The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954) Director: Richard Brooks Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Starring: Elizabeth Taylor (Helen Ellsworth), Van Johnson (Charles Wills), Walter Pidgeon, Donna Reed, Eva Gabor Release Date: November 18, 1954 Runtime: 116 minutes Format: Color (Technicolor) | Mono | Sound | Live Action Country: United States Language: English Genres: Drama | Romance | Melodrama | Literary Adaptation | Post-War --- Summary: The Last Time I Saw Paris is a sweeping romantic drama that follows American journalist Charles Wills as he reminisces about his passionate yet turbulent marriage to the beautiful and unpredictable Helen Ellsworth. Set in post–World War II Paris, the story unfolds in flashbacks as Charles tries to come to terms with lost love, personal failure, and the choices that shaped his life. Based loosely on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story “Babylon Revisited,” the film explores themes of love, regret, and emotional exile, with stunning performances and lush Technicolor visuals that bring 1950s Paris to life. --- Background: Although inspired by Fitzgerald’s Babylon Revisited, the film deviates significantly from the source material, turning a subdued literary tale into a more grand, emotional melodrama typical of MGM’s 1950s productions. Directed by Richard Brooks, the film capitalizes on Elizabeth Taylor’s rising star power and Van Johnson’s sensitive portrayal of a man haunted by both love and loss. The title was taken from the popular Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II song “The Last Time I Saw Paris,” which is featured in the film and won an Academy Award years earlier (before the film’s production). --- Trivia: Elizabeth Taylor was only 22 at the time but delivered one of her most mature performances to date. The film marks one of the few times Fitzgerald’s work was adapted by a major Hollywood studio in the 1950s. The original short story (Babylon Revisited) was written in 1930 and reflects Fitzgerald’s guilt and nostalgia after the Jazz Age. Though critically mixed on release, the film has gained appreciation for its performances and lush production. Walter Pidgeon and Donna Reed both deliver strong supporting performances that add emotional depth to the family drama. Entered the public domain in the U.S., making it a frequent addition to classic film collections. --- Hashtags: #TheLastTimeISawParis #ElizabethTaylor #VanJohnson #FScottFitzgerald #BabylonRevisited #ClassicRomance #1950sCinema #MGMStudios #PostWarDrama #RichardBrooks #TechnicolorClassic #GoldenAgeHollywood #LiteraryAdaptation #ParisRomance #ClassicMelodrama #PublicDomainFilm #DonnaReed #WalterPidgeon #EvaGabor #LostLove