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Thank Heaven: My Autobiography
by
Leslie Caron
Spotted by Gene Kelly in Paris when she was just 17, Leslie Caron became an overnight sensation when Kelly brought her to Hollywood to co-star with him in 'An American in Paris'. In this candid book she tells her story.
Hardcover
,
272 pages
Published
January 1st 2010
by Aurum
(first published October 14th 2009)
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Community Reviews
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Parts of this book were very enjoyable. I had very limited knowledge of Leslie Caron prior to reading her memoir, and I enjoyed learning about her childhood growing up in WWII-era France, her early career in ballet, and her very extensive acting career. The portions focusing on her life and career were interesting.
However, other portions of the book were very difficult to get through. She spent a lot of time describing every member of her glittering circle of talented, intellectual friends. This ...more
However, other portions of the book were very difficult to get through. She spent a lot of time describing every member of her glittering circle of talented, intellectual friends. This ...more
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I really enjoyed reading about Leslie Caron and her life. Her movie
Gigi
is one of my all-time favorites and enjoys a spot on the classics shelf of my DVD collection. When you see her in film you have no idea what she is going through in life. What a rough life she has had and, like all of us, she has made decisions she regretted. I love her devotion to her children, her work ethic, and her appreciation and love of her peers and friends. I must admit that I didn't know what she was talking about
...more
As a lover of 50s movie musicals (ahhh for the golden years of Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire), I had to pick up this delightful memoir by Leslie Caron, as she describes her journey through the horrors of WWII on to the glamour and insanity of Hollywood, and a career that has spanned continents and artistic genres. Her writing was at times formal, as if she was creating a history book, but the gems of humor and devilish wit sparkled, set off as well by descriptions of beloved stars (and some not-so
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I can't wait for this book to come out. I love the movies "Gigi" and "An American in Paris" (if you haven't seen them, go rent them!) more than I can tell, and I'm sure Caron will have some interesting stories from making them (particularly from getting to know her co-stars).
I always enjoy reading autobiographies & memoirs of Hollywood stars who were active back in the heyday of what we now call classic movies. I love hearing their descriptions & impressions of people that they worked with and the films they made. In this respect, Leslie Caron's memoir "Thank Heaven" did not disappoint. I always knew of the well-known films that she starred in, but after reading her book, there are quite a few of the lesser known, non-musical movies that I'm interested in se
...more
Okay--the show biz memoir experience continues! I enjoyed this particular tale; LC's writing style was akin to sitting there and really listening to her tell stories. Lots and lots of name dropping-- I ended up with a long list of movies that I need to see--and very interesting stories about most of them. I think, though, that there were some very dark times that she glossed over. That being said, she didn't seem to shy away from admitting that there were some pretty dark times.
3.2.13 Just an a ...more
3.2.13 Just an a ...more
In 1949 she subbed for the part of the cruel girl in 'Le Jeune Homme et la Mort'. A ballet designed by Jean Cocteau, choreographed by Roland Petit to the music of Bach's Passacaglia in C minor. (You can see Baryshnikov dance this at the beginning of the 'White Nights' movie, fascinating piece!). p 53
A year after appearing in 'Chocolat' (2000) she was in a movie 'The Last of the Blonde Bombshells' (2001) where she played 'an enormous Double Bass wearing a flaming red wig, - convinced that you hav ...more
A year after appearing in 'Chocolat' (2000) she was in a movie 'The Last of the Blonde Bombshells' (2001) where she played 'an enormous Double Bass wearing a flaming red wig, - convinced that you hav ...more
Leslie Caron is a very good writer. She paints a fascinating picture of her years growing up in Paris with her privileged family, the war years, and joining the ballet. But when she gets to Hollywood, all hell quietly, slowly breaks loose. Loved all the anecdotes about the stars, but she seemed to lose herself after awhile, and there's scant mention of her parents and brother who figured so prominently in her earlier life. She chooses the wrong men, including Warren Beatty, and goes over the edg
...more
Really enjoyed reading & seeing similarities from the lady I was named after. Birth certificate place in Toronto decided a K would be better.
Liked her a lot when I was a tot. L-Shaped Room, Lili, Gigi, Paris with an American in it. A worthy memoir.
Nice little memoir that I quickly flicked through last night. Caron's mother was from Topeka, kansas. She spent some summers in Vezelay (near St. Andeux, France), and one of her closest friends her ex-brother-in-law, Jim Hormel, who was the first openly gay US ambassador and former RJ neighbor in SF. It is weird to read books and say, hey I know that person and that obscure little town was where I spent my birthday--and she's from Kansas?!
Oh and there is ettiquette too, apparently men must not ...more
Oh and there is ettiquette too, apparently men must not ...more
I heard about this book on NPR. Leslie Caron tells the story of her youth in France during WWII, her ballet career, her Hollywood years, and her depression and alcoholism as she aged. It's a chatty and relatively honest book, and although I wish that she had dealt more fuly with her last decade and tried to understand why her relationships with her family are so barren, it is a wonderful window on the film industry of the 1950's until today. Lauren and I are going to watch some of her early work
...more
An above-average Hollywood memoir, with priceless stories of dancing with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Her memories of life in wartime Paris are fascinating. I enjoyed the first half much more than the second half. When Warren Beatty comes into her life--and, despite being much younger than her, basically starts controlling her life--her story became somewhat less fascinating. But if you enjoy the stories behind the MGM musicals I definitely recommend Caron's book.
One thing I can say about Leslie is that for a French women she's got a strong grasp of the English language. No wonder she turned to writing after her acting career stalled. After having seen her in An American In Paris, Gigi, and much later Chocolat, I had a desire to pick up her book once I saw it on display. For the most part I enjoyed her memoir, though I thought the chapters regarding her early and latter parts of her life were kind of dry.
Liked this a lot - great anecdotes from a career I've always found intriguing. For a star bio (of which I don't read a whole lot) it's surprisingly well written, with just enough of the saucy stuff to make it interesting, without being unnecessarily sordid. There probably aren't a lot of people these days still familiar with her films, but she was pretty amazing, and I didn't even know the extent of her personal connections in Hollywood.
Leslie Caron has long been one of my favorite actresses, and her memoir is utterly delightful. It strikes an excellent balance between juicy details about her film and stage career and the sometimes less exciting (but certainly no less engaging) stories from her personal life. One of my favorite reads so far this year and absolutely among my favorites in the genre.
If you don't know who Maurice Chevalier, Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire is, this book is not for you. Leslie name drops a lot and talks about many directors and writers who probably are not well known to anyone under her age group. The book does get a bit more interesting when she talks about her relationship with Warren Beatty.
Mar 11, 2010
Carolyn
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Marcia Arado
As a long-time fan of movie musicals, I've always been an admirer of Leslie Caron. However, until I read this memoir, I had no idea how many straight parts she's played, how many different professional roles she's take on, and, especially, what a terrific writer she is.
My guilty pleasure is an old Hollywood biography. I've always admired Leslie Caron and it was a real joy to read about her life and her perspective on things. She has a lot of integrity and an impressive talent for writing clear, interesting prose.
A lot of history in this book. Sometimes goes on a bit about people and events that seem needless, but I wouldn't put it down for that. Ms. Caron has lead a fascinating life, met incredible people and done some courageous things.
Yet another biography from the thrift store. I've always been interested in Leslie Caron because of her name. Interesting read, especially about her battle with depression. Would love to stay at her inn someday.
I didn't really enjoy this book. I find her writing style awkward....she just reported dates and movie titles while sprinkling in complimentary references to herself. I didn't find her very likeable.
I found the most interesting parts to be about Leslie's life in German-occupied Paris and the Hollywood of the 1950s. I think Lili is one of her best movies and I enjoyed reading her account of it.
I love Hollywood memoirs for the stories of my favorite stars. I learned a lot and will be looking for her stories she tells of writing.
A very good movie star bio. Caron, with all her foibles, comes across as a very warm-hearted and tolerant person.
Most interesting. Fascinating early life and an enjoyable insight into Hollywood at the time.
Loved Gigi so I picked this up. Charming and warm, as I suspect Caron is herself.
It is wonderful to read someone's unique perspective of their own life.
My mom gave me this for Christmas...I'm looking forward to reading it.
I am a huge fan of her movies, but her auto-biography left me flat.
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