In American In Paris: Two-Disc Special Edition, you will be introduced to aspiring American artist, Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly), who is engaged by sophisticate heiress Milo (Nina Foch) to exhibit his art work. He discovers that she is interested more in him than his paintings and he is romantically repelled by her attention. However, while accompanying Milo to a jazz club, he discovers an innocent and beautiful shopgirl named Lise (Leslie Caron), who intrigues and magnetizes him. Pitfalls abound for this delicate situation when he discovers that Lise is engaged to someone else. Lise's charm and youth endear the audience to her fragile emotions and her difficulty in deciding right from wrong. This love story culminates in a 17 minute ballet with breathtaking scenes stylized by French Impressionist paintings. The interpretive dance is engaging, the music enthralling, the costumes imaginative, and the lighting techniques lend spectacular drama to this climatic production. An American in Paris showcases Kelly and Caron's imaginative and fluid talent that soars them to the heights of their craft.
Disc one of An American in Paris: Two-Disc Special Edition includes "Concerto of a Commentary Hosted by Patricia Ward Kelly and Many Others" which fills in the background of how the movie was conceived by Producer Arthur Freed with the Gerschwins; along with commentaries by Nina Foch on Kelly's genius and various scenes throughout the movie; the building of the 44 sets depicting the Parisian background; discussions with Kelly on Leslie Caron's costumes, Gerschwins' music and lyrics and how some songs were created; the introduction of Leslie Caron and how she was tested for the movie; Vincent Minnelli's artistry and much more. Disc one of An American in Paris - Two-Disc Special Edition presents the vintage film Fitzpatrick Traveltalks Short Paris on Parade that takes you on a tour of the 1937 Paris Exposition where 44 nations displayed their talents in architecture and culture on the River Seine. Also included on disc one is the classic carton Symphony in Slang which parodies misunderstood interpretations of American slang.
Disc two of An American in Paris - Two-Disc Special Edition features "Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer" and chronicles his dancing career and life from the time he and his brother danced to earn money for the family eventually evolving into a successful family business, dance schools, and choreography consultations. Armed with a suitcase full of dreams, a confident ego, experience and expertise, Kelly set off to New York to land a job in Pal Joey. Moving to Hollywood, he starred with Judy Garland in Me and My Gal where he received kindness, compassion and encouragement from his co-star to make him feel comfortable in the movie. He later repaid the favor when Judy asked him to dance with her. It was in films that he partnered up with Stanley Donen in creating, choreographing, and directing musicals. Kelly danced his way into the hearts of America; he revolutionized the movie musical and made dancing more a form of acting; he took directive control and evolutionized the movie musical industry. With commentaries from dancers, historians, actors and writers, you will receive insight into the genius of Kelly.
"Making of An American in Paris" includes commentaries from Leslie Caron, Drew Casper, Nina Foch, Hugh Fordin, and Patricia Ward Kelly and others. An American in Paris was a masterpiece with the highest quality of art, music, dance and song. George and Ira Gerschwin's songs infused life throughout the dance sequences. Kelly was up front and center in dance, choreography and direction as he ingenuiously integrated the compositions of George and Ira Gerschwin and Alan Jay Lerner to tell this story of life, passion and love. The inspiration of great painters like Rousseau, Van Gogh, Duffy, and Utrillo fill the heart and screen with color and their artwork comes alive, especially realistic with Van Gogh's "Du Chocolat" awakening through Kelly's dance interpretation. This libretto consumes the film and climaxes in the final ballet interpretation of classical and American dance. This film more than any other changed the world of movie musicals and defined Kelly as a unique master of the art of dance.
Also included on disc two is the song "Love Walked Right In" outtake, together with "Audio Outtakes" including "S'Wonderful," "I've Got a Crush on You," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," and an "Alternate Main Title." "Radio Interviews" include musical director Johnny Green where he describes Producer Arthur Freed's conception of the movie. Other interviews are with Gene Kelly individually, as well as with Leslie Caron where he explains how he met the new French star at a Paris ballet and her performance was so fresh and memorable that years later, he asked her to take a movie test to star in An American In Paris. All the other interviews seem to be incomplete as they don't feature the songs that are announced and the interviewer's questions can't be heard - only the verbal responses.
I would recommend An American in Paris - Two-Disc Special Edition primarily for the artistic accomplishments in all the creative arts including set design, artistry, costumes, musical composition, acting, directing, song and dance. It parallels with Gigi where both Caron and Kelly collaborated in a similarly perfected musical. Gene Kelly's insight and drive spiraled music and dance to another dimension and brought joy and entertainment to audiences around the world.
