Set in the 19th century, the story is that of the crippled artist, Toulouse-Lautrec. He forgets his worries by drinking and mingling at the Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris, where he sits and sketches the scenes he sees. Lonely and convinced his crippled state means he will be alone forever, he is delighted to meet Marie, a young girl in need of help. The two become lovers, but he soon learns she is being unfaithful. Crushed, he throws her out and attempts to carry on with his life. Directed by John Huston, the film scooped a host of awards, including two Oscars, and stars Jose Ferrer and Zsa Zsa Gabor.