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Gigi

GIGI

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CREDITS

1958, 116 minutes, Metrocolor and CinemaScope.
Producer, Arthur Freed; Director, Vincente Minnelli; Screenplay, Alan Jay Lerner; Cinematography, Joseph Ruttenberg; Music Direction, Andre Previn.

CAST

Gigi, Leslie Caron; Gaston Lachaille, Louis Jourdan; Honore Lachaille, Maurice Chevalier; Mme. Alvarez, Hermione Gingold; Liane D'Exelmans, Eva Gabor; Sandomir, Jacques Bergerac; Aunt Alicia, Isabel Jeans; Manuel, John Abbott.

SONGS

Thank Heaven For Little Girls; It's A Bore; The Parisians; Waltz At Maxims; The Night They Invented Champagne; I Remember It Well; Say A Prayer For Me Tonight; I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore; Gossip; Gigi by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe.

PLOT

"Gigi is a turn-of-the-century story of a Parisian teenager (Caron) who has been raised and tutored by her grandmother (Gingold) and great aunt (Jeans) in the worldly wisdom of the courtesan. . .Before she is deemed ready for her 'debut,' however, the first eligible man, Gaston (Jourdan) enters her life. As he watches the child shed the last remnants of girlhood and emerge a full-fledged and ravishing woman, he is hopelessly captivated. . .But the young lady has ideas of her own, and must be won in her own reluctant way."
- Lawrence B. Thomas, The MGM Years

NOTES

". . .Gigi was a stylish triumph from start to finish which sadly - but gloriously - marked the end of an era. . .If Gigi was one of Freed's finest achievements, it also showed Minnelli on top of his form. . .Musically, too, it was perfection. . ."
- Clive Hirschhorn, The Hollywood Musical

"Gigi is not only a charming comprehension of the spicy confection of Colette, but it is also a lovely and lyrical enlargement upon that story's flavored mood and atmosphere."
- The New York Times

ACADEMY AWARD WINNER:
Best Picture
Direction
Writing - Screenplay
Art Direction
Cinematography (Color)
Film Editing
Costume Design
Musical Score
Song - "Gigi"

GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD WINNER:
Picture (Musical)
Supporting Actress - Hermione Gingold
Director
Cecil B. DeMille Award - Maurice Chevalier

DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA:
Grand Award For Direction

NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW - #10

#2 - NEW YORK TIMES TEN BEST

PHOTOPLAY GOLD MEDAL AWARD WINNER:
Best Picture

Leslie Caron's vocals were dubbed by Betty Wand.

Gigi was one of the top-grossing films of 1959. See Box Office Hits

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