Gigot (film)
| Gigot | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Gene Kelly |
| Produced by | Kenneth Hyman |
| Written by |
Jackie Gleason (story) John Patrick A.J. Russell Frank Tashlin |
| Starring | Jackie Gleason |
| Music by | Jackie Gleason Michel Magne (arranged and conducted) |
| Cinematography | Jean Bourgoin |
| Edited by | Roger Dwyre |
| Distributed by |
20th Century Fox Seven Arts Pictures Warner Brothers (1967 re-release) CBS (1969 TV premiere) |
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Release date
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Running time
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104 min |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1.6 million (rentals) |
Gigot is an American motion picture; it was released in 1962 by 20th Century Fox. The film stars Jackie Gleason (in a non-speaking role) and was directed by Gene Kelly.
Gigot (Gleason) (the name means "leg of mutton" in French) is a mute Frenchman living in a cellar in the Ménilmontant district of Paris in the 1920s. He ekes out a hand-to-mouth existence as a janitor at his landlady's apartment building. He is routinely treated with condescension by neighbors and often is made the butt of practical jokes. However, he is a decent and kindhearted fellow, traits not unnoticed by children and the animals he often feeds. Gigot has one unusual predilection: he is attracted by funeral processions and finds himself attending, whether or not he ever knew the departed. He can't help but cry along with all the other mourners.
After being abused by locals at a pub, he chances upon a woman, Colette (Katherine Kath), and her 6-year-old daughter Nicole (Diane Gardner), huddled in a doorway trying to stay dry. He takes them to his dingy basement abode, gives them what food and drink he has, a bed to sleep in, and shelter from the rain. Colette is suspicious but is so exhausted that she accepts.
Gigot gleefully dotes upon Nicole. Gigot is astonished to discover she is ignorant of what a church is, completely unaware of God. Nicole points to a crucifix and asks about it. The mute attempts to act out the story of Christ, beginning with Mary cradling the baby Jesus, from childhood through to the horror of crucifixion. Gigot rails at this Christ who has seemingly left him so inadequate. Nicole cries a single tear for him, then blows a reassuring kiss of love to the Christ upon the Cross.
Gigot entertains the little girl by dancing to his old gramophone, and by dressing as a waiter to feed his pet mouse. He is very protective, running alongside her on a merry-go-round to make sure she doesn't fall off. He also intervenes to protect Colette's honor while she is in the act of soliciting a john on a park bench near the merry-go-round. Gigot is trounced by the frustrated man for his trouble.
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Wikipedia