The day Alain Dilon visited Manila

In the mid-‘60s, French heartthrob Alain Delon came to Manila for a few days to promote his film Any Number Can Win, Christine. Delon charmed his fans and the press with his good looks, carriage, humility and wit.

At the airport, Delon was met by Susan Roces, Josephine Estrada, Daisy Romualdez and French Embassy officials. Also around were MGM executives in Manila who organized the Manila visit.

The French actor took time out from his busy schedule to visit Sampaguita studio, where he was honored with an intimate soiree and entertained by the country’s most beautiful stars. A news report said ‘his velvet eyes lingered caressingly on the lovely faces around him, as he said wistfully, au revoir.’

Delon was then romantically involved with German actress Romy Schneider, but when asked about her he said, ‘It’s all over.’

Delon starred in such French and Hollywood films as Purple Noon, Yellow Rolls Royce, Rocco and His Brothers, The Leopard, The Love Cage and Eclipse.

Other French actors, Delon’s contemporaries, who appeared in Hollywood movies included Yves Montana, Jean Paul Belmondo, Brigitte Bardot and Simone Signoret. — RKC