The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954)

Charles returns to Paris to reminisce about the life he led in Paris after it was liberated. He worked on "Stars and Stripes" when he met Marion and Helen. He would marry and be happy ... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Brooks

Writers:

Julius J. Epstein (screenplay), Philip G. Epstein (screenplay)

Stars:

Elizabeth Taylor, Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Elizabeth Taylor	...	Helen Ellswirth
Van Johnson	...	Charles Wills
Walter Pidgeon	...	James Ellswirth
Donna Reed	...	Marion Ellswirth
Eva Gabor	...	Lorraine Quarl
Kurt Kasznar	...	Maurice
George Dolenz	...	Claude Matine
Roger Moore	...	Paul
Sandy Descher	...	Vicki
Celia Lovsky	...	Mama
Peter Leeds	...	Barney
John Doucette	...	Campbell
Odette Myrtil	...	Singer (as Odette)

Storyline

Charles returns to Paris to reminisce about the life he led in Paris after it was liberated. He worked on "Stars and Stripes" when he met Marion and Helen. He would marry and be happy staying in Paris after his discharge and working for a news organization. He would try to write his great novel and that would come between Charlie, his wife, and his daughter.

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Plot Keywords:

american | victory in europe day | party | love | writer | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 April 1955 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Damals in Paris

Filming Locations:

Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Perspecta Sound) (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

February and May 1954 Hollywood Reporter news items include Carlos Thompson and Murray Pollack in the cast, but their appearance in the final film has not been confirmed.

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Goofs

When Helen tells Charlie that they should go home to the USA, in one shot Charlie is facing her and grabs her upper arms, and in the next he is no longer holding her arms and is off to her right.

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Quotes

Helen Ellswirth: I've been having a bad day for a year now, maybe I'm growing up
Charles Wills: It's too late to grow up.

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Connections

Referenced in The Last Time I Saw Archie (1961)

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Soundtracks

Auld Lang Syne
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played at the New Year's party

User Reviews

Elizabeth Taylor Stands Out in a Downbeat, Though Generally Well-Crafted, Drama

Though downbeat and sometimes sad, this is a generally well-crafted human drama that explores several aspects of family life and relationships. Elizabeth Taylor is the standout in a good cast, with Van Johnson also getting some good scenes. The postwar Paris setting is used in a number of well-conceived ways in the story.

Johnson plays the main character, a reporter and would-be novelist who begins the movie with a trip back to Paris, and begins reminiscing about the past. The character's career disappointments and family crises give much of the story a markedly pessimistic (if not depressing) tone, yet Johnson plays the part believably, and the story brings out some worthwhile thoughts, as his character gradually loses his perspective on things.

As his wife, Taylor's appeal and energy stand out every time she is on screen, but more importantly, she develops the character consistently throughout the story, often in interesting contrast to Johnson's character. She starts out as a rather spoiled, fun-loving young woman, then gradually takes on more depth and character. Her performance adds considerable meaning to the rest of the movie, and it also help in making the other characters more believable.

Walter_Pidgeon (sorry, otherwise can't get it past the spell-checker) seems to be having fun as the easygoing father, and Donna Reed does a solid job in a rather thankless role as Taylor's more serious, sometimes envious sister. Eva Gabor and a young Roger Moore play characters who are one-dimensional yet important to the plot.

Overall, everything works pretty well. The pace is just a bit slow at times, which occasionally makes for heavy going during the sadder stretches. But these always have a point, and as a whole it is a worthwhile drama with some interesting characters.