51. An American in Paris (1951)

Gene Kelly plays Jerry Mulligan, an ex GI and, now, struggling painter living in Paris. A wealthy heiress takes interest in his paintings and offers to sponsor him and make him a success. It's not just his paintings she fancies though. His eyes are only for Leslie Caron's pretty shop girl, Lise. Lise however is engaged to Jerry's neighbour, Henri who is a successful singer. Still she is swayed by his charm attack and she begins a romance with Jerry, neither of her suitors knowing abut the other.
It's all going smoothly til Henri gets an offer of a tour of America and decides that he and Lise will marry and go together.
Will she stay with Jerry, her true love or marry Henri, to whom she owes so much after he hid her during the war? Ah who cares?! Though the farce is amusing, this is all about the song and dance numbers that punctuate the film. From the brilliant dittys in the cafes and streets of Montmartre accompanying a wealth of Gershwin tunes, to the epic 17 minute finale, "An American in Paris Ballet". Each dance number is outstanding and it is all choeographed by Kelly.

What an epic piece the ballet is. A heady mix of ballet, jazz, modern and tap that is seamlessly edited and all set in a living painting. A sumptuous set design inspired by Parisian artists in particular Toulouse-Lautrec.

Vincente Minnelli directs this classic Hollywood musical with flair and style. The outstanding art direction, set and costume design perfectly accent the great music and even greater dancing. The cast is great. Leslie Caron in her first film role was discovered by Kelly and they make a great dance partnership here. Th supporting cast is superb too and everyone looks like they are having a bag of fun.

It is Gene Kelly who shines the brightest here. His dancing and showmanship is unrivalled to this day. The ballet scene is amazing (he choreographed the whole thing!), but it's his tap routines on the Paris street outside his apartment that I love the most here. Entertaining the cafe patrons and the neighbourhood kids with tapped out Gershwin numbers. I Got Rhythm as he teaches the kids English is a particular favourite.

S'wonderful!