Josephine Baker - the pride of Paris (via St. Louis, Missouri...)

I've always loved the fact that Josephine Baker, a definite source of pride for Parisians, was not only American, but middle-American no less!

I also like that she could REALLY shake her booty - long before Beyonce.   Who could ever forget that banana dance?!?!

Born Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Missouri in 1906, her heyday was in the 1920's.  She was best known as a dancer and a showgirl, but she fancied herself a singer as well.

She was a beautiful woman, who definitely owned her own sexuality (as much as one could in that era....).  I didn't realize though, that she had such a big heart as well.  In her life, she adopted 12 children from many different nations, and called them her "rainbow tribe."  Look out Brad & Angelina!!

Her activism was something she was also known for.  Later in her life, while touring in the States, she refused to perform for segregated audiences and, in turn, became instrumental in some venues integrating.

I always love women who are a little ahead of their time.  I'm sure if she was younger in the sixties, she would probably have been a Playboy bunny, who knows.......

You go girl!!

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.........