Moulin Rouge (1952)

Fictional account of French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

Director:

John Huston

Writers:

Pierre La Mure (novel), Anthony Veiller (screenplay),

Stars:

José Ferrer, Colette Marchand, Zsa Zsa Gabor

Won 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
José Ferrer	...	Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec / The Comte de Toulouse-Lautrec
Colette Marchand	...	Marie Charlet
Zsa Zsa Gabor	...	Jane Avril
Suzanne Flon	...	Myriamme Hayam
Claude Nollier	...	Countess de Toulouse-Lautrec
Katherine Kath	...	La Goulue
Muriel Smith	...	Aicha
Mary Clare	...	Madame Louet
Walter Crisham	...	Valentin Dessosse
Harold Kasket	...	Zidler
Georges Lannes	...	Police Sgt. Patou
Lee Montague	...	Maurice Joyant
Maureen Swanson	...	Denise de Frontiac
Tutte Lemkow	...	Aicha's Partner
Jill Bennett	...	Sarah

Storyline

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec frequently visits the Moulin Rouge, where he drinks cognac and draws sketches of the dancers and singers. Though the son of a French count, Henri's legs were badly deformed by a childhood fall, and his personal life is often unhappy as a result. While he is going home one night, a spirited young woman of the streets, Marie, asks him for help. He falls in love with her, and the two become involved in a tumultuous relationship. It becomes increasingly difficult for Toulouse-Lautrec to balance his personal feelings, his artistic abilities, and his family name and position.

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Plot Keywords:

toulouse lautrec | love | dancer | singer | artist | 

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Taglines:

Wild, wicked, wonderful Paris...all her loves, ladies and lusty legends!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 December 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ein Lied aus Paris

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Romulus Films, Moulin Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tall actor José Ferrer was transformed into the short artist Toulouse-Lautrec by the use of camera angles, makeup, costume, concealed pits and platforms and short body doubles. Ferrer also used a set of special knee pads of his own design which allowed him to walk on his knees with his lower legs strapped to his upper body. He suffered extreme pain and could only use them for short periods of time. The cane he used in most of his scenes was of absolute necessity. This fact was covered in a LIFE magazine story in 1952.

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Goofs

When Henri Lautrec arrives at the gallery for the showing of his pictures, as he 'walks' in, his shadow on the ground clearly shows Ferrar's legs tucked behind him as he walks, (in on his knees).

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Quotes

Myriamme Hayam: Do you drink for pleasure, Monsieur Lautrec?
Henri: Is there any other reason?
Myriamme Hayam: Many. My father, for instance, because he sought oblivion. Mercifully, he found it, quickly.
Henri: Your father was very fortunate.
Myriamme Hayam: Then, do you too seek oblivion?
Henri: I meant, to have so understanding a daughter.

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Connections

Referenced in Moulin Rouge! (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Gavotte"
(uncredited)
Music by George Frideric Handel
Arranged by Lambert Williamson

User Reviews

John Huston's Greatest

This haunting and most beautiful of films is certainly John Huston's most underrated work. Having seen the film many years ago, I was astonished at how well the film has stood the test of time. The opening 20 minute Can-Can sequence is wonderfully vibrant and colourful and brilliantly captures the atmosphere, thus setting the tone for the great drama to follow. This story of the dwarfish artist Toulouse Lautrec is based on a novel by Pierre La Mure and set in 19th Century Montmartre. Jose Ferrer performs one of the greatest roles in cinema so convincingly and poignantly I was completely enthralled by this most moving of biopics. Colette Marchand as the prostitute is outstanding and Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing impress in small roles. Cinematography by Oswald Morris is some of the finest ever and brilliantly captures the atmosphere and the music by Georges Auric will have you whistling for weeks. This masterpiece should be reissued on the Big Screen and I would urge everyone who loves classic cinema to see it. Score: 10/10