To Be an American in Paris

The Gene Scene Blog will be silent for a while as I do my "Jerry Mulligan" tour of Paris. As a bon voyage thought, let me quote Gene Kelly as Jerry himself:

"Back home everyone said I didn't have any talent. They might be saying the same thing over here but it sounds better in French."

Leslie Caron wins an Emmy

At the "Creative Arts Emmys" on Saturday night, Leslie Caron won an award for her guest appearance on the television show "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit." Reports say that the 76-year-old actress quipped "I think I was nominated in 1951 for the most promising newcomer. I'm glad I finally realized my potential."

Leslie will be a presenter on the primetime Emmy Awards on September 16th and will wear a drss that she designed. Read an article by Robert Osborne in The Hollywood Reporter about her win.

Betty Comden Tribute

Anyone living in or nearby New York City will be happy to hear about a special tribute for Betty Comden on September 18th. The event is called "Great Women Salute A Great Woman: Betty Comden - In the Words of Comden and Green" and will be held at Broadway's Majestic Theater, 247 West 44 Street, beginning at 2 PM. It's free, open to the public, and will feature many Broadway stars and some "surprise guests" to celebrate Betty's life. Read more about the event in Playbill.

For anyone who does not recognize the name of Betty Comden, she's half of the amazing writing duo "Comden and Green". With partner Adolph Green, the pair co-wrote On the Town, It's Always Fair Weather, and Singin' in the Rain - just to name a few of the Gene Kelly hits. She died nearly one year ago at the age of 89.