An American in Paris movie review (1951)

Now that the film has been restored for a national theatrical release and an eventual re-launch on tapes and laserdiscs, it's easy to see why "Singin' " passed it in the popularity sweepstakes. Its story of two Americans in Montparnasse - a struggling painter (Gene Kelly) and a perennial piano student (Oscar Levant) - is essentially a clothesline on which to hang recycled Gershwin songs ("I Got Rhythm," "S'Wonderful") and a corny story of love won, lost, and won again. Compared to "Singin's" tart satire of Hollywood at the birth of the talkies, it's pretty tame stuff.

And yet "American" has many qualities of its own, not least its famous ballet production number, with Kelly and Leslie Caron symbolizing the entire story of their courtship in dance. And there are other production numbers, set in everyday Parisian settings, that are endlessly inventive in their use of props and locations.

The stories of the two movies are curiously similar. In both of them, Kelly must break his romance of convenience with a predatory older blonde (Nina Foch in "American," Jean Hagen in "Singin' ") in order to follow his heart to a younger, more innocent brunette (Leslie Caron and Debbie Reynolds). In both, he is counseled by a best friend (Oscar Levant and DonaldO'Connor). And in both there is a dramatic moment when all seems lost, just when it is about to be gained.

"Singin' " is the more realistic picture, which is perhaps why it holds up better today. "American" has scenes that are inexplicable, including the one where Levant joins Kelly and their French friend Henri (Georges Guetary) at a cafe. When he realizes they are both in love with the same women, Levant starts lighting a handful of cigarettes while simultaneously trying to drink coffee.

Maybe it seemed funny at the time.

There's also a contrast between the Nina Foch character - a possessive rich woman who hopes to buy Kelly's affections - and Jean Hagen's brassy blonde, a silent star whose shrieking voice is not suited to the sound era. Foch's blonde is just plain sour and unpleasant. Hagen's blonde is funny and fun. And, for that matter, there's no comparing the ingenues, either: Caron, still unformed, a great dancer but a so-so actress, and Reynolds, already a pro in her film debut, perky and bright-eyed.