Georges Guétary
Encyclopedia
Georges Guétary, born Lambros Worloou (February 8, 1915 – September 13, 1997) was a French singer, dancer, cabaret performer and film actor, best known his role in the 1951 musical An American in Paris
.
at the Casino de Paris
.
The British newspaper The Independent
said at the time of his death that "part of Guétary's exotic charm, and much of his stage persona as a 'Latin lover' with a voice of Creme Chantilly resided in his mischievous innocence combined with an erotic mystery inherent in his ancestry."
His first film appearance was in the musical Quand le cœur chante (1938). He also appeared many times at the Théâtre du Châtelet
and in numerous other French motion picture and TV films.
He changed his name during World War II, to forestall scrutiny from German occupiers who were deporting foreigners to concentration camps. Guétary became a French citizen in 1950.
After the war, Guétary appeared on stage in London and New York. He received critical praise for his performance in London opposite Lizbeth Webb in the 1947 operetta Bless the Bride
, which ran for nearly a thousand performances.
On Broadway, Guétary appeared in Arms and the Girl with Nanette Fabray
in 1950. He received a Tony Award
for Best Foreign Performer.
. In the film, Guétary plays an aging cabaret performer who is in love with a young girl played by Leslie Caron
. She falls in love with Mulligan.
Kelly was nearly three years older than Guétary, and the role was originally intended for the much older Maurice Chevalier
, who turned down the part. Kelly's biographer Clive Hirschhorn said that Kelly recruited Guétary for the part even though he knew that Guétary was too young. In its review, however, Variety said that Guétary was "cast neatly as the older man."
In the film, Guétary was noted for a solo number in which he strides on a "stairway to paradise." He also appeared with Kelly in a rendition of 'S Wonderful, in which both sing, without the other knowing it, about their love for Caron. At the end of the film, the object of their affection, Caron, chooses to go with Kelly despite her affection for Guétary.
Guétary returned to the stage and to French films following his appareance in American in Paris. In 1958 he appeared on Broadway in the musical Portofino
. New York Times critic Brooks Atkinson
said he was "the kissingest philanderer the season has produced."
Guétary was married to Janine Guyon, a producer in French television. They had two children.
An American in Paris (film)
An American in Paris is a 1951 MGM musical film inspired by the 1928 orchestral composition by George Gershwin. Starring Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, Georges Guetary, and Nina Foch, the film is set in Paris, and was directed by Vincente Minnelli from a script by Alan Jay Lerner...
.
Early life and career
Guétary was born in Alexandria, Egypt to Greek parents. His father was a textile executive. He studied music in Egypt and in Paris, and made his stage debut in 1937. He performed as a singer and dancer with the famed chanteuse MistinguettMistinguett
Mistinguett was a French actress and singer, whose birth name was Jeanne Bourgeois. She was at one time the best-paid female entertainer in the world...
at the Casino de Paris
Casino de Paris
The Casino de Paris, located at 16, rue de Clichy, in the 9th arrondissement is one of the well known music halls of Paris, with a history dating back to the 18th century. Contrary to what the name might suggest, it is a performance venue, not a gambling house...
.
The British newspaper The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
said at the time of his death that "part of Guétary's exotic charm, and much of his stage persona as a 'Latin lover' with a voice of Creme Chantilly resided in his mischievous innocence combined with an erotic mystery inherent in his ancestry."
His first film appearance was in the musical Quand le cœur chante (1938). He also appeared many times at the Théâtre du Châtelet
Théâtre du Châtelet
The Théâtre du Châtelet is a theatre and opera house, located in the place du Châtelet in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France.One of two theatres built on the site of a châtelet, a small castle or fortress, it was designed by Gabriel Davioud at the request of Baron Haussmann between 1860 and...
and in numerous other French motion picture and TV films.
He changed his name during World War II, to forestall scrutiny from German occupiers who were deporting foreigners to concentration camps. Guétary became a French citizen in 1950.
After the war, Guétary appeared on stage in London and New York. He received critical praise for his performance in London opposite Lizbeth Webb in the 1947 operetta Bless the Bride
Bless The Bride
Bless the Bride is a musical with music by Vivian Ellis and a book and lyrics by A. P. Herbert, the third of five musicals they wrote together. The musical is remembered as Ellis's best work and for the recordings of "This is my lovely day" and "I was never kissed before", with Lizbeth Webb and...
, which ran for nearly a thousand performances.
On Broadway, Guétary appeared in Arms and the Girl with Nanette Fabray
Nanette Fabray
Nanette Fabray is an American actress, comedienne, singer, dancer, and activist. She began her career performing in vaudeville as a child and then became a musical theatre actress during the 1940s and 1950s, winning a Tony Award in 1949 for her performance in Love Life...
in 1950. He received a Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
for Best Foreign Performer.
An American in Paris and afterwards
Guétary was best known in the United States for his performance as Henri Baurel in An American in Paris, in which he plays a friend, and unknowing romantic rival, of the American painter Jerry Mulligan, played by Gene KellyGene Kelly
Eugene Curran "Gene" Kelly was an American dancer, actor, singer, film director and producer, and choreographer...
. In the film, Guétary plays an aging cabaret performer who is in love with a young girl played by Leslie Caron
Leslie Caron
Leslie Claire Margaret Caron is a French film actress and dancer, who appeared in 45 films between 1951 and 2003. In 2006, her performance in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit won her an Emmy for guest actress in a drama series...
. She falls in love with Mulligan.
Kelly was nearly three years older than Guétary, and the role was originally intended for the much older Maurice Chevalier
Maurice Chevalier
Maurice Auguste Chevalier was a French actor, singer, entertainer and a noted Sprechgesang performer. He is perhaps best known for his signature songs, including Louise, Mimi, Valentine, and Thank Heaven for Little Girls and for his films including The Love Parade and The Big Pond...
, who turned down the part. Kelly's biographer Clive Hirschhorn said that Kelly recruited Guétary for the part even though he knew that Guétary was too young. In its review, however, Variety said that Guétary was "cast neatly as the older man."
In the film, Guétary was noted for a solo number in which he strides on a "stairway to paradise." He also appeared with Kelly in a rendition of 'S Wonderful, in which both sing, without the other knowing it, about their love for Caron. At the end of the film, the object of their affection, Caron, chooses to go with Kelly despite her affection for Guétary.
Guétary returned to the stage and to French films following his appareance in American in Paris. In 1958 he appeared on Broadway in the musical Portofino
Portofino (musical)
Portofino is a musical with a book by Richard Ney, lyrics by Ney and Sheldon Harnick, and music by Louis Bellson and Will Irwin.Set in a piazza in the Italian resort town of Portofino, the convoluted plot involves auto-racing duke Nicky; his Texan rival Kitty; his granddaughter Angela, a practicing...
. New York Times critic Brooks Atkinson
Brooks Atkinson
Justin Brooks Atkinson was an American theatre critic. He worked for The New York Times from 1925 to 1960...
said he was "the kissingest philanderer the season has produced."
Guétary was married to Janine Guyon, a producer in French television. They had two children.