Life Lessons From Gentlemen Prefer Blonde

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My favorite movie of all time is the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starring Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. The technicolor musical follows the gold digging adventures of Lorelei Lee and her chaperone Dorothy Shaw while they cross the Atlantic on their way to Paris. The film has a lot to offer the viewer in the form of luscious musical numbers, gorgeous Travilla gowns, and you probably didn't realize it, but it also offers many lessons you can put to good use in your own life. So just what can you learn from these two buxom beauties? You've come to the right place, keep reading!

01. Nobody chaperones the chaperone (DS)

02. It's just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor man (LL)

03. A man with "and valet" after his name is definitely worth while (LL)

04. Nine o'clock is when life begins (DS)

05. A kiss on the hand might feel very good, but a diamond tiara lasts forever (LL)

06. Women should never admit their feet hurt (LL)

07. Certain hats are not be worn if you're in business (DS)

08. When love goes wrong, nothing goes right (LL& DS)

09. Diamonds are a girl's best friend! (LL)

10. On your wedding day, it's alright to say yes (DS)

Cleo Moore - B-Movie Bad Girl

In a world where it is hip to be a fan of Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn, few people take the time to learn about the other lesser known stars from Old Hollywood. Sure if you scratch the surface a few may know who Cary Grant or even Bette Davis are, but say a name like... Cleo Moore and you mind as well be talking gibberish. Don't know who Cleo is either? That's okay, you will after I'm done with you!

I had heard her name a few times throughout my researching of miscellaneous things about Old Hollywood over the years, but it wasn't until I was chatting with a friend on Facebook and her name came up that I took a little more time to learn about this beautiful blonde. As it turns out my friend is a distant relative of hers, which peaked my interest even more.

Cleo was born and raised in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area... which just happens to be near my hometown of New Orleans. In 1944 she married Louisiana Governor Huey Long's son Palmer Long, but the union only lasted a few weeks. Later the next year, Cleo would pack up and move to California with her family with her sights set on making it in motion pictures.

While trying to make a name for herself in Hollywood, Cleo became a popular model, posing for many cheesecake style photos. It wouldn't be until 1948 that Cleo would actually clock in some on-screen time, thanks to Warner Bros. She was usually given bit parts in B films such as Embraceable You (1948) and Congo Bill (1948) and in 1950 she would jump ship to RKO Studios where she was given more of the same.

In 1952, Cleo signed to Columbia Pictures and was molded into their next big star. She dyed her hair platinum blonde to fill in as Columbia's blonde bombshell role. At the time all the studios were trying to bank off the success that FOX was having with Marilyn Monroe. She was pegged 'The Next Big Thing' and 'The Blonde Rita Hayworth.' She first gained attention in Nicholas Ray's film noir, On Dangerous Ground (1952). 

Over the next few years, Cleo would enjoy success at the box office starring in such films as The Other Woman (1954) and One Girl's Confessions (1953). But with the signing of Kim Novak as Columbia's next 'it' girl, Cleo would be given roles in forgettable b films. After completing her last film with Columbia ,Women's Prison, in 1956, Moore signed on to Universal Studios where she was given a few more roles, but would never garner the attention she had enjoyed just a few years prior.

In 1957, Cleo retired from acting and settled into a non-Hollywood life with her second husband and dedicated herself as wife and mother to their child who was born in 1963. Sadly, Cleo would pass away in 1973 of a heart attack at the young age of 48.

Cleo with fellow blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield

In a period where curvacious blonde bombshells were being thrown at the public in hoards, Cleo struggled to find her footing amongst stars such as Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren, and is often forgotten about in today's world. Luckily for  those of us who care to, we can re watch her films and give her the dues she was owed. Sometimes it's those forgotten b movie roles where some of these stars turned in their best performances.

Happy Holidays!

I cant believe the holiday season is almost over with now! Since tomorrow is Christmas Day, I just wanted to stop by and wish everyone a Happy Holiday! Thanks to all of you who visit the blog, I love reading your comments! Y'all have a good one!

Ferragamo: Shoe Designer

I know my post on this blog are sparse... to say the least, but I am so glad to see you guys are still visiting! I am going to do my best to keep up with it better than I have the last few months. Even if I just post a picture I love... I will make my way over here!

And so here we have a picture I found on Pintrest a few weeks ago...Here we see acclaimed shoe designer Ferragamo kneeling among the shoe forms of some of Old Hollywood's top stars. Rita Hayworth, Audrey Hepburn, and Lauren Bacall are just a few of the names seen in this photo!

Ferragamo started making shoes when he was only 9 and became one of the most sought out shoe designers in Hollywood. He has been credited with creating platform soles and wedge heels! Think about that next time you are are out shoe shopping and try on those platforms! He is most famous for creating the ruby slippers from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Below is a picture of Audrey Hepburn during one of their shoe fittings...

Marilyn Monroe by Nickolas Murray

I came across these beautiful color shots of Marilyn Monroe while browsing my long time favorite forum Everlasting Star and wanted to share. The photos were taken by photographer Nickolas Murray in 1952. I was struck by the clarity and vibrant colors... simply beautiful!

Murray was a Hungarian immigrant who became famous for his celebrity portraits published in Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and Ladies' Home Journal. In the 1930's he turned his focus from portraits to commercial photography where he established many of the conventions of color advertising. He was known as the master of the three-color carbro process.