This book covers the aesthetic and production aspects of the 1951 musical film, "An American in Paris," through interviews with many of the production specialists who helped make this motion picture. The film represents the genre of the color Hollywood musical. It was the winner of six Academy Awards, featured a major star and a developing star, and has been seen by hundreds of millions of people. Thus, the film stands as an archtype of a product of the film industry of the 1950s and the "big studio" system. The book describes the five phases of the film's production--initial preparation, writing of the script, filming, music and dance numbers, and postproduction. Statements resulting from interviews with the production specialists contributing to each of the phases are collected by topic. For example, the comments by Gene Kelly relevant to the music in "An American in Paris" appear along with those of other specialists discussing that subject. The book includes a complete listing of the cast and is illustrated by production still photographs. (CH)