Which 1951 musical film starring Gene Kelly won the Academy Award for Best Picture?

The 1951 musical film starring Gene Kelly that won the Academy Award for Best Picture is An American in Paris. The film follows Jerry Mulligan, an American painter living in Paris, whose romance with Lise Bouvier becomes complicated by her existing relationship and his friendship with a wealthy patron.

Directed by Vincente Minnelli, the movie also stars Leslie Caron in her film debut, Oscar Levant, Georges Guétary, and Nina Foch. Its music draws heavily on George Gershwin, especially the 1928 orchestral composition “An American in Paris,” while the screenplay and songs were shaped by lyricist and writer Alan Jay Lerner.

The film won six Academy Awards at the 24th ceremony, including Best Picture, Best Color Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, and Best Scoring of a Musical Picture. Its celebrated closing ballet, lasting roughly 17 minutes, combines dance, painting-inspired sets, and Parisian imagery.

A common mix-up is Singin' in the Rain, another major Gene Kelly musical. It became one of Hollywood's most admired films but was not nominated for Best Picture, while An American in Paris won the award in 1952.