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Made in Paris

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Made in Paris
Directed byBoris Sagal
Written byStanley Roberts
Produced byJoe Pasternak
StarringAnn-Margret
Louis Jourdan
Richard Crenna
Chad Everett
CinematographyMilton R. Krasner
Edited byWilliam McMillin
Music byGeorge E. Stoll
Production
company
Euterpe
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • February 9, 1966 (1966-02-09) (United States)
Running time
103 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1,300,000 (est. US/ Canada rentals)[1]

Made in Paris is a 1966 American romantic-comedy film starring Ann-Margret, Louis Jourdan, Richard Crenna, Edie Adams, and Chad Everett. The film was written by Stanley Roberts and directed by Boris Sagal.[2][3]

Plot

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An American girl from New York finds herself in a love triangle in Paris. Maggie Scott (Ann-Margret) works as an assistant buyer for Irene Chase (Edie Adams). Irene is a fashion buyer for Barclay Ames, an upscale clothing store in New York owned by Roger Barclay (John McGiver).

Ted Barclay (Chad Everett), the son of Roger Barclay, takes a special interest in Maggie. After taking her on a date, he finds that her morals are different from the multitude of his previous women. This bachelor doesn’t seem to mind a good chase.

Irene sends Maggie to Paris as her representative for the annual fashion shows of the major European fashion designers, such as Marc Fontaine, Dior, and Balenciaga. The most important show is Marc Fontaine (Louis Jourdan) because Barclay Ames is the only store in New York that handles Fontaine gowns, and Maggie must keep that rapport between the two companies on her trip. Worried for Maggie’s safety, Ted calls his Paris-based columnist friend, Herb Stone (Richard Crenna), to look after her in Paris.

Maggie’s arrival in Paris is paired with a warning from Herb Stone that she may lose all of her inhibitions, which she quickly denies could happen. Marc Fontaine, the handsome French designer, had a relationship with Irene. It doesn’t take long for the Parisian scenery to play with Maggie’s emotions, leading her into the arms of Mr. Fontaine. Herb Stone completes the love triangle by pursuing Maggie as well. His version of a good time doesn’t involve the exciting dance club Maggie dances in for Mr. Fontaine. He would rather settle down in the bedroom.

Ted Barclay decides to fly to Paris to win Maggie’s heart once and for all.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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MGM announced the film was part of its line up in February 1964.[4] Doris Day was meant to star but she did not like the script,[5] so Ann-Margret (who had just made Once a Thief and The Cincinnati Kid for MGM) was signed.[6]

Bob Crane, who had just shot the pilot for Hogan's Heroes, was offered the male lead as a newspaperman.[7] This part was played by Richard Crenna.

Richard Chamerblain was offered the role of the department store buyer, but he dropped out after he read the script.[8] This role was played by MGM contractee Chad Everett.[9]

Louis Jourdan signed to play the male lead. There was a report he pulled out when he discovered his character did not end up with the female lead.[10]

Filming took place on the MGM backlot.

Fashion

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The costumes worn by Edie Adams, Ann-Margret and the fashion models were created by costumer designer Helen Rose.[11][12][13]

Edie Adams wears a form-fitting, black-velvet, beaded gown that flares out at the knee with a satin skirt covered in coque feathers. Her matching cape is made of black-crepe chiffon featuring beading and three rows of coque feathers (13 min., 13 sec. into the film).[14]

Ann-Margret’s arrival in Paris costume is a blue-beige coat completely lined with fox fur and worn over a sheath.[15]

The Fontaine fashion show starts at 42 minutes into the movie featuring Helen Rose designs. ‘Golden Avalanche’ Three-piece ski suit of golden-yellow, stretch, jersey, slim pants, and the fingertip jacket is lined with silver grey Persian lamb, and a hooded sweater of Persian lamb.[16]

‘Swirling Amethysts’ (45 min., 35 sec. into the film) Three hundred yards of pleated silk chiffon, the high rise neckline and low back bodice is of amethysts, rubies, gold, and diamonds.[17]

Ann-Margret’s ‘After-Five Costume’ (50 min., 30 sec. into the film) Carl velvet coat embroidered and banded with sables.[18]

Hair styling was done by Sydney Guilaroff.[19]

Music

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Jazz music plays in the background for most of the film. Maggie Scott (Ann-Margret) performs a dance to a band in a Paris night club 55 minutes and 47 seconds into the film.[21]

Quotes

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  • Ted: “Ms. Scott, are you bucking for sainthood?”
  • Maggie: “No, no I’m just an average American girl. I have the foolish idea that I’d like to settle down in the suburbs with a man I love and have children, and maybe even have a station wagon, and two of those large dogs with hair in front of their eyes. I'm sure you think that's square Mr. Barclay.”
  • Herb Stone: “Any American girl today has two completely different sets of morals. Back in the States, a girl, like Maggie, watches every step but she has her mind on just one thing, a wedding ring. Well, here in Paris, she has no chance of getting married so she lets her hair down. She does all the things she's always wanted to do. Plus, a few things that uh, she never thought of.”
  • Mark Fontaine: “Do you know what you really want, Maggie? You want a thrilling evening of 'almost'. Yes, almost romance, almost love, almost sex. Maggie, I told you Paris would give you whatever you were looking for. You've got it. And you've put me in the position of a guide. Very well, very well, I hope I’ve given you proper service, Miss Scott. Now that we've shown you our best imitation of romance, what would you like to see next? The Eiffel Tower? The Arch of Triumph? Oh, I know the wax museum. Sex, lust, passion, but not real, not real, Miss Scott. Just the way you like it. Fake, all in one.”

Reception

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Critical response

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MGM was so impressed with Crenna's performance that it signed him to a three-picture deal.[22]

The Los Angeles Times wrote that the film "was just not in the game class as Gigi" although Ann-Margret "gave her all."[23]

Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote in his review: "the styles of his chignon creations are still pretty much the same as they were in the days when he was piling impossible tresses on fabulous stars. Likewise, the contents of this picture, which came to neighborhood theaters yesterday, fall into a pattern not dissimilar to that of movies made 30 years ago."[19]

The staff at Variety wrote: "Stanley Roberts’ dull script, strongly reminiscent of yesteryear Doris Day-Rock Hudson-Cary Grant plots (but less effective), finds fashion buyer Ann-Margret rushed to Paris from the lecherous arms of her employer’s son (Chad Everett)."[24]

Filmink wrote "This should have been fun – producer Joe Pasternak built his career on bright wish-fulfilment stuff like this – but it misses, hurt particularly by dodgy writing and uninspiring male leads."[25]

Release

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Made in Paris was released on DVD by Warner Home Video on June 22, 2009.[26]

See also

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References

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Citations

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  1. ^ "Big Rental Pictures of 1966", Variety, 4 January 1967 p 8
  2. ^ Willis 1983, p. 10.
  3. ^ Maltin 2008, p. 853.
  4. ^ "MGM Readies Record 34 Films for Release: 31 Others Scheduled for Production Including Adaptation of 'Dr. Zhivago'" Los Angeles Times 26 Feb 1964: A8.
  5. ^ "Success Story Heroes Top Coup" Dorothy Kilgallen The Washington Post and Times-Herald [Washington, D.C] 25 June 1964: C10.
  6. ^ "Miss Latham Avers She's Already Pro: Career Antedates 'Marnie'; Oppenheimer Off to Saigon" Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 12 Jan 1965: C7.
  7. ^ "FILMLAND EVENTS: Bing Plans to Sing a Different Tune" Los Angeles Times 20 Feb 1965: 17.
  8. ^ "Looking at Hollywood: 'Ailing Patricia Neal's Friends Tell Hope" Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Tribune 12 Mar 1965: b13.
  9. ^ "Whole New World for Carolyn Jones" Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 25 Mar 1965: D15.
  10. ^ "Looking at Hollywood: Sophia World's Favorite, Says Zanuck" Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Tribune 14 Apr 1965: a1.
  11. ^ "Angie Put Her Foot in It" Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times 16 May 1965: N10.
  12. ^ "Stylish Look at 'Made in Paris'" Los Angeles Times 25 May 1965: c9.
  13. ^ "Designer 'Steals' Own Ideas" Hammond, Fay. Los Angeles Times 10 Sep 1965: c7.
  14. ^ Heritage Auctions 2009, p. 103.
  15. ^ "TCM Overview".
  16. ^ "TCM Film Details".
  17. ^ "TCM Credits".
  18. ^ "TCM Synopsis".
  19. ^ a b Crowther, Bosley (February 17, 1966). "Screen: Designing Parisians Unveiled:High Fashion Inspired 'Made in Paris'". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  20. ^ "Made in Paris". IMDb. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  21. ^ (Jazz on Film).
  22. ^ "Looking at Hollywood: Elizabeth Ashley Will Fight Film Studio" Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Tribune 8 June 1965: b1.
  23. ^ "'Made in Paris' an Evening of Almosts" Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 11 Mar 1966: c11.
  24. ^ "Made in Paris". Variety. December 31, 1965. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  25. ^ Vagg, Stephen (September 6, 2021). "Surviving Cold Streaks: Ann-Margret". Filmink. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  26. ^ Made in Paris. Warner Home Video (DVD). Burbank, California: Warner Bros. Entertainment. June 22, 2009. ASIN B002EAYE4W. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

Sources

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