An American in Paris Original Vintage Movie Poster, Australian, 1951

Printed in stunning stone lithography, this scarce Australian Daybill poster joyfully declared the original Australian release of MGM's 'An American in Paris' as "the gayest, the most gorgeous, the greatest musical ever." Inspired by a 1928 orchestral composition by George Gershwin, the classic 1951 musical 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. Printed in Australia by W.E. Smith Limited, Sydney.

Conservation backed on linen with no restoration. Backing has smoothed and diminished the two standard horizontal machine folds. A tiny paper restoration to a 0.18in. diameter loss to the left of the dancing Leslie Caron. Even toning to paper. Image and colours otherwise excellent.