Gigi (1958)

Weary of the conventions of Parisian society, a rich playboy and a youthful courtesan-in-training enjoy a platonic friendship, but it may not stay platonic for long.

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Writers:

Alan Jay Lerner (screenplay), Colette (novel)

Stars:

Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan

Won 9 Oscars. Another 16 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Leslie Caron	...	Gigi
Maurice Chevalier	...	Honoré Lachaille
Louis Jourdan	...	Gaston Lachaille
Hermione Gingold	...	Madame Alvarez
Eva Gabor	...	Liane d'Exelmans
Jacques Bergerac	...	Sandomir
Isabel Jeans	...	Aunt Alicia
John Abbott	...	Manuel

Storyline

Weary of the conventions of Parisian society, a rich playboy and a youthful courtesan-in-training enjoy a platonic friendship, but it may not stay platonic for long. Gaston, the scion of a wealthy Parisian family finds emotional refuge from the superficial lifestyle of upper class Parisian 1900s society with the former mistress of his uncle and her outgoing, tomboy granddaughter, Gigi. When Gaston becomes aware that Gigi has matured into a woman, her grandmother and aunt, who have educated Gigi to be a wealthy man's mistress, urge the pair to act out their roles but love adds a surprise twist to this delightful turn-of-the 20th century Cinderella story.

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Plot Keywords:

playboy | 1900s | love | ice rink | courtship | 

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Taglines:

Thank heaven for Gigi [1966 re-release]

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

4 August 1958 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

The Parisians

Filming Locations:

Auberge de la Moutière - 14 Rue Moutière, Montfort-l'Amaury, Yvelines, France

Box Office

Budget:

$3,319,355 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Arthur Freed Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min 115 min (Turner library print) (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System) Perspecta Stereo Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Gaston's walk through Paris while singing "Gigi" uses camera magic to make parts of Paris which are miles apart seem adjacent to each other. This technique, called "creative geography", was created and named by French filmmaker Jean Cocteau.

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Goofs

When Gaston is leaving his Uncle after ranting about Gigi's decline, it sounds as though he says "goodbye Maurice" which is the actor's real name (Maurice Chevalier) and not character name.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[Honore walks through Paris and greets the viewer]
Honore Lachaille: Good afternoon! As you see, this lovely city all around us is Paris, and this lovely park is of course the Bois de Boulogne. Who am I? Well, allow me to introduce myself: I am Honore Lachaille. Born: Paris. When...
[laughs]
Honore Lachaille: ...not lately. This is 1900, so let's just say not in this century. Circumstances: comfortable. Profession: lover, and collector of beautiful things. Not antiques mind you, younger things.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in My Father the Hero (1994)

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Soundtracks

"Gaston's Soliloquy"
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Pusic by Frederick Loewe
Performed by Louis Jourdan

User Reviews

A perfect musical

"My Fair Lady" is certainly Lerner and Loewe's crowning glory, but in my mind, this is their most perfect creation. Anyone who thinks that Alan Jay Lerner was not able to write and/or adapt a strong book without the help of a G.B. Shaw needs to take in this gem of a musical based on the novel by Colette.

Although the creators were American, it is so effervescently French in spirit and tone. Lerner insisted that he and Loewe actually live temporarily in Paris while writing the score and screenplay so that they could incorporate the mood and feel of the city into their collaboration. This move paid off in spades. Paris is as much a character in this story as any of the protagonists, and it is displayed beautifully here. There is such color, joy, and romance in this musical. I also happen to think that it's extremely funny to boot. It is perfectly cast (the three main characters are all French, including the legendary Maurice Chevalier), the Cecil Beaton costumes are incredible, and the score is scintillating. The pace never lags for a second.

This musical is a must.