Earlier this year, Warner Home Video announced that 'An American in Paris' and 'Gigi' would be released on Blu-ray this year as part of their 85th Anniversary celebration. Fans were heart-broken when both 'An American in Paris: Special Edition' and 'Gigi: 50th Anniversary Special Edition' were announced for DVD release, but not Blu-ray, but Warner has now confirmed that both titles will be coming to Blu-ray in 2009.
While no extras have been announced for the Blu-ray releases at this time, we can expect them to at least share special features with the DVD releases. Extras for 'An American in Paris: Special Edition' should include:
1938 MGM short: Parison Parade
1951 MGM cartoon: Symphony in Slang
Theatrical trailer
2002 American Masters Documentary: Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer
'S Wonderful: The Making of An American in Paris, an all new documentary, produced especially for this release. A dynamic history of the making of the film, which reveals how George and Ira Gershwin's classic songs, the dazzling art of the French impressionists and the ultimate teamwork of MGM's legendary "Freed Unit" came together to create a musical masterpiece. Featuring ten new interviews, including co-stars Leslie Caron and Nina Foch
Outtakes: Georges Guetary performing Love Walked In and Gene Kelly performing I Got a Crush on You (audio only)
Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron promotional radio interview with Dick Simmons
Love Walked In Outtake
Audio Outtakes
Alternate Main Title
But Not for Me Guetary
But Not for Me Levant Piano Solo
Gershwin Prelude #3
I've Got a Crush on You
Nice Work if You Can Get It
'S Wonderful
Radio Interviews
Johnny Green
Gene Kelly
Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron
Extras for 'Gigi: 50th Anniversary Special Edition most likely will include:
The Million Dollar Nickel [1952 MGM short]
The Vanishing Duck [1958 MGM cartoon]
Theatrical Trailer
Thank Heaven! The Making of Gigi - The story of how 1958's Best Picture winner (the last of the classic MGM musicals) survived a turbulent production that included censorship battles over its daring sexual content and creative struggles between a studio in turmoil and a demanding, visionary director. Featuring an all-new interview with star Leslie Caron, and a rare interview with Oscar-winning director Minnelli
No technical specs has been announced for either Blu-ray release.
Ah, the first non-Droopy Tex Avery cartoon to be Warner-restored for disk (even if just for year-period extra)--
Dare we hope there could be more on the way?
An American in Paris will be mine -- a blind buy, but Gene Kelly was terrific in Singin' in the Rain. Looking forward to this Oscar winner plus the documentary on Kelly. The American Masters series always produces winning documentaries.
I might eventually pick up Gigi on a blind buy. I was hoping these were 2008 titles, but I suppose there will be plenty for me to buy this year.
2009 is looking awfully huge for Warner on Blu-ray.
Yeah, I'm waiting for Singin' in the Rain. Does anyone remember Warner announcing The Music Man in its original batch of titles? I'd love to see that one as well! Also wondering...does My Fair Lady belong to Warner, Fox or Paramount for HD release? Paramount & CBS share the title for VHS, but WB owns the title for DVD.
What I don't understand is why nobody is curious about why the film featuring Leslie Caron's most memorable performance, Lili, has yet to be released on DVD, let alone blu-ray. I for one would like to know why.