Gene Kelly is one of many people, you may think about, when it comes to MGM musicals. Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney are the others. Gene Kelly stands out because of his dancing style; a combination of tap and modern dance. An American in Paris won the academy award for best picture. It is with Kelly’s presence that it stands out. He makes this very artistic film something that even a casual filmgoer would enjoy. He is helped by the beautiful and talented Leslie Caron. This is her first feature film. She does not disappoint.
Gene Kelly in An American in Paris plays Jerry Mulligan. He is a struggling American painter, living in The City of Lights. He is a happy go lucky guy. He seems to be having fun with his buddy, Adam Cook, (Oscar Levant), a struggling concert pianist. Jerry Mulligan seems to have a great stroke of luck. He meets Milo Roberts, (Nina Foch), a patron of the arts. She has seen his paintings on the sidewalk, and likes them so much that she buys them all. Jerry and Milo later go to a club, to meet her society friends. The purpose is to show off her friend Jerry, and to discuss his artwork. This seems like a good plan, until Jerry spots Lise Bouvier, (Leslie Caron), at the next table. He can’t keep his eyes off of her. He even pretends to be an old friend, to get her number. She is put off by his advances, at least at first. Persistence pays off, and the two fall in love. This would seem great, except there’s a problem. Lise has another man pursuing her. His name is Henri Baurel, (Georges Guertary). Henri is a well known Paris entertainer. He is also a mutual friend of Jerry Mulligan and Adam Cook. One of the most entertaining scenes in the film is the two of them singing ’S Wonderful, while Adam Cook grimaces, because he knows that both men love Lise.
Henri Baurel has an act in a Paris club. He performs a stunning number called I’’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise. This scene can only be appreciated on the big screen. The act is loved by an American talent agent. He says Henri needs to take his act to America. Henri agrees and says he needs to talk to his love, Lise. He proposes to her and she agrees to be his wife, but is saddened. Lise meets Jerry and tells him the news. He professes his love, and she says she loves him too. Unhappy and upset, Jerry leaves. He knows that Milo Roberts, has more than a professional interest in him. He lets her know he likes her as well.
Jerry later attends a costume ball with Milo. Henri and Lise are also in attendance. She can’t look at Jerry without tears in her eyes. Henri and Lise leave the party, in his car: she is broken-hearted, as is Jerry who observes the couple from a balcony, and stares out at the streets of Paris. After this Jerry retreats into a fantasy ballet. This is overly long; at seventeen minutes, but does provide a beautiful color sequence. After this sequence, Jerry leaves, and a car pulls up. Lise is in it, she leaves and runs up to greet Jerry, and the couple embrace.
An American in Paris couldn’t have succeeded without the apt direction of Vincent Minelli. He’s given a beautiful feel to Paris; making it look like the greatest city in the world. Minelli has given moviegoers one of the most enjoyable scenes in a musical, if not in any film. This is Gene Kelly performing I Got Rhythm, with the French children, who love him. The choreography in this film is top notch. One could expect no less from Gene Kelly. ’S Wonderful has a finale where the two singers separate and the camera shows the gap. It only adds to the directorial style of Minelli. Gene Kelly and Vincent Minelli took a chance on the ballet finale. The studio went with it, and it blends in with the movie. There is a great comic sequence in the film. It is when Adam Cook, dreams that he is a successful pianist. Everyone in the sequence, the conductor, the violinist and the man cheering, all look like Oscar Levant. It takes a lot to choreograph a musical, and to keep the pace. Vincent Minelli has done that.
The principals involved in An American in Paris, have succeeded in making it a very watchable film. It is for many considered MGM’s best musical. It does deserve a high place among it’s musicals.