Now normally, I don't like the whole "Hey look at me" bit that Brian Williams so vehemently opposes, but since I do author this blog, I feel it is relevant. I'm 19 today. I thought that meant I'd be cool like Lauren Bacall; have her looks, eyebrows, voice, when she was my age. Apparently not. But, I'm still thankful for reaching yet another milestone. AND, if you lovely followers would like to get me something, text Yele to 501-501 or Haiti to 9099 to help with the relief effort in Haiti! Please; only $15 in all is charged to your phone bill. :-D
But just look at all the cool people who came by to help me celebrate! (Frank Sinatra felt the need to appear in almost all of these).
^ This could very well be even more beautiful, if not for that ugly, evil watermark.
Look, Clark Gable brought his own party hat
A while back, I had a post about my introduction to classic films. I got a lot of feedback on that post, but one of the comments I received managed to sit in the back of my mind for some time. C.K. Dexter Haven, of
Hollywood Dreamland, mentioned that he would be curious to see how my interests would change over time. I figured I understood what he meant; as I watched more and more films, and got introduced to different actors, I would gain new favorites and perspectives. One thing I kept thinking was that over time, Audrey would stop being my favorite actress. Well that was something I refused to accept.
It's happened however. My new favorite actress:
Gene Tierney.
The reason behind this is all due to Gene's performance in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947). I don't mean to say that this film is her best (although it is a favorite of mine), or that because of it I took her seriously as a performer. I've always thought Gene was remarkable; as a beauty and as an actress. But she endeared herself to me a lot more.
However, I still adore Audrey; as an actress, role model, what have you. It's just that my interests have started to shift.
I finally broke the 100 mark! I'm glad you guys find my posts interesting enough to read, and in this new year, I promise they'll be a lot better than some of those in 2009.
1939 is hailed as the greatest year in films. I’m not here to disagree. Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Women, and the list goes on and on. But while those films are truly remarkable, there were also the lesser known gems of 1939, such as Midnight and In Name Only. There’s also another 1939 hit that is forgotten, the star maker for William Holden at 21 years of age, and that film is Golden Boy, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Adolphe Menjou.
Obviously, the appeal for me in seeing this film was William Holden. Imagine my delighted surprise when I learned the supporting cast included Lee J. Cobb and Sam Levene. Cobb was twenty eight during the film’s release, just seven years older than Holden; an important fact especially when one considers he was playing Holden’s father. (Oh the wonders a handle bar mustache will do).
The film, directed by Rouben Mamoulian, was adapted from a stage play by Clifford Odets, the same man who gave us The Country Girl and The Sweet Smell of Success. In Golden Boy, the story is that of Joe Bonaparte, a young violinist turned boxer. At first, he seems genuine in wanting to pursue a career in the ring; Menjou, playing the boxing promoter Tom Moody, is at first reluctant to sign him, and more than a little annoyed. But Joe proves himself, and becomes a success, much to Moody’s delight. However, Mr. Bonaparte still nurses his son’s first dream; that of the violin.
William Holden at age 21 was…for lack of a better word, adorable. I think that’s all he could be as a dreamy musician, unsure of what he wants, with that full head of curly hair. The hair is relevant. It made him appear even more boyish; and this is the same actor who gained prominence playing such cynical roles in his later years. Here, he’s innocent but there’s a lot of substance underneath too. As an artist, he’s emotional, and that may add to his short temper, especially as a prizefighter.
And the story of his winning performance is attributed to his leading lady, Barbara Stanwyck, who urged producers to keep him in the production after they lost faith in him. She coached him through, and he turned in a performance worthy of the film. Stanwyck too delivers a remarkable performance, as Lorna Moon. She captures every single moment she’s on screen, and there are vulnerable and sympathetic sides to her character, just like Joe. Cobb never fails to disappoint (at least in the films I’ve seen), and is convincing with his impassioned delivery of the lines. Levene adds comic relief, but overall the film is an enjoyable, honest one. It has humor and tragedy; a life portrait.
Happy 2010 everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your holidays!
I know I've been terrible at posting anything on here. I'm afraid I've been caught in the clutches of writer's block and laziness-really not a good combination. However, hoping to move past the laziness, and maybe I can overcome the writer's block as well.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand. This actress I'm referring to is non other than the incredibly beautiful Gene Tierney. In my opinion, you really can't speak about one without the other. But now, I think it may be impossible to forget what a powerful presence she brought to the screen. Not just as a beauty, but as a performer.
I recently watched
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947), a charming fantasy with elements of both comedy and drama. Her costars in the picture included Rex Harrison and the great George Sanders, whom I adore. Natalie Wood also appeared as Tierney's daughter, but her role was very small. (Review coming soon; fingers crossed).
If you haven't seen this movie, I recommend it. (After all, my opinion is so highly regarded, right)? Gene brings such an honest and enjoyable performance in a role that should have brought her an Oscar nomination. Any doubts to her clout as an actress will be cast aside. (At least, that's what I'm hoping. Especially when one considers the convincing way she portrayed an old woman. But we'll leave that for the actual review).
Gene at her most splendidly gorgeous as Lucy Muir.
Thanks again to Kate Gabrielle. Concerning most of the extremely lovely ladies on this list, I still have quite a few films of theirs to see, but the dvr is keeping them for me. :)
So here they are:
1. Audrey Hepburn
I love those photos of her! Favorite films: Roman Holiday (1953), Sabrina (1954), & The Children's Hour (1961)
2. Ingrid Bergman
Favorite films: Intermezzo (1939), Rage in Heaven (1941), Casablanca (1943), Gaslight (1944), Spellbound (1945), Anastasia (1956), & Indiscreet (1958)
Sorry, but there's no way to pick just one!
3. Carole Lombard
Favorite films: Twentieth Century (1934), My Man Godfrey (1936), In Name Only (1939), & To Be or Not to Be (1942)
To Be or Not to Be was the second Carole film I saw, and I kept remembering that it was her last film, and that made me very teary. Since then, well, I've just loved this woman ever since. And her performances as well.
4. Grace Kelly
*muahahahahaha*
She was mind bendingly gorgeous.
Favorite films: Rear Window (1954) & The Country Girl (1954)
5. Linda Darnell
Favorite film: A Letter to Three Wives (1949)
6. Deborah Kerr
Favorite film: An Affair to Remember (1957)
7. Katharine Hepburn
Favorite films: Bringing Up Baby (1938) & The Philadelphia Story (1940)
8. Gene Tierney
Favorite films: Rings on Her Fingers (1942) & Laura (1944)
9. Ava Gardner
Favorite films: Mogambo (1953) & The Night of the Iguana (1964)
10. Rita Hayworth
Favorite films: You Were Never Lovelier (1942) & Cover Girl (1944)
11. Donna Reed
Favorite films: It's a Wonderful Life (1946) & From Here to Eternity (1953)
12. Lauren Bacall
Favorite films: The Big Sleep (1946) & How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
13. Betty Grable
Favorite film: How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
14. Marilyn Monroe
Favorite film: The Misfits (1961)
15. Judy Garland
Favorite film: Ziegfeld Girls (1941)
16. Natalie Wood
Favorite film: Splendor in the Grass (1961)
17. Jane Russell
Favorite film: Macao (1952)
18. Ann Sothern
Favorite films: A Letter to Three Wives (1949) & The Blue Gardenia (1953)
19. Jeanne Crain
Favorite film: A Letter to Three Wives (1949)
20. Emma Watson
Favorite films: The whole darn Harry Potter franchise. This choice may seem silly, but Em really is a talented actress. I'm curious to see what she'll do after Potter.
A drawing of a princess, that my friend did. I named her Princess Grace and added the text.
Ok. So recently on tumblr, there has been a lot of Grace bashing. Now, being a Grace fan, I was offended. Not only because I love her so, but because she is deceased, and therefore, deserves to rest in peace. I won't repeat what was said, but a lot of Judy Garland fans felt the need to insult Gracie because they felt she was undeserving to win the Oscar in 1954. Ok, that's your opinion. Do you really need to be so disrespectful about it? They claimed we (we being the awesome Millie, Nicole, & Kate Gabrielle) were being too sensitive. They have the right to be as tactless and crude as they want, so we decided we would unfollow them. Is that being too sensitive? Or is it being classy and knowing that if you don't want to read that, you shouldn't have to?
Their other line was that we, or more I was judging them. No, just your actions. I'm sorry, but when you insult a deceased person who can't even defend themselves, that calls your character into question. Maybe I shouldn't have called them empty losers. But that's what they came across as. My favorite was when they said we should have retaliated with rude insults about Judy. Why? I adore Judy and why should I try and judge her when she too has passed on? They were being so disrespectful to both. Call me sensitive. I'd say I'm decent.
Well that's all. Review and 20 Actresses tag coming up soon! Can't waste any more space with them. Time to move on.
