Posters

Inspired by a 1928 orchestral composition by George Gershwin, MGM's classic 1951 musical An American In Paris starred Gene Kelly as an American ex-GI who remains in Paris after the war to become an artist, and falls for a gamine Parisienne played by a nineteen year old Leslie Caron, who Kelly had spotted performing with the Ballets des Champs-Élysées two years previously. Following the devastation and trauma of the Second World War, producer Arthur Freed and director Vincente Minelli aimed to bring an all-singing all-dancing celebration of Technicolor joie de vivre back to the silver screen, sparing no expense with lavish sets and costumes and a crowning 17-minute ballet sequence costing a staggering half a million dollars. The post-war optimism paid off and the musical was a huge success, earning eight Academy Award nominations and winning six, including Best Picture. Gene Kelly was awarded an honorary Oscar for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film.

Although Western films were shown during the Soviet era in the Communist Bloc, American publicity materials were banned, allowing the state-commissioned artists to operate with total creative freedom from the demands of the big Hollywood studios. Artist Waldemar Swierzy captured the romantic Parisian spirit and lush Technicolor cinematography of the movie with his superbly simple design for the first Polish release of the film, picturing a painterly Gene Kelly tip-tapping in the moonlight.

Condition

Excellent (A-)

Conservation backed on linen. Prior to backing this poster had two vertical and two horizontal fold lines and minor nicks and tears to edges, the largest a 1 inch vertical tear to lower edge. Backing has smoothed the folds so that they are virtually invisible and light colour touching to nicks and tears at edges in black ground has diminished and improved their appearance for display. Image and colours otherwise excellent.