Review of The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954) by Monsieur R — 19 Sep 2010

Almost entirely a flashback, Van Johnson steals the show in this bittersweet love triangle following WWII Paris celebrating victory day. Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic Babylon Revisited.

Van Johnson falls immediately in love with carefree Elizabeth Taylor, who's father and sister make Van Johnson feel all too much at home. Both daughters (Donna Reed and Liz Taylor) fall in love with Van Johnson, a dubious turn of events with sad repercussions.

But as an aspiring writer following a gig as a army reporter during the war, Van Johnson can't sell a manuscript to anyone.

Soon, crashing reality comes round as money comes up short to the married couple and dad keeps spending money like he's the toast of the town.

The partying takes it's toll on Taylor eventually and Van Johnson is left with an empty sack of memories. Bickering takes the place of joy between Johnson and Taylor as the endless parties and drinking binges of Taylor seem without end. A divorce ensues. A fall from grace evolves. Taylor, in the very end dies.

The "Last Time I Saw Paris"... how appropriately titled. [Many of you know by now that M. Rick saw Paris in Casablanca (1942) and I wasn't fond of revisting it.].

Waiting to strike the lottery with an oil strike, the inlaw family of Van Johnson doens't know the meaning of real labor, but pretend the partys go on forever.

Eva Gabor, the eldest of the Gabor girls makes several apperances courting Van Johnson during his troubles with Taylor.

For trivia fans, so does Roger Moore, the very young and future James Bond who tries to have an affair with the married Taylor. He's a near seducer of her who she rejets. He gets into a bar fight with Johnson and does an excellent Bond like fight where a glass of wine in the face finishes the scene. Who would know he was playing a future Bond?

Donna Reed plays the love sick sister to 'Liz Taylor and does a great job acting the part.

Well worth your time and watching again if you are as sentimental as I. This film won't disappoint unless you dislike romantic 50's films. Simply a classic, even if a borderline slow one.

IF you're waiting for an unrealistic, all is well, sappy ending, forget it. By the way, Paris is the secret word at my Cafe Americain tonight. I may even let you win at roulette.