The nominees for Best Motion Picture in 1952 for film achievements in 1951 were Vincente Minnelli’s An American in Paris, Anatole Litvak’s Decision Before Dawn, George Stevens’ A Place in the Sun, Mervyn LeRoy’s Quo Vadis, and Elia Kazan’s A Streetcar Named Desire.  It was Minnelli’s An American in Paris that took home the Oscar for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) despite the fact it didn’t receive the most nominations.  Paris received eight whereas Elia Kazan’s brilliantly acted, A Streetcar Named Desire got twelve.  But, I would have chosen neither of those as Best Motion Picture that year.  I would have given the honor to the movie that received nine nods, Stevens’ A Place in the Sun.

While I enjoy An American in Paris it is not even close to my favorite musical.  I much prefer Gene Kelly dancing in New York – or a barn for that…