An American In Paris: Best Picture 1951

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (Musical - NR) PRODUCER: Arthur Freed ABOUT THE FILM After the war, an ex-GI stays in Paris to try painting, and in the process, falls in love with a young French girl. DIRECTED BY: Vincent Minnelli (received a nomination for Direction).

THE CAST INCLUDES Gene Kelly (ANCHORS AWEIGH, THE PIRATE, ON THE TOWN, SINGIN IN THE RAIN, INHERIT THE WIND, THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT) Leslie Caron (LILI, DADDY LONGLEGS, GIGI, FANNY, THE L-SHAPED ROOM, FATHER GOOSE, IS PARIS BURNING?, THE MAN WHO LOVED WOMEN) With Oscar Levant, Nina Foch, and Georges Guetary. ABOUT THE PRODUCER American Arthur Freed (1894 - 1973), who did many MGM musicals, produced two Best Pictures: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (51) and GIGI (58). Freed's other works include: BABES IN ARMS, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, ZIEGFELD FOLLIES, ON THE TOWN, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, SHOWBOAT, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, KISMET, and BELLS ARE RINGING. Arthur J. Freed was honored with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. NOTES & TRIVA Jay Lerner received the Screenplay & Story Oscar. While Alfred Gilks and John Alton were awarded the Oscar for Color Cinematography. Cedric Gibbons and Preston Ames; Ewin B. Willis and Keogh Gleason received Oscars for Best Color Art Direction. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS also got the Oscar for Best Musical (Johnny Green and Saul Chaplin) and for Best Color Costume Design (Orry Kelly, Walter Plunkett, and Irene Sharaff). This was Leslie Caron first film. Gene Kelly received a special Oscar for his multiple talents and "brilliant achievements" in the field of film Choreography. Memorable songs/dances include: "I've Got Rhythm" and "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise". Kelly's and Caron's 20 minute ballet sequence is the longest dance number on film. OTHER NOMINATIONS Writing (*) Cinematography (*) Art Direction (*) Costume Design (*) Music (*) Direction Editing OTHER "BEST PICTURE" NOMINATIONS DECISION BEFORE DAWN A PLACE IN THE SUN QUO VADIS A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE GO TO: Next Year

BACK TO: Best Picture List * MAIN INDEX * Movie Review Index * Specials Great Action Movies * Comedies * Dramas * Musicals * Romances * Sci-Fi