A 1957 musical comedy where three conflicting testimonies reveal the subjectivity of truth
In short: In the 1957 film Les Girls, a libel trial brings together former cabaret dancers to recount their past. Each woman offers a wildly different version of their shared history, turning a simple memoir into a complex puzzle about memory, perception, and the elusive nature of objective reality.
Directed by George Cukor, the film centers on a cabaret troupe called Barry Nichols and Les Girls. Years after the group dissolves, Lady Sybil Wren publishes a memoir alleging that her former colleague, Angèle Ducros, once attempted suicide following a failed affair with their leader, Barry Nichols. Angèle, now married to a French businessman, sues for libel, leading to a high-stakes legal battle in London. The narrative unfolds through three distinct, contradictory flashbacks presented by the primary characters during the trial.
Sybil’s account portrays Angèle as a woman hiding a secret engagement, while Angèle’s version paints Sybil as a struggling alcoholic whose infatuation with Barry caused her downfall. Finally, Barry provides his own perspective, revealing that both women’s stories are fabrications. He claims that he was actually pursuing the third troupe member, Joy, and that the supposed suicide attempts were merely accidents caused by a faulty heater in their apartment. The film ultimately suggests that the women misunderstood these events, yet the truth remains layered with ambiguity.
Beyond its narrative structure, the production was a significant milestone for its creators. It served as the final musical under Gene Kelly’s MGM contract and featured the last film score composed by Cole Porter. Despite winning a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture—Musical/Comedy and an Academy Award for Best Costume Design, the film was a financial disappointment, losing over $1.6 million due to high production costs. The title itself has a unique history; it was inspired by an article from The Atlantic, with author Constance Tomkinson receiving $80,000 simply for the use of those two words.
The film remains a notable example of the choreographer’s role being highlighted in opening credits, thanks to the work of Jack Cole. While a planned sequel titled Les Boys never materialized, the project’s legacy persisted through the 1963 sitcom Harry's Girls. By challenging the audience to discern truth from performance, the film transforms a standard musical comedy into a clever exploration of how personal narratives shape our understanding of the past.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Les Girls
- Also: Les Girls
- Also: Wikidata — Les Girls · CC0
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