Feud: Side By Side

I still find it hard to believe that there is a top notch television show during prime time that focuses on two of my favorite actresses of all time! I've always been a huge fan of Ryan Murphy because he created Glee and American Horror Story, but he blew me away with this creation. I haven't been this excited about a television show since Smash. I believe Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon are doing an amazing job as Joan and Bette. They get a thumbs up from me.

This past week's episode focused on the 1963 Academy Awards and what would be a huge turning point in the career of both ladies. I was so pleasantly surprised to see them include Bette's December 1962 appearance on the Andy Williams show where she sang "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane." Susan really did her homework here because the movements and the accents in her voice were spot on. To top it off, the way the show recreated the awards evening all the way down to the monologue just made my little Old Hollywood loving heart melt.

I want to give two thumbs up to Ryan Murphy and his team for bringing this to life. Let's hope this will get audiences interested in looking a little deeper into the careers of these two amazing woman. It isnt all about wire hangers and places looking like dumps. A life without witnessing the magic that is Joan Crawford and Bette Davis is a life I would never want to lead.

I found these two side by side comparison on YouTube... just in case you haven't been watching.

Top 10 Classic Hollywood Gowns

When I watch a film from this period, the costumes get as much attention from me as the actors do. In many films, the costume design is the much needed icing on the cake to give these films that little something extra. It just goes to show you that the designers of that period were much more important than they may have known. Not only did they lend their hand in the productions of the films, they also had a lasting touch on the world of fashion. Many of their designs can be seen influencing fashions that are hip today. Below are my top 10 gowns of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Ok let's be honest, who could narrow it down to 10, so here are 10 of my favorites. It is probably no surprise how many times Edith Head pops on on the list...

Grace Kelly | To Catch A Thief (1955)

Blue Gown by Edith Head

Marilyn Monroe | Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Orange Gown by Travilla

Rita Hayworth | You Were Never Lovelier (1942)

White Lace Gown by Irene

Bette Davis | All About Eve (1950)

Brown Gown by Edith Head

Joan Crawford | Letty Lynton (1932)

Black & White Gown by Adrian

Audrey Hepburn | Funny Face (1957)

Wedding Gown by Edith Head

Jean Harlow | Dinner At Eight (1933)

Biased Cut Silk Gown by Adrian

Jayne Mansfield | The Girl Cant Help It (1956)

White Silk Gown by Charles Le Maire

Rita Hayworth | Gilda (1946)

Black Silk Gown by Jean Louis

Jane Russell & Marilyn Monroe | Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Red Sequined Gowns by Travilla

Blog Update

Well I was going pretty good there with updates back in February. I cant believe fast how time has flown by! Doesn't seem like 4 months have passed. I've got some 'From Sketch to Screen' and 'Make Over' post coming! Till then I leave you with this great photo of Joan Crawford and Bette Davis!

Promotional photo for 1962's 'Whatever Happened To Baby Jane'

Frankly, My Dear Classic Film Survey

Rianna over at Frankly, My Dear has been hosting a Classic Film Survey for the month of February. I said earlier in the month that I wanted to take part... it's better late than never right? Sorry for the delay, life has just been hectic. So here it goes...

1. Favorite classic Disney?

 
It is very hard for me to answer this because I am such a Disney fanatic, but I chose Sleeping Beauty (1959). I went with this film because of how beautifully done the illustrations were. You can literally take a frame from any part of the film and it would look like a piece of art! I especially love the scenes where Aurora is walking through the woods singing with all of the animals.

2. Favorite film from the year 1939?

 
This one is pretty easy... The Women. An all woman cast with Norma Shearer, Rosalind Russell and Joan Crawford? What more could you ask for?

3. Favorite Carole Lombard screwball role?

  

While I am a little ashamed to say so, I've only seen one of Carole's films... Mr and Mrs Smith (1941). So I will go with that one as my favorite. I did a review on it, you can read here. I must say that after seeing this picture, I will definitely be watching more of her films.

4. Favorite off screen couple?

Jean Harlow and William Powell. They seemed to be deeply in love. Their 6 month engagement came to an end with Harlow's premature death.

5. Favorite pair of best friends?

Ive always loved the behind-the-scene story of the friendship Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe developed on the set of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). I love that Jane would stop by Marilyn's dressing room and walk with her on set because she knew how terrified Monroe was. A true friend.

Photos | Stars With Their Cameras

Before I continue with the post, I just wanted to point out that the side bar looks a little different [points to the right]. I have added some things, changed some things, and even removed some things. I would like to give a shout out to the three blogs featured on the side bar for their upcoming Blogathons [For The Boys - Hosted by The Scarlett Olive, Dueling Divas - Hosted by Backlots, Humphrey Bogart - Hosted by Forever Classics]. I love Blogathons!

So in my real life I work in a camera shop as a photographer and sales person, so it goes without saying that I love photography. I grew up with disposable film cameras and never had the chance to enjoy the experience of a manual film camera. I've recently acquired a few and I love them. I was excited to find pictures of some of my favorite Classic Hollywood stars using these great cameras... and even a few using old movie film cameras. Two of my favorite things, cameras and Classic Hollywood... sounds like a fun post!

STILL CAMERAS

Joan Crawford

Norma Shearer

Cary Grant

Bette Davis

Photos | On Set: All About Eve

Here is another edition of the 'on set' photo series. This time it comes from the set of the 1950 picture All About Eve. I must say it, it is quite a photo...

In one photo, you get some of Hollywood greatest actors: Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, Marilyn Monroe, Celeste Holm, George Sanders, and Gery Merrill. I never noticed that Monroe is the only one not wearing a dark color. I wonder if that was done on purpose? Maybe to make her stand out in this very small early role?

Something I have always thought about is how different this film would have been without Bette Davis. She was not the first choice to play the role of Margot Channing.  Greats such as Tallulah Bankhead, Susan Hayward, Marlene Dietrich were early considerations for the role. Claudette Colbert was actually cast in the role, but had to pull out after a back injury on another film. In my mind, All About Eve is actually 'all about Bette Davis'.

Film | Reel vs Real

On November 4th, 2011, the release of a new film based on Marilyn Monroe's time in England (while filming The Price and the Showgirl) will be released. My Week With Marilyn will be just another motion picture based on the life of the stars of years gone by. This film gave me the idea to compare characters portrayed on screen by some of my favorite Classic Hollywood stars to the actual people they are based around. Not a very in depth post, but fun to see...

In the 1931 film Mata Hari, Greta Garbo plays a character loosely based on accused spy/exotic dancer Margaretha Geertruida "Grietje" Zelle. The film caused a stir in Pre-code Hollywood and became one of Garbo's most successful films... as well as popularizing the legend of Mata Hari.

In the 1939 film The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle, we see Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in their only biographical musical/comedy. The film was based on stories of Irene Castle titled My Husband and My Memories of Vernon Castle. Castle even acted as adviser on the film and often had issues with the liberties the film was taking with her life.

 

Film | Classic Films Around The World

This post is for The Great Movie Project's World In Film blogathon. The challenge of this blogathon was to highlight films made in each of the 7 continents. I decided (for obvious reasons) to do this blogathon with a classic film twist...

Bette Davis | The Singer

Do the terms 'recording-artist' or 'singer' come to mind when you hear the name Bette Davis? Well it should, because throughout her long career, Bette full-filled that title quite a few times. Continue reading to learn about Bette Davis... the singer.

Photos | Hollywood In Color

After looking at your favorite actors in black & white all the time, sometimes you forget they did exist in a color world. Below you will find some photos of some of my favorites in glorious color!

Bette Davis

Behind the cut are more photos and don't forget to visit the Blame Mame Photo Gallery for more!

Video | Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte

 

I love this video of Bette Davis' singing on the 1965 show 'I've Got A Secret!'

Fashion | Sketch To Screen

Edited 04.04.11

This is the first of the series Sketch To Screen. In this series of photographs, we will document costume design from the sketch paper to the screen where the costumes were made famous. In the first post of the series, we are going to look at the Edith Head designed gown Bette Davis wore in the beloved party scene of All About Eve.

DESIGN: ankle length, made of a heavy brown silk, with elbow-length cuffs & pockets at the waist, all trimmed in sable