![]() ![]() ![]() The Gay '90s: This film, its predecessor film and stage adaptations, and the original novella, are all dripping with nostalgie for la Belle Epoque.Fourth-Wall Observer: Honoré starts the film introducing the ins and outs of Parisian society and talks to the audience on several occasions "I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore" is sung as much for our benefit as his.While Gaston and Gigi go on maybe one date before the proposal, they've known each other for most of their lives, and have gone on several non-dates. note Though there’s now a successful film about her. Today, if it weren't for this film, she might be largely forgotten, at least by English speakers. Gigi was only one of her many, many bestsellers. The Film of the Book: Colette was an insanely successful writer in her day, beginning with the scandalous Claudine at School, written when she was about Gigi's age.Given her mother and grandmother's professions his identity is probably dubious. Disappeared Dad: Gigi's father, never even mentioned.Breaking the Fourth Wall: Honoré addressing the camera on multiple occasions.All Musicals Are Adaptations: Based on the eponymous novel by Colette, which had previously been adapted as a non-musical 1951 play starring a then-unknown Audrey Hepburn in the title role.All-Knowing Singing Narrator: Honoré Lachaille.Both Audrey Hepburn (who played Gigi in the stage play) and Leslie Caron are brunettes, and Hepburn has brown eyes. Adaptation Dye-Job: In the novella Gigi has ash blonde hair and blue eyes.Can he really bear to take her as his mistress in a transactional relationship?īetty Wand filled in for most of Leslie Caron's singing. Over time, however, Gaston comes to the realization that Gigi has grown up. For quite a while, the two see each other as nothing more than good friends. He finds refuge in his time with Madame Alvarez (Hermione Gingold) and her tomboyish granddaughter Gilberte, or "Gigi" for short a sincere and happy teen being raised by her refined great-aunt and grandmother to be a wealthy man's courtesan. In Paris during The Gay '90s, Gaston Lachaille is a rich young playboy who wants to break free from the stultifying traditions of his family. note Not counting the latter's two special awards. Starring Leslie Caron as the eponymous Gigi, Louis Jourdan as Gaston, and Maurice Chevalier as the narrator Honoré, the film won all of its nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, breaking the record set by Gone with the Wind. According to one report the cat reacted violently every time Leslie Caron was near it, but director Vincente Minelli wanted to use that particular cat, so they actually drugged the poor animal during its scenes.- Honoré Lachaille, singing the most famous numberĪ 1958 MGM musical film based on the 1944 novella by French author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, Gigi was directed by Vincente Minnelli and written by Lerner and Loewe, following their success with My Fair Lady. Kitty Carnage Warning! The cat appears to be extremely relaxed in the film and there may be a reason for that. Later the cat is seen lying on Gigi’s bed as she pets it.Īnd finally Gigi is in her room as she sings the song “Say a Prayer for Me Tonight” to the cat while awaiting her big date with Gaston. Whenever Gaston comes to visit, either Gigi or Madame Alvarez moves the cat to another chair. The cat lives in Gigi’s home where she lives with her grandmother, Madame Alvarez (Hermione Gingold) and is usually seen sitting in one of the chairs in their parlour. Synopsis: A rich, lush musical set in turn of the century Paris follows the story of a young girl named Gigi (Leslie Caron) who befriends a society playboy named Gaston (Louis Jourdan.) Their friendship evolves into something more as Gigi comes of age, but the expectations put upon them by society and Gigi’s guardians may end up tearing them apart.įeatured Feline: Although the Maine Coon cat seen in this film plays no direct part upon the proceedings (and doesn’t even have a name mentioned), it is seen so often we simply must give it a Featured Feline status. ![]() Starring: Leslie Caron, Louis Jourdan, Hermione Gingold, Maurice Chevalier ![]()
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