Thursday, February 18, 2010

AMERICAN IN PARIS (1951)





An American in Paris (1951). Musical inspired by the 1928 orchestral composition by George Gershwin. Cast: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, and Oscar Levant. The film is set in Paris. Director: Vincente Minnelli. The music is by George Gershwin, with lyrics by his brother Ira, with additional music by Saul Chaplin. The story of the film is mixed with show stopping dance numbers choreographed by Gene Kelly. Songs include "I Got Rhythm," "I'll Build A Stairway to Paradise," "'S Wonderful," and "Our Love is Here to Stay". The American in Paris ballet featuring Kelly and Caron set to Gershwin's An American in Paris. The ballet alone cost more than $500,000.

FUN FACTS:

According to Leslie Caron, her introductory dance number, was considered too suggestive by censors.

Leslie Carons first movie.

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

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.

Soundtracks:
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"Our Love Is Here to Stay"
(1937) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Sung by Gene Kelly
Danced by Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron
Played often in the score as the love theme between Jerry and Lise

"By Strauss"
(1936) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Revised for this film by Ira Gershwin (1951)
Sung by Gene Kelly, Georges Guétary, Oscar Levant (dubbed by Mack McLean)

"Tra-la-la (This Time It's Really Love)"
(1922) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Performed by Gene Kelly (vocal and dance) and Oscar Levant (vocal and piano)

"I Got Rhythm"
(1930) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Performed by Gene Kelly and children

"I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise"
(1922) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin and Buddy G. DeSylva)
Sung and Danced by Georges Guétary in his show

"'S Wonderful"
(1927) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Played during the opening credits
Sung and Danced by Gene Kelly
Sung, Whistled and Hummed by Georges Guétary

"Nice Work if You Can Get It"
(1937) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Sung by Georges Guétary

"Embraceable You"
(1930) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Danced by Leslie Caron

"An American in Paris Ballet"
(uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played during the opening credits and often in the score
Danced by Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron and ensemble
Played by The MGM Symphony Orchestra, in an arrangement by Conrad Salinger based on Gershwin's orchestration
Conducted by Johnny Green

"Strike Up the Band"
(1927) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played as background music

"Third Movement from 'Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra'"
(1925) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played by Oscar Levant and The MGM Symphony Orchestra conducted offscreen by Johnny Green,
and onscreen by Oscar Levant

"But Not for Me"
(1930) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played as background music

"How Long Has This Been Going On?"
(1928) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played as background music

"Someone to Watch Over Me"
(1926) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played as dance music at the Flodair Café

"Oh, Lady Be Good"
(1926) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played as background music

"I've Got a Crush on You, Sweetie Pie"
(1927) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played as background music

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