Review of Gigi

The third and last of 3 high-profile '50s musicals that Leslie Caron costarred in. Two of them, including this one, won the Oscar for best picture. Gene Kelly had introduced this Parisian to Hollywood 7 years earlier, primarily on the strength of her dancing talent, to costar with him in "An American in Paris". A few years later, she was teamed with MGM's other star dancer and all around entertainment talent :Fred Astaire, in "Daddy Longlegs", again playing a juvenile: one that Astaire sort of adopted, with the idea of eventually marrying her. Lots of good Johnny Mercer songs to sing and dance to, including a ballet by Lesli, probably as long as the marathon ballet by Kelly in "An American in Paris". But many viewers were put off by the extreme age difference between Fred and Leslie, as a supposed romantic couple. Now, several years later, at age 27, Leslie was chosen to play the lead in this Parisian musical, again, as a juvenile. This time, unfortunately, she did no dancing, lacking a talented male dancing partner. She does sing(dubbed) several lesser remembered songs. But, mainly her role is to be the care-free high schooler: Gigi, whose friendship with the much older, impossibly handsome, playboy, Gaston, played by Louis Jordan, gradually turns romantic. Maurice Chevalier is the third lead, playing a retired wealthy former playboy, uncle to Gaston...........Gigi lives with her grandmother, who apparently often served as a mistress, in her younger years. She plans to make Gigi into a professional mistress, like herself and Gigi's more famous aunt Alicia. Thus, sends her to take some lessons from Alicia on being a high class mistress. The trouble is that Gigi doesn't want to be such. Right now she just wants to play with her school friends, and maintain her friendly association with Gaston, like an older brother. The elderly women scheme to prepare her to initially be Gaston's mistress. Meanwhile, Gaston sings about his frustration at leading a boring, if leisurely, life. He finds Gigi more interesting than his older mistresses, a current one being played by the ravishing Eva Gabor, whom he takes to a skating rink, to learn how to skate. But, a problem arises when Eva clearly flirts with the instructor. Gaston sings "She's not Thinking of Me". Gaston disowns her and, as a result, we are told that she committed suicide. However, I find Chevalier's congratulatory attitude toward this tragedy unconscionable, even if that was the fashion among Parisian playboys of the period............One time, Gaston visits Gigi, and she's dressed up, rather like his mistresses might. At first, he's displeased, as he prefers her as her informal, schoolgirl self. But, he soon changes his tune, developing a romantic interest in her. Now, he's confused which Gigi he most likes. He sings a soliloquy, which includes the catchy romantic title song. This is the section that most reminds me of the later "My Fair Lady", for which Lerner and Lowe also composed the music. Gigi again dresses up as a sophisticate and they go to a restaurant, where people talk about her as if she is Gaston's mistress.. Gaston doesn't like this, and drags her home. After some confusion in his mind, he asks her to marry him, and we know the film will soon end............ Chevalier sings his signature song : "Thank Heaven for little Girls", both near the film beginning and, again, at the end. In a back and forth exchange with Gigi's grandmother (Hermiane Gingold), he sings the comical "Yes, I Remember it Well". Of course, he gets the details of his remembered events all wrong, according to Gigi's grandmother. He also sings "I'm Gland I'm not Young Anymore", pointing out the advantages of his serene retirement...........I recommend that you at least get a CD of the music, if not seeing the film. Try not to over emphasize the seamy aspects, and you will likely enjoy the film. .............. Two years later, MGM released another high profile musical: perhaps it's last,: "Can Can", the story, again, supposedly centered in Paris. Two of the leading 5 characters were played by Chevalier and Jordan, hopefully, bringing some of the atmosphere of Gigi with them. However, Frank Sinatra was the lead male. Yes, MGM apparently was hoping this would turn out to be another Oscar winner. But, it was not to be. Most reviewers , (but not me,) compare it unfavorably with Gigi. Shirley MacLaine was the lead female. She was essentially the same age as Leslie, when she played Gigi. But, the big difference is that she played a character corresponding to her age, rather than a presumed virginal juvenile, in a Cinderella tale. I think this is a major factor in why this film hasn't garnered as much interest as "Gigi". To me, Shirley clearly was more sexy than Leslie. Unlike "Gigi", a good amount of dancing was included, as were a goodly number of memorable Cole Porter songs. I consider it the more interesting of the two.