Tonight I watched an old favorite, Vincente Minnellis 1951 ``An American in Paris. Of course the reason I love to watch it is the ballet sequence at the end, in which Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron dance through the Paris of our imagination (and through sets that strongly suggest the various French impressionists -- Manet, Utrillo, Rousseau, Dufy, Toulouse-Lautrec -- and Vincent Van Gogh. Irene Sharaff, the costume designer, did magnificent work. I can still see all the briliant red romantic tutus, and all the swirling yellows and ochres in the Toulouse-Lautrec section of the ballet. Oscar Levant pretty much played himself as the sardonic pianist who dreams of one day performing (and conducting). Gershwins ``Concerto in F. This was Leslie Carons first big role and she could barely speak any English at all during filing. Shes such a fresh looking ingenue in this film. And what could I saw about Gene Kelly? He just completely owns the film, He dances, sings, even paints pictures. He tap danced in loafers! One thing that really interested me about the film was Kellys portrayal of a post World War II veteran as someone who fell in love with the country where he serves and who chooses to stay there after hes out of the service. He is the quintessential American of that era, discovering and falling in love with everything pertaining to French culture in general and Paris in particular. I found myself wondering if there are any mainstream movies that portray any veterans in such a positive light today. Somehow, I dont think so. Anyway, heres the trailer. I think KQED is showing the film again tonight and perhaps tomorrow also. If youve never seen the film before, this is a must-see event. https://youtube/watch?v=2v1Y1SWRXVw
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 05:48:37 +0000