Notes On A Napkin

This photo of Gene at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1959 resonates even more with me now that I have been there myself. The caption on the back describes the "assault" of photographers taking flash pictures of the stars arriving at a screening of Mario Soldati's Policarpo. In this, you see Jacques Charrier at left and Pascale Petit in the middle. They both starred in Marcel Carné's film, Les tricheurs (1958), along with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Laurent Terzieff. Petit also appeared in Alexandre Astruc's One Life (1958). Charrier, who was born in Metz, France in 1936, married Brigitte Bardot just a little over a month after this photo was taken—a marriage that ended in divorce and his lawsuit for a violation of privacy when she published her memoir. After acting, he pursued a career as a painter and ceramicist. He died on September 3 in Saint-Briac-sur-Mer. Petit was born in Paris in 1938 and is still living. Gene was on the jury that year. Marcel Camus' Black Orpheus won the Palm d'Or. I don't know about you, but I love Gene in his classic black tie. I always thought it was one of his best looks. I don't think you can go wrong with it.

Gene told me that his most treasured time growing up was at Conneaut Lake, where he and his family spent summers. He said that his father was well-versed in the flora and fauna of the area and taught Gene the lore of the land. "I loved the woods," he said. "I liked often to go into the woods alone just for the enjoyment of being alone." Here is is, three going on four. Already, that smile is unmistakable.

Gene cut illustrations out of newspapers and magazines to show me designs that he thought would be good for me. He was fond of gowns inspired by Ancient Greek Dress—columns with a tie at the waist. So he appreciated this design by American-born designer Mary McFadden. Born in Manhattan, New York in 1938, McFadden was noted for her dresses that draped "like liquid gold" down a woman's body, similar to those on the caryatids at the Acropolis. Harold Koda, a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute called McFadden a "design archaeologist." She died in 2024 at the age of 85. Gene considered a silk scarf the perfect "accoutrement" for an outfit. My necklace is a vintage costume piece that I felt complemented the Grecian design. I still have it, the scarf, the gown, and the shoes. I also have Gene's tuxedo, shirt, studs, cuff links, shoes, glasses. Fortunately, I still have his smile preserved in this photo of us before we departed for Irving and Mary Lazar's famous Oscar Party at Spago Restaurant in 1992.

Since I spoke about Gene's attention to detail in fashion, I thought I should share a photo of the two of us. It was taken as we arrived at the Carousel Ball held to raise funds for Children's Diabetes in 1990. Though I had been living with Gene for several years, we were fairly newly married in this shot. This is one of the Carolyne Roehm gowns that Gene loved. You cannot see it in this photo, but the copper skirt is a large ball skirt over a straight dove grey skirt. I'm carrying a Whiting bag that I still have. Gene is in his classic black tie that he swore by. You can see a hint of his small crimson ribbon on his lapel, signifying that he is a recipient of the French Legion d'honneur. I miss his firm gripping of my hand!

Here's a shot from 40 Carats (1973), starring Gene and Liv Ullmann, seated at the left of the photo. For me, the people behind the camera are as important as those in front. The man in glasses with the dark necktie seated next to the camera is outstanding cinematographer Charles Lang. Born in Bluff, Utah in 1902, Lang was nominated for an Oscar 18 times and won for A Farewell to Arms in 1934. In 1991, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Cinematographers. He died in Santa Monica at the age of 96. The director, Milton Katselas, is seated cross-legged on the right. Born in Pittsburgh in 1933, Katselas is perhaps best known as an acting teacher, with students including George Clooney, Alec Baldwin, Michelle Pfeiffer, among many others. I sat in on one of his classes several years ago. We had lunch together and talked about his and Gene's Pittsburgh roots. He died in Los Angeles in 2008. Camera operator Arnie Rich is behind the camera. Steve Yaconelli was first camera assistant. Maybe some of you can confirm that he is next to the camera in the wire-rimmed glasses. Jean Louis designed the costumes and Michel Legrand did the music. Quite an array of talent, I'd say.

This photo of Van Doude, Barbara Laage and Gene for Gene's movie The Happy Road (1957) prompts me to acknowledge the 80th anniversary of the French luxury fashion design house founded by Pierre Balmain in 1945. Always finely tuned to fashion—for men and women—Gene chose Balmain to design the costumes for his movie set in France. The classic suit Laage is wearing here is a beautiful example. I loved that Gene paid close attention to every detail of things I wore, formal and informal, from spectator loafers to Carolyne Roehm ball gowns. He had an exquisite eye and did not miss a trick. I often hear people say that their partners don't notice or comment about their attire. I was fortunate, wasn't I?

Gene is not in this shot, but several notable figures are. Harry Beaton, played by the dancer Hugh Laing, is being detained by his "father" Archie Beaton, played by Tudor Owen. Laing, born in Barbados in 1911, danced with both Ballet Theater (the precursor of American Ballet Theatre) and New York City Ballet before being cast in Brigadoon (1954). He was briefly married to ballerina Diana Adams (who appeared with Gene in Invitation to the Dance). After they divorced, he continued his longtime relationship with choreographer Antony Tudor. He did in New York City in 1988. Tudor Owen was born in Penarth, Glamorgan, Wales in 1898. Prolific on radio, he was also the voice of Towser in One Hundred and One Dalmations. He died in Los Angeles in 1979. Standing to the left in this frame, is someone else you might recognize—lovely George Chakiris. George told me that when he and the other dancers were rehearsing the sword dance Gene checked to make sure they were okay. Gene was worried the dancers would get shin splints dancing on the hard surfaces, so he encouraged them to take breaks. He also brought them oranges. George and Gene performed together in Jacques Demy's The Young Girls of Rocheford (1967). Born in Norwood, Ohio in 1932, George is still with us and going strong. He turned his creative energy to making jewelry. You can find the beautiful pieces here: https://georgechakiris.com/jewelry/concert-hall-collection

Gene called his friend Gower Champion to see if Gower wanted to join him—"for kicks"—in his upcoming CBS TV Special "Gene Kelly in New York, NY." At first Gower said no. He had given up dancing and was focusing on directing on Broadway. At the time, he was in rehearsals for "Bascom Burrow," a comedy starring Paul Ford. But his wife Marge encouraged him to do it, so he called Gene and said, "Make sure it's an easy number." Gene thought Marge and Gower Champion were one of the best dance teams in town. But the public didn't cotton to them as they did to Astaire and Rogers. The same happened with Veloz and Yolanda and the DeMarcos. Superb dancers, all, but, as Gene said, "the public didn't buy them." I had the pleasure of meeting Marge Champion but Gower Champion died in 1980, before I met Gene.

This could be a flock or cluster, but I prefer the alliterative in this case, so let's go with Gene and a bevy of beauties from The Pirate (1948). I tried to identify each woman from the cast list on IMDb, but I'm not certain of their identities. I believe they are Lola Albright, Ellen Ross, Jean Dean, Mary Jo Ellis, Marion Murray, with Albright being at the bottom of the frame. All except Ellis were born in the Midwest. Ellis in Henrietta, TX. Dean and Murray died before Gene and the others after. I'd say that all look pleased to be with dear Serafin, who looks dashing in the center. If you haven't seen The Pirate, please add it to your list. I love it. I think the chemistry between Gene and Judy Garland is palpable. p.s. I bought the black shirt at auction, so it is here in the collection.

I love this photo of Gene rehearsing with his three co-stars in Les Girls: Taina Elg, Mitzi Gaynor and Kay Kendall. He adored them and, from what I heard directly from Taina and Mitzi, the feeling was mutual. These were all pros—they came in, learned their lines, hit their marks and did the numbers even when they had to dance hurt. I wish I'd been able to meet Kay Kendall. According to Gene, she had a terrific sense of humor. He loved that in a woman (men, too, but this post is about the ladies!).