parisat theTCM Movie Database
- An American in ParisatAllMovie
- An American in Parisat theAFI Catalog of Feature Films
- An American in ParisatRotten Tomatoes
- Filmsite.org's Greatest FilmsAn American in Paris
- Combustible Celluloid's review ofAn American in Paris
- Production art fromAn American in Paris,Margaret Herrick Library,Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
- An American in Parisessay by Daniel Eagan in America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in theNational Film RegistryA&C Black, 2010ISBN0826429777,pages 450-451