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).

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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
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BlogHub Articles:

Musical Monday: An American in Paris (1951)

on May 1, 2023 From Comet Over Hollywood

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) ? M... Read full article


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

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jun 15, 2020 From 4 Star Films

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)

By Annmarie Gatti on Jan 2, 2020 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

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 ticket giveawa... Read full article


An American in Paris (1951, Vincente Minnelli)

By Andrew Wickliffe on Feb 20, 2018 From The Stop Button

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 makes h... Read full article


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

on Aug 16, 2017 From Journeys in Classic Film

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/med... Read full article


See all An American in Paris articles

Quotes from

[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.


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


Henri Baurel: Then you have no problems!
Adam Cook: Where'd they go?


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Facts about

Irene Sharaff designed a style for each of the ballet sequence sets, reflecting various French impressionist painters: Raoul Dufy (the Place de la Concorde), Edouard Manet (the flower market), Maurice Utrillo (a Paris street), Henri Rousseau (the fair), Vincent van Gogh (the Place de l'Opera), and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (the Moulin Rouge). The backgrounds took six weeks to build, with 30 painters working nonstop.
Cyd Charisse discovered that she was pregnant during pre-production and was replaced by Leslie Caron.
Leslie Caron had suffered from malnutrition during WWII and was not used to the rigorous schedule of filming a movie. Because she would tire so easily, she was only able to work every other day.
read more facts about An American in Paris...
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Best Picture Oscar 1951






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National Film Registry

An American in Paris

Released 1951
Inducted 1993
(Sound)




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Also directed by Vincente Minnelli




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Also produced by Arthur Freed




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Also released in 1951




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