Nobody ever kissed me the way you do..........

Burt Lancaster. Siiiiggghhhhh!!!!  He was talented and smart, yet definitely not hard to look at either....  The George Clooney of his day, I suppose.

This scene from Here to Eternity is an absolute classic.  I find it hard to believe this was considered controversial when it was released.  It was due to the passion in their embrace and their kiss, combined with the fact that Deborah Kerr's character was another man's wife.  These days, people rarely would think twice about this, let alone be bothered by it.

He must have been pretty comfortable in his own skin.  I've seen many photos where he is nearly naked or completely so.

He was as close to a sex symbol as one could get at the time.  The fact that he flaunted his muscular physique is kind of sexy in its own right.  He was quite athletic and apparently a gymnast in his early days.

The best part about him, is that he was so much more than just a pretty face. If you've even seen any of his movies, you'd see this. Watching "From Here to Eternity" is where I'd start, but don't forget to see "Elmer Gantry."  His flashy suits and demeanor are really quite a sight.  His character rides the road to debauchery while outwardly appearing to take the moral high road.  Quite a performance.....

On that note, enough reminiscing about Burt Lancaster and the perfect physical specimen that he was, I think it's time for a cold shower myself.....lol

Thanks to ledmonnoir for the video.

Ingrid Bergman

The sensitivity and vulnerability Ingrid Bergman portayed in many of her roles was always quite well balanced with a tremendous sense of inner strength.

This scene from the 1944 movie Gaslight (which she won an Academy Award for) is a perfect example of this.  Throughout the movie, you watch her sanity gradually start to slip - thanks to her conniving, devious husband - only to see her strength shine through when it is needed most. This is one of my favourite films of hers, and she plays the tormented soul quite brilliantly.

She played a similar role in Joan of Arc (1948).  Throughout the movie, she encountered resistance constantly.  In the face of persecution and betrayal, Ingrid plays Joan with such strength and conviction. Once imprisoned (which are some of the best scenes of the whole movie), she shows that her sense of hopelessness is overcome with her profound devotion and faith.

While some of her other movies such as Casablanca or Notorious are better known or more well-respected, I encourage you to see these films to see the subtle nuances and emotional strengths she is capable of.

Thanks to clattermachine for the video clip.

Rugged and handsome, just the way I like them.......

Whether it was the cool demeaner, the sexy swagger, or the deep voice that first attracted me to Robert Mitchum, I will never really know.  He is very nice to look at, and he could act circles around any of his peers.

While almost always cast as the bad guy, I'm sure he was a big softy.  All I ever heard about him was how much of a rebel he was in life, but I find it completely ironic that he was married to the same woman from 1940 until the time of his death in 1997 (a remarkable 57 years).  Either she was pretty good at looking the other way, or he was in truth, a loyal, faithful husband.  (I choose to assume the later.)

Quite a feat, I'm sure, as women everywhere would swoon whenever he took his shirt off.  He was a man's man and knew how to have his way with the ladies (if only on film.) I don't think any woman alive would ever want to kick him out of bed.

Not this woman anyway - his deep, sultry voice makes me quiver and become weak in the knees....

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.