Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron - An American In Paris

Only two pictures have ever been described by critical concensus as "the perfect film"; Citizen Kane and An American in Paris. This was Kelly's magnum opus. His choreography was of such a standard that the Academy of Motion Picture Sciences created a special Oscar that year in recognition of his achievement. Though Singin' in the Rain is the film everyone knows, this is the film they should all watch. This is the routine everyone hould watch.
Here is his duet with the stunning Leslie Caron, and if there is a more charged duet anywhere in dance on film I have yet to see it. All those fans of crappy celebrity ballroom comps should take note. This is how it's done

[@marksamson7058]

When they try to make dance movies these days, they edit together hundreds of little jump cuts, each of them a fraction of a second long, to create the illusion that the stars can actually dance. When Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron and others of their day danced, it was real dance.

[@FlyingT5150]

70 plus years later it is still beautiful!!

[@MajorDenisBloodnok]

My favorite part of this fabulous ballet: beautiful light by John Alton, beautiful direction by Vincente Minnelli, beautiful choreography by Gene Kelly...so hot and sexy: it proves that you don't have to show naked people in a bed to create one of the hotest sequences of cinema history!

[@janinecox256]

Gene Kelly is perfection dancing in this scene!

[@ChocolateFrogPrince]

It's a stupendous movie, and this routine the epitome of eroticism in my view. Everything we don't do anymore encapsulated in a couple of minutes of style and class.

[@user-oz8ic4cn1f]

Everything is so homogenized now. Nobody seems to have a personality

[@cranky1chick]

There's such a sense of connection between Kelly/Caron in every dance in "An American in Paris". Kelly was a master, but the right pairing made all the difference as well.

[@groovymovie3213]

The first time I saw this, I was maybe 12 or 13 and was completely swept away by the visuals, the music, the dancing, all of it. This dance is simply mesmerizing.

[@sugarthompson3718]

This is my all-time favorite ballet sequence! Nothing captures surrender to romance more exquisitely than Gene Kelly's and Leslie Caron's gorgeous interpretation of Gershwin's ultimate ballet masterpiece!

[@GildaLee27]

Gene Kelly was magnificent! One of America's greatest artists.

[@ferociousgumby]

Oh God that trumpet - I don't want to hear anyone else play that!

[@theimp5901]

yes I agree and I play trumpet. I may be wrong but I think it was a guy named Uan Rasey. One of my idols and every time I play it I try to emulate it cause it's the best.

[@ferociousgumby]

Yes, I looked it up and he was considered the best in the business.

[@janinecox256]

Gene Kelly was a man’s man who could do ballet like a man and not a sugar plum fairy!

[@austincustom]

@@theimp5901 Absolutely! This and his Chinatown theme are the two gold standards of pure trumpet tone IMO

[@theimp5901]

@@austincustom I would be glad to put up me playing both then you tell me . I try , Uan is amazing. Check out John Williams Trumpet Suite with all the incredible solos. Tommy Morrison, Malcomb McNabb, Maurice Murphy and Chris Martin is the heir apparent - see Warhorse.

[@tdrewke]

We're still loving this in 2021.

[@Boof5555]

Agreed, this could not and never will be improved upon. Hey, there will never be another Gene Kelly. That face, that body, that perfect toosh !!!! I just watched this on TCM for the 5th time last nite. Oscar Levant ' s dream scene was the best !!!! The Kelly/Caron ballet will NEVER be matched, ever !!!!!

[@mca1218]

G-rated lovemaking?? At any rate, it's sublime!!

[@Boof5555]

Caron and Kelly....OMG I get the goosebumps !!!!!!!!! The Best movie EVER

[@MegaFreh]

This dance number parallels the red shoes ballet. Among the greatest dance numbers in film history. What a joy!

[@shippy1967]

The sheer beauty and sensuality of this scene literally bowls me over.

[@cbx4630]

Possibly the most artistically profound and sexist dance scene ever on film. I never tire of seeing this clip. This ballet is everything it should be - appearing light & effortless, yet moving. Great eye-candy! Thank you, Gene & Leslie, for such a beautiful performance!

[@kyoungmb10]

Sexiest and most romantic scene in cinematic history, and they don't even take off their clothes! Damn you, Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, for setting the bar so high!! Megan Fox has nothing on Leslie.

[@dgniewek]

I saw this for the first time in a revival art movie theater when I was ten years old and I was mesmerized by the power and beauty of the dance. Nearly 50 years later for me and it is as powerful as ever.

[@zthetha]

Jesus - this is SO beautiful! First saw it as a kid with my parents and it still sends tingles down my spine. I couldn't wait to grow up and have one of those gorgeous things - alas I never did get a fountain!

[@Kaleidalee]

Everything was perfect about this segment, but what no one else mentions here that is the most obvious is John Alton's Oscar winning LIGHTING and cinematography. There are just no words to describe the atmosphere.

[@Dots7865]

he amazing. this movie is epic and the music is so beautiful! Leslie and gene dancing in this scene is beyond romantic

[@nycglitztap]

oh dear, this scene made me melt! The brass music, the steam blowing all around, gene kelly and leslie caron's silhouettes in the perfect light... this scene is truly the dreamiest of them all! The graceful and deep romance is so deep here, and I'm so happy I got to see this scene again. It's been a while since I've had the pleasure of watching this film. Thanks so much for posting!!! =] =] =] =]

[@elysiakennedy9479]

My absolute favourite movie scene ever of any movie!!! God, the music, the lighting, the dancing. I just can't!!!❤❤

[@arweiss100]

An utter masterpiece of beauty, grace, and utter magnificence. The most transcendent, enigmatic, ethereal dance sequence & choreography ever set to cinema by 2 magical legends. Gene Kelly & Leslie Caron soar here & crafted exquisite poetry without equal. Beyond breathtaking..and sublime.

[@DanceProForever]

I LOVE the music in this scene, it's so romantic and hot! A very beautiful song also. And the dark silhouettes at the beginning just make my heart melt, this scene is just brilliant :)

[@cesarrafaelespinozaviedma2642]

Agree

[@susanlloyd7395]

Sheer perfection. "An American in Paris" is the one movie I'll drop anything to watch.

[@zthetha]

Hauntingly beautiful. I first saw this as a kid - I was prepubescent when I went in the cinema - post pubescent when I came out.

[@Belle0308]

I have always loved Gene in this BUT...I don't think I ever gave Leslie the credit she deserved until I just received this on blue ray for my birthday and I watched it again. She was an AMAZING athelete!

[@antoniovaldess2000]

An American in Paris, in this dance…... a couple in every time…. best couple dancing in a movie ever!

[@Liz86000]

WOW, that scene always makes me shiver... How beautiful... And what an amazing movie.

[@mca1218]

Seductive and wistful at the same time. Beautiful Minnelli colors and shadows. And that trumpet solo rocks. Thanks for this post.

[@jamesthewineguy]

Gene Kelly was such an amazing talent--absolute style and grace.

[@TheBobbybbb111]

this carries my soul with it.

[@ericpetit1893]

Merveille de sensualité ! Ici tout est au top ! La musique de M. George Gershwin, la chorégraphie de M. Gene Kelly, le charme, la grâce de Mme Leslie Caron et la mise en scène de M. Vincente Minnelli. Excusez du peu ! Un chef d'oeuvre que je partage avec la femme que j'aime !!! 👍👍

[@annemarierobalo3167]

C est vrai que cette vidéo est une merveille à tout point 2 vue !! Votre commentaire relate très bien ce bijou d écoute et 2 visuel Bravo pour votre écrit !! Cordialement 👍👍

[@ericpetit1893]

@@annemarierobalo3167 Que n'écrirais-je pas pour vous Anne-Marie ?! J'aurais tant voulu avoir le talent de Gene Kelly pour vous entraîner dans cette chorégraphie si sensuelle ❤️❤️

[@PoetryMan11]

Gene Kelly was a balletic dancer who who moved like a man and not some sugar plum fairy. Gene also understood the power of well directed and edited film to communicate what neither the stage nor TV could ever hope to do.

[@lightbeams]

This trumpet solo by Uan Rasey is absolute perfection. It is so hauntingly beautiful it makes every other solo of this passage from Gershwin's tone poem pale in comparison. Gene Kelly, genius that he was, went to Uan and told him the feel he was looking to create for this breathtaking pas de deux. Rasey and Gene worked together and THIS was the result of that collaboration. Rasey and other musicians of the MGM orchestra have told stories about how Gene Kelly would come to collaborate with them; how Gene would actually dance while the orchestra played so Gene could feel if the music was right or not. Kelly was an artist of unparalleled mastery when it came to putting dance on film. He was foremost a visionary artist whose deepest form of expression, whose first love artistically was choreography. The ballets he created on film have only grown in stature through time. I won't be at all surprised if some contemporary ballet companies start to make these ballets part of their repertoire.

[@cambiata]

You've got to love the fact that a flim in the early 1950s includes a ballet section dedicated to sex. Also what a fantastic time that was for film, Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, George Gershwin, Vincent Minnelli and Oscar Levant all alive and producing great work together.

[@donaldsaigh8785]

Gershwin was dead at the time the movie was made.

[@darkarts59]

the scene where everyone is dressed in black and white is the most stylish ever put on film. would love to go to a party like that.

[@ChocolateFrogPrince]

When i imagine the first dance at a wedding this is what I see. Absolute passion. Absolute perfection. God but I live in the wrong era.

[@dianalee3059]

Love everything about this! The music, the choreography, the actors dancing....just enchanting

[@lindalanileembgtfrd]

This is unforgettably Beautiful! where did it all go !

[@lindalanileembgtfrd]

Completely as one, with Gershwins wonderful score, every movement, every note!

[@lindalanileembgtfrd]

Mon Magnifique 'Paris'!

[@cookieshopgirl]

this is my favorite part of the whole movie the dance sequnce between the, and the wonderful music is soooooo amazing i love it

[@juliedowlingartist]

My favourite movie...just this scene alone makes me want to see it again and again....such heart!

[@ajdukujac]

that trumpet sound is so sensual it's driving me nuts! long live Uan Rasey for being such a brilliant musician! i adore the combination of red light, trumpet and her moving leg way up high- that is such a perfect scene!!!!

[@claudiapost-schultzke7216]

The epitome of class and perfection

[@CleanupQueen]

Now, this is what I call, "Dancing with the Stars." I was always facinated with Kelly and Astaire when I was a child although their movies were way before my time. I remember watching them on TV with my mother. Our local TV station used to run old movies every night after the news. I remember being so glued to the screen whenever there was a Kelly or Astaire movie on because they always looked so glamorous and elegant when they danced. You'll never see these type of movies or "stars" again.

[@babbaruff1045]

Gene is my absolute No 1 man FOR LIFE 😍😍😍❤❤❤👏👏👏

[@Mortthemoose]

So beautiful

[@zrepeels]

I've just had lunch with Leslie Caron. 78 years old and in fine form.

[@RottenBrains71]

I have no words to exactly describe how beautiful this dance is. But its FUCKING AMAZING!!! I love gene kelly!!!!

[@ferociousgumby]

Beautifully edited, too - no cutoffs before the end (the curse of KZbin)

[@YouTalker]

Seeing this on the big screen was about the greatest thing ever. :]

[@nigelwright850]

The perfect marrying of music and dance - this is art in the truest sense of the word.

[@281308ful]

Great film, fell in love with Leslie Caron when i first saw the film back in the 50s, guess what? i still do ! thanks for the clip.

[@silvershields]

totally amazing! beautful, gene kelly was a genius in direct the 17 year old leslie caron! adore this movie!

[@ChocolateFrogPrince]

@hellasexy22 He did win an Oscar. In fact, the Academy was so impressed that, when they realised there was no category in existence to acknowledge Kelly's achievements in this film they created one. In total An American in Paris earned six Academy Awards.

[@mtl9732]

Many people don't think he was a jerk at all, but rather very dedicated to his own task master~ his art.

[@MissLinaLamont]

Goosebumps every time. Especially at 2:15

[@dianevan2326]

I have always loved this musical, and this must be one of the sexiest dances that I have ever seen!

[@CuteCatFaith]

So pretty. Mr. Kelly stood up for her. She was horribly sick and malnourished from the war in France and dreadfully ill with mononucleoisis during this movie. Kelly insisted she rest entirely one day, THEN dance, then rest again. Really, what they did to her would be illegal now. Lovely scene, however, very moving. Greetings from Paris via the USA.

[@donnahanna10565]

Thank You for that story !! I have been in love with him since I was 5 I am now 53 ! When I was 28 he got married to a woman who was 28 ! I was heart broken once again ! LOL

[@Flickchaser]

Beauty-strength-fluid grace-poetry in motion.

[@jcsiegelman]

An absolute all-time favorite...

[@MrPieta777]

I'm STUCK with this music ..

[@luisapontonutti5185]

La scena più emozionante del film!!! Io ho la tachicardia ogni volta che la guardo!

[@MegaFreh]

thank you for posting this.

[@hellasexy22]

Pure Magic! That trumpet solo by Uan Rasey is so jazz powerful & soulful! Gene Kelly's choreography was at its best in this film & Caron was a great ingenue. This ballet was totally beautiful, more sensual than over-the-top sexy & Vincente Minnelli's direction was on point. The staging of color is so vibrant! He should've won the Oscar. I've heard different renditions of Gershwins An American in Paris by major symphonic halls; I just close my eyes & think of Gene Kelly and this film.

[@neftalimojica2613]

The MGM dream factory of talent and perfection created this, enjoy it, for it will never happen again.

[@Mia7189]

+Neftali Mojica I was thinking the same thing as I watched it. Never again.

[@1963terry]

I would also like to say that Leslie ripped it in American in Paris.All the hard work Gene put her through paid off in a big way. Gene was quoted to have said that he fought for her being that she was an unknown especially in the States and a very young lady compared to his more mature age.Gene also actually wanted a Parisian actress for the part.

[@goldberrysusan]

so so so so so good.......nothing beats gershwin and gene kelly

[@cosmicurious522]

As a kid this was one of my favorite movies. I would see it on PBS. When VHS first came out this was the first one I made my mom buy for me. That's right I'm ancient and I still love this film.

[@CatElse]

Why is your age relevant?

[@sanityassassin71]

Gene Kelly changed my life.

[@MrLarrysopus]

I cannot outdo the beautiful comments I've read on this page; excepting to add, it seemed here that "Life imitates art"; rather than "Art imitates life": This is the ultimate compliment, I think. What WONDERFUL people made up the magnificent MGM home team in Culver City, only to give-way to expensive, prestigious Condos for nouveau Westside Jews.

[@Highnoon59]

That was very well written...thank you for that.

[@onehart99]

Okay I admit everytime American in Paris, Singing in the Rain, and The Band Wagon come on I try to watch them along with Sweet Charity. Great movies. The Sammy Davis part in Sweet Charity is hilarious. Astaire, Kelly, Charisse, and Caron made great movies.

[@AidanHUGHESBrute]

Just plain gorgeous on every level.

[@kellyakabilly]

Gene always stuns me!

[@ChocolateFrogPrince]

Yes the ceiling dance was an achievement in tech, but the inspiration for that came from the early Chaplin/Lloyd/Keaton era, just as Kelly's groundbreaking Worry Song duet with Jerry Mouse drew from the early Max Fleischer works. As I said, Astaire was accomplished at what he did, but Kelly was by far the more complete contemporary dancer. Astaire could never have created this piece.

[@theimp5901]

Fred was not the romantic that Kelly was , but pound for pound Kelly could never have achieved the speed and grace that Fred could IMHO. But at their level - why argue ? We will never see their like again and we are blessed to have them both.

[@cattleman6420012000]

I really love this.

[@Nighthawk5210]

Magic.

[@MrGunterguerrero]

George Gershwin wrote this "An American in Paris" in 1928...wonderful music, great film !

[@Flapjack505]

The solo just something else

[@cattleman6420012000]

This is superb.

[@albertdiner]

Strange that this beautiful melody did not become a song

[@dflartist]

one of the best pictures ever made. can not believe vincente minnelli did not win the oscar for this one. he did win for gigi.

[@kisslime]

ChocolateFrogPrince, I love your video description! There's nothing to add to it. This is indeed the perfect moment of the American In Paris Ballet (closely followed by the part where Gene Kelly impersonates the Chocolat figure by Toulouse-Lautrec). The trumpet part is terrific - it comes from deep down, from the guts, it's so passionate... the best movie musical ever made, no doubt about it.

[@DoinelFerrand]

Masterpiece!

[@ChocolateFrogPrince]

Astaire was the studio established star of the time, but his era was all but done by the time Kelly emerged. The studio protected the reputation of its established star, but thatdoes not change the way history has come to regard these two in retrospect, nor does it change how the world, both professional and public regards them. Kelly is not underrated. Oscar in a new category created especially for him. The most recognised musical in the world. The two most recognised choreographies in movie

[@gustavo5989]

This is art!

[@histechnoangel]

one of my all time favorites..... Uber romantic, totally sensual... you can FEEL the heat coming off of them and not in a bad way.

[@joybreeden366]

Gershwin wrote this short sexy, jazzy, Magnificently enchanting music and this dance is perfect fit. E

[@BillDFC]

Why can't we get films like this now?

[@mtl9732]

The one who knows is Ms Caron, but to me it looks like she gives a little push off the floor, up into his catching/lifting hands/arms. That's the way I learned to do it in ballet. Gene's lift of an already upwardly moving Ms. Caron is easier & more controlled by Gene (facilitated by momentum laws in physics), than if Gene lifted a falling/downwardly moving Ms Caron. It's physics, professionals doing their well schooled jobs, camera angle, lighting & Gershwin that makes such a lovely moment.

[@carlossoares8910]

Pure magic!

[@kellyakabilly]

I love the music also! It's so incredibly sensual.

[@susanlloyd7395]

Oh My God. Seriously, the sexiest two and a half minutes on film.

[@PEPEDEBARRO]

Love that oneiric Place de la Concorde, a wet dream, certainly

[@alejandrinahs]

My dear Paris was hurt today 💔 Vive la amour

[@Startac2007]

Me the only thing that I can say is that Gene Kelly is a genius, the Director of this movie it is also it, the movie is simply a work of art.

[@bon1042]

@ChocolateFrogPrince You're a poet CFP !! .... "swimming in Gershwin's ocean.... exquisite. All the comments and your responses are so wonderful to read. This love scene is right up there w/my favorite... Hitchcock's Notorious, Bergman and Grant... when he comes to Ilsa, she's being slowly poisoned.... he gathers her in his arms and the black/white creamy closeup of those two, whispering to each other w/gentle caresses, finally declaring their love, No nudity or swallowing each other.