"Gaby" (1956) is a film about a French ballerina's romance in London during WWII. Leslie Caron gives a superb performance in a role with many emotions, including love, heartbreak, and disillusionment. John Kerr is very good as the chipper American paratrooper Greg. The movie is beautifully filmed in muted shades of blue, red and green. The sets look authentic, and there are many memorable scenes. Gaby and Greg are a charming couple. This is a romantic, sweet and poignant film.
There is a particularly dramatic scene at the Ballet Theatre. Twenty ballerinas in full white tutus perform on stage against a blue background. Suddenly, air raid sirens blare, and explosions outside are heard. An "alert" sign flashes on the stage. The dancers bravely continue the performance.
At the French canteen, Greg jumps on a table and sings a French song, to the delight of the audience. At a swanky American "bottle club," Greg shows Gaby how to swing dance.
While walking down down a street at night, Gaby and Greg hear the air raid sirens blast. They quickly go into an underground bomb shelter.
Gaby goes to a church to pray for Greg. The church has stained glass windows and candles.
There is a nice scene in Gaby's apartment, where Gaby's roommate has left a wedding cake for the couple.
The film shows dark foggy streets, dancers practicing backstage, and a luxurious mansion.
Gaby wears a red dress when she tells Greg that she was a prostitute. She is symbolically a "scarlet woman."
The film has a few shortcomings. It would have been nice to see more of Leslie Caron's dancing, since she was a professional ballerina who performed in Roland Petit's Ballet des Champs-Elysees. Also, her role as a disillusioned prostitute could have been presented more effectively.
"Gaby" (1956) is significantly different from "Waterloo Bridge" (1931 and 1940), and has merit in its own right.
This is an underrated film. I hope a DVD is released soon.
There is a particularly dramatic scene at the Ballet Theatre. Twenty ballerinas in full white tutus perform on stage against a blue background. Suddenly, air raid sirens blare, and explosions outside are heard. An "alert" sign flashes on the stage. The dancers bravely continue the performance.
At the French canteen, Greg jumps on a table and sings a French song, to the delight of the audience. At a swanky American "bottle club," Greg shows Gaby how to swing dance.
While walking down down a street at night, Gaby and Greg hear the air raid sirens blast. They quickly go into an underground bomb shelter.
Gaby goes to a church to pray for Greg. The church has stained glass windows and candles.
There is a nice scene in Gaby's apartment, where Gaby's roommate has left a wedding cake for the couple.
The film shows dark foggy streets, dancers practicing backstage, and a luxurious mansion.
Gaby wears a red dress when she tells Greg that she was a prostitute. She is symbolically a "scarlet woman."
The film has a few shortcomings. It would have been nice to see more of Leslie Caron's dancing, since she was a professional ballerina who performed in Roland Petit's Ballet des Champs-Elysees. Also, her role as a disillusioned prostitute could have been presented more effectively.
"Gaby" (1956) is significantly different from "Waterloo Bridge" (1931 and 1940), and has merit in its own right.
This is an underrated film. I hope a DVD is released soon.