TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Best Picture Winners (Casablanca / Gigi / An American in Paris / Mrs. Miniver)

An American In ParisWhen Gertrude Stein told Hemingway "You're all a lost generation," the bloom came off the rose and expatriate status lost its cache among Americans living in Paris. It was a phenomenon, but one that had expired by the time this film was made in 1951. Still, for a new generation of viewers, the main premise of this film is still intact. That seems to be what the film wants: to be accepted for what it is: a love story.Gene Kelly had a boatload of experience in film and on stage prior to his pairing with Leslie Caron in An American in Paris. He plays an artist low on cash but high on principle; there are two scenes where he takes up arms, first a sidewalk encounter with a college student on a point over art theory, second with art patron Milo Roberts (Nina Fochs) who wants more than his paintings. Kelly is so adamant in both instances that the movie becomes his film, although he gets lots of help and advice from his friends, one of whom, the classical pianist Adam Cook (Oscar Levant) takes a flight of fancy that forms the comic high point of the picture. But Kelly's main interest, then obsession, leads him to Leslie Caron and a well choreographed episode of imaginative longing, a lush panorama of art, Gershwin music and ballet that secured Kelly's reputation for helping broaden ballet's appeal to large audiences. The film leaves no doubt that Gene Kelly could carry a motion picture. He followed it up a year later with another great performance in Singin' In The Rain.GigiGigi is a musical spectacular that overlays a thorny family issue: discreet infidelity - a touchy subject when this film was made in 1958, a sore point between couples today. Lavish and colorful costumes helped producer Arthur Freed sell this underlying theme to the guardians of the Hollywood Production Code. Placing the action of the movie in the 19th century instead of the 20th is a timing device helping to put some distance between the filmed era and the contemporary scene. This distance allows the film to deftly suggest the issue it chronicled was part of a bygone age, even though we know it isn't.Maurice Chevalier adds charm and sophistication with his presence, not to mention a great singing voice, and yet another means of softening the film's main theme of preparing young girls to be mistresses. Gigi herself is in training for such a role under the tutelage of Madam Alvarez (Hermione Gingold).Louis Jourdan as Gaston stands in contrast to the whole notion of marital deceit and is repelled by the social system supporting it. An ardent proponent of plain speaking, Gaston is the polar opposite of the gossipers at Maxim's restaurant (if you can't actually go to Maxim's, you can visit it vicariously in this film). Leslie Caron is wonderful as Gigi, her transformation from naïve adolescent to the radiantly confident woman she becomes is amazing to watch - the producers no doubt also intend it as a triumph of enlightened virtue over essentially corrupt social mores. Vincent Minnelli supplies impeccable taste to his direction, Joseph Ruttenberg's camera work translates vibrantly on the screen in this restoration.Mrs. MiniverSeventy years ago, Winston Churchill remarked that Mrs. Miniver was England's greatest propaganda tool of World War II. He alluded, no doubt, to the struggle to enlist the United States on England's side for the war, something that would have happened even without the aid of Mrs. Miniver. Enough time has passed to allow this film to be evaluated on artistic rather than political grounds; by the same token, we can view Churchill's remark as a political judgment, not an artistic one.Artistically, the film's ability to surprise is potent. The wartime theme prepares us for tragedy, if not for those who receive it. Another surprise is its treatment of children as human beings in their own right, not extensions of parental authority. Greer Garson augments this; she doesn't interrupt, censor or admonish them for the things they say, and they say a lot. Once the air raids begin, parents and children unite to fend off the terror of night bombing and despite their stoicism, the parents themselves become children.The outcome of Mrs. Miniver's encounter with a wounded German paratrooper seems unpredictable, not prescripted. The film could go in any number of directions. In one event where we do know the outcome, the sweep and panorama of boats on the English riverside will be impressive even to those who have never heard of Dunkirk. In sum, the distance from the film's events is such that new viewers can form their own opinions, which may have nothing to do with propaganda.CasablancaPerhaps the labeling on this package should read: Best Picture Ever Winner because that's what Casablanca is: The Best Picture Ever.Some critics of this picture usually point to its technical flaws, a view that ignores the film's ability to elicit strong emotions from an audience. In accompanying commentary, much is made about the airplane swooping into Casablanca's opening sequence - its a "model airplane" we're told, as though the picture might have been better with John Wayne swooping onto the landing field in a Grumman Hellcat. Suspension of disbelief is such that the plane could be a balsawood glider (it probably was) and I wouldn't care; it's Bogart's reaction to the aircraft I'm cueing on. Anything short of Rodan landing would be satisfactory. Some say Bogart was off cue - later on, when Bogart tongue lashes Ingrid Bergeman, a bottle of bourbon squarely in the middle of the table between the two actors, it should be apparent it's the bourbon talking, not Bogie.Casablanca unleashed a torrent of phrases into the popular culture, a testament to its grip on public imagination. Its sustained emotional appeal is the reason the film permanently enthrals audiences.

There are many box sets about the 1940s, but I am glad to have this one now, with great movies.

It is now possible to buy the most popular and most enduring films in the Turner Classic Movies library through Amazon.com. Each collection includes the very best in its genre. My favorite set is the Best Picture Winners: "Casablanca", "Gigi", "An American in Paris", and "Mrs. Miniver". I do wish they had put each film on a separate disc. However, I am impressed by the material they crammed onto the two double-sided discs; interviews, trailers, short subjects, and cartoons all of which relate to the features. "Casablanca" and "Mrs. Miniver" are both inspiring tales of courage and sacrifice during World War II. The other two are legendary MGM musicals in glorious Technicolor. This is a perfect gift for young people just beginning to discover the films of yesteryear. "Casablanca" is cited by some critics as the greatest movie ever made. If you enjoy this set, purchase Westerns, Horror Movies, the Marx Brothers, Busby Berkeley musicals, and many others.

They are all best pictures in their time. Some have more of a classic quality than others. Casablanca is why I purchased the set, and it is wonderful, of course. Mrs. Miniver is inspiring. I love the dancing in An American in Paris, but it is dated. And I was not familiar with Gigi, and it seems quite dated. It all depends on your taste in movies. I'm glad I have the set for Casablanca and An American in Paris. Maybe the others will grow on me.

Casablanca, Mrs Miniver, An American in Paris and Gigi would individually be treasures but all four together made this quite a bargain!

The acting is great. What a true rendition of the World War II times.

I am 80 years old and saw these films when they were first released. In an age when there were no VCRs, much less DVDs, a film came your way, you saw it and from then on they were memories. These films were considered classics then and seeing them again I would say that they stand up well against current stuff. Different acting style, true, but the dramatic impact and the story lines are as good as any. It is refreshing to see the dancing in American... and Gigi. Is today's stuff really more energetic? The old days were so much more graceful - tell me about Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astair. The great relief? I cannot imagine Mrs. Minniver using the indecent language that we hear in too many films these days. How refreshing!!!

The DVD for Gigi is damaged and stopped playing 3/4 of the way through. Refused to start again despite many efforts to clean it. Just one of those things I guess. Still to view the other 3, though busy now as husband died on Wednesday 5th June.Gillian Gordon