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Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly, Behind the Scenes of An American in Paris

June 7, 2020 By Joi

Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, Behind the Scenes of An American in Paris

Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, An American in Paris (Behind the Scenes)

I think I have stated my unpopular opinion on the blog before but, if not, look out – I’m about to let it fly again. An American in Paris (1951) isn’t just one of my favorite musicals of all-time… it is my favorite Gene Kelly musical.

Yes, above Singin’ in the Rain.

In fact… considerably above it. I am the rare, rare, rare bird who thought Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly were mismatched. Love him. Love her. Together… not so much. Ironically, I love the chemistry and dynamic she and Donald O’Connor had. In fact, I love the dynamic between Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor.

At any rate, An American in Paris is simply breathtakingly perfect. The chemistry between Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron is perfection – textbook chemistry and compatibility. Add in the always, always, always entertaining Oscar Levant and you have a can’t miss movie. I am actually in esteemed company by preferring An American in Paris – it was Gene Kelly’s favorite of his musicals.

You can buy An American in Paris (link to the dvd on Amazon) or watch on Prime.

P.S. Sincerest apologies to anyone who loves Singin’ in the Rain! I am totally and completely in the minority here meaning that I am the odd one out. I love the movie and love the cast… I simply do not buy into the pairing of the great Gene Kelly and the great Debbie Reynolds.

Filed Under: An American in Paris, Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Picture of the Day Tagged With: An American in Paris, Behind the Scenes pictures, Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, picture of the day

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly, An American in Paris

March 7, 2020 By Joi

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly, An American in Paris

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly, An American in Paris

Ever love a movie so much you’re overcome with warm feelings even when you simply see promotional pictures? That’s me and some of my very favorites, including An American in Paris.

Ready for an unpopular opinion that may blow your hat off? I like this Gene Kelly musical 10x more than Singin’ in the Rain.

Go ahead and pick your hat up. I’ll be here when you get back.

They’re both wonderful musicals and each cast is outstanding. I love the music and dancing in each film. I love Gene Kelly and his sidekick Donald O’Connor in Singin’ in the Rain and I love Gene Kelly and his sidekick Oscar Levant in An American in Paris. I guess, truth be told, I enjoy Oscar’s performance a bit more.

The real difference, for me, between the two, however, is the lead actress. I buy into the Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron pairing much much more than I do the Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds one.

Now, I realize this is all a very unpopular opinion.. in fact, I’ve never heard anyone ever say anything even remotely negative about Singin’ in the Rain! It’s almost an unwritten rule – <em><strong>One must love every single thing about the musical and never mutter anything construed as anything less than glowing praise!!!</strong></em>

Ooops, I smashed that rule. Don’t get me wrong, I love Singin’ in the Rain. Gene Kelly’s performance in the rain is an iconic, one in a billion, mesmerizing work of art. I think the movie is great. I simply like An American in Paris better and it’s due to the chemistry between the main stars as much as anything.

Ironically, while I don’t think lovely Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly had even a single spark of chemistry, I think she and Donald O’Connor had tons! Every single time I’ve watched the movie, I think the same thing throughout the movie…. “Girl, you’re with the wrong guy.”

At any rate, An American in Paris (Amazon Link) is one of my all-time favorite movies, not just musicals. I love every single thing about it. If you’ve never seen it, I hope you’ll find it soon. There’s a number Gene Kelly and Oscar Levant perform in their room that’s as wonderful as any musical number you can think of.

Yes… even that one.

Ever love a movie so much you’re overcome with warm feelings even when you simply see promotional pictures? That’s me and some of my very favorites, including An American in Paris.

Ready for an unpopular opinion that may blow your hat off? I like this Gene Kelly musical 10x more than Singin’ in the Rain.

Go ahead and pick your hat up. I’ll be here when you get back.

They’re both wonderful musicals and each cast is outstanding. I love the music and dancing in each film. I love Gene Kelly and his sidekick Donald O’Connor in Singin’ in the Rain and I love Gene Kelly and his sidekick Oscar Levant in An American in Paris. I guess, truth be told, I enjoy Oscar’s performance a bit more.

The real difference, for me, between the two, however, is the lead actress. I buy into the Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron pairing much much more than I do the Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds one.

Now, I realize this is all a very unpopular opinion.. in fact, I’ve never heard anyone ever say anything even remotely negative about Singin’ in the Rain! It’s almost an unwritten rule – One must love every single thing about the musical and never mutter anything construed as anything less than glowing praise!!!

Ooops, I smashed that rule. Don’t get me wrong, I love Singin’ in the Rain. Gene Kelly’s performance in the rain is an iconic, one in a billion, mesmerizing work of art. I think the movie is great. I simply like An American in Paris better and it’s due to the chemistry between the main stars as much as anything.

Ironically, while I don’t think lovely Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly had even a single spark of chemistry, I think she and Donald O’Connor had tons! Every single time I’ve watched the movie, I think the same thing throughout the movie…. “Girl, you’re with the wrong guy.”

At any rate, An American in Paris (Amazon Link) is one of my all-time favorite movies, not just musicals. I love every single thing about it. If you’ve never seen it, I hope you’ll find it soon. There’s a number Gene Kelly and Oscar Levant perform in their room that’s as wonderful as any musical number you can think of.

Yes… even that one.


Filed Under: An American in Paris, Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, Picture of the Day Tagged With: An American in Paris, Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, musicals, Oscar Levant

Tra La La La from An American in Paris (Excellent Number, Excellent Performers, Excellent Movie!)

February 25, 2020 By Joi

Gene Kelly and Oscar Levant An American in Paris

Gene Kelly, Singin’ in the Rain (splashing in puddles and wonderfully swinging from the light-post)

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, Top Hat (with feathers gloriously flying)

Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire, You Were Never Lovelier (The Shorty George)

The cast from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (singing and dancing, while building a barn!)

All are great, timeless, iconic scenes from musicals. I have one that’s on my personal favorites list – one that probably isn’t on many other lists. In fact, given the fact that it’s in the excellent An American in Paris (Amazon link to the dvd), it could get lost among all the brilliance.

HOWEVER, I’m in love with the scene. Always have been. Always will be.

When you take the immeasurable talents of Gene Kelly and combine them with the immeasurable talents of Oscar Levant, this is what you get! The dancing, the piano playing (Mr. Levant was a genius), the singing, and my-oh-my the tap dancing (!!!)… pure movie magic.

Filed Under: An American in Paris, Gene Kelly, Oscar Levant, Picture of the Day Tagged With: An American in Paris, Gene Kelly, Oscar Levant

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly – An American in Paris (Picture of the Day!)

February 19, 2020 By Joi

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly - An American in Paris

One of my newest favorite Old Hollywood actresses is Leslie Caron. If I’d ever seen her films before, she’d have already been a favorite! As it is, I saw my first Leslie Caron movie within the past three months and have been watching them (one after the next) since.

So… yes… expect to see much more of her on Hollywood Yesterday.

The photo above is a publicity photo from the 1951 film, An American in Paris (Amazon link). The wonderfully fun and colorful film (directed by Vincente Minnelli) costarred Gene Kelly, Oscar Levant, and Nina Foch. If you’ve never seen it, I hope you’ll catch it soon. It’s outstanding.

Filed Under: An American in Paris, Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Musicals, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron

Welcome to Hollywood Yesterday!

Ann Sheridan, It All Came True

Ann Sheridan
My name is Joi (“Joy”) and I created Hollywood Yesterday as my personal tribute to Old Hollywood. It’s my effort to help keep the stars from Old Hollywood, Classic Television, and Old Radio Shows alive and shining forever. Old Hollywood was positively magical and I see no reason for the magic to ever die.

Be warned, I am (by nature) overtly positive, I never take anything too seriously, I say extraordinary so often you’d think I invented the word, and I overuse exclamation points to distraction. I’m perpetually over-caffeinated.. we’ll blame that.

Read more about Hollywood Yesterday (and see my personal favorites) here!

Old Hollywood Actresses

Lena Horne, Meet Me in Las Vegas

See the Old Hollywood Actresses page for the index of Classic Hollywood Actresses and Classic TV Actresses.

Old Hollywood Actors

Henry Fonda, Behind the Scenes The Grapes of Wrath

See the Old Hollywood Actors page for the index of Old Hollywood and Classic TV actors.

Old Hollywood Book Reviews

Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice

I love reading old Hollywood biographies and memoirs as much as I love watching classic movies, and that’s truly saying something!

To see my Old Hollywood book reviews, please see the index listed here: Book Reviews.

Pictures of the Day

Maureen O'Hara, The Parent Trap

Maureen O’Hara

The Old Hollywood & Classic TV Pictures of the Day are published as regularly as possible. If I miss a few days, please just know that the husband, daughters, sons-in-law, grandbabies, and/or my cats were demanding my attention. I’ll be honest, nothing comes before any of them! Not even Maureen O’Hara or Henry Fonda.

Priorities, y’all.

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Aside from pictures of books I review, I do not claim to have taken any of the pictures on this website, nor do I own the pictures – the ones of the stars or the affiliate (product) pictures.  Other, far more talented photographers than me have the credit for the beautiful photos you see. If you would like credit for a photograph or would like one removed, please e-mail me (joitsigers@gmail.com).

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