, 1h59 Directed byVincente Minnelli, Noël Howard OriginUSA GenresComedy, Romantic comedy, Musical, Romance ThemesFilms about music and musicians, Musical films ActorsLeslie Caron, Louis Jourdan, Maurice Chevalier, Hermione Gingold, Isabel Jeans, Jacques Bergerac Roles Girl on Horseback at Pré Catelan (uncredited) Rating65% Set in turn-of-the-20th century Paris, the film opens with Honoré Lachaille (Maurice Chevalier) among high society in the Bois de Boulogne. A charming old roué, he cynically remarks that "Like everywhere else, most people in Paris get married, but not all. There are some who will not marry, and some who do not marry. But in Paris, those who will not marry are usually men, and those who do not marry are usually women." So marriage is not the only option for wealthy young bon vivants like his nephew Gaston (Louis Jourdan), who is bored with life. The one thing Gaston truly enjoys is spending time with Madame Alvarez (Hermione Gingold), whom he calls Mamita, and especially her granddaughter, the precocious, carefree Gilberte, aka Gigi who is 15 (Leslie Caron). Following the family tradition, Madame Alvarez sends Gigi to her sister, Great Aunt Alicia (Isabel Jeans), to be groomed as a courtesan and learn etiquette and charm. To Alicia, love is an art, and a necessary accomplishment for Gigi's social and economic future. But Gigi, shows disdain for such trivial love that a man and his mistress usually has. Remaining true to her girlish, yet charming personality, she finds herself having the most fun when with Gaston (35) whom she regards as an older brother.