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An American in Paris Overview:

An American in Paris (1951) was a Musical - Romance Film directed by Vincente Minnelli and produced by Arthur Freed and Roger Edens.

SYNOPSIS

One of the greatest of 1950's screen musicals is a happy collaboration between the grace of athleticism of Kelly and the colorful palette of Minnelli. An American G.I. lingers in Paris after the war to study painting and soon falls in love with Caron, an engaged mademoiselle, much to the chagrin of his romance-minded benefactress. Features a seventeen-minute, avant-garde ballet choreographed by Kelly to George Gershwin's unbeatable melodies.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

An American in Paris was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1993.

Academy Awards 1951 --- Ceremony Number 24 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Preston Ames; Set Decoration: Edwin B. Willis, Keogh GleasonWon
Best CinematographyAlfred Gilks; Ballet Photography by John AltonWon
Best Costume DesignOrry-Kelly, Walter Plunkett, Irene SharaffWon
Best DirectorVincente MinnelliNominated
Best Film EditingAdrienne FazanNominated
Best Music - ScoringJohnny Green, Saul ChaplinWon
Best PictureArthur Freed, ProducerWon
Best WritingAlan Jay LernerWon

An American in Paris BlogHub Articles:

Musical Monday: An American in Paris (1951)

It’s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals. In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 600. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals. This week’s musical: American in Paris (1951)... Read full article


Review: An American in Paris (1951): Gene Kelly’s Love Letter to France

It’s no secret that Gene Kelly had a deep abiding affection for France. He was fluent in the language also becoming the first American ever bestowed the honor of arranging a show for the Paris Opera. He would be honored with the Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur in 1960 and, of course, m... Read full article


Win Tickets to see “TCM Big Screen Classics: An American in Paris” (Giveaway runs now through Jan 5)

Win tickets to see “An American in Paris” on the big screen!In Select Cinemas NationwideSun Jan 19 and Wed Jan 22 “I got rhythm, I got music…who could ask for anything more” CMH continues into our 5h year of our partnership with Fathom Events – with the 1st of our 15 movie tick... Read full article


An American in Paris (1951, Vincente Minnelli)

For most of An American in Paris, Gene Kelly’s charm makes up for his lack of acting ability. Even after it turns out the story’s about him stalking Leslie Caron until she agrees to go out with him. It’s okay after that point because she falls immediately in love with Kelly once she does. He m... Read full article


Ticklish Business Episode #25 – An American in Paris (1951)

I’ve got rhythm! I’ve got music! And I’ve got guest Debbie Elias here to talk with me about Gene Kelly’s 1951 musical An American in Paris. Want to support the podcast? Consider leaving an iTunes rating and review, or becoming a Patron via Patreon https://www.podbean.com/m... Read full article


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An American in Paris Quotes:

Jerry Mulligan: Hey, uh, how'd you come by all these worldly possessions? A rich husband or a rich father?
Milo Roberts: Father.

[first lines]
Jerry Mulligan: This is Paris, and I'm an American who lives here. My name is Jerry Mulligan, and I'm an ex G.I. In 1945 when the army told me to find my own job, I stayed on. And I'll tell you why: I'm a painter, and all my life that's all I've ever wanted to do.

Lise Bouvier: Jerry, if it means anything to you, I love you.

Jerry Mulligan: Well, uh, with a binding like you've got, people are going to want to know what's in the book.

Jerry Mulligan: Back home everyone said I didn't have any talent. They might be saying the same thing over here but it sounds better in French.
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An American in Paris Facts
There was a break in production after 1 November 1950, at which point Gene Kelly began rehearsing the ballet choreography. By the time production for that final sequence resumed on 6 December, Vincente Minnelli had finished directing another film - Father's Little Dividend.

Vincente Minnelli first wanted Maurice Chevalier in the Georges Guétary part, and Celeste Holm in the Nina Foch part. But Chevalier wasn't available; Minnelli was pleased with Foch's reading, and she got the part.

This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1993.

Alan Jay Lerner began writing the screenplay in December 1949, and finished it in a 12-hour stretch in March(?) 1949 on the night before his wedding.

Gene Kelly discovered Leslie Caron while vacationing in Paris where he saw her perform in a ballet.

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