# An American in Paris

> 1951 film directed by Vincente Minnelli

**Wikidata**: [Q747570](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q747570)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_American_in_Paris_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/an-american-in-paris

## Summary

An American in Paris is a musical film that received multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture [1]. It also won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Color [1], Best Writing, Original Screenplay [1], Best Costume Design, Color [1], Best Art Direction, Color [1], and Best Original Musical Score [1]. The film's accolades include one additional Academy Award not specified in the list [1]. [2][3][4]

## Summary
*An American in Paris* is a 1951 American musical film directed by Vincente Minnelli and produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It stars Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron in a romantic story set in post-World War II Paris, featuring music by George Gershwin. The film is widely recognized for its artistic achievements, including winning the Academy Award for Best Picture.

## Key Facts
- **Title**: *An American in Paris*
- **Release Date**: 1951
- **Director**: Vincente Minnelli
- **Producer**: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- **Genre**: Musical film
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Awards**: Academy Award for Best Picture, Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture, and inclusion in the National Film Registry
- **Runtime**: 108 minutes
- **Based on**: Symphonic tone poem "An American in Paris" by George Gershwin
- **Cast**: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, and Georges Guétary
- **Cinematography**: Color (Technicolor)
- **Distributed by**: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- **Preserved by**: National Film Registry (Library of Congress)
- **IMDb ID**: tt0043278
- **Instance of**: Film
- **Situation**: Part of the National Film Registry, recognized for cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance
- **Related Entities**: National Board of Review: Top Ten Films, Academy Award for Best Picture, Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay
- **Aliases**: American in Paris

## FAQs
**What is *An American in Paris*?**
*An American in Paris* is a 1951 American musical film directed by Vincente Minnelli. It features a romantic plot set in post-World War II Paris and stars Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, with music by George Gershwin.

**What awards did *An American in Paris* win?**
The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture, and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

**Who directed *An American in Paris*?**
The film was directed by Vincente Minnelli, a renowned American film director known for his work in musicals and melodramas.

**What is the significance of the film's title?**
The title refers to the 1928 symphonic tone poem by George Gershwin, which inspired the film's musical and narrative themes.

**What is the film's cultural significance?**
*An American in Paris* is notable for its innovative use of music, dance, and visual storytelling. It is considered one of the greatest Hollywood musicals and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry for its cultural and historical importance.

**What organizations is it associated with?**
The film is associated with the National Film Registry, the Academy Awards (winning Best Picture), and the Golden Globe Awards. It was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, one of the most prestigious film studios of the time.

**What is the film's runtime?**
The film has a runtime of 108 minutes.

**What is the film's connection to George Gershwin's work?**
The film is based on the symphonic tone poem "An American in Paris" composed by George Gershwin in 1928. The film's musical sequences and narrative are inspired by Gershwin's original composition.

## Why It Matters
*An American in Paris* is significant for its artistic innovation in the musical film genre. It represents a high point in the Hollywood musical tradition, combining storytelling with elaborate dance sequences and a rich orchestral score. The film's recognition with the Academy Award for Best Picture and its preservation in the National Film Registry underscore its cultural and historical value. It also reflects the post-war optimism and the American-French cultural exchange in cinema, showcasing the talents of performers like Gene Kelly and the creative vision of director Vincente Minnelli.

## Notable For
- Winning the Academy Award for Best Picture
- Being selected for preservation in the National Film Registry
- Featuring a groundbreaking 17-minute ballet sequence set to George Gershwin's music
- Showcasing the choreographic and performance talents of Gene Kelly
- Incorporating the music of George Gershwin into a narrative of post-war romance
- Being directed by Vincente Minnelli, a master of the Hollywood musical
- Receiving the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture
- Representing a pinnacle of the MGM musical era

## Body
### History and Production
*An American in Paris* was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and released in 1951. Directed by Vincente Minnelli, the film was a product of the golden age of Hollywood musicals. It was inspired by George Gershwin's 1928 symphonic tone poem of the same name and adapted it into a cinematic narrative. The film's production values, including its musical sequences and choreography, were considered groundbreaking at the time.

### Plot and Themes
The film tells the story of an American soldier, Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly), who falls in love with a French woman, Lise Bouvier (Leslie Caron), in post-World War II Paris. The narrative is interwoven with the music of George Gershwin, creating a romantic and nostalgic atmosphere that reflects the cultural exchange between America and France in the aftermath of the war.

### Awards and Recognition
The film received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including:
- Academy Award for Best Picture
- Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture
- Selection in the National Film Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance

### Cultural Impact
*An American in Paris* is a landmark in the Hollywood musical genre. Its innovative use of music and dance, particularly the 17-minute ballet sequence at the end, set a new standard for musical storytelling. The film's success helped establish the careers of its stars and solidified the reputation of its director, Vincente Minnelli.

### Related Projects
The film is part of the broader tradition of Hollywood musicals, particularly those produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It shares thematic and stylistic elements with other musicals of the era, such as *Singin' in the Rain* and *The Band Wagon*, and reflects the studio's commitment to high production values and artistic excellence.

### Cast and Crew
- **Director**: Vincente Minnelli
- **Stars**: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, Georges Guétary
- **Cinematography**: Color (Technicolor)
- **Music**: Based on compositions by George Gershwin

### Legacy
The film's legacy is evident in its continued influence on the musical film genre and its recognition by institutions like the Library of Congress. It remains a benchmark for artistic achievement in cinema, particularly in the realm of musical storytelling.

### Preservation and Recognition
Due to its cultural and historical significance, *An American in Paris* was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. This ensures its legacy is maintained for future generations to appreciate and study.

### Connections to George Gershwin
The film is directly connected to George Gershwin's original 1928 symphonic tone poem, "An American in Paris." This connection is evident in the film's musical sequences and its thematic exploration of American and French cultural exchange.

### Critical Reception
Upon its release, *An American in Paris* was praised for its innovative use of music, dance, and visual storytelling. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture, a testament to its artistic and cultural impact. The film's success helped establish the careers of its stars and solidified the reputation of its director, Vincente Minnelli.

### Artistic Innovation
The film's 17-minute ballet sequence at the end is considered one of the most innovative and influential sequences in the history of the musical film genre. It showcases the talents of Gene Kelly and the creative vision of Vincente Minnelli, setting a new standard for musical storytelling.

### Conclusion
*An American in Paris* is a landmark film that represents the pinnacle of the Hollywood musical tradition. Its innovative use of music, dance, and visual storytelling, combined with its cultural and historical significance, make it a timeless classic that continues to influence the film industry today.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043278/)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/amerykanin-w-paryzu)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=6822.html)
4. [Source](http://www.cinematografo.it/cinedatabase/film/un-americano-a-parigi/6908/)
5. [Source](http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/American-in-Paris-An)
6. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043278/fullcredits)
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12. An American in Paris. Rotten Tomatoes
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