The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954)

Charles Wills returns to Paris to reminisce about the life he led there after it was liberated. He worked then for "Stars and Stripes" when he met both Marion and Helen Ellswirth. He soon ... 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 Wills returns to Paris to reminisce about the life he led there after it was liberated. He worked then for "Stars and Stripes" when he met both Marion and Helen Ellswirth. He soon married and was happy staying in Paris after his discharge. While working for a news organization, Charlie began to write the great novel that would come between him, his wife, and his daughter.

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Plot Keywords:

victory in europe day | self destructiveness | writer | reporter | unrequited love | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was a hit at the box office, earning MGM a profit of $980,000 according to studio records.

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Goofs

When Helen is hospitalized for the second time (about 1.5 hours into the movie) an oxygen tent is rolled into her room but when Charlie goes into her room the tent is nowhere to be seen.

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Quotes

Helen Ellswirth: Do you mind if Paul takes me home?
Charles Wills: Paul who?
Helen Ellswirth: Paul anybody. Party like this, must be at least 6 or 7 Pauls

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Connections

Referenced in Charade (1984)

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Soundtracks

Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful)
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played at Christmas

User Reviews

Tragic and beautiful, Paris is my favorite city

and this film, while dated, captures some of its aura. I am saddened as I write this, realizing a no-talent celebrity has marred the name "Paris" in America, but perhaps Americans will soon come to their senses.

But I digress. Other reviewers have analyzed Ms. Taylor's performance, and she does quite well; her father is portrayed by Walter Pigeon as a shallow lothario, Donna Reed is the angelic sister, and Van Johnson the writer/husband. While I agree with a previous review that the persona of F. Scott Fitgerald is not completely manifested, Johnson does a good job of being a conflicted writer, loves his wife, but needs more, eventually spiraling downward into alcoholism.

One scene with their young daughter is particularly touching, she is on a merry-go-round in the park, near the Seine, it is cold, Johnson is trying to reconcile with Elizabeth Taylor; He will change, he will stop drinking, he will redeem himself;(he promises, to no avail).

The hope and sadness are projected on screen. The moods and cinemascope coloring from 1954 are classic. We do not see such subtlety today. The incidental music is also haunting. Highly recommended, especially if you love Paris.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 April 1955 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Babylon Revisited

Filming Locations:

Nice, France

Box Office

Budget:

$1,960,000 (estimated)

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