Grace Kelly - You were both humble and beautiful...

While she was one of the most beautiful women of her time, and she was strictly a class act; you can't help but think she enjoyed a belly laugh now and then just like the rest of us.

 She always seemed so humble and down to earth to me.  The apparent flipside of the persona she was known best for.  I guess being a Hollywood celebrity first and later a Princess, required her to be demure and perfectly presentable at all times.  I'm sure she was happiest though, when she was able to kick off her heels and let down her hair.  After seeing the home movies shown in the Grace Kelly exhibit here in Toronto, I truly believe that about her.  Seeing her with her children and her husband, that is when she seemed the happiest.  Relaxed and smiling, and enjoying every second in their presence.

The simple scenes of her family peeling potatoes together on their yacht and throwing snowballs at their chalet were really quite magical to see.  Quite the stark contrast to the characters we are used to seeing her as.  While she is a joy to watch in any of her fabulous films, it was much more special to see these candid moments and glimpse what she was really like while the camera (and the world's) glare wasn't on her.

Angela Lansbury, we all love to love you!!

She is so beloved the world over, due in part, to the fact that she is so much like everyone's favourite grandmother.

The majority of us are probably familiar with her role as lovable sleuth Jessica Fletcher on "Murder She Wrote." Those old enough to remember however, also grew up with her in the movie "Bedknobs and Broomsticks".  (Ok, so I'm dating myself a bit here......)

To think that these roles were actually a second-coming of sorts for her.......

One of her earliest roles is as a housemistress in Gaslight (1944).  Although she plays such a small part, she received an academy award nomination.  A truly great movie and a great showcase for Ingrid Bergman as well...... What strikes me most is how young she truly is in this .....

Another must see movie is The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945).  Her portrayal of Sibyl Vane in this is marvellous, and must have solidfied her love for singing on the stage.  Also of mention, is her brilliant role as the calculating Mrs. Iselin in the Manchurian Candidate (1962).  For this role, she did receive an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She dared to play a role where she was cold, callous and you had no problems disliking her.

 A far cry from the roles she quite often played later in life......

While she is getting up there is years and you can't help but think she'll hang up her hat at some point, she pulls out a role like the one in Nanny McPhee.  Even as a persnickity old bitty, she still manages to bring a smile to your face....
 

Catherine Deneuve

Catherine Deneuve has always been so beautiful and so sensual... I think because she is so soft-spoken, she has this air of mystery about her.  Her appeal is also that she is such an elegant, classy and well-travelled woman. (The fact that she has a french accent doesn't hurt her either......)

I was reminded of her the other day when mention of the movie "the Hunger" came up.  That was the first movie in which vampires were really portrayed as sexy.  Long gone were the grotesque and fearful portrayals from the past. Now they were beautiful, sexual beings. I thought she had a brilliant role in this movie because she had the same air of sophistication that I feel she has in real life.

I don't think any stars of the current generation have even half the amount of class she has.  She has such sex appeal without ever showing too much and always maintaining her integrity. I think many celebrities could learn a thing or two from her......

Thanks to bossanova666 for the video posting.

Cyd Charisse.....sultry, slinky and smokin'

This dance sequence is amazing for so many reasons.  While Cyd danced with Gene Kelly also, in this number with Fred Astaire, she seems to really come alive. Even though he is heralded as one of the greatest dancers that ever lived, I think her technical precision shows him up a little in this number.  Their charisma (along with the choregraphy) seem to be a perfit fit.  Can you even imagine a world where gangsters just danced their differences away!?!?

Thanks to maryad4 for the video posting.

Happy Birthday Errol Flynn, you handsome devil, you........

You had eyes that could charm their way into any woman's heart.  So debonair........not to mention that accent as well.  

Thanks to TCM, (and of course your birthday), I've been happily watching your movies all afternoon.  Sigh...........How very fitting, since I've been reading a book about you all this week!

You were more than just tall, dark and handsome... A definite womanizer, but weren't all leading men that way at the time? 

If only I was alive in your time - you could swoon my way and sweep me off my feet anytime.....  

Marilyn - So voluptuous, yet so vulnerable........

An enduring icon for the ages.  Yet the one thing that strikes me about her is her complete vulnerability.  I can't even imagine living a life in which everyone wants a piece of you.  Her marriage to Joe DiMaggio supposedly ended because he couldn't handle all the attention she attracted.

She appeared to have it all, yet it seemed that true happiness eluded her.  I guess fame, money and admiration have a very dark side.  In her later years, you could really see the toll it had taken.  In some photos, especially the later ones, you can really sense her vulnerability and even a little helplessness in her eyes.

Only early photos of Marilyn show what she must have really been like.  Sadly, at a certain point in her career, she must have had to perpetually fulfill the persona that had been created (partly by her, I'm sure....) in print and on screen. She became almost a caricature of herself.  No wonder she resorted to drugs and alcohol  - and yet we wonder why her flame extinguished so quickly.........

Edith Piaf (the Sparrow)

It's hard to believe that voice eminates from a woman who was only 4' 8" tall.....

Like all great torch singers, she sang of love and loss - something she was well acquainted with.  While she was married several times, one great love of her life, Marcel Cerdan, died in a plane crash.  If this was not tragic enough, she also lost her only child, Marcelle at the age of two from meningitis.

Luckily for us, she poured her heartache into her music and, in turn, left us with a legacy of some of the most soulful, mournful, joyous and beautiful music.

Sing your heart out, little sparrow!!

Thanks to sidious8945 for the video posting

The caresses....and that KISS!

Jean Arthur's eyes say it all!

The subtle (or not-so-subtle) caresses of Joel McCrea in the movie "The More the Merrier" are so tender and romantic.  My heart is warmed to the fact that in the end she finally truly realizes how much she has fallen for him.

Although she is engaged to another man, her fiance has little time for her and his career means more to him than she does.  This is why, when her other suitor shows that he clearly adores her and is not afraid to show it, you find yourself routing for him.  You hope he gets the girl!!

It's even sweeter that after this kiss, he is so smitten and stunned that he forgets that he lives at the same address after all.......

Thanks to countrygirltori24 for the video post

R.I.P. Elizabeth Taylor....you were one class act

Elizabeth Taylor - you were one very classy lady!  There will never be another like you......You were "royalty" of a very special kind.

OK, maybe you had almost as many husbands as you had shoes, but joking aside, you had a very big heart.

Your efforts for HIV / AIDS brought attention to an issue many were afraid to associate themselves with back in the day, and for that, you will always have my respect.

The beauty you possessed (both on the inside & the outside) was second to none.
I bid you adieu, darling Elizabeth.

America's Sweetheart

I find it completely amusing that "America's Sweetheart" was actually a Canadian by birth.  Mary Pickford was actually born in Toronto.
While she was quite a prolific actress (she made 51 films in one year - almost one every week), she was quite adept at directing movies as well.  Along with her second husband Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin and D.W. Griffiths, Mary co-founded United Artists. The creation of this company also gave her the ability to distribute her films however she chose.
 To see someone with such star power have the brains and the guts to become one of Hollywood's elite,  is always refreshing to me.

R.I.P. Jane Russell

I am so sad that yet another sexy star from the past is gone.  She died earlier today from a respiratory ailment at the age of 89.

 Even though her last movies were back in the 1960's, it's quite a testament to her, that she is still such a recognizable face.  That is - if you could keep your eyes focused on her face......lol. (After all, she was more well known for two of her other assets........)

Oh, Jane Russell, who else will be able to fill your shoes?

Betty Grable (& her million dollar legs)

While she was best known for being a pin-up star to the GI's of WWII (and red-blooded men everywhere, for that matter) - Betty Grable also did some fabulous little films.  Mother Wore Tights is one such gem.  The costumes in this film (and all her films for that matter) were some of the best of the era.

It doesn't come as any surprise that she was the top earning Hollywood star by the end of the Forties.  She had great charisma and of course, those million dollar legs.......

Thanks to gregoryagogo for originally posting this video.

Happy Birthday Cary Grant!!

He will forever be one of the most charismatic, charming and alluring men in my eyes.  Suave, dapper and almost always dressed to the nines. When I watch his movies I can't keep my eyes off of him.  I also love his comedic side and that he wasn't afraid to poke fun at himself.

So what, if he was a little bit of a ladies man and had many wives considerably younger than him.... Isn't that what Hollywood stars have always been about?

Happy Birthday to you, Cary Grant!!

The Red Balloon (Le Ballon Rouge) 1956

What an absolutely adorable movie!  I originally saw this movie when I was still in public school (in the seventies) and I watched it again recently - it has lost none of its magic. For me, the innocence of the boy and his new friend (the red balloon) make it well worth watching. (The clothes, the streets and the cars don't hurt either!) Even though it was probably originally intended to be seen by children, it's equally as enjoyable as an adult.

Oh to be in Paris during that time!!  

thanks go to RogerSheldonUK for posting video