Showing posts with label Judy Garland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judy Garland. Show all posts
Friday, December 21, 2018
favorite movie #116 - holiday edition: meet me in st. louis
Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #116 - Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) - The film covers a year in the lives of the Smith family, in turn-of-the-century St. Louis, and their contemplating moving to New York before the World's Fair coms to town in 1904. Judy Garland performs many great musical numbers in the film, including "The Trolley Song" and "The Boy Next Door", but the most touching and memorable sequence is her singing to her younger sister Tootie (Margaret O'Brien), "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", probably my favorite version of the song, which has been covered by everyone from Frank Sinatra to John Legend.
Wednesday, October 01, 2014
the wizard of oz faq
The Wizard of Oz is an enduring and endearing classic. Who hasn't seen it, perhaps even multiple times? It made a star out of cultural icon Judy Garland and has held up remarkable well over the years since its 1939 release, enchanting generations of young and old alike. There have been stories over the years about what went on behind-the-scenes of making the film. The most familiar factoids center around Buddy Ebsen, who was originally cast as the Tin Woodman, but had such a terrible reaction to the silver make-up that he had to quit. Another popular story concerned the ribald antics of "The Munchkins" during production, which were even featured in a 1981 film, Under the Rainbow, starring Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher.
One might think that a new book about the making of the film, The Wizard of Oz FAQ
, might just be a rehash of such stories, peppered with a few photos, but it is far more than that. An impressive tome, running over 400 pages, The Wizard of Oz FAQ is a detailed, analytic look at the making of the film in all of its aspects - from the writing of the original source material, by Frank L. Baum, to selecting the actors, to the production of the film and beyond.
Author David J. Hogan ... starts off not with the making of the film, but the formation of the studio that produced it, MGM, providing background stories about Louis B. Mayer and the birth of Hollywood and proceeds from there. It is this attention to detail that makes The Wizard of Oz FAQ such a fascinating read. ...
Read my full review of Cinema Sentries
One might think that a new book about the making of the film, The Wizard of Oz FAQ
, might just be a rehash of such stories, peppered with a few photos, but it is far more than that. An impressive tome, running over 400 pages, The Wizard of Oz FAQ is a detailed, analytic look at the making of the film in all of its aspects - from the writing of the original source material, by Frank L. Baum, to selecting the actors, to the production of the film and beyond. |
| They're off to see the Wizard, L-R: The Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), Tin Woodman (Jack Haley), Dorothy (Judy Garland), and The Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) |
Author David J. Hogan ... starts off not with the making of the film, but the formation of the studio that produced it, MGM, providing background stories about Louis B. Mayer and the birth of Hollywood and proceeds from there. It is this attention to detail that makes The Wizard of Oz FAQ such a fascinating read. ...
Read my full review of Cinema Sentries
Thursday, September 06, 2012
gene kelly: anatomy of a dancer
As we were checking out the DVDs at our local library the other day, the kid's eagle eye caught sight of Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer, a documentary on the star originally broadcast by PBS on American Masters. What can I say, the kid has taste and knows what her mommy likes.
I have been a fan of Gene Kelly since I was my daughter's age. So many years later he still impresses. His grace and athleticism are unparalleled in movies. And the man was not just skilled, but sexy. Although he was possessed of a sunny grin, there was frequently a dark side to the characters he played onscreen. His daughter, Kerry, is quoted as saying that he was the only one of his Hollywood friends not in analysis. He worked his demons out in his choreography, and many of his most well-known dances are dreamscapes.
The film, narrated by actor Stanley Tucci, covers Kelly's career from his youth in Pittsburgh to his meteoric rise on Broadway and then Hollywood. I knew Kelly got his first big break on Broadway in Pal Joey, and his life-long love of sports (including the New York Yankees). What I didn't know was that when he went to Hollywood soon after Pal Joey and made his first musical, with Judy Garland, For Me and My Gal, that Garland helped him immeasurably in transferring his "exaggerated" stage moves to the more intimate screen. I also learned that back in Pittsburgh his brother Fred taught him to tap dance — their mother had all of her children take years of dance training and the family started a dancing school to help make ends meet.
Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer includes previously taped interviews with Kelley and the usual talking heads, including actress Betsy Blair (first wife), lyricists Betty Comden and Adolph Green and dancers Cyd Charisse and Donald O'Connor (Singin' in the Rain), actresses Leslie Caron and Nina Foch (An American in Paris), composer Andre Previn (It's Always Fair Weather), Betty Garrett (Take Me Out to the Ball Game, On the Town), and co-director Stanley Donen (On the Town, Singin' in the Rain, It's Always Fair Weather).
There is much discussion of his being a stern taskmaster and a demanding perfectionist. Actress Debbie Reynolds tells us that "The two hardest things I did in my life was childbirth and Singin' in the Rain." But she also admits that her experience with Kelly and the film taught her a lot. The included clips confirm that all his hard work and attention to detail was well worth it. Kelly was the ultimate American dancer, and ex-wife Blair insists that "he wanted to democratize dance."
Kelly was the was only star working in musicals who was also choreographing, writing, and directing as well. He was constantly testing himself, and dance on film. He created some of the most innovative numbers in movie musicals, and he started early. In his fourth film, Thousands Cheer, his first film with MGM, he did a solo dance with a mop and broom. Two years later in 1945 found him dancing with Jerry the mouse in Anchors Aweigh. In 1949 he co-directed On the Town with Stanley Donen, and opened up the movie musical by insisting that it be filmed in real New York City locations. He memorably tap danced on roller skates in 1955 in It's Always Fair Weather.
What may not be known about Kelly is how the Hollywood blacklist affected his life. His wife Betsy Blair was blacklisted because of her left-wing politics and almost lost her most famous role, as Clara, Ernest Borgnine's girlfriend, in Marty. Kelly threatened to pull out of It's Always Fair Weather if she was denied the role and she got the part. Because of the political climate, the Kellys moved to Europe for a while and he made a pet project, Invitation to the Dance. But the studio shelved it for four years and it flopped with U.S. audiences when it was finally released.
Blair speaks in her interviews very fondly and proudly of Kelly and happy about their time together. She can't really explain why she asked him for a divorce. She and Kelly were close to Donen and his wife Jeanne Coyne (who was also Kelly's choreographic assistant). Coyne and Donen divorced after only a few years of marriage and Kelly married Coyne three years after Blair divorced him. Close quarters.
Romantic complications aside, Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer is chock-full of wonderful footage of Kelly, and it will be impossible not to want to see one of his classic films after checking out this entertaining documentary. Kelly's performances still give so much joy. Just watching him do the title number from Singin' in the Rain can't help but bring a smile to your face. The only difficult decision will be which film to watch. An American in Paris for the amazing paintings coming to life sequence. On the Town for the kinetic dance routines. Cover Girl for his good/guy bad/guy persona and Phil Silvers and Rita Hayworth. The Pirate for his amazing, athletic spoof and homage to Douglas Fairbanks Jr. — the list goes on and on.
I have been a fan of Gene Kelly since I was my daughter's age. So many years later he still impresses. His grace and athleticism are unparalleled in movies. And the man was not just skilled, but sexy. Although he was possessed of a sunny grin, there was frequently a dark side to the characters he played onscreen. His daughter, Kerry, is quoted as saying that he was the only one of his Hollywood friends not in analysis. He worked his demons out in his choreography, and many of his most well-known dances are dreamscapes.
The film, narrated by actor Stanley Tucci, covers Kelly's career from his youth in Pittsburgh to his meteoric rise on Broadway and then Hollywood. I knew Kelly got his first big break on Broadway in Pal Joey, and his life-long love of sports (including the New York Yankees). What I didn't know was that when he went to Hollywood soon after Pal Joey and made his first musical, with Judy Garland, For Me and My Gal, that Garland helped him immeasurably in transferring his "exaggerated" stage moves to the more intimate screen. I also learned that back in Pittsburgh his brother Fred taught him to tap dance — their mother had all of her children take years of dance training and the family started a dancing school to help make ends meet.
Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer includes previously taped interviews with Kelley and the usual talking heads, including actress Betsy Blair (first wife), lyricists Betty Comden and Adolph Green and dancers Cyd Charisse and Donald O'Connor (Singin' in the Rain), actresses Leslie Caron and Nina Foch (An American in Paris), composer Andre Previn (It's Always Fair Weather), Betty Garrett (Take Me Out to the Ball Game, On the Town), and co-director Stanley Donen (On the Town, Singin' in the Rain, It's Always Fair Weather).
There is much discussion of his being a stern taskmaster and a demanding perfectionist. Actress Debbie Reynolds tells us that "The two hardest things I did in my life was childbirth and Singin' in the Rain." But she also admits that her experience with Kelly and the film taught her a lot. The included clips confirm that all his hard work and attention to detail was well worth it. Kelly was the ultimate American dancer, and ex-wife Blair insists that "he wanted to democratize dance."
Kelly was the was only star working in musicals who was also choreographing, writing, and directing as well. He was constantly testing himself, and dance on film. He created some of the most innovative numbers in movie musicals, and he started early. In his fourth film, Thousands Cheer, his first film with MGM, he did a solo dance with a mop and broom. Two years later in 1945 found him dancing with Jerry the mouse in Anchors Aweigh. In 1949 he co-directed On the Town with Stanley Donen, and opened up the movie musical by insisting that it be filmed in real New York City locations. He memorably tap danced on roller skates in 1955 in It's Always Fair Weather.
What may not be known about Kelly is how the Hollywood blacklist affected his life. His wife Betsy Blair was blacklisted because of her left-wing politics and almost lost her most famous role, as Clara, Ernest Borgnine's girlfriend, in Marty. Kelly threatened to pull out of It's Always Fair Weather if she was denied the role and she got the part. Because of the political climate, the Kellys moved to Europe for a while and he made a pet project, Invitation to the Dance. But the studio shelved it for four years and it flopped with U.S. audiences when it was finally released.
Blair speaks in her interviews very fondly and proudly of Kelly and happy about their time together. She can't really explain why she asked him for a divorce. She and Kelly were close to Donen and his wife Jeanne Coyne (who was also Kelly's choreographic assistant). Coyne and Donen divorced after only a few years of marriage and Kelly married Coyne three years after Blair divorced him. Close quarters.
 |
| Kelly in The Pirate |
Friday, June 22, 2012
classic film favorite: the clock
Alice Maybery (Judy Garland), "Sometimes when a girl dates a soldier she isn't only thinking of herself. She knows he's alone and far away from home and no one to talk to and ... What are you staring at?"
Corporal Joe Allen (Robert Walker), "You've got brown eyes."The Clock is a little wartime romance, featuring Judy Garland in her first dramatic role as a young working woman in New York who meets a soldier played by Robert Walker in Penn Station. They have a whirlwind romance over the course of his two-day leave before he ships out for points unknown. Garland and Walker have great chemistry, and the film hurtles along as the couple visit the Central Park Zoo, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, go on a date that lasts through the night and which takes them on an adventure with a friendly milkman (James Gleason) and other quirky New Yorkers.
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| A meet-cute at Penn Station |
 |
| The camera (and the director) loves Judy |
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| Riding home on the milk truck after an all-night delivery |
The Clock, like so many films that came out of Hollywood in the 1940s, presents an idealized view of America and Americans. Could anyone have ever been so pure, so innocent, so polite, so nice? We would like to think they could. It is part of a nostalgic myth of America and its past that we hope is true. Was New York City really like it's depicted in The Clock during wartime, with people willing to go to any length to help a soldier and his girl? The story convincingly captures how people must have felt at such an uncertain time — that falling in love might truly be "now or never."
Minnelli makes New York City such a huge part of the story and fabric of the couple's romance that it is hard to believe that The Clock was filmed entirely on the MGM studio lot, complete with a huge replica of Penn Station. Minnelli's New York is complete with its pushing crowds on the subway and on the street, and full of "typical" New Yorkers that the couple befriends, like Keenan Wynn, who has a brief and funny cameo as a drunk in a sandwich shop.
One wonders when Walker's soldier comes back from the war — and he must come back, Judy's character says so — if he will be able to whisk his bride away from her job and the city that she loves so much to wherever he's originally from in the Midwest. Seems doubtful. New York is the city where they first met and a huge feature of their romance. But Walker's return and their wrangling over where to live would have been another movie, and one that would never have been made, anyway. The Clock is innocent and delightful just as it is.
Friday, December 30, 2011
new year's movie meme
The Girl with the White Parasol has posted a New Year's Movie Meme, which I thought would be fun to do. I write about books and television and lots of other things that come into my head, but my love of pop culture originated with watching old movies with my parents. These days I watch them with my daughter.
Feel free to pass on the meme or post your answers to the ten questions in the comments section.
Happy New Year!
1. What is your all-time favorite Grace Kelly costume?
The woman could wear clothes like few others, but my favorite is the first fabulous gown she wears in Rear Window, when she sweeps into Jimmy Stewart's apartment, and Hitchcock just lets her get closer and closer as she goes in for a kiss and fills the camera screen. The audience can't help but immediately fal in love with her. The dress is as wonderful as its wearer. It's the ultimate '50s glamour look, with cinched waist, full skirt, and accented with red, red lipstick and pearls.
2. What classic film would you nominate for a remake?
This is a tough one. I generally don't like remakes. It's not exactly a classic, but Dune might benefit from a remake. The David Lynch version is just gross and cheesy. With today's special effects it might be a pretty cool sci-fi film.
3. Name your favorite femme fatale.
Its hard to top Mary Astor as Brigid O'Shaughnessey in The Maltese Falcon. She isn't the typical voluptuous figure that we might first think of with the term femme fatale, but she uses her mind and her feminine wiles and leaves a trail of sorry males in her wake.
4. Name the best movie with the word "heaven" in its title.
Warren Beatty's Heaven Can Wait, with Steve Martin's Pennies from Heaven a close second.
5. Describe the worst performance by a child actor that you’ve ever seen.
I know people love this movie, but I'm not that fond of Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense (he's great in A.I.) I also can't stand the forced cuteness of Jonathan Lipnicki in Jerry Maguire. It's less the kids' fault than the roles they play.
6. Who gets your vote for most tragic movie monster?
I think Irena (Simone Simone), from Cat People is the most tragic. She so wants to live a normal life and fall in love, but she can't deny her feline impulses and heritage. Violence stalks her.
7. What is the one Western that you would recommend to anybody?
I don't consider myself a Western fan, but thinking about this question made me realize that there are a lot of great Westerns for non-Western fans to enjoy. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is probably the one I would recommend to anyone, as the charming combination of Paul Newman and Robert Redford is hard to beat. But other non-traditional Westerns that are great movies are Bad Day at Black Rock with Spencer Tracy, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral with Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster, comic western 4 for Texas with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, and the recent animated Rango, featuring Johnny Depp.
8. Who is your ideal movie-viewing partner?
I've had many. My movie buff dad was my first. He let me watch everything — horror films, epics, gangster movies, epics. In my 20s my best bud Mary and I were great movie watching companions. These days I like watching my daughter discover Judy Garland, Gene Kelly and lots of other favorites.
9. Has a film ever made you want to change your life? If so, what was the film?
I don't think a specific film has made me want to change my life, but there are some that have had an almost visceral effect on me (A Clockwork Orange, Vertigo). Movies have always been a huge part of my life — watching, talking, and now writing about them.
10. Think of one performer that you truly love. Now think of one scene/movie/performance of theirs that is too uncomfortable for you to watch.
I love Gene Kelly, and although he had nothing to be ashamed of, Xanadu didn't need to be made.
11. On the flip side, think of one really good scene/performance/movie from a performer that you truly loathe.
It's hard to think of an actor or actress that I loathe — that's such a strong word. I'm not a huge fan of Christian Bale, but there's no denying he's good in the Batman films.
12. And finally, since it will be New Year's soon, do you have any movie or blogging-related resolutions for 2012?
I would like to write more in-depth, detailed pieces on some of my favorite films. I've actually just started to do that. My first one, On Nicholas Ray's In A Lonely Place, starring Humphrey Bogart, will run on January 2.
Feel free to pass on the meme or post your answers to the ten questions in the comments section.
Happy New Year!
1. What is your all-time favorite Grace Kelly costume?
The woman could wear clothes like few others, but my favorite is the first fabulous gown she wears in Rear Window, when she sweeps into Jimmy Stewart's apartment, and Hitchcock just lets her get closer and closer as she goes in for a kiss and fills the camera screen. The audience can't help but immediately fal in love with her. The dress is as wonderful as its wearer. It's the ultimate '50s glamour look, with cinched waist, full skirt, and accented with red, red lipstick and pearls.
2. What classic film would you nominate for a remake?
This is a tough one. I generally don't like remakes. It's not exactly a classic, but Dune might benefit from a remake. The David Lynch version is just gross and cheesy. With today's special effects it might be a pretty cool sci-fi film.
3. Name your favorite femme fatale.
Its hard to top Mary Astor as Brigid O'Shaughnessey in The Maltese Falcon. She isn't the typical voluptuous figure that we might first think of with the term femme fatale, but she uses her mind and her feminine wiles and leaves a trail of sorry males in her wake.
4. Name the best movie with the word "heaven" in its title.
Warren Beatty's Heaven Can Wait, with Steve Martin's Pennies from Heaven a close second.
5. Describe the worst performance by a child actor that you’ve ever seen.
I know people love this movie, but I'm not that fond of Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense (he's great in A.I.) I also can't stand the forced cuteness of Jonathan Lipnicki in Jerry Maguire. It's less the kids' fault than the roles they play.
6. Who gets your vote for most tragic movie monster?
I think Irena (Simone Simone), from Cat People is the most tragic. She so wants to live a normal life and fall in love, but she can't deny her feline impulses and heritage. Violence stalks her.
7. What is the one Western that you would recommend to anybody?
I don't consider myself a Western fan, but thinking about this question made me realize that there are a lot of great Westerns for non-Western fans to enjoy. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is probably the one I would recommend to anyone, as the charming combination of Paul Newman and Robert Redford is hard to beat. But other non-traditional Westerns that are great movies are Bad Day at Black Rock with Spencer Tracy, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral with Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster, comic western 4 for Texas with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, and the recent animated Rango, featuring Johnny Depp.
8. Who is your ideal movie-viewing partner?
I've had many. My movie buff dad was my first. He let me watch everything — horror films, epics, gangster movies, epics. In my 20s my best bud Mary and I were great movie watching companions. These days I like watching my daughter discover Judy Garland, Gene Kelly and lots of other favorites.
9. Has a film ever made you want to change your life? If so, what was the film?
I don't think a specific film has made me want to change my life, but there are some that have had an almost visceral effect on me (A Clockwork Orange, Vertigo). Movies have always been a huge part of my life — watching, talking, and now writing about them.
10. Think of one performer that you truly love. Now think of one scene/movie/performance of theirs that is too uncomfortable for you to watch.
I love Gene Kelly, and although he had nothing to be ashamed of, Xanadu didn't need to be made.
11. On the flip side, think of one really good scene/performance/movie from a performer that you truly loathe.
It's hard to think of an actor or actress that I loathe — that's such a strong word. I'm not a huge fan of Christian Bale, but there's no denying he's good in the Batman films.
12. And finally, since it will be New Year's soon, do you have any movie or blogging-related resolutions for 2012?
I would like to write more in-depth, detailed pieces on some of my favorite films. I've actually just started to do that. My first one, On Nicholas Ray's In A Lonely Place, starring Humphrey Bogart, will run on January 2.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
(b)ratpack
The kid loves Der Bingle. She's almost seven, but I think she's seen White Christmas
that many times already. Over the holidays we watched that movie a few times as well as a special on PBS on Bing, featuring his many television specials and guests.
next ...
Der Bingle quotes from imdb
that many times already. Over the holidays we watched that movie a few times as well as a special on PBS on Bing, featuring his many television specials and guests.[on Frank Sinatra] Frank is a singer who comes along once in a lifetime, but why did he have to come in mine?I actually remember seeing Bing's duet with David Bowie on television with my parents in Crosby's Christmas special first run, although I didn't realize at the time that Bing was recently no more. I guess my parents didn't tell me.
[about Elvis Presley] He helped to kill off the influence of me and my contemporaries, but I respect him for that. Because music always has to progress, and no-one could have opened the door to the future like he did.I just downloaded some pix from the iPhone and lo and behold my budding iPhonographer had documented one of the best numbers on the special, Bing with Frankie and Dino. My little (b)ratpacker. Maybe I can rent Robin and the Seven Hoods
next ...[on Judy Garland] The most talented woman I ever knew was Judy Garland. She was a great, great comedienne and she could do more things than any girl I ever knew. Act, sing, dance, make you laugh. She was everything. I had a great affection for her. Such a tragedy. Too much work, too much pressure, the wrong kind of people as husbands.
Der Bingle quotes from imdb
Monday, November 22, 2010
a thin line
While I won't challenge the evidence that actresses in Hollywood seem to be incredibly thinner than the rest of us, I am always a little amazed at the periodic outcry and finger-pointing that seems to single out a few particular actresses as "having a problem" or taking it too far." Basically someone is calling someone else their idea of ugly based on how that person looks, and that is messed up and juvenile and unnecessary. What are we people? Stupid Marie Claire editors? I'd like to think we're better than that.
I'm not sure we can ever get over our size-obsession. It's hardly anything new. And in the age we live in, with the abundance of food (even in a recession) on most people's plates, it is extremely easy to go up on the scale, and as everyone who has ever tried knows, not so easy to go back down. So anyone who stays thin, or gets thinner, has appeared to win the "genetic lottery." And that creates resentment. Being thin in this country is connected to concepts of beauty, definitely, but also to ideas about health. The prevalent idea is that to be thin guarantees good health. Even if we know that's simplistic and not true, it's an idea that seems firmly ingrained in most American minds.
Case in point, Angelina Jolie. When she's not being internet-bashed for her relationship with Brad Pitt, or number of children, critics can always start pointing out her skinny arms. Jolie is skinny, maybe skinnier than a few years back. But there could be reasons for that beyond the only reason anyone thinks anyone should ever lose weight—to look better, i.e. thinner than the next guy. Angelina lost her mother recently. She's a UNHCR goodwill ambassador for children and refugees worldwide. I know that if I was traveling to Darfur, Pakistan, Cambodia and other places where children and adults are literally starving, I would not want to go home and stuff my face. But is she really so startlingly thinner these days?
Angelina's lost any baby fat she may have had in the top photo, but I'd say that she has always been a skinny chick. What's really scary is how the publicity machine thinks that even this skinny chick isn't skinny enough and Photoshops her to within an inch of her life to make her even more skinny.
Fabulous actresses come in all shapes and sizes, just like fabulous people. The cult of skinny in show biz is nothing new. Every decade over the past 80 years Hollywood has promoted skinny, beautiful icons to an adoring public:
30s - Marlene Dietrich, Claudette Colbert
40s - Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis
50s - Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly
60s - Julie Christie, Jane Fonda
70s - Diana Ross, Faye Dunaway (70s t.v. actresses are all pretty thin, too)
80s - Michelle Pfeiffer, Daryl Hannah
90s - Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts
00s - Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley
I'm not sure we can ever get over our size-obsession. It's hardly anything new. And in the age we live in, with the abundance of food (even in a recession) on most people's plates, it is extremely easy to go up on the scale, and as everyone who has ever tried knows, not so easy to go back down. So anyone who stays thin, or gets thinner, has appeared to win the "genetic lottery." And that creates resentment. Being thin in this country is connected to concepts of beauty, definitely, but also to ideas about health. The prevalent idea is that to be thin guarantees good health. Even if we know that's simplistic and not true, it's an idea that seems firmly ingrained in most American minds.
If we were living in ancient Rome or Greece, I would be considered sickly and unattractive. The times dictate that thin is better for some strange reason, which I think is foolish.—Gwyneth PaltrowSo why does the media keep telling us that "too thin" is a recent epidemic in Hollywood? Why are actresses like Angelina Jolie and all the other skinny gals (Keira Knightly, eg.) excoriated regularly? Why do we look to Hollywood as the gauge for a woman's size? Why not to the world of sports? Folks would rather criticize Venus Williams on her fashion sense than hold her as a model of physical health and beauty.
Case in point, Angelina Jolie. When she's not being internet-bashed for her relationship with Brad Pitt, or number of children, critics can always start pointing out her skinny arms. Jolie is skinny, maybe skinnier than a few years back. But there could be reasons for that beyond the only reason anyone thinks anyone should ever lose weight—to look better, i.e. thinner than the next guy. Angelina lost her mother recently. She's a UNHCR goodwill ambassador for children and refugees worldwide. I know that if I was traveling to Darfur, Pakistan, Cambodia and other places where children and adults are literally starving, I would not want to go home and stuff my face. But is she really so startlingly thinner these days?
She is very slender in this picture, taken when she was a young starlet
 |
| Angelina Jolie (Photo credit: Wikipedia). |
How can women be as thin as we are? We have personal trainers to work us out. We have specially prepared meals.—Sarah Michelle Gellar"Thin is in" is hardly a new concept, especially in the film industry. Some of the most famous faces (and bodies) of Old Hollywood aren't painfully thin, but boy are they skinny—all the better to show off those clingy bias-cut gowns, which would show off the tiniest bulge or curve.
Claudette Colbert, in Cleopatra
Universal style icon Audrey Hepburn, screen test from Roman Holiday
Barbara Stanwyck publicity photo
Fabulous actresses come in all shapes and sizes, just like fabulous people. The cult of skinny in show biz is nothing new. Every decade over the past 80 years Hollywood has promoted skinny, beautiful icons to an adoring public:
30s - Marlene Dietrich, Claudette Colbert
40s - Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis
50s - Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly
60s - Julie Christie, Jane Fonda
70s - Diana Ross, Faye Dunaway (70s t.v. actresses are all pretty thin, too)
80s - Michelle Pfeiffer, Daryl Hannah
90s - Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts
00s - Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley
I was a scapegoat. The media had to put responsibility on somebody, and I was chosen. They felt free to say that because someone was thin they were anorexic, which is ridiculous.—Kate MossI'm not defending Hollywood's or any of our culture's insistence that actresses and women be and stay skinny. We all know how Judy Garland was tortured by pressures to lose weight.
From the time I was thirteen, there was a constant struggle between MGM and me—whether or not to eat, how much to eat, what to eat. I remember this more vividly than anything else about my childhood.—Judy GarlandI'd just like us all to stop commenting and snarking that Angelina should eat a burger. Or that Jessica Simpson should stop eating them. Let's all lighten up—figuratively speaking.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
a marshmallow world
When you have a kid, you've got to shed some of your coolness factor and embrace the all-day, all-night Xmas music station. At least now that she's old enough to want to hear the music. Don't worry, I'm also passing on my misspent youth - she likes to sing along to Should I Stay or Should I Go.I have to admit that I am actually enjoying listening to the station this year (but only in the car, not at home - I'm not completely mental.) Most of the fun comes from watching my daughter light up when Rudolph or Frosty plays, or learning what other holiday ditties float her boat, like Jingle Bell Rock. I am also relieved that she can't stand Mannheim Steamroller or the Trans-Siberian Orchestra ("Too sad - I don't like it!") I'm right there with you kid. I think it's sort of creepy music, actually. I prefer vocals. Always.
What I enjoy is not the umpteenth time that White Christmas is played, although it's definitely a classic, but when they play some obscure version of either a traditional song or some weird, forced holiday tune, like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by the Pretenders - I had to use Shazam on my iPhone to find out who was strangling the cat. Unbelievably painful. What was Chrissie Hynde drinking that day? I actually like the song, and the best version is by Judy Garland from the film Meet Me in St. Louis, but James Taylor does a pretty good one, too.The song actually captures what it's like to be away from your loved ones at the holidays and has a poignant wartime reference, whether originally in post-war 1944 or today.
Sometimes I end up liking holiday songs by an artist that I don't like when they do their own material. I find Sarah McLachlan too twee most of the time, but I like the version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen she does with Barenaked Ladies.
While I was sipping hot cocoa at lunch this afternoon with the ubiquitous holiday music playing in the background, I was treated to a Rat Pack Christmas. Most of it was pretty awful, especially from Sinatra, with his "hey youse guys, I can style any song you can trow at me!" delivery. And don't even challenge me on this. I'm from Joisey. But I do have to 'fess up to a fondness for Dino's version of Rudy...
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