Main Cast: Gene Kelly, Mitzi Gaynor, Kay Kendall, Taina Elg, Jacques Bergerac
Release Year: 1957
Country: US
Run Time: 114 minutes
Plot
Les Girls is the Rashomon of MGM musicals. The film is told in flashback, as Mitzi Gaynor and Taina Elg, two-thirds of a popular cabaret trio, attempt to legally block the third, Kay Kendall, from writing her memoirs. Each of "Les Girls" has her own interpretation of the group's previous professional and amorous escapades. To make sense of these wildly diverse recollections, the court must rely upon a fourth party to straighten things out. Enter Gene Kelly, the dancing star who organized "Les Girls" in the first place. But can Kelly be believed? The "truth" of the many reminiscences in Les Girls is secondary to the dazzling beauty of its female stars, and to the delightful musical numbers, the best of which is an extended Marlon Brando parody titled "Why Am I So Gone About That Gal?" This was Gene Kelly's last musical effort for MGM, the studio he joined way back in 1943; the film was the inspiration for the short-lived 1963 TV series Harry's Girls, which starred Larry Blyden, Susan Silo, Dawn Nickerson and Diahn Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Gene Kelly's last musical under his contract at MGM, Les Girls on the surface seems like an opportunity for a magnificent star turn by the screen's most athletic hoofer; after all, he's the sole leading man among the four stars. Surprisingly, it turns out to be an ensemble piece, and a rather delightful one at that. Also surprisingly, it doesn't feel like a real musical. The "offstage" character numbers -- fine though they are -- could easily have been replaced with dialogue and there would have been little lost in terms of story, character development and emotional impact. This is probably testament to the strength of the script, which -- while decidedly light -- is nonetheless engaging. (Structurally it is flawed, in that the denouement that is supposed to set all things right really doesn't, but the viewer is happy to overlook this.) George Cukor's direction is smooth as silk, and Jack Cole's choreography (supplemented by Kelly) is always interesting and occasionally fiery. Kelly's dance duets with each of the girls are highly enjoyable, with special mention going to his and Mitzi Gaynor's "Why Am I So Gone About That Gal?" Gaynor is a delight, much more appealing than in South Pacific, and Taina Elg is a treat. Best of the ladies is delicious Kay Kendall, especially in her memorable drunk scene. Kelly has never been better, excelling at playing a character that is rougher and less charming than most of his roles. Production values are high; mention also must be made of the intriguing and bizarre geometric setting for the Kelly-Elg "rope dance." An enjoyable bauble, Les Girls is fizzy and frothy fun. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Leslie Phillips - Sir Gerald Wren; Henry Daniell - Judge; Patrick Macnee - Sir Percy; Stephen Vercoe - Mr. Outward; Philip Tonge - Associate Judge; Richard Alexander - Stagehand; Lilyan Chauvin - Dancer; Adrienne D'Ambricourt - Wardrobe Woman; Cyril Delevanti - Fanatic; Maurice Marsac - French House Manager; Owen McGiveney - Court Usher; Nestor Paiva - Spanish Peasant Man; Francis Ravel - French Stage Manager; Maya Van Horn - Stout French Woman; George Navarro - Waiter; Luisa Triana - Flamenco Dancer
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.
