Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron - An American In Paris

Only two pictures have ever been described by critical concensus as "the perfect film"; Citizen Kane and An American in Paris. This was Kelly's magnum opus. His choreography was of such a standard that the Academy of Motion Picture Sciences created a special Oscar that year in recognition of his achievement. Though Singin' in the Rain is the film everyone knows, this is the film they should all watch. This is the routine everyone hould watch.
Here is his duet with the stunning Leslie Caron, and if there is a more charged duet anywhere in dance on film I have yet to see it. All those fans of crappy celebrity ballroom comps should take note. This is how it's done

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  Entertainment

[brett71jay]

I always thougt Singin' in the rain was the greatest musiical ever made.Recently I've been coming around to prefer An amercan in Paris.. I certainly think it is more artistic.

So can't quite make my mind up.

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

Horses for courses. In terms of choreographic and performance achievement & excellence American in Paris wins hands down, but for sheer exuberance and outright fun few films even come close to Singin' in the Rain.

Both are wonderful, but for different reasons.

[Karen Moreno]

DIANNA AGRON!! *♥*

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

What about her?

[seashore961]

Does anybody know the name of this song?

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

An American in Paris.

It's often confused with Rhapsody

[ChocolateFrogPrince]

He did win an Oscar. In fact, the Academy was so impressed that, when they realised there was no category in existence to acknowledge Kelly's achievements in this film they created one.

In total An American in Paris earned six Academy Awards.

[Meredith Riggs]

Haha

[M Tl]

yes it takes an artist who works in B & W to make color very special indeed

[Kaleidalee]

Everything was perfect about this segment, but what no one else mentions here that is the most obvious is John Alton's Oscar winning LIGHTING and cinematography. There are just no words to describe the atmosphere.

[Roger H Werner]

They are different kinds of musicals and I don't think it's fair to compare them. Another positively marvelous musical from MGM is the wonderful Gigi with Leslie Caron. How does one compare them? Each is wonderful in its special way.

[ZSy264]

Look it's Gigi with another man! Someone tell Gaston she is not thinking of him.

[M Tl]

Saul Chaplin referred to it as the "Blues Section" with Uan Ramsey playing the blues trumpet.

[M Tl]

The one who knows is Ms Caron, but to me it looks like she gives a little push off the floor, up into his catching/lifting hands/arms. That's the way I learned to do it in ballet. Gene's lift of an already upwardly moving Ms. Caron is easier & more controlled by Gene (facilitated by momentum laws in physics), than if Gene lifted a falling/downwardly moving Ms Caron. It's physics, professionals doing their well schooled jobs, camera angle, lighting & Gershwin that makes such a lovely moment.

[MsTruNorth]

Does she actually jump or merely extend her arms and fall into his arms with his lifting of her occurring the moment she falls into his arms such that it creates the illusion of her leaping into his arms? This is so smoothly done it looks like she is jumping, but a very close look makes it appears she is falling into his arms and he is lifting simultaneous, thereby creating the illusion of a leap into his arms. Amazing stuff if that IS what I'm seeing.

[M Tl]

or did they set the (ballet) 'barre' so high? ;)

[M Tl]

I heard him say in an interview Gene asked him to play it very sexy, very sensual. When Uan played it again Gene kissed him on the forehead! ;)