October, 1951 - MGM's ambitious new musical An American In Paris, starring Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron (in her film debut), and Oscar Levant, showcases the music and lyrics of George and Ira Gershwin. Raising the bar on Hollywood musicals this film is sure to become a model for future musical releases.

Although filmed at the MGM sound studios in California, An American In Paris recreates the sights, sounds and romantic imagery of Paris. Throughout the film are a number of show-stopping song and dance numbers combining the artistic choreography of Gene Kelly with some of the most popular Gershwin music.

This romantic love story with Technicolor cinematography, lavish sets, beautiful costumes, and an imaginative finale that includes an 18 minute (approximately) fantasy dream ballet made An American In Paris a distinguished member of MGM's Golden Age of Musicals.

September, 1951 – Elia Kazan's screen version of the Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire had to undergo some changes but still maintains its controversial theme. This smoldering stage play was forced to lighten up a bit for the big screen in order to avoid the wrath of the Hollywood Production Code (Hays Code), and the National Legion of Decency. 

Changes were made to the screenplay and other scenes were cut entirely. In spite of these censorship concessions, the film version of A Streetcar Named Desire still retains it atmospheric power. How could it not? With the intense performance of Marlon Brando, who became an international star playing the role of Stanley Kowalski, and the immensely talented cast that includes Vivian Leigh, Kim Hunter, and Karl Malden, there was never any doubt.

Add to that an exceptional screenplay along with fiercely focused direction and the result guarantees A Streetcar Named Desire a place among Hollywood's all-time best.

August, 1951 - Deeply troubled actor Robert Walker died during the making of the film My Son John. Overwhelmed by the destruction of alcoholism after his divorce from Director John Ford's daughter Barbara, Walker's life was full of personal turmoil. 

Robert Walker was best known for his role in Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers On A Train as the psychopathic playboy Bruno Anthony. His disturbing portrayal of the evil, yet somehow sympathetic, murderer was considered to be his finest role.

Having considered to have put his emotional problems after his divorce behind him, it was believed that his career was accelerating following this highly regarded performance. However, on the 28th of August, Robert Walker was found to be in a disturbingly agitated state by his housekeeper who called his psychiatrist.

Upon his arrival, the psychiatrist administered the drug sodium amytal. Walker, who had been drinking, suffered an acute allergic reaction to the drug. Walker stopped breathing, and all efforts to resuscitate him failed.

August, 1951 - Brilliantly directed by George Stevens, A Place In The Sun is a gripping melodrama of a love affair ending in tragedy. Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, and Shelly Winters are outstanding in this remake of 1931's An American Tragedy. 

Although the 1931 original proved to be a box office failure A Place In The Sun is a major motion picture to keep your eye on at Oscar time. No less than Charlie Chaplin has hailed this film as the best movie to ever come out of Hollywood.

Based on true-life events, this tear-jerker offers three magnificent stars involved in a tangled love triangle that could not possibly have had a happy ending. Easily one of the top films, and possibly the best drama of the year, A Place In The Sun is a must see.

March, 1951 – Frank Sinatra has announced plans for he and actress Ava Gardner to be married. The wedding will take place in Mexico at the home of theatrical agent Lester Sachs. Frank and Ava first met in 1944 and saw each other on and off until December of 1949, and since that time have conducted what can only be described as a very tumultuous courtship. 

In what may be more than a coincidence, this was the time where Ava's career was beginning to take off while Frank's was sliding.

It has been rumored that during March, 1950 Frank, in an effort to convince Ava that he was going to commit suicide, fired off a couple of shots out of a window at the Hotel Hampshire. The following May Frank flew off to Barcelona, Spain to pry Ava from the arms of her then lover Mario Cabre.

So much for love, Hollywood Style.

October, 1950 – All About Eve, written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, opened to a thundering chorus of positive reviews. With a stunning cast led by Bette Davis and including Anne Baxter, scene stealing George Sanders, Celeste Holm, Gary Merrill, and Hugh Marlowe, All About Eve is destined to be considered one of the greatest films of Hollywood's Golden Era. 

The film is a fascinating recreation of ruthless ambition in the movie industry; selfishness, backstabbing and blackmailing at their very best. All About Eve was adapted from an original story 'The Wisdom of Eve' by Mary Orr who's writing was inspired by an anecdote related to her regarding the true-life experience of actress Elisabeth Bergner.

A thoroughly engrossing and entertaining melodrama All About Eve is best described by a quote from Bette Davis' character Margo Channing, "Fasten your seatbelts; it's going to be a bumby night".

July, 1950 - Although Broken Arrow was the first Western directed by Delmer Daves, he was the perfect choice.  This was the first major motion picture to portray the Indian in a positive light. Director Daves understood and sympathized with the American Indian as a result of time he had spent actually living with both the Navaho and Hopi tribes as a youth. 

With most Western films portraying Native Americans as hostile against white settlers, Daves portrayal was more realistic. In this film, the Indian lived in peace until their land was invaded and they were forced to defend themselves. 

Broken Arrow tells the fact-based story of the Apache chief Cochise (Jeff Chandler), and his relationship with U.S. Army Scout Tom Jeffords (James Stewart). A message of understanding and tolerance is clearly pointed out in the film, and the praise received by Daves for showing Native Americans as something other than bloodthirsty savages was well deserved.