Contents
Original movie poster
Directed by George Cukor
Produced by Sol C. Siegel
Saul Chaplin (associate producer)
Written by John Patrick
Vera Caspary (story)
Starring Gene Kelly
Kay Kendall
Mitzi Gaynor
Taina Elg
Jacques Bergerac
Leslie Phillips
Music by Cole Porter (music and lyrics)
Cinematography Robert Surtees
Editing by Ferris Webster
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date(s) 3 October 1957
Running time 114 min
Country USA
Language English
Les Girls, also known as Cole Porter's Les Girls, is a 1957 comedy film musical made by MGM. It was directed by George Cukor, produced by Sol C. Siegel with Saul Chaplin as associate producer from a screenplay by John Patrick based on a story by Vera Caspary with music and lyrics by Cole Porter.
It stars Gene Kelly, Kay Kendall, Mitzi Gaynor and Taina Elg with Jacques Bergerac, Leslie Phillips, Henry Daniell and Patrick Macnee.
Storyline
After writing a tell-all book about her days in the dance troupe "Barry Nichols and Les Girls", Sybil Wren (Kay Kendall) is sued for libeling her fellow dancer Angele (Taina Elg). A Rashômon (1950)-style narrative presents the story from three points of view where Sybil accuses Angele of having an affair with Barry (Gene Kelly), while Angele insists that it was actually Sybil who was having the affair. Finally, Barry gives his side of the story.[1]
Background notes
- The story by Vera Caspary was inspired by an article which appeared in The Atlantic — a reminiscence of a dancer's touring years. Miss Caspary's version turned the memoir into a point of dispute and raised questions about the nature of truth.
- Les Girls was Gene Kelly's last musical under his contract at MGM which began in 1942.
- Les Girls was the last film score by Cole Porter and the next-to-last score of his career.
Awards and nominations
- Les Girls won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for Orry-Kelly and was nominated for two other awards, Best Art Direction (William A. Horning, Gene Allen, Edwin B. Willis, Richard Pefferle) and Best Sound. [2]
- The film won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical/Comedy and for Best Actress, Kay Kendall. It was also nominated for Best Motion Picture Actress - Musical/Comedy for Taina Elg.
Choreography
Les Girls was a major vehicle for choreographer Jack Cole, and one of the first films to feature the role of choreographer in the opening credits.
Cast
- Gene Kelly - Barry Nichols
- Mitzi Gaynor - Joy Henderson
- Kay Kendall - Sybil Wren
- Taina Elg - Angele Ducros
- Jacques Bergerac - Pierre Ducros
- Leslie Phillips - Sir Gerald Wren
- Henry Daniell - Judge
- Patrick Macnee - Sir Percy
- Stephen Vercoe - Mr. Outward
- Philip Tonge - Associate Judge
References
- ^ Les Girls (1957) - Plot summary
- ^ "NY Times: Les Girls". NY Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/28986/Les-Girls/awards. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
External links
- Les Girls at the Internet Movie Database
An American in Paris (1951) · With a Song in My Heart (1952) · Carmen Jones (1954) · Guys and Dolls (1955) · The King and I (1956) · Les Girls (1957) · Gigi/Auntie Mame (1958) · Porgy and Bess/Some Like It Hot (1959) · Song Without End/The Apartment (1960)
Complete List · (1951–1960) · (1961–1980) · (1981–2000) · (2001–present)
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s