Some films have music so strongly imbedded in their DNA that to have live orchestral accompaniment makes a lot of sense. For instance, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey allows the orchestra to shine and not just be an accessory to the film. Also on that list is the film that won the Academy Award as Best Picture of 1951: An American in Paris. On Thursday night the LA Philharmonic will play live as Vicente Minnelli’s classic film screens at the Hollywood Bowl.
The music of George Gershwin is at the core of this movie. Gene Kelly (who also directed significant portions of the movie and choreographed the film including the stunning ballet sequence (which truly showcases both his genius as a choreographer and Gershwin’s gorgeous music.) An American in Paris is one of the best arguments for seeing films on a big screen.
In the film Jerry Mulligan (Kelly) plays an American painter try to make a go of it in Paris. So too is his friend, Adam (Oscar Levant), a struggling pianist. A woman (Nina Foch) takes Mulligan under her wing to support him, but she is ultimately in love with him and has more than being a patron of the arts on her mind. Mulligan falls in love with Lise (Leslie Caron), a French girl he meets at a restaurant. Unfortunately she is in a relationship with Henri (Georges Guétary) who is good friends with Adam. Who will ultimately be in love with whom? And can’t somebody love Oscar Levant?
An American in Paris makes very wise use of Gershwin’s music, both his classical repertoire (as in the piece that gives this film its title and one movement of his Concerto in F) and the songs written with his brother Ira including Our Love Is Here to Stay, I Got Rhythm and I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise.
Brett Mitchell leads the LA Philharmonic.
Of additional interest: Patricia Kelly, Gene’s widow, recently launched in Europe a new live show called Gene Kelly: A Life In Music. To hear music from many of his film performed live by a symphony orchestra, mixed with stories only she can tell, would be a treat for all fans of his, classic musicals and great music. Who knows, maybe that will be on the program next year at the Bowl? That would be ‘s wonderful and ‘s marvelous.
For tickets go here.