An American In Paris December 18, 2010

French actress and dancer Leslie Caron began her career as a ballerina before Gene Kelly discovered her and cast her to dance opposite him in AN AMERICAN IN PARIS in 1951. She followed that auspicious debut with a series of beloved musicals that include DADDY LONG LEGS, LILI and GIGI, and tackled more serious roles in films such as THE L-SHAPED ROOM, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award. In the decades following her stint as an MGM leading lady, Caron has never ceased working, giving stellar turns in European art house films (DAMAGE, VALENTINO) and contemporary comedies like FUNNY BONES and LE DIVORCE. In 2007, continuing her string of acclaimed performances, she received an Emmy for her guest appearance on LAW AND ORDER: SVU.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, 1951, Warner Bros., 115 min. Director Vincente Minnelli’s most popular musical and 1951’s Oscar Best Picture winner features irrepressible Gene Kelly as a struggling-to-make-it painter in Paris, caught between the romantic aspirations of a wealthy patron (Nina Foch) and his true love, the young Leslie Caron. Kelly sings, dances and cracks wise with his smart-aleck buddy, pianist Oscar Levant, while trying to choose his fate. Also received Academy Awards for Screenplay, Score, Cinematography and Art Direction. [35mm]

Discussion following the film with Leslie Caron, with a book signing of Thank Heaven: A Memoir at 6:30 PM in the lobby of the theatre.
Trailer http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2451701785/

Official Website: http://www.americancinematheque.com/mastercalendar.htm