Search - Alan Jay Lerner :: Gigi: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

"when did your sparkle turn to fire, and your warmth become

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 02/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"GIGI is for me the ultimate movie musical from M-G-M. So many wonderful characters, and so many classic moments. The soundtrack album (newly-expanded and restored from the fine people at TCM), is a great new way to remember this fine film.



Based on the novella by Colette, the story centers around a headstrong young tomboy called Gigi (Leslie Caron), whose childhood friendship with eligible bachelor Gaston (Louis Jourdan) takes an unexpected twist. Tired of the constant stream of gold-diggers and debutantes who want to marry him, Gaston decides to ask Gigi. Her grandmother and aunt (Hermione Gingold and Isabel Jeans), two of the most noteworthy of courtesans in their youth, insist that Gigi shouldn't be tied down by marriage. Gigi is faced with the task of becoming a glamorous courtesan, but Gaston wants a wife...



The gilded, sweeping score of GIGI was provided by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, still riding high on the success of "My Fair Lady" on Broadway. With such wonderful, character-driven numbers like "She is Not Thinking of Me" (a devilish waltz for Gaston and his latest feather-brained partner); "The Parisians" (Gigi's plea for understanding the ways of love); and "I Remember It Well" (a comical duet for Maurice Chevalier and Hermione Gingold).



This soundtrack album features the entire score, newly-restored in true stereo for the very first time, plus extensive incidental music and background scoring. Leslie Caron was never a good singer, and her vocals were dubbed here by Betty Wand. Included are three bonus tracks of Caron in rehearsals, performing her own renditions of "The Parisians", "The Night They Invented Champagne", and "Say a Prayer for Me Tonight". While the songs of Gigi aren't especially demanding, listening to Caron on these tracks gives you a clear understanding of why she was later dubbed (despite the fact that she gives Gigi the youthful innocence so befitting of the character).



GIGI was the final hurrah for the M-G-M movie musicals. It won the 'Best Picture' Oscar plus nods for the composers, and 'Best Song' for "Gigi" sung by Louis Jourdan. It remains to this day one of the most enjoyable - and joyous - movies of all time. The soundtrack album is a must for all fans, and the overall quality and standard here is superb.



[TCM/Rhino 7243 8 38115 2 6]"

Great remastering of a Perfect Movie Musical Score.

Ronald F. Payne | Alexandria, VA United States | 08/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This release containing all the music to "Gigi" will be treasured by anyone who loves what Broadway was all about in the 1950's. Lerner and Loewe produced a captivating score tailored to the requirements of the Hollywood Musical Movie, and brought to it a bit of the bite and tang of Broadway that is missing from most other movie musicals. The acidic clarinet parts, the whooping french horns, the rich harmonic shifts unders songs like "It's a bore" and "The Parisians" are fully evident in this remastering. The sound is a remarkable improvement on my VHS tape of the film. Anyone who loves the film will be ecstatic with the quality of this cd. Don't hesitate!"

One of the finest original musical scores in film history.

A. Andersen | Bellows Falls, VT USA | 07/28/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although one could quibble that GIGI lumbered across its CinemaScope expanse like a leaden elephant, the beauty of its sets and costumes, the charm of its performances, and the joy of possibly the most elegant original score ever written for a film musical make this an aural experience that is hard to beat. Loewe's sumptuous music and Lerner's lyrics ("like finely cut crystal") are as bubbly as champagne itself. The LP was quite short - just over 30 minutes - with the 11 set numbers. The CD goes back to the original track and fills in with background scoring that adds much to the lilt and grace of the aural experience. Caron was the only singer who was dubbed (Betty Wand). This is a masterpiece of song writing and scoring. Don't miss it!"