American in Paris (Blu-ray) (Awards Edition) (1951)

Editor's Note One of the greatest of 1950s screen musicals is a happy collaboration between the grace and athleticism of Gene Kelly and the colorful palette of director Vincente Minnelli. An American G.I. lingers in Paris after the war to study painting and soon falls in love with Leslie Caron, an engaged demoiselle, much to the chagrin of his romance-minded benefactress. This classic musical boasts a 17-minute avant-garde ballet choreographed by Kelly to George Gershwin's unbeatable music. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS garnered eight Academy Award nominations and six wins, including Best Picture and Best Story and Screenplay. Kelly won a special Oscar for his inimitable achievements.

	Nina Foch
	Oscar Levant
	Georges Guetary
	Leslie Caron
	Gene Kelly
	Warren Newcombe - Special Effects
	Irene Sharaff - Costume Designer
	George Gershwin - Music
	Walter Plunkett - Costume Designer
	Cedric Gibbons - Production Designer
	John Alton - Cinematographer
	Alan Jay Lerner - Writer
	Gene Kelly - Choreographer
	Preston Ames - Production Designer
	Arthur Freed - Producer
	Johnny Green - Composer
	Saul Chaplin - Composer
	Ira Gershwin - Lyricist
	Edwin B. Willis - Set Designer
	Alfred Gilks - Cinematographer
	Adrienne Fazan - Editor
	Keogh Gleason - Set Designer
	Vincente Minnelli - Director

Musical about a young G.I. who remains in Paris after World War II to study art. Jerry Mulligan wants to live the life of the great painters -- holed up in a Montmartre garret, starving for his art. But the reality is less romantic than the fantasy, so when a rich American gallery owner offers to support him, he agrees -- even if the bargain means joining her entourage of lovers. Then he meets Lise, a young French girl, and instantly falls in love. Unfortunately, she's already engaged to Henri Bourel, an older man who saved her from the Nazis. But when Henri discovers that she cares for another, he gracefully exits, leaving the young couple to a life together. USA Today
"...[A] multi-Oscar winner (best picture included)..." 12/31/1992 p.3D

Sight and Sound
"...Minnelli creates a magical, stylised world in which music, colour and movement are all perfectly integrated..." 05/01/2000 p.65

Total Film
"...For fun and footwork alone, it makes today's competition look positively lead-footed..." 07/01/2003 p.134

Entertainment Weekly
"[T]here's tremendous wit in its love-letter visions of post-WWII expatriate-artist patronage." -- Grade: A- 09/19/2008 p.56

Total Film
5 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t's up there with the very best of Hollywood hoofers....The dance numbers are first class..." 12/01/2011