73 - LESLIE CARON AND GENE KELLY

LESLIE CARON AND GENE KELLY During the filming of Vincente Minnelli's musical "An American in Paris," 1951. Photograph, vintage silver print, unmarked on the back. 25.3 x 25.7 cm, including white borders. Two corner tips have been touched up. Note: In her film debut, Leslie Caron plays Lise Bouvier, a young French woman with whom Jerry Mulligan—a former American soldier turned painter in Paris, played by Gene Kelly—falls in love. Built around the compositions of George and Ira Gershwin, this musical blends a romantic plot, song, and dance into a stylized vision of the French capital. The film culminates in a long ballet choreographed and performed by Gene Kelly, whose sets evoke various French painters. Directed by Vincente Minnelli, An American in Paris won six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Color Cinematography, and Best Costume Design. Gene Kelly also received an Honorary Oscar for his contribution to film choreography.