October 31, 2011

SAMANTHA STEPHENS: Best TV Witch Ever!





"Bewitched" was a popular television comedy series between 1964 and 1972.  Based on the movie, "I Married a Witch", it featured Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha.  The "nose twitch" that Samantha used when performing her witchery is iconic, along with the music that accompanied it.






The plot involved the weekly trials and tribulations of trying to keep her "witchy" status a secret. Dick York played Darrin Stephens, her husband.  He was later replaced for the final two years by Dick Sargent.






There were some hilarious guest spots for roles as assorted aunts and uncles who would "fly in", including Paul Lynde as "Uncle Arthur".

And, as the mortal fates would have it, little Tabitha, Darrin and Samantha's daughter, developed into a wee witch:  twitchy nose and all.









Agnes Moorehead was wonderful as Endora, Samantha's mom and meddling mother in law to the hapless Darren.








The series is probably still in syndication somewhere.  Definitely available on DVD---(at a Coven near you)!




HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!



October 30, 2011

HOLLYWOOD'S STYLISH SORCERESSES



Only in the movies would all the ghosts, goblins and witches be, dare I say it?--"drop-dead gorgeous", and dressed by top designers. Below, Hollywood Stitch-Witchery at its most beguiling:


"I Married a Witch", 1942



Veronica Lake in an Edith Head creation for the movie





"Bell, Book and Candle", 1958


Kim Novak in a gorgeous Jean Louis.  Ah, the jewels!






"The Witches of Eastwick", 1987

Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer



"Hocus Pocus", 1993

Sarah Jessica Parker in a medievally-inspired dress







"Practical Magic" 1998
The award for "Best Millinery" goes to Nicole Kidman








And, last but not least, Elizabeth Hurley's turn in a five-alarm-red wardrobe gave the 2000 version of "Bedazzled" a stylish female "Satan":






"Bedazzled", 2000






HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

October 29, 2011

RYAN GOSLING: "Drive" ers Test




In November of 2010,  Mikael Jansson photographed Ryan Gosling for Interview magazine, during the early stages of the filming of Nicolas Winding Refn's "Drive".



 
Poster for the "Drive" Soundtrack




So, for those of us who missed it the first time around, the Interview magazine Cover and 5-page layout:







































       









Ryan Gosling is just as mesmerizing in the finished product as he is above. Released in September of 2011, "Drive" is  a disturbingly dark, violent and  noir film.  Bloody and violent, though--not for the kids.



Update:  September, 2012

Even though it's been out on DVD and Blu-Ray for almost a year, this film still rocks my socks. Below, stills from the movie and a couple of bonus Posters.













 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
The Scorpion jacket from the film
 
 
 
 
Ryan Gosling.  To quote Norma Desmond, I am "Mad About the Boy".  He has 'the look'; he can act; he's Canadian.  What more to ask for?
 
 
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October 22, 2011

WHO'S THAT LADY? Greta Garbo or...



Inge? Inge who?


Greta Garbo, screen legend. One of the most beautiful, photogenic and famous women in the world:--my past, present and future inspiration.



Since I hate doing User Profiles, let's  have some fun with rare stills from Garbo's amazing career, her gorgeous face and, some factoids about moi: Garbomaniac par excellance.











Greta Garbo was born on September 18th. Me--- September 1st.  Zodiac sign: Virgo, sign of the thinker. I spend a lot of time musing, then go off and ponder some more.  I need a rehab program for  excessive thought, but it wouldn't take. I'm hooked.







 



Like Lisbeth Salander, in  The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, I have a photographic memory---both a blessing and a  curse. I seldom forget any thing or any one.  Cross my heart, I only use my powers for good.




I adore children...








Love art...







Artists...





Flowers...






Music...







and Writing.






Food and nutrition are vital.








Film fashion is my passion, and,
not-so-little black dresses tickle me pink.









I study the making of films: Cinematography





                                       

Directing, Acting and setting the mood with Music








I collect style and design materials from the movies.






Hair and make-up must be perfect before the shutter clicks or the camera rolls.





AND...



When all is said and done--I love the sea.





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Above stills:

*   December 1934 PHOTOPLAY Cover of Greta Garbo: Earl Christy,
*   The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, 2009 poster,
*   Stills from classic Greta Garbo films, including the ones below:  
  


The Temptress, 1926



Flesh and the Devil, 1926




A Woman of Affairs, 1928




The Single Standard, 1929




The Kiss, 1929






Inspiration, 1931






October 19, 2011

NORMA TALMADGE




Norma Talmadge-December 1929


 

Norma Talmadge was one of the brightest stars during the silent era. She is rumoured to have been the inspiration for Norma Desmond in the film noir classic, Sunset Boulevard as well as the Lina Lamont character in Singin' in the Rain. These are dramatic and comedic depictions of fading stars. Norma Talmadge made films from early in the century and her star shone brightly until she retired at the height of her fame. 


Her dark-haired bob and creamy complexion made her one of the most photogenic stars, and her acting abilities one of the most popular. She was dressed by top designers of the day, including Lucile, Lady Duff Gordon. This was before the studios hired costumers to design wardrobes for the top stars. Actresses like Gloria Swanson often chose and wore gowns from their own closets, and, the results were often stunning!

Norma influenced style from the late 'teens through the 1920s. Below left, a movie magazine cover of 1921. Right, a beautiful portrait by Albert Vargas.
 
 
 




Glamorous, poised and elegant, with star power  and attitude to burn, she was the diva of divas. Below right: bejewelled and wrapped in marabou feathers.  To the left: precious and priceless pearls topped with the de rigeur cloche hat of the '20s. 


 


Her raised profile was widely copied by everyone from Joan Crawford to an up and coming young Swedish actress named Greta Garbo:  chin uplifted with a regal, haughty air. That look WAS Norma: it highlighted her lovely profile to its best advantage. F. Scott Fitzgerald's description of Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby reminds one of Norma.  "...her chin was raised a little, as if she were balancing something on it which was quite likely to fall." 
 
 
 
 


It was she who, in 1927, accidentally walked into wet cement at Graumann's Chinese Theatre to begin a cinematic and pop culture ritual we still use today. Hands and feet on the sidewalk at Mann's was a Hollywood honour long before a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.



 
 
As all lovers and collectors of Paper Dolls know, for an actress or celebrity to be the subject of one is a great honour. Below,  "Norma Talmadge" cut-out dolls with costumes from early film roles: The Social Secretary (1916) and The Heart of Wetona (1918).







Movies were a Talmadge family affair. Older sister Natalie was married to Buster Keaton. Sister Constance was a brilliant and popular comedienne of the day. Below, Connie, on the right, and Norma ham it up in the same "Queen's Chair"  (note the uplifted chin on Norma).






 The Talmadge sisters were a force to be reckoned with.  Sadly, many of both their films are "lost"--allowed to deteriorate and simply crumbled into dust.  Luckily, today organizations like the AFI (American Film Institute) and others are working to preserve and even reconstruct some of these classic and historic films.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Below, a stunning shot of the sisters (minus Natalie) at the height of their fame, circa 1926, wrapped in antique shawls.








Like many silent actors, Norma couldn't successfully make the transition to talking pictures. Not that her voice was unpleasant, but, it did register a Brooklyn-ish accent, which made playing certain roles difficult and, just like in Singin' in the Rain, laughable.
 
No one could fake British royalty or European aristocracy with a Flatbush accent.  John Gilbert and many others met with the same fate. In Gilbert's case, his voice didn't quite match the machismo of his screen image.

Norma's predicament was fodder for PHOTOPLAY, whose cover she had graced many times at the height of her stardom.  Still, she gave it the old school try.  She fared well in 1929's New York Nights and proved that her voice was pleasant enough.  Her next film would not be as kind.
 
 




 

In 1930, after sister Norma's film, DuBarry, Woman of Passion, vocally demanding, opened to bad reviews, the ever-witty Constance sent a Telegram saying "Quit pressing your luck baby. The critics can't knock those trust funds mama set up for us." 
 
Shortly afterward, the film career of one of the brightest lights and pioneers of old Hollywood retired--at the height of her beauty and popularity.  Number 13 or not, the microphone had no mercy.

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