Vincente Minnelli 1962-1976 (The Old Man is Still Alive, Part 5)
Feb 11, 2025
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Explore the fascinating decline and reinvention of Vincente Minnelli’s cinematic career after his MGM years. Delve into the creative tensions of his production of 'Gigi' and its surprising Oscar success amidst struggles. Discover the chaotic remake of 'Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse' and the personal challenges he faced, including the role of his daughter Liza. Uncover the cultural divides that shaped audience reactions in the Cold War era and how the shifting landscape of Hollywood impacted his legacy.
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Quick takeaways
Vincente Minnelli's unique visual style and innovative storytelling significantly reshaped the musical genre, gaining commercial success with stars like Judy Garland.
Despite his acclaimed films, Minnelli faced challenges with the evolving Hollywood landscape in the 1960s, which affected his artistry and reception.
His personal relationships, particularly with Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli, deeply influenced his artistic identity and the themes in his films.
Deep dives
Exploring the Legacy of Vincent Minnelli
Vincent Minnelli played a significant role in shaping the landscape of classic Hollywood cinema, particularly through his impactful musicals and melodramas. Despite directing notable films that won Academy Awards, his legacy has often been overshadowed by the male-dominated auteur theory, which acknowledged only a select few directors. Minnelli's work with iconic stars, including Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli, highlighted both his artistic vision and personal complexities, especially considering his relationships and marriages. His notable films, like 'Gigi' and 'An American in Paris,' were critical successes that showcased his unique visual style, although they often faced scrutiny as he was primarily associated with more 'feminine' genres.
The Impact of MGM on Minnelli's Career
Minnelli's long tenure at MGM was pivotal for both his personal career and the evolution of musical filmmaking in Hollywood. Under the mentorship of producer Arthur Freed, he initially approached the genre with skepticism but eventually introduced innovative storytelling techniques and visual flair. His collaboration with stars like Judy Garland led to a series of commercially successful films that redefined the musical landscape. However, as the studio system began to crumble in the 1960s, Minnelli struggled with the increasing demands of a changing industry, leading to a perceived decline in his artistry.
The Turning Point: 'Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse'
'Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse' marked a pivotal moment in Minnelli's career, attempting to adapt a classic silent film into a WWII context, which posed significant challenges. Although the film was visually stunning, featuring experimental aesthetics and impressive montages, it suffered from critiques regarding its outdated narrative approach and character development. The studio's choice to cast Glenn Ford, while a star attraction, further complicated the portrayal of a morally ambiguous character, leading to mixed critical reception. Ultimately, the ambitious project became a commercial failure, reflecting the struggles many filmmakers faced during the transformative era of Hollywood.
Later Works and Legacy Considerations
Minnelli's later films, including 'Two Weeks in Another Town' and 'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,' encapsulated both his continued passion for filmmaking and the industry’s evolving norms. While 'Two Weeks in Another Town' attempted to reflect on a decaying Hollywood, it failed to capture the same spirit of collaboration that characterized his earlier works, leading to critical disappointment. 'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever' represented a resurgence of interest in the musical genre, yet faced its own struggles regarding editing and execution. Despite these challenges, Minnelli's final films stand as a testament to his unique vision and artistic contributions that influenced numerous filmmakers.
Personal Battles and Reflection
Throughout his career, Minnelli navigated personal challenges that intertwined with his professional life, particularly relating to his artistic identity and relationships. His tumultuous marriage with Judy Garland and subsequent personal conflicts often led to speculation about his sexuality and artistic motivations. As public scrutiny grew, especially in relation to his films’ subtext, he continued to assert the importance of personal expression within his oeuvre. Ultimately, Minnelli's reflections on his legacy reveal a complex interplay between his artistic vision and personal experiences, cementing his status as a pivotal figure in Hollywood history.
Vincente Minnelli was the ultimate creature of the studio system, spending twenty years working for MGM and perfecting a distinct brand of big-budget, beautifully designed, often musical entertainment, from Meet Me in St. Louis to An American in Paris, The Bad and the Beautiful to Gigi. Minnelli’s late period begins with two films he made toward the end of his run at MGM, his proto-psychedelic remake of Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1962) and Two Weeks in Another Town, which painted such a caustic picture of moviemaking decadence that MGM forcibly recut it. Knocked off his game, with both his faculties and his power waning, Minnelli made a trilogy of films about reincarnation and rebirth, one of which starred his famous daughter, Liza.
