September 19th: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (Vincente Minnelli, 1951)
NOTE: This film will be projected in the high-definition Blu-ray format.
A struggling expatriate painter falls in love with a local French girl.
George Gershwin was America's preeminent composer, beginning as a writer of popular songs in New York City's "Tin Pan Alley" publishing district in the 1910s, then blending jazz and classical influences into his own orchestral works, as well as music and songs for both Broadway and Hollywood productions, often with his brother Ira writing lyrics.
Producer Arthur Freed was put in charge of a new musical unit at MGM Studios in 1939, a post he held for over 30 years, with countless contributions and innovations to the genre. Freed developed young talent, lured established names from Broadway, and allowed his collaborators much creative freedom. After watching a performance of Gershwin's autobiographical symphony An American In Paris, Freed hit on the idea for a new movie, and soon worked a deal with Ira Gershwin to exclusively use music and songs from the brothers.
Freed brought onboard his unit's premiere director, Vincente Minnelli (Meet Me In St. Louis), who shared his passion for painting, particularly the French Impressionism that both desired to depict onscreen. Signed to star was actor/choreographer Gene Kelly, along with pianist (and friend of the Gershwins) Oscar Levant, actress Nina Foch, and in the interest of authenticity, French singer Georges Guétary. A new discovery was made by casting French dancer Leslie Caron, who at the time knew little English.
The skimpy story imagined by Freed was fleshed out into a script by lyricist Alan Jay Lerner (My Fair Lady, Gigi). Budgetary constraints prevented the film from being shot on location in Paris, but art director E. Preston Ames drew on his extensive knowledge of the city in designing over 40 sets along with 7-time Oscar winner Cedric Gibbons (The Wizard of Oz). The cinematographers were Alfred Gilks and John Alton (who previously had only worked on black & white films).
During a break in production, Kelly, Freed, and Minnelli were faced with developing the ballet sequence that was meant to serve as the film's climax. Taking inspiration from Impressionism, they imagined a series of scenes each inspired by a different painter, with the help of costume designer Irene Sharaff. They persuaded studio production head Dore Schary to approve the 17-minute wordless ballet by pointing to the success of Powell & Pressburger's 1948 film The Red Shoes.
The film opened to critical and commercial success, and won 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture. Kelly received an honorary Oscar that year for his contributions to the industry as an actor, singer, director, choreographer, and dancer. An American in Paris is regarded as one of the peaks of MGM's large roster of classic musicals, and has recently been adapted for Broadway.
Running time is approx. 2 hours.
A struggling expatriate painter falls in love with a local French girl.
George Gershwin was America's preeminent composer, beginning as a writer of popular songs in New York City's "Tin Pan Alley" publishing district in the 1910s, then blending jazz and classical influences into his own orchestral works, as well as music and songs for both Broadway and Hollywood productions, often with his brother Ira writing lyrics.
Producer Arthur Freed was put in charge of a new musical unit at MGM Studios in 1939, a post he held for over 30 years, with countless contributions and innovations to the genre. Freed developed young talent, lured established names from Broadway, and allowed his collaborators much creative freedom. After watching a performance of Gershwin's autobiographical symphony An American In Paris, Freed hit on the idea for a new movie, and soon worked a deal with Ira Gershwin to exclusively use music and songs from the brothers.
Freed brought onboard his unit's premiere director, Vincente Minnelli (Meet Me In St. Louis), who shared his passion for painting, particularly the French Impressionism that both desired to depict onscreen. Signed to star was actor/choreographer Gene Kelly, along with pianist (and friend of the Gershwins) Oscar Levant, actress Nina Foch, and in the interest of authenticity, French singer Georges Guétary. A new discovery was made by casting French dancer Leslie Caron, who at the time knew little English.
Running time is approx. 2 hours.
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