Moulin Rouge
US (1952): Drama
José Ferrer has an astounding, almost unbelievable, performance as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a painter from late-1800's Paris who was crippled in his childhood by a horse that ran over his legs. He now spends his days in the raunchy restaurant/dance hall populated by artists, dancers, drunks, and vagrants, sketching away at posters and portraits. Ferrer brings out Henri completely, depicting him as a man who tried to run from his problems using his art and his alcohol. The film itself has a tendency to be a little too flashy and gaudy at moments, but director John Huston manages to keep most of it grounded in the dramatics of the characters. Colette Marchand is also very noteworthy for her performance as a prostitute who befriends Henri. Zsa Zsa Gabor plays Jane Avril. Marcel Vertes' production and costume design won well-deserved Oscars®. The film is famous for its incredibly exhilarating 20-minute Can-Can sequence that sets the tone for a series of high-energy dance routines. A genuinely moving film, a work of art in its own right. (Romulus/MGM) (William Ploch, IMDb)
7 nominations, 2 Awards
· Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1952: Paul Sheriff - Art Direction, Marcel Vertes - Set Decoration
· Best Costume Design (Color) 1952: Marcel Vertes
· Best Picture 1952: John Huston - producer (Romulus, UA)
· Actor 1952: José Ferrer
· Supporting Actress 1952: Colette Marchand
· Directing 1952: John Huston
· Film Editing 1952: Ralph Kemplen