Elizabeth Taylor in "The Last Time I Saw Paris" (1954)

Elizabeth Taylor in "The Last Time I Saw Paris" (image from JSR Pages)

REVIEW:
In 1954 Elizabeth Taylor was cast in four films for M.G.M. During the production at "The Last Time I Saw Paris", Elizabeth Taylor became pregnant again. This was a great cause of joy but also of concern: although Elizabeth Taylor was the greatest star of M.G.M. she would be again put out of salary because of the birth of her second son.

Without the great illuminating presence of Elizabeth Taylor, "The Last Time I Saw Paris" would have been long forgotten, although it is an extremely well done film. Based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald and turned into a real melodrama, Richard Brooks's film is full of color, romance and tragedy. Helen Rose has the chance to dress Elizabeth Taylor sumptuously. Moreover, the director manages to guide Elizabeth Taylor so well that critics said it was her best part since "A Place In The Sun". In contrast, none of the cast could live up to Taylor's performance, not even Van Johnson or Donna Reed. Good taste, lavish sets, color, tears, good story: the perfect Hollywood recipe for success!

FILM TITLE
"THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS" (U.S.A/M.G.M./1954)

PROMO
"A drama about life and disillusionment" (M.G.M.).

OVERVIEW
Charles (Van Johnson) returns to Paris, overwhelmed with memories he had after the end of World War II when he met Helen (Elizabeth Taylor), with whom he lived a great love story... Charles, who was an American reporter, came to Paris to write about the Victory Day. In Paris he meets beautiful Helen, for whom he falls hopelessly in love. Charles and Helen get married, and Charles remained in Paris on a modest salary as a journalist, dreaming to become a succesful novelist. Unfortunately, all publishers refuse him and Charles is ready to give up writing. An American relative of Helen dies and leaves her a huge fortune in Texas. As they enjoy the pleasures of wealth, Charles loose both literary ambitions and Helen's love. His self-destruction will lead to an unexpected tragedy...

CAST
Elizabeth Taylor (Helen Ellswirth), Van Johnson (Charles Wills), Walter Pidgeon (James Ellswirth), Donna Reed (Marion Ellswirth), Eva Gabor (Lorraine Quarl), Roger Moore (Paul Lane).
DIRECTED BY
Richard Brooks.
SCREENPLAY
Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Richard Brooks, after the short story "Babylon Revisited" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
PRODUCED BY
Jack Cummings.
PRODUCTION DATES
between April-May 1954.
RELEASED
November 1954
COLOR
Technicolor.
DURATION
116 minutes.
GENRE
drama, after-war, love, tragedy.

TRIVIA
- M.G.M. forgot to renew the copyright for this movie;
- Hence, being in the public domain since 1982, this is the most viewed film on cable television;
- Roger Moore's debut in American cinema;
- Van Johnson's last role for M.G.M.

Watch TRAILER here.