#49 "An American in Paris"

Stats: 1951. Starring Gene Kelly & Leslie Caron. Not Rated.

Background: When I was in upper elementary or junior high, my cousins checked out three Gene Kelly movies from the library: An American in Paris, On the Town, and Singin’ in the Rain. We watched the three at their house (I think it was during summer break), and I loved Singin’ in the Rain (who doesn’t?), laughed through On the Town, and barely tolerated An American in Paris. It just seemed so boring! I’ve watched the first two multiple times since that day, but I never again bothered with An American in Paris … until I came across it in Walmart’s $5 bin. (My name is Becky, and I can’t resist the $5 bin—admitting you have a problem is the first step, right?)

Plot: Jerry (Kelly) is a WWII vet who stays in Paris after the war and becomes a struggling painter. He meets and woos Lise, a perfume salesgirl, despite the fact that she is engaged and he’s being pursued by a rich American woman. However, the plot is basically an excuse to fill a film with Gershwin music and showcase Kelly’s dancing talents.

Reactions: The music—all by Gershwin—is fantastic. I especially enjoyed the “I’ve Got Rhythm” sequence where Kelly teaches French children to say “I’ve got” and then sings and dances his way through the street. Also, the dream sequence/dance scene common in many musicals of the time is actually tolerable (even enjoyable) as set to “An American in Paris.” Normally I just fast forward through them (can we say Oklahoma?), but I actually paid attention here, due in large part to the music, I’m sure. The film as a whole was much more entertaining than I remembered—perhaps because my attention span is a bit longer than it was at age 13!


Verdict: Keep

Fun Fact: One of the special features on the dvd is an old MGM cartoon short--Symphony in Slang. It is a perfect introduction to American idioms (though some are incredibly outdated) that I think I'll start showing in my ESL classes.