Gigi (1958 film)

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Gigi
Directed by Vincente Minnelli
Produced by Arthur Freed
Written by Colette (novel)
Alan Jay Lerner (screenplay)
Starring Leslie Caron
Maurice Chevalier
Louis Jourdan
Music by Frederick Loewe
Cinematography Joseph Ruttenberg & Ray June
Editing by Adrienne Fazan
Distributed by MGM
Release date(s) May 15, 1958
Running time 119 min.
Language English
IMDb profile

Gigi is a 1958 motion picture musical set in Paris, France. The screenplay was written by Alan Jay Lerner and the music was composed by Frederick Loewe. It is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by French author, Colette.

In additional to numerous awards, the film also has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. It is considered the last great MGM musical, and the last great achievement of the Freed Unit, headed by producer Arthur Freed, although he would go on to produce several more films, including the musical Bells Are Ringing in 1960.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

In turn-of-the-century Paris, Gaston Lachaille (Louis Jourdan) is a rich bon vivant, much like his uncle, Honoré (Maurice Chevalier) (who thanks heaven for little girls). But Gaston is becoming bored with the high life ... especially the women. He only truly enjoys the time that he spends with one of his uncle's old friends, Madame Alvarez (Hermione Gingold), and especially her granddaughter, the precocious, carefree Gigi (Leslie Caron). Gigi is being groomed to follow in her grandmother's footsteps as a famous courtesan. It suddenly occurs to Gaston that he could become her first protector, but the situation makes him uneasy until he discovers that he's in love with Gigi, whom he eventually marries.

[edit] Additional cast

  • Eva Gabor  : Liane d'Exelmans
  • Jacques Bergerac  : Sandomir
  • Isabel Jeans  : Aunt Alicia

[edit] Awards

The film was nominated for an Oscar in nine categories, and won all nine. A tenth Oscar (this time honorary) went to Maurice Chevalier.

[edit] Award nominations

[edit] Trivia

A copy of the soundtrack album is seen on the cover of the 1969 Pink Floyd album Ummagumma.

[edit] External link

Academy Award for Best Picture: Winners (1941–1960)

1941: How Green Was My Valley | 1942: Mrs. Miniver | 1943: Casablanca | 1944: Going My Way | 1945: The Lost Weekend | 1946: The Best Years of Our Lives | 1947: Gentleman's Agreement | 1948: Hamlet | 1949: All the King's Men | 1950: All About Eve | 1951: An American in Paris | 1952: The Greatest Show on Earth | 1953: From Here to Eternity | 1954: On the Waterfront | 1955: Marty | 1956: Around the World in Eighty Days | 1957: The Bridge on the River Kwai | 1958: Gigi | 1959: Ben-Hur | 1960: The Apartment
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