Lions, Towers & Shields 92: We've Got All the French You Need

Gene Kelly was at the height of his powers in 1951, starring in musicals for MGM, and choreographing some of them. Here, Vincent Minelli directs, but the dancing is by Kelly. Leslie Caron makes her film debut, and the rest of the cast has a decidedly continental vibe. The film is “inspired” by George Gershwin’s 1928 musical of the same name, but the writing credit here goes to Alan Jay Lerner, aka half of the celebrated Lerner and Lowe musical composing team. An American in Paris won a boatload of Oscars, including Best Picture.

Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard and David J. Loehr.

Gene Kelly was at the height of his powers in 1951, starring in musicals for MGM, and choreographing some of them. Here, Vincent Minelli directs, but the dancing is by Kelly. Leslie Caron makes her film debut, and the rest of the cast has a decidedly continental vibe. The film is “inspired” by George Gershwin’s 1928 musical of the same name, but the writing credit here goes to Alan Jay Lerner, aka half of the celebrated Lerner and Lowe musical composing team. An American in Paris won a boatload of Oscars, including Best Picture.

An American in Paris

Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard and David J. Loehr

Referenced Works

An American in Paris

Show Notes & Links

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

An American in Paris trailer

Available to stream, rent or buy digitally
On disc: Blu-ray

The Self-Referential LTS

LTS #67 Gene Kelly’s Butt
LTS #89 89 You Can’t Be Evil in a Cardigan
LTS #11 Princess Anna’s Day Off
LTS #51 51 The Ninotchka Cinematic Universe

Next time, we’ll watch

I Know Where I’m Going trailer

Gene Kelly's Butt