By Lubna Abdel-Aziz Amidst thunderous applause, a radiant Leslie Caron glided on to the stage of the Cairo Opera House to receive her Life Achievement Award from the Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni, and the President of the Festival Cherif El-Shoubashy. The nostalgic crowd was overjoyed to see their unforgettable star, as ravishing and as enchanting as they remembered her. Evidently moved by the warm reception and overflowing affection, Miss Caron took the microphone to thank the festival for its recognition and the people of Egypt for their warmth and devotion. To her, "this magical land" was still as magical as ever! Caron and Egypt have a long and fascinating association. Early in her she was cast as the Sphinx in a dance number, which launched her career as prima ballerina at the Ballets des Champs Ellysées. She was sublime on the stage, as much an actress with her legs as a dancer with her eyes. Admirers came from far and wide, to view this exquisite beauty, and exceptional dancer, among them MGM's dance master, Gene Kelly. Intoxicated by the poetry and harmony of her performance in Roland Peitit's ballet Orphée (1946), Kelly tried to meet this extraordinary fairy-like creature. Alas, he could not. Her overprotective mother whisked her off immediately after each performance. But the memory of her mystic style and inimitable grace remained with him for years. Kelly returned to Paris in1951, scouting for a leading lady to appear opposite him in An American in Paris, MGM's tribute to composer George Gershwin. Stunned by her beauty and talent, Kelly offered her the role of the waif-like Lise Bouvier, in American, while MGM offered her an exclusive high-salaried long-term contract. Her dance numbers with Kelly, behind the lavish, spectacular background of the Gershwin ballet An American in Paris, won the film six Oscars, and raised Leslie to international superstardom status, overnight. Petite, slender and strong, her winsome gamine looks, elfish pouty lips, petulant yet charming imperious French airs of a spoiled princess, sent Hollywood in a trance. A delirious MGM cast their unique discovery in everything -- comedies, musicals, and dramas. She starred in four films in two years, and then came Lili (1953) with Mel Ferrer and Jean Pierre Aumont. She danced her way again into our hearts, scoring big with critics, and receiving her first Academy Award nomination as Best Actress. She lost the Oscar that year to Audrey Hepburn, in her screen debut, Roman Holiday. Everyone wanted to dance with Leslie. In 1955 MGM agreed to loan her to Fox to appear opposite the nimble king of dance himself, Fred Astaire. As Julie André, the orphan in Daddy Long Legs, she once again lit the screen with her unique style, bright eyes and delicate demeanour. Through an agreeable successive transformations from Julie to Lili, Caron portrayed a series of unforgettable characters, bringing a freshness and an effervescence to Hollywood's Golden Era. When director Vicente Minnelli ( An American in Paris 1951) , came calling again, it was to bring to life a quintessential French concept about Paris and Parisians. Based on the turn of the century novel by French writer Colette (1873 - 1954), it describes the idle, rich, and decadent Parisians, with self deprecating humour. This mammoth project brought together once again the incredible talents of the famous musical duo, lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, and composer Frederick Leowe, who had not collaborated since their stage version of My Fair Lady in 1956. Their superb screenplay and exquisite score lured the great Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan, Hermione Guingold, and the epitome of French playfulness and coquetry, Leslie Caron herself as Gigi. The story, familiar to most, revolves around the platonic friendship of rich playboy Gaston Lachaille and a young carefree schoolgirl, Gigi who lives with her grandmother, Marie Alvarez. Gigi's great aunt Alicia has plans for her to follow in her footsteps and become a first class courtesan. Gaston finds himself attracted to the rapidly growing girl, and soon discovers that he is deeply in love with Gigi and wishes to marry her. They live happily ever after. The film won nine Oscars, another triumph for Caron. Caron expanded her repertoire with solid work in Europe, and appeared in a variety of comedies and dramas, she won a second Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe for the British production, the L-Shaped Room (1962), "proving she didn't need to wear dancing shoes to keep moviegoers riveted". Leslie Caron was born near Boulogne-Billancourt, France, 1st of July 1931, to a French father and an American mother. Her mother, immediately recognising the talent of her lithe and graceful daughter, enrolled her in Ballet school at age 10. It was obvious from the start that tiny Caron was destined to become a huge star, with or without the help of Gene Kelly. A rather sad detail of her lucky career, is her unlucky three marriages, which ended in three divorces. Marriage to second husband, British stage and film director Peter Hall, seemed to be the happiest, lasting 10 years. For his 30th birthday the romantic Leslie presented her beloved Peter with no less than a Rolls Royce parked outside their mansion. The marriage ended in 1966, but daughter, Jennifer Hall, also an actress, remained by her side. In fact mother and daughter appeared in an episode of Love Boat in 1977 as -- mother and daughter. Although considered primarily a dancer, Caron has shown much versatility on the screen, with an easy transition from gamine to sophisticate, to her recent mature roles, receiving the love and admiration of several generations. She continues to appear in films and TV in Europe and the US. Her most recent films Le Divorce (2003) with Kate Hudson, Chocolat (2000) with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. Caron keeps busy serving regularly on juries of international film festivals. As a side hobby she transformed and redecorated four 17th century buildings, into a beautiful inn with velvety staircase, full of portiéres and carpets, amidst the rich heritage of Burgundy. Seventy miles from Paris, Auberge La Lucarne aux Chouettes, which opened in 1993, has become the fashionable spot for business events, holiday celebrations, birthdays, and weddings. If you happen to stop there, Miss Caron may not be able to greet you at the entrance. She will most probably be shooting on some location, or visiting an exotic land where multitudes of fans are showering her with affection and admiration. That is a legacy to be thankful for. With the holidays at hand, and the end of the year approaching, it is time to examine what we have achieved, and to express our gratitude for a million and one blessings in our lives. As we view the events of the past week, we "thank heaven" for a superbly successful international film festival, especially for the tribute to Arab filmmakers who have distinguished themselves in international cinema -- for superstar Omar Sharif who carries Egypt in his heart wherever his work takes him, and is always ready to return and oblige whenever requested to do so. He graciously handed trophies to talented Lebanese director Omar Naim ( The Final Cut ), and Palestinian director Hany Abu Assad for his much appreciated drama of Palestine today, or Paradise Now. "Thank heaven" for the presence in our midst of such venerable stars as Morgan Freeman. As for Miss Caron, "Age cannot wither her", indeed, Age has also fallen for her, jealously guarding her delicate beauty, her bright eyes, her slender frame, and her ever delectable charm. If Monsieur Chevalier is watching from up above, he could lead us into song with his seductive and sultry voice, to 'thank heaven' again for Gigi or Miss Leslie Caron, who could not have been more "delightful", then and now. Thank Heaven, for little girls; For little girls get bigger everyday. Thank heaven for little girls, They grow up in the most delightful way. Gigi, sung by Maurice Chevalier (1888 -- 1972) Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner (1918 -- 1986)
