Classic Hollywood: All Doll'd Up

After watching the film Sudden Fear (review coming soon), I decided to 'google' the film, as I usually do. It was then I came across a website full of repainted fashion dolls, made to look like some of my favorite Classic Hollywood stars. The works on this website ranged from Greta Garbo to Elizabeth Taylor. The work even extended beyond Old Hollywood featuring the likes of Cher and Bette Midler.

Joan Crawford in Sudden Fear || Notice the famous Crawford Mouth

The artist I am refering to is Joan Albuerne. He lives in the North of Spain and has combined his passions of painting, movies, and dolls to make these beautiful dolls in the likeness of some of the great stars featured on his website (juanalbuerne.com). Juan started painting at the age of nine and today has many of his works in private collections around the world... even in the King of Spain's personal collection. He has also won many awards and been featured in quite a few publications. His takes dolls such as Charice, Alysa, Candi, Janay, Barbie, Midge, Kira, Lea, Kayla, Nichelle, Christie dolls and changes the features. Sometimes even modelling new noses, mouths, and eyes. His work is impeccable and extremely detailed.

Grace Kelly in Rear Window

After seeing these beautiful dolls, I looked up other custom repainted dolls and found some awesome things. It inspired me to share my finds in a little series here on Blame Mame called Classic Hollywood: All Doll'd Up. There are some stars who will get their own posts (like Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe), but we will start out with a few of my random favorites...

Lana Turner in The Postman Always Rings Twice || Complete with cigarette and case

Rita Hayworth in Gilda

Cyd Charisse in Singin' In The Rain

Keep an eye out for more in the future by Juan and other artist...

Video | Baby, You Knock Me Out

This video clip is from 1955 satirical MGM musical It's Always Fair Weather starring two of my favorites... Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. I actually haven't had a chance to see this picture, I discovered this dance sequence one day while browsing YouTube and it has become a favorite one of mine to revisit every so often. There isn't anything fancy about the scene, just a lot of great dancing.

COMING SOON TO BLAME MAME...

In the next week or so I will be posting an entry I wrote about my interest in the Golden Age of Hollywood in a new series I am calling Who What Where When Why. I will go through my introductions to Old Hollywood, who influenced my interest, why it interest me, and what keeps me interested. I am often asked why this era in cinema history has become a big part of my life and I think this series will help me put into words what has always been hard to explain. So please check back for my upcoming post.

Actors | Stars To Watch

I was sitting on my recliner the other day looking at videos on YouTube of some of my favorite classic stars, when it struck me that I haven't seen many films of the stars I consider 'favorites.' As I thought about it more, two of the video clips ['Shimmy Like My Sister Kate" and "Too Darn Hot"] I look at often are from films I have never seen!

I decided to make a list of stars who's films I would like to become more accustom. That is what this post is all about. The star's, the films I have seen, and the films I want to see most. 

I also added a few stars who's films I have never seen. These are stars I see in post around the blog-o-sphere and run across their films at the stores often. Stars that others have created blogs/websites dedicated to, but I have yet to enjoy myself.

These are the stars that are at the top of my list of filmographies to explore...

ANN MILLER

I've seen On The Town & Easter Parade

I would like to see Kiss Me Kate

Everytime Ann comes on the screen, tap dancing with a smile that goes from cheek to cheek, I can't help but want to see more. The way she effortlessly moves and the way she looks into the camera really makes you feel like she is looking right at you, wanting you to have just as much fun as she is having on screen.

Cyd Charisse

I've seen The Band Wagon & East Side, West Side

I would like to see Silk Stockings, Party Girl, & Brigadoon

This is another star who captivates me with their dancing whenever I seen them on screen. The 'Girl Hunt' number in The Band Wagon is in my top three classic film scenes of all time. The way she dances is just elegant. I have watched some of her other dance scenes on the internet and I am definitely want to see more.

Betty Grable

I've Seen How To Marry A Millionaire

I would like to see Pin-Up Girl & How To Be Very Very Popular

The scene from Wabash Ave where Grable sings 'Shimmy Like My Sister Kate' is another of my favorite videos to watch over and over, but I have never seen that film. Betty Grable was known for having the best gams in the business and from what I have heard a beautiful voice... what more could you ask for?