Ron Drew's Music Page - Activities
Singing - South Shields Amateur Operatic Society
Chapter 5.9 - Snippets of Chorus Lines
From Issue No. 9 - (August 1998)
In this issue of Chorus Lines published just prior to the SSAOS production of "GIGI" the editors unearthed some fascinating facts.
DID YOU KNOW?
Maurice Chevalier was a boxer in his youth.
Dirk Bogarde was the favourite to play 'Gaston', but he was under contract to J. Arthur Rank who refused to release him, so Louise Jordon got the part.
Leslie Caron, who played 'Gigi' in the film did not have a very good singing voice, so she was dubbed by Marne Nixon.
"GIGI" cost $3 million to make.
Colette, author of the novella "GIGI", saw Audrey Hepburn filming in Monte Carlo and insisted that Hepburn be offered the part of 'Gigi' in Anita Loos' stage play version.
Audrey Hepburn was offered the part of 'Gigi' in the film version, having played the part so successfully on stage - she turned it down.
Apparently, Maurice Chevalier and Leslie Caron did not enjoy a loving, charming relationship off screen: Caron being a team player in the British acting tradition, whereas Chevalier was somewhat regal and aloof in his attitudes.
Alan J. Lerner idolised Maurice Chevalier, so he developed and expanded the character of Gaston's 'Uncle Honore', so that Chevalier would play that part in the film musical.
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