Gene Kelly Classics (An American In Paris / On The Town) (2 Disc Set)

An American In Paris:
When producer Arthur Freed decided to film a Technicolor musical utilising the George Gershwin songbook, he could not have predicted he would win the 1951 Academy Award for Best Picture, or that his star Gene Kelly would receive an honorary Oscar for advancing the art of choreography on the screen. Kelly plays a struggling artist in post-war Paris, befriended by sourpuss Oscar Levant and Gallic charmer Georges Guetary. To partner him in dance, Gene picked a virtual unknown from Roland Petit's “Ballet in Paris”: Leslie Caron in her movie debut.

Special Features:

• None

On The Town:
One of the most enjoyable of all MGM musicals, this is the exuberant directing bow of actor-dancer Gene Kelly and choreographer Stanley Donen in this joyous adaptation of a Broadway show that began as a ballet. Kelly insisted on actually filming in New York City itself, away from the studio sound stage. Gene, a gawky Frank Sinatra, and the funny Jules Munshin play three sailors. Whilst on a 24-hour shore leave, they meet three fabulous gals in “New York, New York” – the wonderful trio of Ann Miller, Vera-Ellen and Betty Garrett – and sing and dance away in a style that will thrill and enchant as much today as they did back in 1949. With “On the Town”, screen play writers Adolph Green and Betty Comden and directors Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen bring a magical breath of fresh air to the movie musical.