Gigi (1958)
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Gigi |
| Original title | Gigi |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1958 |
| length | 119 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 16 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Vincente Minnelli |
| script | Alan Jay Lerner |
| production |
Arthur Freed for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| music | Frederick Loewe |
| camera |
Joseph Ruttenberg Ray June |
| cut | Adrienne Fazan |
| occupation | |
| |
Gigi is an American film musical directed by Vincente Minnelli from 1958 . The model was the short novel Gigi by Colette , first published in 1945 ; the material came as a drama on Broadway in 1951 . The film Gigi became a huge hit with audiences and won nine Academy Awards , including the Best Picture Award. Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner later worked on an adaptation for the stage, which premiered on Broadway in 1973.
action
Paris around 1900. The wealthy and respected Honoré Lachaille tells the audience the story of a “little girl” named Gigi growing up: Lachailles nephew Gaston, unlike his uncle, is rather bored and turned away from life in Paris. He only enjoys visiting Madame Inez Alvarez and her granddaughter Gigi. Gaston is happy to be around Gigi, but sees in her nothing more than a small, not to be taken seriously child. Now Gigi should finally grow up, according to the wishes of the grandmother and her great-aunt Alicia. The two plan that Gigi will be raised to be a courtesan , and that her behavior and etiquette should be taught to the "better society". The perfectionist great-aunt Alicia understands love as an art and tries to teach Gigi this as well, because as a future courtesan she is dependent on good love arts. However, Gigi still prefers to spend her time with Gaston, whom she sees as an older brother.
After the latter has ended his last affair due to a lack of loyalty, he invites Gigi and Inez to a beach holiday, during which he takes a liking to Gigi. On their vacation trip to the sea, they learn that Honoré Lachaille and Madame Alvarez once had a relationship with each other before they became “just” good friends. While Gigi continues her training as a courtesan with Aunt Alicia, Gaston realizes that he has fallen in love with Gigi. He negotiates a contract with Madame Alvarez to make Gigi his courtesan, but without her knowledge. Gigi is offended because she doesn't want to remain his second choice as a courtesan and to be pushed around by the men. Only after long hesitation does she agree to his proposal to become his courtesan. Meanwhile, while walking through Paris, Gaston realizes his love for her and asks for her hand as his wife. At the end, the plot ends up again with Honoré Lachaille as the narrator, who points to Gigi and Gaston, who happily drive past in a carriage.
background
In the course of the film, the actors Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan, Hermione Gingold and John Abbott sang a total of twelve songs. In particular, the opening song " Thank Heaven for Little Girls " sung by Maurice Chevalier became world famous and used as a gag in the film Wag the Dog . Leslie Caron recorded Gigi's vocal numbers, but her voice was later dubbed by the sound double Betty Wand . The title song was " Gigi ", sung by Louis Jourdan , in which he becomes clear about his love for Gigi.
The German premiere took place on December 18, 1958, the first broadcast on German television on June 22, 1972 on ARD .
On the cover of the Pink Floyd album Ummagumma , the graphic artists placed the Gigi film music LP in a clearly visible place in order to arouse false expectations among buyers ( Red Herring ).
synchronization
The German synchronization was created in 1958 in MGM's German studios.
| role | actor | German Dubbing voice |
|---|---|---|
| Gigi | Leslie Caron | Heidemarie Theobald |
| Honore Lachaille | Maurice Chevalier | Walther Suessenguth |
| Gaston Lachaille | Louis Jourdan | Ottokar Runze |
| Aunt Alicia | Isabel Jeans | Agi Prandhoff |
Awards
- At the Academy Awards in 1959 , Gigi was nominated in all nine categories ( Best Film , Best Director , Best Adapted Screenplay , Best Cinematography (Color Film) , Best Production Design , Best Costume Design , Best Editing , Best Song (" Gigi ") and Best Film Music (Musical) ), also excellent. This makes it one of the most successful films at an Academy Awards .
- Golden Globes was awarded in 1959 in the categories of Best Musical , Best Director and Best Supporting Actress .
- The music was also awarded a Grammy .
- In 1991 the film was entered into the National Film Registry .
Reviews
"It may not be one of Minnelli's best films, but the charming and flawlessly played Gigi has enough visual and musical merits to be entertaining (Critics' rating: 77% with 31 reviews)"
“A remake of the Colette novel designed to be entertaining; the frivolous theme is softened by the lively musical form and the charming play by Leslie Caron. "
“Based on Colette's novel of the same name, musical master Vincente Minnelli ('An American in Paris') shot this lively musical comedy, which won nine Academy Awards in 1958 (including for best film). Thanks to wonderful songs and a charming Leslie Caron, this is the best entertainment. "
"Charming musical [...] exquisitely filmed, perfectly cast and with memorable music by Lerner and Loewe (rating: four out of four stars)"
literature
- Colette : Gigi (Original title: Gigi ). Moewig, Rastatt 1997, ISBN 3-8118-4685-X .
- Hans-Jürgen Kubiak: The Oscar Films. The best films from 1927/28 to 2004. The best non-English language films from 1947 to 2004. The best animated films from 2001 to 2004. Schüren, Marburg 2005, ISBN 3-89472-386-6 .
Web links
- Gigi in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ^ Movie Dubbers. ( Memento of December 18, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) In: Barbaralea.com , accessed on November 10, 2018.
- ↑ Gigi. In: synchronkartei.de. German dubbing file , accessed on November 10, 2018 .
- ↑ Gigi at Rotten Tomatoes (English) , accessed on November 10, 2018.
- ↑ Gigi. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed November 10, 2018 .
- ↑ Gigi. In: prisma.de . Retrieved November 10, 2018 .
- ↑ Gigi. In: Turner Classic Movies . Retrieved November 10, 2018 .