Oh, happy day! The special Hollywood edition of Vanity Fair was delivered today and I could not wait to delve in. Not for any of the newbies of today who all look alike, but for the timeless beauty of days gone by.
I actually skipped over the bulk of my literary treasure to intoxicate myself on the interview with Lauren Bacall recounting her glorious Hollywood days. She says that Hollywood is now all gone, spoiled forever. I tend to agree. Sharing her experience as a young actress making her way into the movies, how she was terrified the first time in front of a movie camera, and the way she and Bogie fell in love, I found myself pining for the good old days.
The good old days before young female stars were revealing their lady-parts while climbing in and out of cars to club the night away. The good old days when discretion was not only valued, it was respected. Yes Liz Taylor and Richard Burton were having yet another affair, but it was not blasted all over the "entertainment" news for the world to know. Quite frankly, it wasn't any of our business.
How many of us gaze at photos from the golden age and have no trouble determining who is in them? Marilyn Monroe? Definite and unique style. Lauren Bacall? Throaty voice and sultry eyes. Katherine Hepburn? Classic beauty. My hero, Audrey Hepburn? Well, everything about her. Greta Garbo? No definition needed - she was a quintessential beauty.
Today it seems young actresses are churned out like cookies from a cookie cutter. They all look the same, they all sound the same, and there seems to be a lack of je ne sais quoi. I am sure there are a few who may rise to the top; my picks are Anne Hathaway and Keira Knightley. And I choose these ladies not only for their beauty, but because they actually create movies I watch, reminiscent of the aforementioned women of the golden age.
Luckily, my daughters are also enamored with Audrey Hepburn. However, no one from this generation really wows them. It is hard to tell them apart and harder still not get annoyed when no talent equates to big money (can anyone say Kristen Stewart?) Dare I say it? They just don't make them like they used to.
Whole heartedly agree! Hollywood (and beyond) is releasing 100s of movies a week--with the same themes, the same people (or the people who look like them)over and over. It's a low quality factory not a producer of art anymore--whether in original thoughts/themes or the "talent". xxBliss
ReplyDeleteYou're right Beth, when it comes to movies they certainly don't make them like they used to.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the last time I enjoyed a film at the cinema, these days I tend to get my movie enjoyment from my collection of old DVD's.
Thanks for the tip on the Hollywood edition of Vanity Fair and thanks for stopping by my blog today.
I wish it was still a case of 'none of your business'. I admit that I'll indulge in a People or US Weekly on occasion (when I can get my hands on one) but there is such a thing as T.M.I.
ReplyDeleteAnd Anne Hathaway is my favorite!