Meet Me in St. Louis is a Christmas musical film which revolves around the life of the Smith family as their daughters learn about life and love and the ways of the world.
Vincente Minnelli was an Italian-American film and stage director. He is best remembered for directing Hollywood classics, including ‘Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), An American in Paris (1951), which won the ‘Academy Award’ for ‘Best Picture’; and ‘Gigi’ (1958), for which he won the ‘Academy Award’ for ‘Best Director’ as well as ‘Best Picture.’ He started as a costume and set designer at the ‘Chicago Theatre,’ following which he directed a musical titled ‘At Home Abroad’ (1935). He made his directorial debut in the American musical ‘Cabin in the Sky’ (1943). He came to be known as the ‘director of musicals,’ with films, such as ‘Brigadoon’ (1954), ‘Kismet’ (1955), ‘Bells Are Ringing’ (1960), ‘and ‘On a Clear Day You Can See Forever’ (2019). He also directed films in comedy and drama genre, such as ‘Father of the Bride’ (1950), ‘The Bad and the Beautiful’ (1952), and ‘Designing Woman’ (1957).
Meet Me in St. Louis is a Christmas musical film which revolves around the life of the Smith family as their daughters learn about life and love and the ways of the world.
The Bad and the Beautiful is an American drama film which tells the story of a film producer who starts to distance himself from everyone around him. The film then shows us his past in a series of flashbacks.
The Band Wagon is a romantic comedy musical film which tells the story of Tony Hunter, a musical movie star who fears that his career may be dying. Things change when two of his friends come up with a Broadway project in order to revive his career. But things get complicated when the egotistical director decides to hire a ballerina named Gaby Gerard as the leading lady.
Lust for Life is a biographical drama film which revolves around the life of Vincent Van Gogh, a Dutch painter who was known for his artistic genius. Despite this, due to his mental illness, he goes through several failures in his life. He fails as a preacher and also in his relationships with women. Eventually, with the support of his brother, he leaves for France, where he manages to earn respect among his fellow painters, although he does not get along with them.
Dave Hirsh is a former writer and war veteran who returns to his hometown after many years. He is accompanied by Ginnie, a woman who is in love with him. He meets his older brother Frank, who invites him for dinner. Frank introduces him to Gwen, a teacher, to teach him French. Over time, Dave feels attracted to Gwen but unfortunately Gwen doesn’t feel the same way. Things get complicated when Dave gets involved with gangsters.
Considered as one of the best musicals by the American Film Institute, An American in Paris is an Oscar-winning film, which tells the story of Jerry Mulligan, a struggling American artist living in Paris, who meets an influential heiress who is attracted to him. However, he is attracted to another young French girl, and now he must make a choice.
Stanley Banks is a successful suburban lawyer whose daughter Kay announces casually that she is in love with a man named Buckley, and that she has accepted his proposal. Although this makes Stanley uneasy, he realizes that his daughter is now grown up, and this day is inevitable. He tries to deal with the emotional pain of separating from her, and does his best to arrange for the wedding.
Gigi is a romantic comedy drama film which tells the story of a rich playboy who begins a friendship with a young woman who is being trained to become a courtesan.
During a hunting trip in Scotland, two Americans get lost. They soon come across a mysterious but small village, known as Brigadoon, where the residents seem to harbor a mysterious secret. In addition, they behave as if they are still living two centuries ago. Things get even more complicated when one of them falls for Fiona, one of the residents.
This technicolour anthology film presents three stories narrated by three passengers on board a cruiser. The relationship between a ballet choreographer and a ballerina with a heart condition is featured in the first. In the second, a boy miraculously converts into a young man and charms his governess. In the third, a failed trapeze artist along with a suicidal woman perform a daring circus act.
I Dood It is a musical comedy film, which tells the story of a worker at a hotel’s valet service, who develops a huge crush on a Broadway star. He even starts ‘borrowing’ his customer’s fancy clothes to follow her around.
Vicky feels neglected because William, her astronomer husband, is more interested in a comet he has discovered. So she goes to see an astrologer, who convinces her that a new man will walk into her life. As if to make the prediction come true, William leaves home, angry that his wife believes in astrology, while a military officer moves into their locality.
The Seventh Sin is a drama film which tells the story of a married woman Carol who has an affair with another man. In order to redeem herself, she goes with her doctor husband to China to fight an ongoing epidemic.
Set in a fictional Latin-American country Patria, the film follows confidence-trickster, Johnny Riggs, who comes across naïve heiress Yolanda, and convinces her that he is her guardian angel. After that it is easy for Johnny to help himself to her riches. But he doesn’t anticipate falling in love with Yolanda, which creates a dilemma - whether to opt for wealth or love?
Hattie Maloney’s hotel in Panama is frequented by American sailors, who come here to have a good time, often singing Cole Porter numbers and dancing. The plot heats up when an upper class gentleman visits the hotel and sparks begin to fly between the two. However, there are problems on the way.
Salome is pregnant with Chad’s baby; but because he has no job, she is forced to leave town. While heading for the East, she meets Tony and marries him without informing him about Chad or the baby. Meanwhile Ruby, a down-on-her-luck blues singer, takes Chad to New York where he plays trumpet, shortly making a name for himself. Then chance brings them together.
A simple young girl, who is also an aspiring actress, helps an old countess to deal with her old age. In return, the countess introduces her to the world of upper class society.
Vincente Minnelli Awards
Gigi | Best Director | 1959 |
Gigi | Best Director | 1959 |